Why does Bush want to pay recovery workers less than prevailing wage?

[BlueJac]

Poll question: Why does Bush want to pay recovery workers less than prevailing wage?

[gollygee]

1. He just wants to pay less than prevailing wage, right?

which is still wrong.

I used to work at a construction company so I know what this is. Governmental projects have a prevailing wage for anyone who works on the project that is based on what union workers make so that union companies can compete with non-union companies when bidding the work. Otherwise, companies that pay non-union wages would get every governmental contract. Prevailing wage is much higer than minimum wage. It is a lot of money.

The issue is that Bush doesn't want union companies to be able to compete for these jobs, and that Bush doesn't want the people doing the work to make union-level salaries. Minimum wage isn't involved.

[Haroldson]

14. fool

He loves all Americans and wants to make sure more people can work, so the less the shrimp pays the more people work, right (NOOOOOTTTTTT!)

[newyawker99]

19. Hi Haroldson!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Haroldson]

15. fool

He loves all Americans and wants to make sure more people can work, so the less the shrimp pays the more people work, right (NOOOOOTTTTTT!)

[PA Democrat]

2. Because Bush is incapable of passing up any opportunity to enrich the

rich at the expense of the working class.

[rodeodance]

3. it is 'prevailing wages"--NOT 'minimal' wages.

[rox63]

4. Because he's a cheap-ass bastard n/t

[ewagner]

5. It's a thinly disguiesd

Union-Bashing effort...

Davis-Bacon Wage determinations are usually based on regional wages paid by unions....this means they can hire people below that level and exclude unions shops from bidding on the jobs simply by making them uncompetetive.....companies employing people at minimum wage can bid lower by billing their labor at (say) 3-4 times minimum wage while union companies billing their labor just at cost are still going to be "high bidder" and out of the contest.

[Sarojin]

6. So they'll join the army instead n/t

[Southpaw Bookworm]

10. Don't kid yourself that anyone from the area affected

Will be working on the project. Already five companies have been awarded contracts: Major contractors like Bechtel, CH2M, and Dewberry. These are all war profiteers currently involved in Iraq, and we know what a great job they've done there at restoring services. Only one of the companies is based anywhere near the Gulf.

[gollygee]

7. Now that you've edited the subject line

would you please also add this option:

Because he hates Unions.

Thanks :)

[BlueJac]

8. done

[Fuzz]

9. A ship of Mexican sailors was docking in Mississippi today

to help with the cleanup in Biloxi. The report I heard on one of the 'news' stations said 60 were expected to start today.

Probably as good a reason as any for Bush.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

11. Come to think of it, if recent history repeats itself, as in Iraq,

there will be foreign workers coming in for those wages. Think of all of the workers that they brought into Iraq when so many Iraqis are unemployed.

[moodforaday]

12. Not Bush

You don't seriously think Bush comes up with such shit, or knows a law on the books that lets him do what he did? This is a clear proof, if any more were needed, that Bush only does the bidding of his handlers. Cheney is the obvious guess, but could be anyone, could be someone we don't even know about or recognize the connection. But I'm certain * didn't come up with this all by his goofy self.

[meganmonkey]

13. So the contractors can make higher profits?

:shrug:

[0007]

16. .....and the contractors can make big big big donations to junior

and the party of pukes.

[txaslftist]

17. To further damage the unions.

[lpbk2713]

18. Because that's the repub way of doing things.

If you get paid by the hour you're screwed right from the start.

[PatsFan2004]

20. In our state, all government funded projects must pay workers

the prevailing wage (the union rate) whether the workers are unionized or not. That means that cities and towns pay higher wages for projects. There are obvious plus and minuses depending upon whether you are a worker or a home owner.

[havocmom]

21. Need another choice: Another step in turning treasury over to his pals

And ponder this: Since Corporations have been getting all kinds of new, bigger tax breaks, and rich people get new, bigger tax breaks, the only serious payments going into the US Treasury are taxes paid by the working class. Now, lower the pay of those people = less $ going in to pay for the general upkeep of the nation. But the corporations get paid for their 'contract' work and get to stiff the workers, which also stiffs ALL OTHER TAXPAYERS who will have to keep making up the difference as payrolls go down further.

[Ksec]

22. He hates allowing a good disaster go to waste