Bush signs order allowing contractors to pay below prevailing wage in NO

[flpoljunkie]

Even CNN's Andy Serwer finds this distasteful--allowing corporations to reap more in profits in the rebulding of hurricane ravaged New Orleans and the other Gulf Coast areas on the backs of workers. Miles O'Brien says this is one story we will be following.

http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/08/news/economy/katrina_wages.reut/

Bush lifts wage rules for Katrina

President signs executive order allowing contractors to pay below prevailing wage in affected areas.

September 8, 2005: 9:42 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush issued an executive order Thursday allowing federal contractors rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to pay below the prevailing wage.

In a notice to Congress, Bush said the hurricane had caused "a national emergency" that permits him to take such action under the 1931 Davis-Bacon Act in ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Bush's action came as the federal government moved to provide billions of dollars in aid, and drew rebukes from two of organized labor's biggest friends in Congress, Rep. George Miller of California and Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, both Democrats. "The administration is using the devastation of Hurricane Katrina to cut the wages of people desperately trying to rebuild their lives and their communities," Miller said.

"President Bush should immediately realize the colossal mistake he has made in signing this order and rescind it and ensure that America puts its people back to work in the wake of Katrina at wages that will get them and their families back on their feet," Miller said.

"I regret the president's decision," said Kennedy.

[eyesroll]

1. Not less than minimum wage

...but less than market (i.e. "prevailing") wages, as is usually required by federal contract.

Still no good.

[MSgt213]

3. This only applies to laborers though. So everyone else can make as much

as they want.

[MSgt213]

2. So the real looting begins. Got to keep those poor people poor don't we

[Southpaw Bookworm]

4. Prevailing wage isn't minimum wage

Prevailing wage is more of an average for a particular position in a particular area. So, if electricians on average make $26/hour in NOLA, that would be the prevailing wage.

[npincus]

5. Well, Chimpy has to pay for Iraq somehow, doesn't he?

[oneighty]

6. "I can hire two of them for one of you

the job boss tells me while pointing to a line of black men looking for the same job as I (a white man) am."

One day under the greedy yoke of our fellow men it will be that way through out America and it will not be only because of color.

Pity the children.

180

[ZigSteenine]

7. RTFA

As stated before, it is 'prevailing' wage, not minimum.

[oneighty]

8. You are talking to me?

Welcome to DU.

I think perhaps your post might be in the wrong spot.

180

[Clark2008]

9. Did anyone expect anything less out of the president of the

Corporate States of 'Murika?

[Bo]

10. What a complete asshole

[Toots]

11. Maybe they could bring Iraqis over here and pay even less

Iraq has a 75% unemployment rate :shrug: I have given up being shocked at how low these people will go.

[rhett o rick]

12. Consider we are lucky that is all he did. Slavery can't be too far away.