(War on Workers continues) Idaho GOP Proposes Repeal of Long-Dead Prevailing Wage Law

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.ibew.org/articles/11daily/1102/110216_IdahoPrevailingWage.htm

February 16, 2011



Idaho Republicans, joining the national wave of attacks on working people, are targeting construction workers by introducing a bill last month that would prohibit the use of prevailing wage rates on state and local projects.


There is just one problem: Idaho repealed the state’s prevailing wage law – which sets required thresholds for worker pay on government-funded construction projects – 26 years ago.

Says Idaho Building and Construction Trades Council President Rod Fuger:

The ignorance is breathtaking. The GOP goes on about how prevailing wage makes Idaho uncompetitive, when we haven’t had it in effect in since 1985.

The bill – in addition to outlawing phantom wage rules – also prohibits the use of project labor agreements on government-projects. PLAs are project-specific, pre-hire collective bargaining agreements.

It passed the state Senate by an overwhelming majority and is now being considered by the House.

FULL story at link.

[LAGC]

1. Idaho is so fucked up.

We have the most Republican legislature in the entire country, and they screw up everything they touch. They won't fund education, and are cutting corners left and right all in the name of property tax breaks for the rich.

I've just about given up any hope of seeing any significant change in my life-time. Its time for me to move out-of-state.

Maybe someday average Idahoans will wake up and realize what they have wrought on themselves, but the penchant for self-punishment is strong here.

Goddess help us!