Repeal of Davis-Bacon

Bush Uses Disaster to Ram Through Low-Wage Work
On September 8th, President Bush issued a proclamation suspending the Davis-Bacon Act in the areas affected by hurricane Katrina. The Davis-Bacon Act, enacted in 1931, requires federal contractors on federally funded construction contracts to pay workers at least the prevailing wages in the area where the work is conducted.

President Bush has done nothing more than use the horrific national tragedy to once again advance his anti-worker agenda and eliminate a protection for workers the corporate backers of the White House have long wanted to remove.

Please send the following letter urging Congress to force Bush to rescind his suspension of the Davis-Bacon Act.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: End the Suspension of Davis-Bacon

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

On September 8th, in the wake of what could be the largest disaster to touch American soil, President Bush suspended the Davis-Bacon Act, a law that requires federal contractors on federally funded construction contracts to pay workers at least the prevailing wages in the area where the work is conducted.

President Bush has done nothing more than use this horrific national tragedy to once again advance his anti-worker agenda and eliminate a protection for workers the corporate backers of the White House have long wanted to remove.

If the president really wants to help the states hit by hurricane Katrina rebuild, he should ensure that the work is done by a skilled workforce who will get the job done right and on time. That's what you get when you pay the prevailing wage.

This is why I call upon you to immediately pass a law forcing President Bush to rescind the suspension of the Davis-Bacon Act.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
September 13, 2005

Background Information

The Davis-Bacon Act Promotes:

Preservation of the American Standard of Living
Fair and Cost-Effective Federal Contracting
Adherence to Free Market Principles
Productivity in the Construction Industry
Quality Infrastructure
A Skilled Construction Labor Force
Minority Hiring, Training, & Economic Advancement
Healthy Families and Communities

What is the Davis-Bacon Act?
The Davis-Bacon Act — also known as the prevailing wage law — preserves local area wages and labor standards in the process of letting contracts for federal construction work. Enacted in 1931, the law states that contractors for federal projects must pay their workers no less than the wage rates prevailing in the local area for each craft.

Why do construction workers need the Davis-Bacon Act?
The Davis-Bacon Act prevents big government and big business from undercutting local wages. Making government and business pay prevailing wages in each community protects local, private industry and apprentice programs. An important economic outcome of the Davis-Bacon Act is that it provides some stability to uncertain employment, which helps working families. This, in turn, protects one of the last remaining industries in the United States to employ blue-collar workers. Without it, the industry will follow the low-wage, low-growth and low productivity path of other industries.

How does the Davis-Bacon Act improve local economies?
The government has always been a major purchaser of construction services, and this helps local economies. Prevailing wage laws are also profitable community investments. Workers spend part of their income in local shops and restaurants and pay local taxes, which recirculates throughout the economy.