SMACNA Applauds DOL’s Historic Davis-Bacon Act Reform
SMACNA’s federal and non-federal contractors applaud the Department of Labor’s (DOL) long-needed reforms updating and modernizing the Davis-Bacon Act to benefit every contractor and worker. Backed by decades of experience, SMACNA member firms understand that any major investment in public infrastructure should recognize the importance of prevailing wages as part of any quality-based public procurement policy, and encourage employers to invest in a skilled workforce while providing quality wages, benefits and training.
SMACNA contractors and chapter executives have long been strong and outspoken advocates for Davis-Bacon regulatory reforms, especially greater enforcement to combat Davis-Bacon contracting violations widely seen as unfair to honest federal bidders competing for infrastructure projects. We appreciate that prevailing wage laws seek to prevent the federal government as well as unscrupulous bidders from undermining local economies and prevailing local employment and training practices by reflecting local conditions. These long overdue reform efforts reflect the views of SMACNA and all skilled and experienced federal contractors.
“These expertly crafted and reasoned reforms to the prevailing wage regulations have been a long time in coming and will put union sheet metal contractors on a fair and level playing field with our non-union competition,” said SMACNA CEO Aaron Hilger. “Given the manpower shortage the construction industry currently faces, the changes could not have come at a better time to boost registered apprenticeship and industry skilled recruitment.”
The DOL’s final rule will make the wage determination and verification process far more responsive by giving DOL’s Wage and Hour Administrator the express authority to adopt prevailing wages determined by state and local governments, issue wage determinations for labor classifications where insufficient data was received through the wage survey process and update outdated wage rates. SMACNA enthusiastically endorses the Department’s return to the 30% Rule, ensuring our members are compensated in a way that is consistent with local collectively bargained rates and the real rates paid to the most skilled and qualified apprentices and journey workers in such short supply today.
Additionally, SMACNA firmly stands behind the addition of anti-retaliation protection provisions to Federal contracts. The use of prevailing wages is critical to the growth and success of the industry, and it ensures in the strongest possible way that our workers receive the wages they deserve without retribution.
View the final rule: bit.ly/davis-bacon-reform