Veterans In Construction Will Want To Save Prevailing Wage Law

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Wednesday, 26 October 2016

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Study says wages will be reduced 7-10 percent if repealed

A repeal of a law going into effect in January will have a severely negative impact on military veterans. 

That according to a study done by Midwest Economic Policy Institute (MEPI). 

Prevailing wage, which makes sure those in construction get a livable wage on the job, is set to go away for local projects next year. 

“Repeal of prevailing wage would actually reduce veterans income by 7-10 percent,” Frank Manzo, the policy director with MEPI, said. “(It) would lower the employer provided health coverage for vets in construction by 11-15 percent.”

Manzo says there is no evidence from other states that have passed this law that money has been saved.

In 2014 there was an estimated 200 veterans in La Crosse County employed as blue collar construction workers and this policy could put veterans in danger in these positions, especially since it cuts apprenticeship.

“Veterans who come home from fighting overseas,” Manzo explained, “now face an increased risk, if they’re working construction, when prevailing wage is repealed, because they’re colleagues are less trained, less invested in their community.”

The study says the law will strip 400 veterans of their health insurance. Over 8 percent of the construction workers in the state are veterans.

Manzo says if you are against prevailing wage being stopped, you should make your voice known at the polls in two weeks.

The move is expected to double the number of veterans living below poverty level.

Veterans In Construction Will Want To Save Prevailing Wage Law

/0 Comments/in /by

Wednesday, 26 October 2016

Written by

Study says wages will be reduced 7-10 percent if repealed

A repeal of a law going into effect in January will have a severely negative impact on military veterans. 

That according to a study done by Midwest Economic Policy Institute (MEPI). 

Prevailing wage, which makes sure those in construction get a livable wage on the job, is set to go away for local projects next year. 

“Repeal of prevailing wage would actually reduce veterans income by 7-10 percent,” Frank Manzo, the policy director with MEPI, said. “(It) would lower the employer provided health coverage for vets in construction by 11-15 percent.”

Manzo says there is no evidence from other states that have passed this law that money has been saved.

In 2014 there was an estimated 200 veterans in La Crosse County employed as blue collar construction workers and this policy could put veterans in danger in these positions, especially since it cuts apprenticeship.

“Veterans who come home from fighting overseas,” Manzo explained, “now face an increased risk, if they’re working construction, when prevailing wage is repealed, because they’re colleagues are less trained, less invested in their community.”

The study says the law will strip 400 veterans of their health insurance. Over 8 percent of the construction workers in the state are veterans.

Manzo says if you are against prevailing wage being stopped, you should make your voice known at the polls in two weeks.

The move is expected to double the number of veterans living below poverty level.

Veterans In Construction Will Want To Save Prevailing Wage Law

/0 Comments/in /by

Wednesday, 26 October 2016

Written by

Study says wages will be reduced 7-10 percent if repealed

A repeal of a law going into effect in January will have a severely negative impact on military veterans. 

That according to a study done by Midwest Economic Policy Institute (MEPI). 

Prevailing wage, which makes sure those in construction get a livable wage on the job, is set to go away for local projects next year. 

“Repeal of prevailing wage would actually reduce veterans income by 7-10 percent,” Frank Manzo, the policy director with MEPI, said. “(It) would lower the employer provided health coverage for vets in construction by 11-15 percent.”

Manzo says there is no evidence from other states that have passed this law that money has been saved.

In 2014 there was an estimated 200 veterans in La Crosse County employed as blue collar construction workers and this policy could put veterans in danger in these positions, especially since it cuts apprenticeship.

“Veterans who come home from fighting overseas,” Manzo explained, “now face an increased risk, if they’re working construction, when prevailing wage is repealed, because they’re colleagues are less trained, less invested in their community.”

The study says the law will strip 400 veterans of their health insurance. Over 8 percent of the construction workers in the state are veterans.

Manzo says if you are against prevailing wage being stopped, you should make your voice known at the polls in two weeks.

The move is expected to double the number of veterans living below poverty level.

Get Out To Vote

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Union members who don’t vote elect anti-union officials. Thanks to our many members who continue to show the importance of voting in the upcoming election!

Get Out To Vote

/0 Comments/in /by

Union members who don’t vote elect anti-union officials. Thanks to our many members who continue to show the importance of voting in the upcoming election!

Letter: Apprenticeship programs benefit state

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Posted Sep. 4, 2016 at 8:02 PM 

 

A study released Aug. 24 by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Labor and Employment Relations determined in dollars and cents the actual benefit of apprenticeship programs in Illinois.

These benefits don’t extend solely to those who participate in the apprentice programs but also to the federal, state and local governments that receive the tax revenues and the members of the communities that benefit from increased investment.

According to the study, apprenticeship programs in Illinois “directly provide 2,871 jobs” and “provide $1.25 billion in long-term economic benefits to the state.”

Not only this, but apprenticeship programs educate and prepare the well-trained individuals who provide quality craftsmanship, who take pride in their work and complete it in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner.

The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters knows that these benefits are important not only to the bottom line, but to the outcome of a project. That’s why the CRCC provides a robust training and apprenticeship program that boasts tens of thousands of highly trained and skilled workers who receive wages and benefits that allow them to support their families and grow their communities.

The study also found that the construction industry is going to keep growing, adding more than 25,000 new jobs in the next decade. Let’s make sure those jobs go to the trained women and men who are not only dedicated to their field, but produce a positive economic impact on our state.

Frank T. Libby

The writer is president/executive secretary-treasurer of Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters

Letter: Apprenticeship programs benefit state

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Posted Sep. 4, 2016 at 8:02 PM 

 

A study released Aug. 24 by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Labor and Employment Relations determined in dollars and cents the actual benefit of apprenticeship programs in Illinois.

These benefits don’t extend solely to those who participate in the apprentice programs but also to the federal, state and local governments that receive the tax revenues and the members of the communities that benefit from increased investment.

According to the study, apprenticeship programs in Illinois “directly provide 2,871 jobs” and “provide $1.25 billion in long-term economic benefits to the state.”

Not only this, but apprenticeship programs educate and prepare the well-trained individuals who provide quality craftsmanship, who take pride in their work and complete it in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner.

The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters knows that these benefits are important not only to the bottom line, but to the outcome of a project. That’s why the CRCC provides a robust training and apprenticeship program that boasts tens of thousands of highly trained and skilled workers who receive wages and benefits that allow them to support their families and grow their communities.

The study also found that the construction industry is going to keep growing, adding more than 25,000 new jobs in the next decade. Let’s make sure those jobs go to the trained women and men who are not only dedicated to their field, but produce a positive economic impact on our state.

Frank T. Libby

The writer is president/executive secretary-treasurer of Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters

Indiana Interim Study Committee Reviews Payroll Fraud Issue

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Yesterday the Indiana Interim Study Committee on Employment and Labor heard testimony from construction contractors on the issue of#payrollfraud. Contractors asked the Indiana Legislature to consider options to investigate and prosecute businesses who break the law and steal from taxpayers. Stay tuned for actions the legislature takes to stop cheating businesses from robbing taxpayers of $400 million/year and raising costs on law-abiding business.

2015 Omnibus Bill Includes Delay on ‘Cadillac Tax’ So Families with Healthcare in US are Protected for Now

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Members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) and participants in other employer sponsored health care plans in the U.S. can rest a little easier now that implementation of the “Cadillac tax” on those benefits has been delayed until 2020. This provision was included in the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that was signed into law by President Obama. The House of Representatives passed the bill on a 316-113 vote, while the U.S. Senate passed it 65-33.

 
It is hoped that this delay in implementing the Cadillac tax, which would impose a 40% excise tax on the portion of group health plan premiums that exceed $10,200 for single coverage and $27,500 for family coverage, will lead to a full repeal down the road.
 
“When people take a closer look at the so-called Cadillac tax, they see how unfair it is for employers and employees,” said UBC General President Douglas J. McCarron. “We have been working hard with law makers and this two-year delay helps us on our way to a full repeal.”
 
Read this article here.

Indiana Interim Study Committee Reviews Payroll Fraud Issue

/0 Comments/in /by

Yesterday the Indiana Interim Study Committee on Employment and Labor heard testimony from construction contractors on the issue of#payrollfraud. Contractors asked the Indiana Legislature to consider options to investigate and prosecute businesses who break the law and steal from taxpayers. Stay tuned for actions the legislature takes to stop cheating businesses from robbing taxpayers of $400 million/year and raising costs on law-abiding business.