ARTICLE
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed to update the way Davis-Bacon wages are calculated for federally funded construction projects. Supported by Labor and coming in time with Congress’ trillion-dollar infrastructure investment, it’s believed that a change is a key to creating good jobs. The proposed rule would return to the method that was used from 1935-1983, where the rate was paid to at least 30% of workers doing a particular job in an area. That determination at that time made using DOL surveys of the local industry vs. the “average rate” which has been used more and more in recent years. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh expects the proposal would boost wages for an estimated 1.2 million construction workers. The proposal is supported by the Building Trades Unions. -BNA