Wage rules lifted

[totalia]

Thats what I was thinking N. Bailey.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Wow, a lot of misplaced outrage over confusing "prevailing wage" with minumim wage.

Even without Davis-Bacon, union employees will still get their union contracted rates, won't they? (In fact in most cases, prevailing wage is based on union rates paid in the area -- and its well above "minimum wage"!)

Non-union firms will still have to pay a good wage to get additional skilled workers. In fact, considering the number of workers needed vs available, won't they have to? (Supply vs. demand).

IMO, suspending Davis-Bacon will give more flexibility and less paperwork to get the job done more quicky. It will also allow those construction companies who normally don't get involved in federal projects to jump in more easily to help.

Let's get the job done.

 

[totalia]

They won't neccesarily have to. It depends how badly the person needs the job and with restrictions lifted, they can offer a much lower wage.

 

[peachgirl]

(In fact in most cases, prevailing wage is based on union rates paid in the area -- and its well above "minimum wage"!)

The prevailing wage for construction work in the New Orleans area is about $9 an hour. Not much to start with and now they don't even have to pay that.

We certainly wouldn't want to cut into Haliburton's profits, would we?


If you want to pay people a ridiculously low wage, don't complain when they end up in poverty and on government assistance. You can't have it both ways.

 

[totalia]

Well put.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

The prevailing wage for construction work in the New Orleans area is about $9 an hour. Not much to start with and now they don't even have to pay that.

We certainly wouldn't want to cut into Haliburton's profits, would we?

If you want to pay people a ridiculously low wage, don't complain when they end up in poverty and on government assistance. You can't have it both ways.

Another Haliburton conspiracy theory, oh boy.

Many, many corporations have given generously to Katrina funds, but now we are back to assuming they are greedy so they will pay ridiculously low wages. Do workers on non-Federal construction jobs (which would not be covered by Davis-Bacon) receive ridicuously low wages? Many construction jobs are skilled positions.

Why are you assuming I want to pay people a ridiculously low wage?

Davis-Bacon has been suspended in the past after major disasters. Suspending it will save a minimum of 10 days of paper work delays. Lets get the job done.

 

[Planogirl]

It's great that corporations have given generously. There's no question about that.

However, most construction jobs are not skilled positions. In our state we have plenty of illegals and so on that will take any kind of wage and they often also live in poverty. Allowing people to be paid a good wage would certainly help boost them too not just the corporations looking to make a killing on this tragedy.

 

[totalia]

Of course they are greedy. They are companies. Its in the nature of a business to be greedy. Most even donate to charities so they can get the tax cut.

However, I don't think so this time. They probably just think its icing on the cake to be able to pay people less. But they are still human beings. I can't imagine a person who hasn't had their heartstrings pulled on this one.

 

[peachgirl]

Another Haliburton conspiracy theory, oh boy.

What are you talking about? Haliburton has already secured gov't contracts. They aren't alone...

At least two major corporate clients of lobbyist Joe Allbaugh, President Bush's former campaign manager and a former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have already been tapped to start recovery work along the battered Gulf Coast.

One is Shaw Group Inc. and the other is Halliburton Co. subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root. Vice President Dick Cheney is a former head of Halliburton.

 

[DawnCt1]

What are you talking about? Haliburton has already secured gov't contracts. They aren't alone...

You do understand that there are certain jobs that need to be done in certain areas, ie Iraq, that only Haliburton can do, don't you?

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Of course they are greedy. They are companies. Its in the nature of a business to be greedy. Most even donate to charities so they can get the tax cut.

However, I don't think so this time. They probably just think its icing on the cake to be able to pay people less. But they are still human beings. I can't imagine a person who hasn't had their heartstrings pulled on this one.

Donate just for the tax cut?? That's an economic myth. If you donate $1,000 and save $400 on taxes, you're out $600 more than if you had donated nothing.

I suppose there are always bad apples out there, but in IMO I think the benefits of suspending Davis-Bacon will outweigh those who try to unscruppluously take advantage.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

What are you talking about? Haliburton has already secured gov't contracts. They aren't alone...

Yes, I know they are there, BUT I don't assume that they are the bad guy (or that the Davis-Bacon was suspended just so they could make more profits).

 

[peachgirl]

You do understand that there are certain jobs that need to be done in certain areas, ie Iraq, that only Haliburton can do, don't you?

Gee, last time I checked the map, the Gulf coast is nowhere near Iraq.

And no, I don't realize that Haliburton is the only company that can do all the jobs they get from the government. And Haliburton isn't the only company getting the early track on gov't contracts.

Allbaugh....He's pretty good at getting favors done, isn't he?

 

[peachgirl]

Yes, I know they are there, BUT I don't assume that they are the bad guy (or that the Davis-Bacon was suspended just so they could make more profits).

I'm not saying Haliburton is the bad guy. Who wouldn't do the same if given the opportunity?

 

[totalia]

Did I say just for the tax cut? Please tell me where I said that.

Of course its not just the tax cut. Its also the PR. If it will make them money in the long run, they will be willing to lose money in the short term. its all about money.

 

[Planogirl]

Halliburton has no competition?

 

[LandscapePro_318]

Originally posted by peachgirl At least two major corporate clients of lobbyist Joe Allbaugh, President Bush's former campaign manager and a former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have already been tapped to start recovery work along the battered Gulf Coast.

One is Shaw Group Inc. and the other is Halliburton Co. subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root. Vice President Dick Cheney is a former head of Halliburton.

The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SGR) announced today that it has been awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to aid in the recovery and rebuilding efforts. Shaw will provide supervision, equipment, materials, labor, logistics, and all means necessary to provide the Corps of Engineers an immediate response for construction contract capability.
The $100 million contract has a base period of one-year, with an additional one-year option. Shaw announced earlier today a $100 million ID/IQ contract award by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide support services in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, including housing assistance for displaced residents.

The Shaw Group's Jim Bernhard is the Louisiana's state Democratic party chairman.

Mike--Louisiana Resident

 

[rascalmom]

Kellogg Brown & Root's contracts with the Navy were established well before the Bush Administration. They served in a similar capacity after Hurricane Andrew.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Did I say just for the tax cut? Please tell me where I said that.

Of course its not just the tax cut. Its also the PR. If it will make them money in the long run, they will be willing to lose money in the short term. its all about money.

You said "they donate to charities so they can get the tax cut." It seemed to imply "just." Sorry if I misinterperted.

Now you say, "It's all about money." You seem rather jaded against corporations, painting with a broad brush. (Some deserve this cynicism, some don't.)

 

[totalia]

Lol. Why would you be in business if not for the money? You could just work a 9-5 job without worrying about everything that goes along with owning a business.