[Massplanners] FW: Cost of Using Prevailing Wage Rates

[Douglas Finn]

So, I get that you're talking about Katrina's request.

Should folks be paid a living wage?  Absolutely.

I think that wages for town workers - particularly for water, wastewater,
and highway, and mostly in smaller towns - are far less than they should
be.
Compared to wages for commercial construction workers - especially those in
union shops - town pay scales are (often) wanting.
As a result, it's sometimes very hard for towns to get and keep quality
workers.

This is the greater concern from my standpoint.

- Doug.

Douglas Finn, Assistant
Edgartown Planning Board
70 Main Street, PO Box 5130
Edgartown, MA 02539
508-627-6170
dfinn at edgartown-ma.us


On Fri, Oct 8, 2021 at 9:54 AM Harry LaCortiglia via MassPlanners <
massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:

> Not really a Friday Question but...
>
> Has anyone factored in the long term human cost of sidestepping the
> prevailing wage rate?
>
> While there is certainly a powerful argument for saving every last dime of
> taxpayer monies as possible, perpetuating a race to the bottom has dire
> consequences for those who work in the building industries. Given that
> these individuals are frequently on the lower rungs of the socioeconomic
> ladder to begin with, are we not becoming part of the problem by
> participating in schemes that allow for the avoidance of the Prevailing
> Wage Laws?
>
> Should local government employees (Planners, Economic Development
> Co-ordinators, etc.) really be the driving force, and the providers of a
> mechanism, to circumvent laws that were put into place to ensure a that a
> living wage is paid to the people who actually do this kind of work?
>
> From a moral perspective, how do we advocate and promote the idea of
> driving wages down to the point where the person actually making that
> sidewalk works all week long, but makes so little that they qualify for
> food stamps?
>
> Aren't we supposed to be looking at the big picture?
> H. LaCortiglia
> Georgetown P.B.
>
>
> On 10/7/2021 3:51 PM, Paul Halkiotis via MassPlanners wrote:
>
> Hi Katri
> I understand that prevailing wage rates are typically about 30% higher
> than nonunion/prevailing wage rates.
>
> Paul Halkiotis, Director
> Planning & Economic Development
> 566 Washington St. P.O. Box 40
> Norwood, MA 02062
> (781)915-4749
>
> ------------------------------
> *From: *"massplanners" <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> *To: *"massplanners" <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> *Sent: *Wednesday, October 6, 2021 11:19:56 AM
> *Subject: *[Massplanners] FW: Cost of Using Prevailing Wage Rates
>
> Hello.
>
> Does anyone have an estimate for the % increase per linear foot of
> constructing a 6 foot wide sidewalk with straight faced granite curb using
> prevailing wage rates versus a private entity constructing the sidewalks
> (not using prevailing wage rates)?  All I need is a ball park figure.  If
> you have an explanation for the ball park figure, all the better.  I am
> preparing for a town wide “Pedestrian Summit” here in Middleton.
>
> Thank you!
>
> *Katrina O'Leary, AICP   *
>
> *Middleton Town Planner*
>
> 195 North Main Street     Middleton, MA   01949     PH: (978)777-8917
>
> *When responding, please be aware that the Massachusetts Secretary of
> State has determined that most email is public record and, therefore,
> cannot be kept confidential.*
>
>
>
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