Media
Pittsburgh not Prevailing
Pittsburgh City Council President Doug Shields is lobbying support for a prevailing wage law in the municipality. His bill would set prevailing wage rates for most employees working under city contracts or city subsidized developments.
The city’s controller office would set the wage rates, and other compensation, to the average level of city employees. The rates will likely be set very high as many city employees are in unions. The ultimate effect is higher costs for taxpayers and lower level of services.
And as with all prevailing wage laws, the most harmed group is minorities, as prevailing wage laws tend to benefit entrenched special interests. Time and time again we see racial undertones behind prevailing wage laws.
The only fair policy for taxpayers, minorities, and those bidding on city contracts is open competition.