Saturday, January 30, 2010
Unions’ Unfair PLAy in California
(This is a placeholder post. OFFICIAL BLOG LAUNCH 2/1/2010.)
The story: Working Americans — taxpayers — have taken it on the chin in a tough economy. And now union are increasingly pushing special-interest laws known as “project labor agreements” that ensure that taxpayer-funded projects cost more because they can only use union labor. (watch video for a good explanation of the issue)
Now officials in Riverside, California are looking to slap a costly project labor agreement (see here) on $350 million of construction efforts at the community college district. This after they have have already raised tuition by 30 percent this year passed a major tax increase. Not to load you down with math but PLA’s add about 20 percent in costs — meaning that tuition goes up, taxes go up to pay for the construction bond, and unions skim about $50 million in added costs.
Before Riverside leaders cast their votes, they ought to know that there’s an ugly history of PLAs in California. Unions have turned to “greenmail” — virtual extortion dressed up as environmentalism — to push PLA requirements on projects. And there’s evidence from the state that they even fail to deliver on the promises/alleged benefits of using a PLA.
Posted by CalPal
on 01/30/2010 at 11:47 AM in -INLAND EMPIRE - -- Unions -
(0) Trackbacks • Permalink
