Special Report
Closed Shop
The president’s executive order could lock out non-union construction companies.
(Page 2 of 2)
A new study from the Beacon Hill Institute shows that PLAs would increase construction costs anywhere between 12 and 18 percent in comparison to projects that are not subjected to union rules.
“Our examination of the record produces no evidence of any systematic connection between the absence of a PLA, on the one hand, and cost overruns or delays caused by labor disputes, on the other,” said David G. Tuerck, one of the authors of the study and Executive Director of the Beacon Hill Institute. Therefore, the justifications offered by the Obama Administration for reinstating PLAs are not supported by the evidence.”
Back in New Jersey, Gov.-elect Chris Christie was very explicit in opposing perks for organized labor that would further inflate costs for the already beleaguered state taxpayers. On his campaign website, Christie pledges to end the use of PLAs in New Jersey. Item No. 50 of 88 ways to fix New Jersey reads as follows:
I will eliminate special interest labor union giveaways that increase spending and taxes by ending the use of project labor agreements, which drive up the cost of public construction projects and fail to deliver a public benefit at a time when the economy is shedding jobs and taxpayers are struggling to make ends meet.
Organized labor remains a potent political force in New Jersey, where a majority of the congressional delegation has signed off on legislative favors for unions. Republicans Chris Smith and Frank LoBiondo are no less than co-sponsors of the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), which includes the anti-secret ballot card check provision.
This makes Christie’s stance all the more remarkable.
“The voters now equate unions with big-government and they are reacting to these costly paybacks,” said McMahon, the ABC representative. “Christie was more firm in his opposition to union favoritism than any other Republican I can recall from New Jersey and this helped him in the election.”
About the Author
Kevin Mooney is an investigative reporter with free market think tanks associated with the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. He has also written for the Daily Caller, the Washington Times, the Washington Examiner, NetRightDaily.com and NewsBusters.
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Pingback| 11.12.09 @ 7:05AM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : Closed Shop [spectator.org] on Topsy links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Northern Rebel| 11.12.09 @ 9:15AM
After more than 30yrs as a tool and die maker, I am out of work, probably forever in my chosen field.
The difference is, so are my union brethren. They are the ultimate parasites, in that they've managed to consume themselves!
Between the unions, and illegal immigration, working men's wages have been driven down by over 25%, and there is no end in sight.
I guess I'll go to work at WalMart, or Home
Depot, until the unions destroy them.
WalMart has put more money into the hands of the average American, than any politician in history.
"President" Anti-Christ can't stand the thought of any money being in the private sector, so he won't rest until he has it all in his "Obama stash", as a Detroit welfare queen called it.
Stan Redmond| 11.12.09 @ 1:30PM
I think the future of this country are people like you starting up garage shops running on cash. Many people I've worked with over the years were in exactly the same position when the large companies closed shop. Don't despair and keep looking for opportunities.
Anastasia Mather| 11.12.09 @ 9:16AM
Well, I guess that means that my husband's top-flight nonunion steel fabrication shop in NJ and Pennsylvania is screwed.
It's not enough that their hours have been cut because in this economy there are fewer construction and renovation jobs.
Le Cracquere| 11.12.09 @ 1:27PM
Major Pinkerton, at last I'm willing to forgive your war record--this country needs you. Let a million Haymarkets bloom!
Stan Redmond| 11.12.09 @ 1:33PM
I run as fast as I can from unions. Anyone who has ever set up (attempted to that is) a display at a major trade show knows the innefecient jokes unions have become. This executive order clearly admits President Obama knows exactly how to ruin the economy and he wants it that way. He knows unions CAN NOT COMPETE IN THE FAIR OPEN MARKET! He knows card check will wipe out small non union shops.
alyeska| 11.13.09 @ 4:13AM
do you like your weekends? how about paid sick leave and vacation time? did you like your pension benefits and health insurance? how about overtime pay? how do you feel about osha?
all these things that you take for granted were fought for by union men -- men who were beaten, killed and black listed by their robber baron employers.
thank you stars for unions. you've benefited immeasurably from them.
Patriot Bonanza| 11.13.09 @ 4:26AM
If it wasn't for unions this guy would be earning 5 cents an hour.
Joe the Plumber| 11.13.09 @ 1:00PM
The above claims of what benefits unions have delivered to the U.S. workplace are debatable. But pretend they are all correct. The premise that Executive Order 13502 and project labor agreements are good public policy because of all of the "great" things unions have done for this country is a classic Appeal to Tradition fallacy.
This fallacy consists of attempting to persuade others of a point of view by appealing to their feelings of reverence or respect for some tradition instead of to evidence.
The evidence in opposition to this sop to labor unions at the expense of quality competitors (and probably taxpayers too) is pretty strong.
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...it is bad public policy.
alyeska| 11.13.09 @ 5:57PM
did you go to school in america? is it possible you were not taught american history? blather all you want, facts are facts. i can recommend a number of books on the subject if you ever want to lose you sad, benighted view of history.
victor| 11.13.09 @ 7:41PM
I miss having a president that knew what to do with reclacitrant and upstart union leaders.
Arrest them and put them in jail.
Strikes against the good of the nation?
Bust them and take there industries over with federal troops.
Tell them what they should settle for and make them take it.
Ahh, for the good olde days.
Nick| 11.13.09 @ 7:36PM
"[...] union men -- men who were beaten [...]"
Ahhh....To be able to beat on union thugs again. What a magical age.
Unfortunately, they didn't beat enough of them.
Unions- commie scourge of the Earth.
Pingback| 11.12.09 @ 2:49PM
Thursday Links « Nebraska Redneck links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
victor| 11.12.09 @ 10:11PM
Just one more example to show that elections have consequences.
New Jersey's unemployment is in the top ten of bad states and this is going to make us number one with a bullet.
I'm not a fan of Christie, I would have prefererred Lonegan, but at least he is a Republican an dis not scared of corrupt union or elected officials.
I truly wish him well.
victor| 11.12.09 @ 10:14PM
I forgot to mention that all those who complained about McCain, and either sat home or voted for someone else, wound up electing Obama.
And they will "elect" him in 2012 as well. And be proud of their "vote".
Elections have consequences,
Vote Republican!
P. Revere| 11.15.09 @ 7:26PM
This is just one small part of Obama's overall strategy to create a soviet state. ALL workers will be unionized in the future, as Obama will, after he negates or prevents the elections next year and seizes power, eliminate all private capital. Over the last year, he has carefully, behind the scenes, created the machinery to "switch on" a soviet state. The seizure of power will be fast, bloody, and violent. Remember, he has a vast network of muslim/communist operatives at his command. I would expect him to direct an NBC attack or a total economic collapse in order to make his move. Stock up, plan, and be ready to die or become a slave.
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