Editor’s note: The following was also sent to members of Associated Builders and Contractors Delaware on Feb. 27.
On Feb. 26, Delaware Senate Bill 241 was introduced — and it is one of the most dangerous pieces of legislation our industry has faced in years.
SB 241 mandates a project labor agreement on any nonhighway public works project over $5 million. Let’s be clear about what that means: Government-mandated PLAs will shut out the overwhelming majority of Delaware contractors and workers from competing on public projects.
This is a business-killer bill.
It will:
The government should not be picking winners and losers simply because one party holds a supermajority in Dover. Delaware is a merit shop state, with nearly 9 out of 10 construction workers choosing not to affiliate with a union. SB 241 ignores that reality and imposes a one-size-fits-all labor mandate that benefits a narrow segment of the market at the expense of everyone else.
The economic impact will be severe. Public projects will cost more. That means fewer projects get built. It means higher taxes or fewer services. And it means many of our members, especially small and emerging firms, will be locked out of opportunities they have every right to compete for.
We cannot sit back.
You must contact your state senator and state representative immediately. Tell them:
Legislators need to hear directly from employers, contractors and community leaders in their districts. They need to understand that this bill threatens jobs, businesses and the future of our industry.
Associated Builders and Contractors Delaware will be actively engaging on this issue, but grassroots advocacy from our members is critical. Your voice carries weight.
This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. You need to get involved and get your employees involved.
We must stop SB 241.
Jennifer Cohan
President
Associated Builders and Contractors Delaware
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
