( – promoted by odum)
http://www.burlingtonfreepress…
Today’s Free Press reported that work will soon begin on our next federal stimulus road project, a summer-long resurfacing of Vermont Route 15. The general contractor, Frank W. Whitcomb, is from New Hampshire. GMD readers will recall Vermont’s first stimulus job – the Richmond Bridge repair – was awarded to Maine-based T. Buck Construction.
(See: http://greenmountaindaily.com/…
On the bright side, at least we’re geographically getting closer to supporting a Vermont contractor. On the other hand, most data I’ve seen – from those who have been by the job site to statements from the Administration – suggests out-of-state workers still outnumber Vermonters on the Richmond Bridge. Will it be the same story for Whitcomb on Route 15?
To make matters even more depressing, here are the Davis-Bacon highway wage rates for this job (fringes are the second number, where applicable):
Carpenter – $10.33/.73
Ironworkers:
Reinforcing – $11.10/.24
Structural – $10.24
Laborers:
Asphalt Raker – $9.52
Flag Person – $7.00
General – $8.33/.24
Guard Rail Installer – $7.50
Pipelayers – $9.00
Screedmen – $9.55
Power equipment operators:
Backhoe – $14.00
Bulldozer – $13.10
Crane – $12.83/.24
Excavator – $13.33/.67
Grader – $12.70
Paver – $11.15/.38
Roller – $11.02
Truck drivers:
2 Axle Dump Truck – $9.00
MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Are you awake?
The ProPublica public jounalism organization is compiling data on stimulus programs nationwide by state and project.
They have an easily accessible and updated often data bank of projects listed by state and advise on where and how to research contractors past history regarding government work.Adapt a stimulus program and send in reports or just browse the info.
http://www.propublica.org/ion/…
that taxes are driving people into poverty. When I look at those wages, I want to laugh … in pain. That is the price for skilled worker?
Who is giving out these contracts? Is it a Douglas appointee? There are enough Vermont contractors able to do this stuff and out-of–work Vermonters.
Yes, Rama, the pitifully low wages are what drive people into poverty and keep them there. That is why capitalists hate unions, education, socialist health care, and all the rest. If you empower the worker they will have to pay moore money. Even without the recession, these wages are fairly typical within the state. I have worked for even less.
That is why young people are leaving:)
F.W.Withcomb may have its main office in NH, but it has several operations in Vermont and employees many Vermonters. They have a large quarry operation in Colchester at Exit 16 of I-89 and another large quarry off Williston Road. The question is not so much where are corporate headquarters as where does the employee base reside. In this case Whitcomb is very much a Vermonter.
Interesting. According to this list a flag person is paid $7.00 per hour, in a state with a minimum wage of $8.06 per hour.
The whole program – – a pet of many – – is worthless.
It was designed as a way to preserve excessively high union wages in certain markets in the construction industry. I know something of this having been paid $7.10 an hour as a union laborer in 1969.
When DB wages are low, as in the wages shown, contractors typically pay rates considerably higher than those required. However, the administrative burden continues.
It wouldn’t bother me much if it only applied to large-scale jobs. But it doesn’t. Small and even tiny contracts may be subject to piles of rules and paperwork associated with this program. Small Vermont contractors have a hard time complying with the requirements and can get in real trouble over this.
PJ
… but these are basically temp jobs. Most of these “shovel ready” projects are just gonna be short term jobs. Once the project is done, it’s back to the unemployment line.
Anyone who believes this is gonna be a solution to the employment issue is just kidding themselves. We are gonna see the number of people filing jump again after the construction “boom” comes to a close.
Towns and the State are not going to have any more money available when this fed handout dries up. If we are going to spend this money, it should be used for creating long term, public sector jobs, not random government contracts.
The real beauty of all of this is that we are not going to see any real growth in wages but ALL of our taxes are going to go up. What do we have to show for it?