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Union lock on public projects could end

March 1, 2005
By: Tim Carnahan
State Capital Bureau

Union contractors could no longer have dibs on public building projects. Tim Carnahan has more from the state Capitol.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

A Senate bill would open up construction projects using public money to contractors employing non-union workers.

Bill sponsor, Saint Louis County Senator John Loudon says current law discriminates against non-union contractors and workers.

Actuality:LDNLB1
RunTime: 5secs
OutCue: ...won't join a union.
Contents: "This bill would make it illegal to discriminate against a contractor and his or her worker purely because they won't join a union."

Democrats say union membership ensures workers are being paid a fair wage and working in safe conditions.

But Republicans say Missouri law already assures bidders pay employees the same wage.

Critics argue those laws are not enough to ensure quality training or safe buildings.

From the state Capitol, I'm Tim Carnahan.

###TDC###

Republican lawmakers are making a bid to end organized labor's monopoly of public building money.

Tim Carnahan has more from the state Capitol.

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OutCue: SOC

Non-union contractors could soon have access to public construction projects.

A Senate bill would allow contractors employing non-union workers to bid for projects paid for with tax dollars.

To Saint Louis County Democrat Tim Green, the bill weakens unions, hurting all Missouri workers.

Actuality:GREENLB1
RunTime: 10secs
OutCue: "...union wage rates."
Contents: "Organized labor has set the bar of what the wage rates should be and a lot of non-union competitors bring their wage rates up simply because of the union wage rates."

Bill sponsor and Republican Saint Louis County Senator John Loudon disagrees.

He says the bill would stop long standing discrimination against non-union contractors, making the bidding process more fair.

From the state Capitol, I'm Tim Carnahan.

###TDC###

Non-union contractors could soon have a better shot landing public building projects and tax dollars. Tim Carnahan has more from the Capitol.

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OutCue: SOC

Saint Louis County Senator John Loudin introduced the plan.

He says it would end long-time discrimination against non-union contractors.

Saint Louis County Democrat Tim Green says the bill is part of a larger attempt to lower wages for all Missourians.

Actuality:GREENLB3
RunTime: 17secs
OutCue: ...in the state of Missouri
Contents: "We have to get rid of the mentality that lower wages provide economic benefit for the state. If you don't have good paying jobs, nobody is going to be able to purchase the products that create true capitalism in the state of Missouri."

Republicans say state law requires bidders pay all workers an equal wage.

But Democrats say those laws do not assure quality training or safe buildings.

From the state Capitol, I'm Tim Carnahan.