A bill being debated in the Alaska State Legislature will impact prevailing wage on public projects. HB 313 (read text here) will raise the threshold on when prevailing wage must be paid on a public project. The laws currently state that any project above $25,000 will require prevailing wage. HB 313 aims to raise this to $75,000. Even at the lower $25,000 threshold, projects are being phased out, and non area standard contractors are coming in just under the threshold leaving the job open for substandard wage payment. Raising the threshold to $75,000 will only make it easier for substandard wage contractors to secure more public work at wages that undercut the family wage that should be paid on Alaska’s public projects.
Public Hearings have been extended to today. We urge all UBC members in Alaska to testify, or make your voice heard by telling the state that HB 313 is unfair to the working men and women of Alaska, and that workers performing work on public projects deserve a fair family wage. Urge them to vote “NO” on HB 313.
Public hearings are available at 3:15 March 18th
Anchorage LIO: (907) 269-0111
716 W. 4th Ave., Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99501
Mats LIO: (907) 376-3704
600 East Railroad Ave Suite #1
Wasilla, AK 99654
Juneau LIO: (907) 465-4648
State Capitol, Terry Miller Building, Suite 111
Juneau, AK 99801
Fairbanks LIO: (907) 452-4448
1292 Sadler Way Suite 308
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Kenai Peninsula LIO: (907) 283-2030
145 Main Street Loop, Suite 217
Kenai, AK 99611