With all the well-intentioned hooplah that surrounds large-scale wind development in Vermont, people rarely ask developers if they plan to use local workers to install the turbines and then actually hold them to it.  The Associated Press reports the general contractor for the Sheffield and Coos County, New Hampshire, wind projects – Wisconsin-based RMT – may utilize UTAH workers for a large portion of the job.  All the while hundreds of Vermont construction workers are un(der)employed.  Sheffield, developed by FirstWind, will consist of 16 turbines at a $90 million value – a very large project by Vermont standards.

LINK TO THE AP STORY:

http://www.boston.com/news/loc…

According to Ironworkers Local 7 Business Agent Michael Morelli, RMT will pay the UTAH crew approximately $25 per hour, $7.25 in fringe benefits, and a $123 daily per diem for travel expenses.  This is about $48 per hour total package.  To hire a Vermont union ironworker to do the same tower erection work, it would cost $40 per hour total package.

Let’s be clear – it’s apparently cheaper for RMT to do the right thing by hiring a local union ironworker (or even an open shop Vermonter!) rather than importing a presumably non-union worker from 2,000-plus miles away.  Union ironworkers, and most union craftspeople from other trades for that matter, all have or can gain access to the necessary training in wind technology and tower erection to get the job done on time and on budget.  Heck, there are Vermonters from the “open shop” who would be more than capable, too.

So what gives?  And will Vermont politicians, community activists and environmentalists stick up for their neighbors if this is indeed true?

It did not receive any news coverage – another important, more popular item, a potential partnership with defense contractor Lockheed Martin, took center stage – but five Democrats on the Burlington City Council joined their Republican colleagues in flicking the bird to working people last evening.  The bloc defeated by a 9-5 margin a resolution introduced by Emma Mulvaney-Stanak (P-Ward 3) regarding community workforce standards for the Moran Plant Redevelopment project. The resolution encouraged all contractors and subcontractors on the job to:

– Hire locally (Vermonters or those who live within 50 miles of Burlington);

– Obey the law (the city’s existing livable wage ordinance, properly classifying workers, etc.);

– Be held accountable if laws are broken;

– Give workers access to certified apprenticeships and leverage partnership with community organizations to get women and minorities into the building trades;

– And provide quality health insurance and pension benefits to employees on the job;

What’s not to like about that, especially if you call yourself a Democrat?

Sadly, the following Dems successfully torpedoed the resolution by voting NO: Bram Kranichfeld (Ward 2), Nancy Kaplan (Ward 4), Bill Keogh (Ward 5; also a former lobbyist for the Associated General Contractors of Vermont), Joan Shannon (Ward 5), and Mary Kehoe (Ward 6).  Kurt Wright (R-Ward 4), Karen Paul (I-Ward 6), Paul Decelles (R-Ward 7), and Vince Dober (R-Ward 7) joined them.

In fairness, Ed Adrian (D-Ward 1) and David Berezniak (D-Ward 2) courageously saw through the scare tactics and lies from the general contracting community and voted YES, along with Mulvaney-Stanak, Vince Brennan (P-Ward 3), and Sharon Bushor (I-Ward 1).

The resolution came on the heels of a proposed Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for Moran, where essentially the same pack of interest groups and councilors killed that movement, too.  As a sensible follow-up, Mulvaney-Stanak drafted the resolution in hopes of at least encouraging some bare-bones standards on this project.  To this legal novice, a resolution is simply a formal statement of opinion or intent that provides guidance, and is not an ordinance and is not a legally binding contract like a PLA.  Yet, the anti-worker lobbyists, owners and certain councilors did a bang-up job of painting the resolution as “PLA Lite,” an effort that they claimed would discourage “open shops” from bidding, force them to change their business practices, drive up costs, and put Vermonters out of  jobs.  Of course, those of us who carefully read the resolution, recognize the all-too-common “low road” approach to business in the construction industry, and genuinely care about workers know none of this is true.

It is enormously disappointing when the City of Burlington – a so-called “Fair Trade” community that is perennially lauded as one of the healthiest, most livable places in the country – cannot muster the votes on a council with seven Democrats to pass a measly community workforce standards resolution.  Have we become so disconnected from the labor movement that we walk lock step with anti-responsible contracting bosses over workers?  Are we more concerned about the workers abroad who are harvesting our chocolate and coffee – don’t get me wrong: many of these folks are blatantly exploited and certainly deserve our solidarity  – than we are about our own neighbors who work in the trades?  For how long will we allow the “turn the other way/business as usual” mentality that drove this economy into the ditch to begin with prevent us from proudly doing the right thing?

Get with it, B-Town Democrats.

LINK TO FULL RESOLUTION:

http://www.ci.burlington.vt.us…

(Good, appropriate conflict of interest questions.   – promoted by JulieWaters)

Republican State Sen. Phil Scott is running for lieutenant governor.  His latest Campaign Finance Disclosure Form reveals a Mr. David Dill, of Lyndonville, donated $300 to the campaign.

Is this the same David Dill who is secretary of the Vermont Agency of Transportation?  Assuming it is indeed that David Dill, where do we draw the “conflict of interest” line?  Sen. Scott owns a construction company (DuBois Construction) that does transportation-related work and is vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, and Mr. Dill heads the state agency in charge of keeping our roads and sidewalks paved.  A quick Google search shows DuBois Construction has bid VTRANS projects in the past.  Sen. Scott is a longtime member and former chairman of the Associated General Contractors of Vermont.  Democratic Sen. Dick Mazza, chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, also donated to Scott.

Sen. Scott is a nice gentlemen who undoubtedly cares about our state; I mean no disrespect to him by way of this post and realize these things (sadly) happen all too often.  But I’m troubled if VTRANS’ head honcho is contributing to the campaign of another transportation official – regardless of political party – who also happens to own a construction firm.  Assuming it is that Dill, not giving would seem to have been the ethical choice.  Furthermore, are GMD’ers as upset with Sen. Mazza for donating to a Republican’s statewide campaign as they were with Laura Moore for doing the same thing?

(Good catch.  I had totally missed this. – promoted by JulieWaters)

It isn’t sexy, doesn’t carry a catchy slogan, and hasn’t received any media coverage, but there is currently a bill – H.132 – sitting in the State Senate that would make all Vermont homes safer.  H.132 was passed overwhelmingly by the House and referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs (which includes Sen. Doug Racine, Democratic candidate for Governor).

Unknown to many, you currently do NOT need to be a licensed electrician to conduct electrical installations in residences with no more than two dwelling units (unless you’re in the City of Burlington, which has had a licensing requirement for some time).  H.132 would require anyone wiring a one or two-family home to be a licensed electrician (in Do It Yourself fashion, owners of an owner-occupied dwelling would be exempted if they opt to do their own electrical). Vermont is the only New England state where anyone – license or not – can wire a home.  

Enabling the neighborhood handyperson, doctor, lawyer, babysitter, carpenter or plumber – or whatever – to “stand in” as an electrician is unsafe.  Scores of Vermonters have hired handymen purporting to be electricians, later finding out the person they paid hundreds of dollars to perform electrical work was in fact not licensed to ply the trade.  It is common practice for the carpenter building a home to also do the electrical wiring because Vermont law does not prohibit her from doing so.  Approach a licensed electrician, and nine out of 10 of them will tell horror stories about having to go into homes to repair the shoddy wiring done by these so-called handymen.  

You’d think H.132 would be an easy sell in the Senate.  The bill clearly fixes a glaring public safety issue.  It also rewards those who have done what it takes to obtain and maintain licensure in our state.  What’s more, a majority of citizens support requiring anyone doing electrical installations in one and two-family homes be licensed electricians (source: 2009 Vermonter Poll).

Sadly, H.132 is stalled in the Senate after earning near-unanimous support in the House.  With only one month left in the legislative session, the bill still hasn’t received a Committee hearing.  Our Senators certainly have a lot on their respective plates, but it is dumbfounding why such an important PUBLIC SAFETY bill is not getting much play in the Upper Chamber, especially when electrical fires are an all-too-common occurrence.  Electricity is dangerous stuff, let alone when messed with by those who don’t know what they’re doing.

How does the GMD community feel about this?  Have you been the victim of an unlicensed, wannabe electrician?

Link to the bill as passed by the House:

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/doc…  

A “routine business decision” by the execs at Fletcher Allen Health Care – the 7,000-employee hospital with an operating income of $11.5 million last quarter – threw its bus drivers to the wolves by accepting a low-bid contract from a transit company (Mountain Transit, Inc.) that provides no health insurance to its workers. The previous contractor, First Student, Inc., employed about six full-timers at Fletcher Allen who shuttled FA employees to off-site parking lots.  All six drivers will lose their jobs and their health insurance as part of the move.

From today’s Burlington Free Press:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress…

In case anyone missed this press release yesterday.  It pertains to a lunch meeting with workers and employers “during the middle of the work week during the middle of the day.”

——-

State of Vermont

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

For Immediate Release:

May 26, 2009

Contact: Dennise R. Casey

(802) 828-3333

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Governor Douglas to Host Lunch Meeting with Workers & Employers to Discuss Legislative Budget

Montpelier, Vt. – As lawmakers begin their Montpelier hearings, Governor Douglas tomorrow will attend his third budget meeting with working Vermonters and small business owners in Williston at DEW Construction Corp.  The meetings, which are scheduled at convenient times for working Vermonters, are designed to give workers and employers the opportunity to weigh in on the troubling effects of the Legislature’s recent tax increases.

“Vermonters are really hurting and we are not immune to the effects of the national economic recession.  That is why we have to do all we can to pass a balanced, responsible and sustainable budget that invests in economic development,” said Governor Douglas.  “Legislative leaders have failed to do so by passing a budget that raises taxes on small businesses and farmers and leaves a staggering shortfall of over $200 million over the next two years. These deficits cannot be pushed off to the future when the economy could be worse and economic stimulus dollars more scarce.”

While Legislative leaders sit in Montpelier and hear from special interest groups and lobbyists about a budget proposal that isn’t even up for consideration, Governor Douglas is out meeting with working Vermonters, farmers and employers in their communities about the budget proposal that will be taken up at next Tuesday’s special session. Governor Douglas participated in two meetings today, one in St. Albans early this morning and another in Colchester. The Governor also visited the Northeast Kingdom.

“As I travel around the state, and today was no exception, I hear from struggling families, small business owners, and farmers that they are concerned that Montpelier just isn’t listening to them,” said Governor Douglas.  “I want Vermonters to know that I am listening.  Even if you don’t have special interest representation in Montpelier, you have me and I will continue to oppose these unfair income tax increases,” the Governor continued.

Today in St. Albans, a local CPA informed the group that due to high taxes in Vermont, his firm alone will lose more than $250 thousand in tax revenue to the state due to individuals leaving.  That prompted a businessman to announce that he and his wife had just returned from Florida where they purchased a home.

Another Franklin County resident told the group, which included both Republican and Democrat lawmakers that he worked 7 days a week in his small business and was unable to make the trip to Montpelier to weigh in on budget discussions.

A Colchester businesswoman told their group that they had to make very difficult budget choices to keep their company afloat during this difficult time, like adjustments to salaries and benefits for employees, and they expect Montpelier to do the same.

A northeast kingdom businessman told Governor Douglas that he recently reduced his employees’ salaries by 5% in order to prevent layoffs.

Another northeast kingdom worker wrote to his representative and said “Democrats love to plan their hearings during the middle of the work week during the middle of the day!  I would love to attend, but I need to earn a living to pay my taxes and to provide a home.”

Governor Douglas also believes that the Legislature’s budget does not adequately invest in job creation to provide opportunities for unemployed Vermonters and enourage a robust economic recovery.  That is why Governor Douglas has advanced an initative called SmartVermont which will leverage millions in ARRA funds to provide up to $185 in direct support for economic development to assist existing Vermont businesses and enourage new companies to locate and grow here.

In addition to community meetings, Governor Douglas is also meeting with several legislative Democrats who have reached out with ideas, comments and concerns about our current budget situation.

Tomorrow’s meeting begins at 12 noon and runs through the lunch hour.  

WHAT:  Lunch meeting with workers and employers  

WHEN:  Wednesday, May 27, 2009 – 12 p.m.      

WHERE: DEW Construction Corp.

      227 Blair Park Road, Suite 130

      Williston, VT      

###

( – 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?        

Most of you will remember the stir over the Richmond Bridge, Vermont’s first economic stimulus project.  T. Buck Construction, a Maine-based contractor, won the job on a bid that was much lower than the two other proposals submitted by Vermont companies.  

http://greenmountaindaily.com/…

Mainstream media and the blogosphere were abuzz over whether awarding the project to an out-of-state contractor under no obligation to employ predominately Vermonters sent the wrong message when our unemployment rate stands at 7.2 percent.  

Word from folks who have visited the job site is Maine license plates still outnumber those from Vermont.  

Have any GMD’ers been by to check the situation out?

Most importantly, do the journalists who originally reported this story plan to follow-up?  

( – promoted by odum)

There are an estimated 2,000 immigrants working illegally on Vermont’s farms.  Farmers claim they cannot find American workers to meet their staffing needs.

Sen. Leahy again sponsored legislation that would put undocumented agricultural workers on the pathway to becoming U.S. citizens.  See Saturday’s Times Argus:

http://www.timesargus.com/arti…

Today’s Burlington Free Press included a feature on Nancy Sabin.  Sabin, also known as “Mama Nancy,” is apparently a one-woman referral agency for Vermont’s farming community.  See the article at:

http://burlingtonfreepress.com…

This is such a tough issue.  On one hand, the undocumented workers are simply doing what human beings do – provide for themselves and the family.  It’s awfully difficult to harbor ill will towards them for that.  On the other hand, the practice seems blatantly exploitative.

It is especially upsetting to hear Sabin and other advocates say “No American in their right mind would want to work the hours that they work, 60 to 70 hours a week.”  Americans are, in fact, working longer hours and taking less time off than folks in other advanced economies.  We all know people who regularly clock 60-plus-hour work weeks for crappy wages (some of us are probably those people!).  The argument we’re unwilling to work is wrong and frankly offensive to those who bust their asses at work, as well as the thousands of Vermonters currently unemployed.

But, I am very sensitive to what it takes to run a farm.  No doubt, it is a very tough gig that not everyone is cut out for.  And if farmers truly cannot find domestic workers at the wages they’re willing to pay, then why shouldn’t they import labor from elsewhere?

What is the answer to this tricky issue?  Are Mama Nancy and Sen. Leahy simply helping our tough-luck farmers stay afloat?  Or are they allowing them to continually play the victim role by importing cheap labor that may depress wages in the long run?  Is anyone who speaks out in opposition an all-out bigot?

Let’s talk, GMD’ers.  I can’t be the only one ’round here who is conflicted on this.

( – promoted by odum)

A great opinion piece from The Wall Street Journal, of all places:

http://tr.im/jvQJ

The writer asks an important question – why does labor frequently get short shrift when unions have been steadfast supporters of the Democratic Party for many years?  When times were tough, they’ve been there.  When times were great, they’ve been there.  And, yet, many left-leaning establishment elites continually act in ways that are unfriendly to workers.  

For a current example, look no further than key Employee Free Choice Act defectors Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Dianne Feinstein, as well as the supposedly Democratic lobbyists steering Wal-Mart’s anti-EFCA onslaught.