Statement of Jon Tester on Waiving of the Prevailing Wage Standard
“I don’t think you rebuild America by tearing American workers down.”
Montana farmer and U.S. Senate candidate Jon Tester today criticized the White House and Conrad Burns for waiving the prevailing wage standard for the rebuilding of New Orleans.
“One of the first things President Bush did when he finally started dealing with the tragedy in New Orleans was slash the pay of workers who would be working to rebuild the Gulf Coast. And now, Conrad Burns has expressed his support for that position.
“The justification for this is simply that this will make rebuilding the Gulf cheaper. But the companies rebuilding New Orleans are getting no-bid contracts. This won’t make rebuilding cheaper — it will make corporate profits larger.
“And it will only go further in continuing a cycle of poverty in New Orleans. The prevailing wage standard is something I support because I believe in a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. I don’t think you rebuild America by tearing American workers down.”
Jon Tester is a dryland wheat farmer from Big Sandy and currently serves as President of the Montana Senate. He is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.
Posted on Monday, September 26th, 2005 at 12:00 pm.
