Democracy Rules

Most federal contracts require contractors to use unionized workers when hiring. Opponents of this policy claim these projects are more costly when only union labor is used. Supporters worry that if our federal government encourages the use of non-union labor, many states and companies will follow its example – which would lead to a “race to the bottom” of the labor market and reduce the living standards of many working Americans. Some claim these standards have already been eroded by private companies that receive taxpayer dollars for doing work for the government.

In 2018, the federal government awarded $500 billion to corporate contractors and, through them, subcontractors for services and construction projects. Studies show that many these contracts, loans, grants and property leases are awarded to contractors whose subcontractors pay low wages and provide few benefits to their employees - even as compensation for these company’s executives soar. Critics say these companies are using taxpayer dollars to fuel our nation’s low-wage economy and increase income inequality. These companies employ at least 2 million American workers who maintain federal buildings, work in its food and vending concessions, and operate our parks, museums and much more.

Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.5073 - A Just Society: The Uplift Our Workers Act (116th Congress 2019-2020)
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY)

I oppose reforming current federal contractor hiring policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (CA).
I support requiring an employer to be scored on worker-friendliness before entering into a federal contract, and ensuring contracts are awarded to union members, union shops or firms that allow workers to unionize by: 1.) Developing a method to score the worker-friendliness of each prospective contractor or subcontractor that submits a bid for a federal contract that takes into account specified factors, such as whether the employer provides paid overtime for any work that exceeds 40 hours per work week. 2.) Providing each executive agency with recommendations on how to evaluate such a score in making contracting decisions. 3.) Identifying best practices for the implementation of the scoring process. 4.) Creating a process for an employer to appeal a score. 5.) Reviewing each score every five years to ensure that such score is up-to-date. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

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I support requiring an employer to be scored on worker-friendliness before entering into a federal contract, and ensuring contracts are awarded to union members, union shops or firms that allow workers to unionize by: 1.) Developing a method to score the worker-friendliness of each prospective contractor or subcontractor that submits a bid for a federal contract that takes into account specified factors, such as whether the employer provides paid overtime for any work that exceeds 40 hours per work week. 2.) Providing each executive agency with recommendations on how to evaluate such a score in making contracting decisions. 3.) Identifying best practices for the implementation of the scoring process. 4.) Creating a process for an employer to appeal a score. 5.) Reviewing each score every five years to ensure that such score is up-to-date. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.