Voters Support Merit for Construction Project: Not Union-Exclusivity

Both Gov. Shapiro and legislators have spoken publicly in favor of policy that skews construction labor favorably to unions while intentionally seeking opportunity to cut out construction workers that have chosen not to be unionized. At Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) we have advocated for decades to have a level playing field that does not favor anyone, and awards construction projects based on merit. This means that union or non-union workers get bids based on performance, not politics.

The ABC Keystone Chapter engaged with Susquehanna Polling & Research to do a statewide poll of 700 registered voters in July to gauge their view on key issues including labor policy. The results show an overwhelming support for merit more than favoring unions. This is in stark contrast to the opinion of Gov. Shapiro and the democrat House members that continue to champion legislation and policy that gives advantages to unions, or gives unions the ability to exempt themselves from any given law simply through a Collective Bargaining Agreement – an option not available to non-union workers. Given that, we strongly state that 46% of those polled identified as democrat and 11% were independent, so the results are not skewed in favor of conservatives.

When asked what factor should be used in awarding public construction projects, 57% said projects should be awarded to the most qualified, price-competitive contractor, with another 20% saying that the second most important factor should be a company’s safety record. Both policy concepts are strongly advocated by ABC in three different areas: Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), Responsible Contractor Ordinances (RCOs) and, in general, prevailing wage.

However, democrats frequently distort these factors through agreements or legislation and seek ways to make non-union construction workers ineligible to work or allow them to work only if they become unionized. This shows the strong need for legislators and the Shapiro administration to engage with ABC to find ways non-union workers are more represented in labor policy. Any carving out of non-union workers’ ability to work on construction sites harms 9-in-10 construction workers (ABC represents 90% of the construction workforce in Pennsylvania).

Q1: Voters Lack Support for Union-Preferential Advantage
Public construction projects are taxpayer-funded developments, including roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, parks, and government buildings. These projects are awarded in two main ways, either through an open bidding process or what’s known as a project labor agreement between a government entity and a labor union. In your opinion, what is the best way for public construction projects to be awarded?

A project labor agreement requiring majority union contracting 130 19%

The project is awarded to the most qualified, price-competitive contractor 402 57%

The project is awarded to the contractor with the best safety record 140 20%

Not Sure 19 03%

Other 7 01%

Refuse 3 00%

When asked what specifications government should use most in awarding public construction projects to contractors, nearly 2/3 (64%) said it should be based on merit of most qualified (that is, trained, educated workers and the company with the best safety record). Again, this is in contrast to Gov. Shapiro’s announcement prior to the budget that he is urging all state agencies to use a Project Labor Agreement – a policy that requires the use of union contractors first and only allows non-union workers to come on site as an employee of a union in some fashion and then forfeit any payments into the union pension system after the project ends. Voters are sending a message that merit, training and safety should be higher priorities than propping up union membership for public construction projects.

Q2: Voter Support for Construction on Merit
Which of the following specifications should government use most in awarding public construction projects to contractors?

71 (10%) 1. Local hiring
89 (13%) 2. Most competitive bids
448 (64%) 3. Merit of most qualified (that is, trained, educated workers and the company with the best safety record)
49 (07%) 4. Union contractor or pre-hired union workers
42 (06%) 5. Not Sure
1 (00%) 6. Other
1 (00%) 7. Refuse

Furthermore, polled voters strongly disagree with current policy that creates an unlevel playing field, as 76% agreed that there should be a level playing field for labor policy. This reinforces ABC’s policy position that there should be no union advantage over non-union employees and vice versa. Yet, the policy goals of the governor and House democrats clearly state that they want to give more advantages to unions – against the opinion of the majority of voters in Pennsylvania.

Q3: Voter Support for Level Playing Field for Construction Industry
Many policies and laws that federal and state government policymakers are advocating are designed to give more advantages to union contractor employees over non-union contractors. Some people believe this gives union contractor employees an unfair advantage over non-union employees. In your opinion, should there be a level playing field between union and non-union contractor employees when it comes to public construction projects?

Yes 532 76%

No 116 17%

Not Sure 50 07%

Refuse 3 00%

Upon release of these results, ABC Keystone Chapter president, G. David Sload said, “ It is both encouraging and discouraging to see these results. We are glad to know the majority of the public agrees with our values that there should be a level playing field in construction, as there is plenty of sand in the sandbox for both union and non-union workers. Those same voters agree with us that when merit and safety are the major factors for awarding projects everyone wins with the least taxpayer dollars spent on quality projects. What is disheartening is how many of our elected officials not only refuse to engage with us on policy to benefit all of Pennsylvania but are also ignoring the will of the voters that sent them to Harrisburg for representation. We hope that polling like this can begin to shape a policy shift that is mutually inclusive for everyone.”