Michigan Prevails Says Repealing Prevailing Wage Will Shrink Labor Pool

A group opposed to repealing Michigan’s prevailing wage law says doing so will push skilled trades’ workers out of the state.

Michigan Prevails, which is made up of construction and trades groups, says the prevailing wage is what keeps new workers interested in skilled trades. Without it, that interest will disappear.

Mike Stobak of Barton Malow saw it in the 1990’s when the prevailing wage was repealed. He says he also saw a drop in quality of work and less productivity.

But Chris Fisher of Protecting Michigan Taxpayers, the group backing the repeal, says the prevailing wage is hurting the state and is driving up costs on taxpayers.

Protecting Michigan Taxpayers recently submitted signatures to put the question of repeal before the legislature and possibly voters.

The prevailing wage law requires workers on publicly funded projects be paid union wages.