The House Labor committee advances legislation calling for the University of Delaware to comply with prevailing wage law on all projects.
Currently, UD’s policy requires payment of prevailing wages on all capital projects funded in whole or in part by the state.
The university has agreed on an extension of the policy making it applicable to all UD capital projects including those not using any state funds
Bill sponsor Sen. Jack Walsh (D-Stanton) explains why this is important.
"Prevailing wage helps level the playing field for high road employers that pay decent wages and benefits and provide good value for taxpayers and law abiding business owners," said Walksh. ":Prevailing wage laws also forestall a race to the bottom among contractors and insures a stable, well-qualified workforce that produces high quality work. Prevailing wage laws have also been found to increase apprenticeship training, boost worker productivity, and reduce injury rates."
Walsh adds the agreement has received full support from UD’s leadership.
"Institutes of higher education should always strive to set an example to pay their contractors a fair and living wage, and I'm glad that President Assanis and his team at the University of Delaware will support the workers in their community by holding their contractors to the highest standards," Walsh noted.
Prevailing wages are set by the state Department of Labor, Division of Industrial Affairs, and apply to various classes of laborers and mechanics according to the county where the work is performed.
The bill already passed the Senate easily, It now heads to the full House for a vote.
