In a move hailed by construction unions and criticized by some contractor groups, the U.S. Dept. of Labor has issued a final rule that revamps its Davis-Bacon Act procedures for determining prevailing-wage levels on federal construction projects in favor of workers. DOL says in its regulatory notice that the changes will annually affect an estimated $217 billion in federal and federally assisted construction spending for about 1.2 million construction workers.
The unions have long viewed Davis-Bacon as a bedrock federal statute. But two large construction contractor groups are against the latest rule. The Associated Builders and Contractors, a long-time critic of Davis-Bacon, blasted it, saying ABC plans to challenge the regulation in the courts.