59 Comments - walker - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:13 am: What next is the right question. Will they get away with not actually paying prevailing wage in future projects, simply by ignoring the law? - RNUG - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:14 am: Looks like an opportunity for Lisa to require compliance with State law. - A guy - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:16 am: We sure do pick our victims haphazardly in this state. - Not quite a majority - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:17 am: It’s called a boycott. It’s pretty much time honored and totally non-violent. If the businesses see a drop in business, they can contact their councilperson. Of course, calling someone a ‘thug’ is sure to get their complete cooperation and business. - the Other Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:17 am: – “I can’t just let that pass,” Mr. Wells said in response. “People do have the right to make a living wage.” – So your response is to vote for lower wages? - A Jack - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:17 am: The arrogance of elected officials never ceases to amaze me. - Me too - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:22 am: I find it despicable, that the city, in direct violation of State law, would take money out of the hands of regular working folks. Why care more about the business owners? You know, playing the whole thing out, if you lay people less, they spend less at businesses, so no prevailing wage hurts business too. The incredible mental gymnastics these heritage foundation puppets must do in order not to see that long term, driving wages down hurts everyone, even your precious business owners and job creators. /rant - Downstate - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:23 am: Just did a quick check. As an example, a painter, under prevailing wage, in Coles County earns more than $46/hour. Do you really think that is a prevailing wage for painters in Coles County? - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:23 am: Merriam-Webster Full Definition of THUG : a brutal ruffian or assassin Assassination by 1000 paper cuts?? - Me too - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:23 am: Pay not lay. Darn phone - Arizona Bob - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:24 am: C’mon, Rich. You KNOW that no more than 15% of the people of Port Byron are likely to be union members, and a much smaller percentage in the union building trades. So these “tails’ are supposed to wag the economic puppy of the people? What was the point of even asking the unions their opinion? You don’t need to guess that they’d be against continuing having the taxpayers pay far more than fair average trade salary and benefit rates. A state like Illinois simply can’t afford to pay far above average for construction without adding value for the expense, union bullying notwithstanding. Perhaps it’s time for the people of Port Byron to stop hiring union construction firms and go with non-union. Now THAT would be a fair boycott…. - GOPGal - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:25 am: State law requires a governmental body to pay prevailing wage rates regardless of whether or not it passes the routine ordinance. - Pete - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:25 am: Why have a vote, if the law requires it? A vote is a deciding action. If there is nothing to decide, what is the point of voting to accept forced compliance? - Demoralized - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:25 am: Were those union people attacking people while they were handing out fliers? I wasn’t aware that one was a thug because they hand out fliers. - Bulldog58 - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:27 am: Port Byron reversed their vote: http://www.qconline.com/news/local/port-byron-reverses-june-vote-approves-prevailing-wage-ordinance/article_edecd7bb-7e8d-5614-80f0-ede543ac4a37.html - Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:28 am: Suspending LGDF might be an appropriate response to breaking the law. You no likey the law, you no getta the money. - How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:30 am: “Union Thugs”. Yeah…that’s not inflammatory. I’m sure the city council wouldn’t mind being referred to as ‘Corrupt City Officials’ either. What a bunch of goofs. - Taxman - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:30 am: Time to campaign against these people and throw them off the city council. Businesses that do not support workers, should not be patronized by the people they harmed. Hold them accountable! - Just Observing - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:30 am: 1. The unions should not be encouraging a boycott of Port Byron businesses — I doubt the local businesses were even aware of this measure, and likely not culpable. 2. Correct me if I’m wrong… the Village likely will be hiring contractors for any projects… those contractors likely are still compelled to pay the prevailing wage regardless if Port Byron passes the ordinance or not. - illinoised - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:34 am: I work with a lot of municipal bodies, and see a lot of goofy motions and votes, for a variety of goofy reasons. Based on what I read, same goes for GA. - GOPGal - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:35 am: The Prevailing Wage Act authorizes a public body to conduct a minimum of two investigatory hearings to determine prevailing wage rates. If it chooses not to undertake this process, the public body can simply adopt the Illinois Department of Labor’s prevailing wage rates applicable for the county in which the public body is located. In other words, if the public body believes the prevailing wage rates for its county established by the Labor Dept. are out of line, there is a process under Illinois law to change those rates. But it requires some work and most public bodies don’t want to do the work. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:38 am: ==Just did a quick check. As an example, a painter, under prevailing wage, in Coles County earns more than $46/hour.== You must be including benefits, etc.?, because the following chart shows more in the $34.50 per hour range for painter wages in Coles County https://www.illinois.gov/idol/Laws-Rules/CONMED/rates/2015/january/county.htm - veritas - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:39 am: Isn’t the local vote on prevailing wage largely symbolic? I’ve never understood why municipalities are required to take this vote when state statute already mandates local compliance. What am I missing? - Todd - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:41 am: so handbilling is a threat? um ok. So engaging in informational leafleting is some how akin to being a thug. I get it. yet local elected officials who just ignore the law is somehow understandable becuase they are unclear on the concept, or what they actually need to do. Most people don;t even know how the rate is figured out. Downstate, yea $46 for wages and benefits could be the rate. For those guys I don;t thinnk the $46 is all on the check as wages, unlike up here for a dozer operator - Huh? - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:41 am: What 820 ILCS 130/9 states “… each public body shall, during the month of June of each calendar year, investigate and ascertain the prevailing rate of wages …” There is nothing in the statute that says the municipality must use the DOL wage rate. If Port Byron wants to put together some other set of prevailing wage rates, all they have to do is certify to DOL what the rates are in the city. Most public agencies use the DOL rates because they don’t want to do the leg work necessary to make the list and keep it up. - Is it safe to come out now - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:42 am: I can see why the Illinois Review labeled these labor folks as a thugs after seeing this flier… Sans font is the most threatening type of font available. - so... - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:43 am: Sounds like the unions are advocating a secondary boycott. Pretty sure that’s still illegal. - greenie - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:45 am: I find it incredible that people who insist on making a decent wage to support their families & local businesses are often referred to as “thugs.” - hatepolitics - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:45 am: yes, the actual wage is $34.50, but by the time a company - actually the cost to the taxpayers of IL is much higher, close to $80-$90/hr as companies still have to pay taxes, SS, etc on the employees that amount to about 33%, then add some profit, and you are at a much higher rate. I would say most folks in Coles Co. would love to have a package and benefits equally over $40/hr. - Huh? - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:47 am: Per 820 ILCS 130/6 they are guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. The DOL shall enforce the provisions of the act and the Attorney General shall prosecute such cases upon complaint of the DOL or any interested party. - DuPage - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:47 am: Some of these villages don’t understand that this is mandatory, and they must follow this law. It has been challenged and upheld by the ISC. - tobor - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:48 am: Must think they are in Wisconsin. - PolPal56 - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:52 am: Port Byron is in Rock Island County, where the prevailing wage for a painter is $27.82. - Norseman - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:53 am: Do we expect the Rauner DOL to take action to enforce the prevailing wage law? - Say It Ain't So!! - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:53 am: Isn’t choosing to boycott something considered free speech? And wouldn’t notifying businesses of your intent to exercise your free speech also be considered as free speech. If that’s the case, what’s the problem? Those same businesses have the right to call upon the village trustees to correct to situation, if they created a problem that affects their business - the Other Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:58 am: hatepolitics wrote: – yes, the actual wage is $34.50, but by the time a company - actually the cost to the taxpayers of IL is much higher, close to $80-$90/hr as companies still have to pay taxes, SS, etc on the employees that amount to about 33%, then add some profit, and you are at a much higher rate. – So. Much. Wrong. First, why include the profit in calculating a wage? I can’t even fathom the thinking there. Second, payroll taxes are not 33%. The employer’s share of payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare totals 7.65%. The rest comes from the employee’s $34.50 (or whatever the wage is). Likewise, withholding tax is withheld from the employee pay, i.e., the $34.50, so those taxes do not increase the amount spent by the employer. I think it’s fair to add up to 50% for benefits and payroll taxes, but that means a $34.50 wage would cost about $51 — not $80-90 as hatepolitics suggests. There is no need to exaggerate to make your point. - Allen Skillicorn - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 11:59 am: Last night McHenry County voted down PW. The vote was 9 in favor and 11 against. - Allen Skillicorn - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 12:01 pm: Link http://m.nwherald.com/2015/07/07/mchenry-county-board-again-rejects-prevailing-wage-ordinance/au36xg1/ - Me too - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 12:03 pm: Ugh, hate politics, companies only have to pay SS tax on employees. So call it 8%. The additional things you include like profit, yes the customer pays that too, but you know what happens when wages go down? That profit margin goes up. Sure it might be slightly less expensive to not pay prevailing wage, but then you have to subsidize the workers wages with food stamps, free child care, medicaid etc. Overall I’m sure it’s a wash in the end, but by paying prevailing wage, less people in this state live in poverty. Generally that is thought of as a good thing, but you think even skilled tradesmen should be paid Walmart wages. - Me too - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 12:07 pm: Say it ain’t so, yes so long as they don’t set up a picket line they aren’t breaking the law. - x ace - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 12:15 pm: Doesn’t IL Law provide Employees on Port Byron Projects must still be paid Prevailing Wage ? Won’t Contractor still be liable and subject to back pay and penalties if Employees are not paid Prevailing Wage ? Wouldn’t a Contractor be Foolish to bid a Port Byron project at less than prevailing wage ? - Pete - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 12:16 pm: Thanks -HUH?- for the reference. They could have done nothing with no vote and just used the Dept. rates. (820 ILCS 130/9) (from Ch. 48, par. 39s-9) If a public body does not investigate and ascertain the prevailing rate of wages during the month of June as required by the previous paragraph, then the prevailing rate of wages for that public body shall be the rate as determined by the Department under this paragraph for the county in which such public body is located. - Keyser Soze - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 12:34 pm: My handyman paints, does plumbing, electrical, flooring, etc. He charges $25 per hour. We are both satisfied. - Lycurgus - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 12:41 pm: Pete and GOP Gal are correct. The adoption of a prevailing wage ordinance does nothing except trigger a publication and reporting requirement. The obligation to pay PW’s exists without any such ordinance. - Hatepolitics - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 12:49 pm: No, it’s not even close to a wash in the end. At least 30% more. I suppose you think that the operators scale in several counties that requires a $17.80 per hour addition into retirement is a wash as well. Suppose that’s only about 5% more than what the average person puts in, I doubt it. I have no problem with a fair wage, I support them. But I also have common sense and realize some things are unsustainable. - Anon - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:02 pm: It really amazes me that more local elected officials aren’t aware that federal funds are often tied to specific wage requirements and that laws requiring a prevailing wage are linked to funds coming from the Federal government. While it’s great that local governments want to control their labor costs, most local projects involve spending state and federal dollars. - Me too - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:03 pm: Hatepolitics, so retirement for tradesmen is a luxury that can’t be afforded? Their bodies are worn out by 50. What, you expect them to do manual labor until they die? They also pay into their healthcare and retirement themselves, and plenty of businesses pay prevailing wage and have adapted to apprenticeship and training requirements without going union, yet they still get outbid. If your numbers are accurate, how’s that possible? - anon - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:29 pm: As a village trustee I always voted against the annual prevailing wage ordinance. I was bad enough the State required this but then we had to waste money to publish the legal notice! - Downstate - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:41 pm: Okay - here’s the line from the Illinois website on Coles County Prevailing Wage. I understand the Base rate of $31/hour, and the h/w and Pension number. Does anyone know what OSA & OSH stand for? That adds another $3.50/hour (not including $8 and $14.50 for health/welfare and pension). Trade Name RG TYP C Base FRMAN M-F>8 OSA OSH H/W Pensn Vac Trng CARPENTER BLD 31.700 33.950 1.5 1.5 2.0 8.000 14.15 0.000 0.520 - Tournaround Agenda - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:44 pm: Boy Anon, it must be nice letting your colleagues on the village board wear the jacket for passing an ordinance required by law while you get to sit back and say you’re fighting for the taxpayers. - Jack - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 2:10 pm: We do projects with union-free labor and also under prevailing wage law. Prevailing wage projects are generally 30%+ more expensive PLUS require a completely unnecessary level of expensive overhead. Why should we taxpayers have to pay more than normal folks? - Anon - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 3:58 pm: Does anyone find it difficult to stomach that a painter’s prevailing wage is between 27.50/hr and 34.50/hr while the base pay for most first responders is less than $20/hr? Or how about that most law school graduates (7+ years of post-HS Education) make less than $25 an hour? (For references, specifically check the entry level salaries for Chicago Police Department (second highest paid in the state and IL Attorney General’s Office) - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 4:06 pm: ===a painter’s prevailing wage is between 27.50/hr and 34.50/hr while the base pay for most first responders is less than $20/hr?=== Tradesmen and women don’t always work year-round, first of all. And God forbid that a mere painter should be able to afford to send his kid to community college. Sheesh. - Anon - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 4:08 pm: Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 4:06 pm: ===a painter’s prevailing wage is between 27.50/hr and 34.50/hr while the base pay for most first responders is less than $20/hr?=== Tradesmen and women don’t always work year-round, first of all. And God forbid that a mere painter should be able to afford to send his kid to community college. Sheesh. And a police officer shouldn’t? - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 4:09 pm: ===And a police officer shouldn’t? === Who said that? - Anon - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 4:22 pm: Who said that? Maybe I fail to understand your comment about a painter being able to afford to send his kid to community college on a PW of 27.50 to 34.50. Seems the purpose was to suggest that the PW paid is required to allow a painter to send a child to community college. If that’s a required wage for sending a child to community college for a painter wouldn’t that be the same requirement for any other person? - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 4:24 pm: Anon, you’re reaching. And you’re playing some sort of bizarre class warfare card here. Stop it. - Downstate - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 4:27 pm: —–Tradesmen and women don’t always work year-round, first of all.——– Rich, With all due respect you are correct. The union laborers in our area are lucky to work 6 months per year. Conversely, most of the union-free shops in our area haven’t had a lay-off in at least six years. - Local guy - Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 5:07 pm: If Union people think prevailing wage is so good, why don’t they build their own homes with that wage rate? They don’t! Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.