...Prevailing Wages Introduction The U.S. Congress passed the Davis-Bacon Act in 1931 during the Great Depression. According to this act, a law was implemented that required governmental contractors to pay ‘prevailing wages’ on projects that it took on behalf of the federal government. The effect of this legislation was that more than 40 states adopted the ‘little Davis-Bacon Acts’ or ‘prevailing wage’ laws. This was then, but later on, many states repealed these statutes. Still, many states today, including Michigan, carry on with such laws that seem to have become obsolete from those Depression-days (Vedder 1997). This paper shall attempt to take a closer look as to what the implications of implementing such laws are, with scrutiny of these laws as enacted in the state of Michigan. Various statistics shall be presented to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using such laws in a state. The paper shall discuss the various issues that Michigan has faced in regards to these laws and will come up with some solutions and recommendations for the state of Michigan on whether it should continue to implement these rules or repeal from them. Many jurisdictions, including that of the federal government, set the prevailing wages exactly at or very near to those that are demanded by the laborers according to the union-scale. “Prevailing wage laws, then, force contractors on government construction or other projects to pay their employees at the same rate as unionized members of...
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...Prevailing Wages Introduction The U.S. Congress passed the Davis-Bacon Act in 1931 during the Great Depression. According to this act, a law was implemented that required governmental contractors to pay ‘prevailing wages’ on projects that it took on behalf of the federal government. The effect of this legislation was that more than 40 states adopted the ‘little Davis-Bacon Acts’ or ‘prevailing wage’ laws. This was then, but later on, many states repealed these statutes. Still, many states today, including Michigan, carry on with such laws that seem to have become obsolete from those Depression-days (Vedder 1997). This paper shall attempt to take a closer look as to what the implications of implementing such laws are, with scrutiny of these laws as enacted in the state of Michigan. Various statistics shall be presented to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using such laws in a state. The paper shall discuss the various issues that Michigan has faced in regards to these laws and will come up with some solutions and recommendations for the state of Michigan on whether it should continue to implement these rules or repeal from them. Many jurisdictions, including that of the federal government, set the prevailing wages exactly at or very near to those that are demanded by the laborers according to the union-scale. “Prevailing wage laws, then, force contractors on government construction or other projects to pay their employees at the same rate as unionized members of...
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...Prevailing Wages Introduction The U.S. Congress passed the Davis-Bacon Act in 1931 during the Great Depression. According to this act, a law was implemented that required governmental contractors to pay ‘prevailing wages’ on projects that it took on behalf of the federal government. The effect of this legislation was that more than 40 states adopted the ‘little Davis-Bacon Acts’ or ‘prevailing wage’ laws. This was then, but later on, many states repealed these statutes. Still, many states today, including Michigan, carry on with such laws that seem to have become obsolete from those Depression-days (Vedder 1997). This paper shall attempt to take a closer look as to what the implications of implementing such laws are, with scrutiny of these laws as enacted in the state of Michigan. Various statistics shall be presented to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using such laws in a state. The paper shall discuss the various issues that Michigan has faced in regards to these laws and will come up with some solutions and recommendations for the state of Michigan on whether it should continue to implement these rules or repeal from them. Many jurisdictions, including that of the federal government, set the prevailing wages exactly at or very near to those that are demanded by the laborers according to the union-scale. “Prevailing wage laws, then, force contractors on government construction or other projects to pay their employees at the same rate as unionized members of...
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...by a wage dispute involving Bahamian construction workers at the Oakes Field Airport.The wages for all workers was set at four shillings per day even though the Pleasantville Construction Company was willing to pay eight shillings per day.The white oligarchy decided eight Shillings was too much for black Bahamian workers,so they influenced the company to pay the workers Less. Fortunately,workers from Exuma had previously worked on similar projects in the Carribbean,told the Other workers that the company was willing to pay higher wages but,were prevented from doing so by Bay Street Boys.As a result a number of requests were made to the Labour Officer by the Bahamas Fedration of Labour for increase wages,but the prevailing attitude was,”take it or leave it”. Once workers learned that the white minority prevented their wage increase,they decided to demonstrate,but the demonstarion became a riot.The city was in a state of emergency,and in the mayhem,stores were looted and four men loss their lives while others were injured.The ruling class could no longer ignore the workers cries for more equitable wages.Following a discussion with the Duke of Windsor where the workers were represented by Milo Butler,A.F.Adderly,Percy Christie and Dr.Claudius Walker the workers were granted an increase of one shilling per day and a free meal at lunch. The Burma Road Riot was a critical element in the fight for workers rights and resulted in the first increase in wages for Bahamian...
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...Wage and Wage Earners Research Process Paper University of Phoenix Research and Evaluation I RES/341 Negussie Nega Purpose of the Research The way this information is layer out it will show us different wages for males, females, education in years, Occupation, Industry, married, not married, white, non-white, Hispanic, age groups, union, non-union, age. By the end of this research we will be able to tell from the group surveyed who is making more and if education matters. This basic research can help figure out if these differences make a difference in prevailing wage earners. Is it possible to figure out whether making a change now help the outcome of this research? According to our text observation and preliminary data gathering is already preformed for us. This leads us to problem definition therefore from our research it is believed that one should find out if education is an important aspect in earning the prevailing wage. Secondary problems would also be looked into is does gender play a part in defining prevailing wage. If one can learn about the fundamentals on wage earning than it would be a possibility to change the way our own wage leads to the success in our own lines of work. Doing this type of research can lead all interested parties a chance to learn what to do to make a change in their future and the future of all of these types of survey’s .According to our text a problem does not necessarily mean that something is seriously wrong, it could simply...
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... * Even if the jobs exist, the positions offered may be at a location other than being promised * Jobs may be offered at a much lower pay rate without any co-relation to the cost of living index in the area where job is being offered. * Making the workers work at a place other than the place for which the visa has been granted, charging exorbitant visa fees which is against the immigration laws. * Even after paying the fees, sometimes no jobs are being offered which violates US law as an open position is supposed to be there before a visa can be applied for. * Some body shops siphon off part of their wages or charge ongoing fees, again violating US law. * Claiming that they are employing people in low-salary regions when they’re actually working in high-wage areas, in violation of rules requiring payment of the region’s prevailing wage. Avoiding any of the above activities would help decide that they are treating their overseas employees fairly. 2. How would you characterize the stance on social responsibility of companies that function as body shops? The stance on social responsibility of the companies that function as body shops could be termed as ‘Callous’. These companies seem to be purely driven by their ultimate goal of profit maximization with any regard to the ethical and legal compliances. These companies are opportunistic and try to squeeze out most from workers by ill-treating them by paying them low, charging...
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...Wage Methodology for the Temporary Non-Agricultural Employment H-2B Program This Rule document was issued by the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Action Interim final rule; request for comments. Summary The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) (jointly referred to as the Departments) are amending regulations governing certification for the employment of nonimmigrant workers in temporary or seasonal non-agricultural employment. This interim final rule revises how DOL provides the consultation that DHS has determined is necessary to adjudicate H-2B petitions by revising the methodology by which DOL calculates the prevailing wages to be paid to H-2B workers and U.S. workers recruited in connection with the application for certification; the prevailing wage is then used in petitioning DHS to employ nonimmigrant workers in H-2B status. DOL and DHS are jointly issuing this rule in response to the court's order in Comité de Apoyo a los Trabajadores Agricolas v. Solis, which vacated portions of DOL's current prevailing wage rate regulation, and to ensure that there is no question that the rule is in effect nationwide in light of other outstanding litigation. This rule also contains certain revisions to DHS's H-2B rule to clarify that DHS is the Executive Branch agency charged with making determinations regarding eligibility for H-2B classification, after consulting with DOL for its advice about matters with which DOL has expertise, particularly...
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... 14 2015 Rebekah Benson Human resources (HR) consultant. The factors that will have an effect on the organization are particularly the federal contractor. The areas of compensation are well regulated it, and they have established controls parameters that will have a final effect in the organization production. The McNamara service contract Act requires contractors that have contracts over $2500 to pay more than the prevailing wage (United States Department of Labor, 2009). In contrast, all contractors that aren’t part of the Federal Reserve will have a fair payment over the minimum wage, adding over time and benefits. As we all know, it is necessary to name the Davis Bacon Act as the one that would have an effect over the contractor legislation. Davis Bacon Act would have an effect on contracts of repair and alteration on public buildings and places that belong to the city. As the Act has been applied to the contractor, the organization will be forced to adjust its compensation, having to safety secure each individual by making sure the wages keeps over the base paid, and the benefits will remain active as the organization makes sure every employee have the same treatment. (Department of Labor, 2009). Davis-Bacon will ensure every employee gets corporate benefits, as they keep the employee happy and well satisfied at all time. It is very important that they recognize every point on where they need to learn and understand how those procedures work. Every employee...
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...article, he explains the idea that the unemployment rate does not reflect the true atmosphere of the U.S A low unemployment rate is not a synonym of satisfied people. Boak explains the idea that many americans are not happy at all. The fact that unemployment’s rate is decreasing while the wages are still in the same place or barely growing is the source of discontent. The most important fact to analyze is that getting a job does not assure you the possibility of receiving good wages, or an increase in your salary. What the unemployment rate reflects is people wanting to work, but being unable to find a job at the prevailing wage. The supply of labor comes from people who are able to work and who choose to participate in the labor market. Labor, in a manner, is bought and sold in a market, just like other goods and services. The demand, the supply, and the wage are the members of the labor market. Those factors give us the opportunity to find an equilibrium point determined by the interception of quantity demanded and quantity supply of labor in a simple model. Certainly, the existence of policies such as minimum wage prevents the market for reaching the equilibrium. Considering wages as one of the most important factor Josh Boak says: “workers' pay usually outpaces inflation once the unemployment rate dips beneath 6 percent.” While less people seek jobs,...
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...goals by any one group does not undermine others’ goals” (Martocchio, 2009, p. 49). These laws make sure that the employees who have the “least amount of power” (Martocchio, 2009, p. 49), are protected. The client organization has 200 employees and provides goods and services to the federal government under contract. There are several laws that the organization must adhere to as a federal contractor that affect total compensation. The most prevalent affect comes from laws surrounding wages. These laws fall under the heading of Prevailing Wage Laws. One such law that applies to the client organization is the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act of 1965. Contractors who employ service workers such as plumbers and electricians must pay “at least the minimum wage specified in FLSA” (Martocchio, 2009, p. 55). If the firm’s contract with the government is valued at $2,500 or more the firm must also pay the prevailing wages of the area, and fringe compensation that is “equal to the local prevailing benefits” (Martocchio, 2009, p. 55). Another law that the firm must be aware of is the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act of 1936. This act...
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...Strategies March 17, 2011 STRATEGIC ISSUES AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Nike is a worldwide global corporation that has its shoes manufactured on a contract basis in places like Asia, China, and Vietnam. Although it does not actually own any of the manufacturing locations, it has long been accused of having its products manufactured in facilities that exploit workers. Although Nike admits some wrongdoing in the manufacturing facilities of its contractors, it claims to have started a commitment to improve working conditions in those facilities. Nike has suffered attacks from a number of agencies and organizations throughout the world that claim that the workers who manufacture Nike shoes are denied the basic essentials of living—a fair wage and decent benefits. All that occurs while several sport megastars are reaping in multimillion dollar contracts to promote Nike shoes. Over the years, Nike formulated tactics to deal with the problems of working conditions and compensation in subcontractors. It hired a strong consultant (Ernst & Young), commissioned an independent audit of its subcontractors, and spelled out initiatives to improve those working conditions. Still, Nike’s critics were not satisfied. They protested on university campuses and accused Nike of continuing to hide the conditions of workers. 1. Should Nike be held responsible for working conditions in foreign factories that it does not won, but where sub-contractors make products for Nike? Although Nike may...
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...The Overpaid Bank Teller Human Resource Management 1. If you were on the bank’s HR Committee, what would you do regarding raises for the tellers? I think first of all the State Bank should not base their wages off of a wage survey conducted by a competitor. Utilizing a third party to conduct a wage survey before making such a decision would be a much better option. I also think that lowering the raises that the teller will receive, as they have not been told how much their raises would be. Therefore reducing raises does not seem like it would have an impact on the employee satisfaction or their productivity. 2. How much faith should the HR Committee place in the accuracy of the wage survey? “Obtaining a wage or salary survey requires a small or large business to hire an outside company to compile the data or collect the information using individual employees and businesses from across the particular industry. This data is necessary for a business to create competitive salary packages and to comply with state and federal regulations regarding prevailing wages”. Lister., J There are some things that I think should be considered in regards to a wage survey. What other information is missing? Do the other banks have Spanish speaking individuals? Are the tellers the only ones that speak Spanish or are the loan officers also bilingual? People that are bilingual are often paid more than their counter parts that only speak one language. It is also lacking...
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...Chris Healy 12/08/2014 Nav. 350 Final Exam Question 1: The pattern of west to east is the result of "prevailing winds.” Is the pattern the same in the Southern Hemisphere? It’s commonly known that the winds rotate as the earth rotates, meaning prevailing winds are present in both the northern and southern hemisphere. In terms of the southern hemisphere, the belts are reversed. The southeast trade winds blow from the southeast toward the equator, rather than away from the equator which the northern hemisphere. The southern equivalent of the horse latitudes is called the Variables of Capricorn. The southern westerlies start barely south of South Africa. They are stronger than the northern westerlies because they occur over majority water (roaring forties). On the other hand, the southern polar easterlies are mostly over Antarctica. Question 2: Some years ago I travelled in South America on a trip arranged by our government and the host countries governments. We spent some time driving on a highway that ran along the Pacific Ocean. Every fifty miles or so if I remember it correctly-we had to stop because road graders were moving large drifts of sand from the road. The entire land near the road and extending out to the Ocean was dry, sandy, and desert-like. This was a contrast, because we had been on the other side of the Andes a short time before where it was tropical rain forest. Would what I just described have a connection to Question 1? Yes, the above description would...
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...extremely common occurrence. Duration of immersion with regards to seawater has a direct effect on the extent of desiccation, temperature and salinity stress an organism experiences (Gilman et al, 2006)[1]. Different species flourish in different levels of protection from the physical environment; wave activity frequently being the most crucial. (Ballantine, 1961)[2]. Therefore it can be assumed that the degree of exposure to wave action can directly affect these environmental factors. The more exposed areas will encounter more frequent immersion and much more constant action from harsh tides, leading to increased dislodgement from the rock surfaces and damaging of organisms, which leads to the absence of the weaker organisms. The prevailing wind will also have an effect on the degree of exposure to desiccation in exposed areas. In comparison, the more sheltered areas of the...
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...Atmospheric Circulation Zachary Carson-Gilmore October 12, 2013 Embry-Riddle Atmospheric Circulation On a nice summer evening as you walk across the beach heading home, you hear the waves crashing on the beach and the warm wind on your face. Have you ever wondered how wind is created and how we know it’s with us? There has been a time when I wished there was a breeze outside to dissipate some of the heat on the flight line, where it was so hot I couldn’t even touch the aircraft to work on it. On the other hand, I have wished that the wind would go away when we couldn’t get clearance to do any test flights because of high winds. Atmospheric circulation and how it affects aircraft performance is important to know and understand because of the problems it can create with an aircraft, but also how it can potentially benefit the airframe. But first we need to know what atmospheric circulation is and how it is created to understand the positives and negatives against aviation. “Atmospheric circulation is the movement of air at all levels of the atmosphere over all parts of the planet. The driving force behind atmospheric circulation is solar energy, which heats the atmosphere with different intensities at the equator, the middle latitudes, and the poles” ("Atmospheric Circulation", n.d.). Electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by the earth’s soil and by bodies of water. This reaction creates a heating effect and this effect is intensified during the summer months...
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