Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 14, 2023 01:05 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative David M. Delloso |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Ensuring Safety and Hourly Wage Standards for Investor-owned Utilities |
| I will soon be introducing legislation that would apply the Prevailing Wage Act to investor-owned utilities, including water, sewer, gas, and electric. Under current state law, all utilities owned by public entities are subject to the Prevailing Wage Act, but private utility companies are not. Additionally, if a public utility is sold to a private company, construction work performed for the utility is significantly impacted because it loses prevailing wage coverage. Loss of this coverage both eliminates job opportunities for local workers and depresses wage rates in our communities. Utility infrastructure is a critical public need and should be completed by a well-trained and qualified workforce to the highest safety and construction standards. There are ongoing efforts to highlight the work performed by the contracted construction workforce in the utility industry and to ensure quality workmanship and fair wage and hour standards. My legislation will apply the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s prevailing wage rates and minimum safety standards to all contracted construction work completed on underground utility systems that are regulated by the Public Utility Commission, which includes water, sewer, gas, and electric. This bill will help to ensure that utility work is completed correctly, on-time, and on-budget, and to the highest safety and building standards. Two of our neighboring states, Maryland and New Jersey, have enacted laws like this, and New York is currently considering similar legislation. Please cosponsor this legislation to protect and support workers and utility consumers alike. |
Introduced as HB1465