Congressman Salazar to Cosponsor Fair Wages for Hurricane Victims Act

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman John Salazar (CO-03) today announced his co-sponsorship of the Fair Wages for Hurricane Victims Act, a bill to guarantee workers in the hurricane region a prevailing wage. Salazar's support comes in the wake of an Executive Order suspending prevailing wage protections guaranteed by the Davis-Bacon Act, allowing employers to pay workers lower wages than normal federal contract requirements mandate. Salazar noted that it is time for Congress to send a message to the Administration that it will not tolerate attempts to undermine the rights of workers in this time of crisis.

"We cannot allow this disaster to be used to undermine workers' rights," said Salazar. "I understand the need to rebuild these communities in a timely and cost-effective manner, but it is deplorable to try to put that burden on the backs of workers, many of whom are in need of a good job with a good wage.

"Under the Davis-Bacon Act, a federal contractor must pay its workers the prevailing wage for that locality. The prevailing wage is whatever workers in a particular job classification, such as carpenters, typically make in that geographical region.

"The prevailing wage in hurricane devastated areas is already low compared to other parts of the United States." Salazar added. "Now is the time to improve economic security in the region, not make it harder for people to get by."