One of the most important ways to help the people in the region devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita get back on their feet is for them to have jobs paying wages that will enable them to support themselves and their families. Unfortunately, President Bush has rescinded what is known as the Davis-Bacon Act for that area: The Act requires federal contractors to pay the prevailing wage for the area. This means that in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi, workers on federally contracted projects will be paid less than others doing similar work. Exacerbating the struggle for workers is the fact that, according to the US Census Bureau, Mississippi and Louisiana already rank numbers one and two in percentage of residents living in poverty. How can we expect these workers to recover and support their families if the federal government is not willing to pay them a fair wage?
Rep. George Miller (D-CA) has introduced the Fair Wages for Hurricane Victims Act, H. R. 3763, which would overturn the President’s action. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce – we need your help in pushing the committee and then the full House to act.
CLICK HERE to send a message to your member of congress to support the Fair Wages for Hurricane Victims Act:
http://episcopal.grassroots.com/
CLICK HERE for more information on the Davis-Bacon Act and Poverty in the Gulf Coast.
