obama executive order

[Electrical Al]

Just recently I heard about one of the executive orders Obama signed on Feb. 6 2009. I went to associated press to confirm and it was as follow.

WASHINGTON- President Barack Obama on Friday issued an executive order backing the use of union labor for large scale federal construction projects over 25 million dollars.
The order encourges federal agencies to have construction contractors and subcontractors enter into labor agreements.

So you fellow rats this will prevent a lot of non union workers from woking on embasies and other overseas goverment projects. I myself never worked union so this is great concern for me working on embassy consruction !

What does this mean for others I would like to hear reply.:2cents

[Grantlee]

Just recently I heard about one of the executive orders Obama signed on Feb. 6 2009. I went to associated press to confirm and it was as follow.

WASHINGTON- President Barack Obama on Friday issued an executive order backing the use of union labor for large scale federal construction projects over 25 million dollars.
The order encourges federal agencies to have construction contractors and subcontractors enter into labor agreements.

So you fellow rats this will prevent a lot of non union workers from woking on embasies and other overseas goverment projects. I myself never worked union so this is great concern for me working on embassy consruction !

What does this mean for others I would like to hear reply.:2cents

Well, it is late and the Jim Beam may have something to say but, I was trained in the IBEW and I must admit it was the best training I have ever had as far as trade training is concerned. I left as a journeyman electrican and now hold a masters licence as well as contractors license. However, it is what a man or woman make of his or herself that define what they are. Not what government or any other party or enity says. I thing we should have the right to work where we want if we have the qualifications and experience. A union apprentice program is a good yardstick, but why does the current government showed it down our throat??? It is because they have been bought by the votes. Not because of good trade training. If they required good quailified and verified training I would be OK with it. I really do not want to offend anyone but damn, just being in a union does not make a trademan good or bad. The issue is bonified training and great, not good craftmanship. Knowing what to do and doing it well is the key

[HeadRat]

Though some contractors have already started to ask for licenses and the like on overseas work, that was mostly and from what I understand ONLY work that was done on US Military bases. Don't look for this to affect Embassy work to much.

[guitartexan]

YIKES!

Go into this with your eyes wide open. Dont let yourself be surprised as there are plenty of warning signs out there. Alway have an alternative exit plan, and this includes cash to get out if you need to.:2cents

[mexfishguide]

I really see no change in the way contractors select thei workmen. The prevaling wage rate - has been in effect for years on gov. work. He may reccomend union craftsmen, labor has all ways been the democratic party.
Yes I served a union (inside appenticeship), in all my many working years, I have never seen a better training program!!! However I protect your right to select union are non-union, for your self.
For a long time now I have advocated a license program for our rat journeymen.

Take Care
Fishguide:cheers

[The Wild Rover]

Yes, I too am from a Union apprenticeship, and I am still and will always be a Union man. I come from a strong Union family...but I respect your choice. What I think is happening, is not about Union or Non-Union, I believe like MexFish it is about prevailing wage for Gov't. work in the States, which is what it should be. This is our tax money, shouldn't we force the contracts to pay the prevailing wage for the area? If all the bids are at the prevailing wage, the Non-Union as well as the Union contractors will have the same labor cost per hour, so nobody loses... If the work is to be done, fairly, with our Tax money, there should be a wage standard per craft or discipline for all labor for that job, that way, some Chinese ot First Kuwait contractor cannot bring in 200 migrant laborers and pay them $2.00 an hour to do what we would do for $35.00 per hour. That is just good for the USA. I don't understand what Bush was thinking trying to get rid of that law. As far as Union and Non-Union labor, there is good and bad on both sides, in varying aspects. The Union Apprentiship is by far the best for Electricians as far as education offered...what each person does with that education, well, depends on that person. This is my opinion, like it or leave it.
As far as overseas projects are concerned, the Unions do not have jurisdiction overseas, in another country. So there is no need to worry about that happening, if that is your worry. Each country has it's own labor laws and trade organizations or ministers...they would not let US Labor Unions into their country, for the US Embassies being built in their country. I don't know if you've noticed it, working overseas, but the building of the US Embassies overseas always use local labor...it's like a huge boost to the local economy, in so many ways. Labor force, equipment, materials, food concessions, taxi's, and not to mention the money spent by the Americans drinking, eating, washing clothes, internet, titty bars, didn't you notice this? The amount of money the US dumps into that country during construction is like a mini public relations effort for the US. Do you think the local politicians are going to let this get away? I doubt it. I don't think it would be cost effective for the Unions.:2cents

[Javabear]

I'm working in Afghanistan now and I worked 46 months in Iraq before that. I'm an IBEW trained JW and have met a lot of brothers and sisters working over here.

[Electrical Al]

There are some construction on embasy overseas that request union hands and I beleive that is a request by some general contractors. So the reaching effect of this order will affect embasy construction. I beleive in the balance of union and nonunion. If this does not affect overseas contractors there will be more third world employes doing our work. Maybe I am wrong but I have'nt missed too much before. Call your congress and let it be known how you think.:banghead:2cents

[Grantlee]

Like you guys, I also beleive that IBEW appreticeship (electrical) is superior to any I have seen anywhere. I have not been out of the country much (Mexico & Porto Rico), but inside the US I have been all over and I do think that appreticeship training is a must to develop a true craftsman. The areas of the country that do not have any programs at all are sorely hurting for trained workers. I also agree about licensing for overseas workers for safety and quality and some sort of wage guideline for a chance at being fair and competitive. I am scheduled to ship out in less than a week and perhaps some of my other views will change. And thats OK, I can eat crow with the best of them as long as I can chase it with Jim B. Wild Rover your writing style makes me think you are becoming a diplomat!

There is no substitute for knowing what to do.

[Emerson]

You guys are NOT Reading this order very well. To me this means NO MORE FORIEGN LABOR and limited FORIEGN CONTRACTORS. What do you Think is this a correct read? :cheers

[Grantlee]

... could go either way..

[jeavalanche]

you know here in colorado there really isnt a union for carpenters, only iron, elec, plumb. they just started something thru the state the concrete finishers had to be certified. for every 5 finishers you need 1 cert. really here to be considered a carp you need to be a journeyman someone that can fix everything, elec, plumb, drywall, everything. really no cert just liesenced and insured. you got the job. it sucks when i interview for a job in texas and i cant show my liecenes or certs but i think my work stands for its self. never been fired, only up the latter :cheers
j

[mexfishguide]

I am not sure we are reading the statement correctly? No way do I think a union labor contract can are will be enforced for overseas work? I have thought for some time now - part of the US forgein aid program is implimented through the = overseas us embassy construction projects - agree are not? How can the extensive cost overruns caused by local labor, be shouldered by the us contractors? Some credit must be given for hiring and using local labor? Plus the fact is, a big majority of so called local labor - is not local but brought in from other countries? Yes, bro the services offered by the "local" people is a boon to the local econimy, and is as it should be.
All this said, I have to maintain my opinion of 1 american worker to "only" one so called local. We have so many expats that once they are on an overseas embassy project, it is their belief the locals should do all the work while they stand and watch!!!! We will never get more of our workers on site as long as people have this attitude. Another thing that has hashed around on site for some time now - is craft license. It would be a very good idea if we on this site had a way of testing and licensing our folks - Rat pack has been around awhile now and a rat pack journeyman license should carry a little weight - how we could this is a big problem and it would I am sure keep a lot of people off the jobs. When a person comes on the job - and can not wire a 3 or 4 way switch, fit, cut, thread, & bend ridgid conduit. That is not a journeyman!!!!:wtf If you are union trained and working on a fair contract - then your using the bast traning in the world and drawing the highest wage package in the world.

Taike care
Mex-fish.