Obama's Executive Order Angers Builders

Obama issued an executive order Friday requiring federal agencies to consider putting in place agreements that set wages, work rules and other benefits when awarding major construction contracts.

... But the construction trade groups say the agreements, which typically follow union rules and guidelines, raise costs. They say that goes against the goal of creating jobs with the estimated $150 billion that was set aside for construction projects in the House-passed stimulus package.

 

The executive order "has the unfortunate potential to limit contractors' ability to compete for projects" at a time when 1 million construction workers have been laid off, Stephen Sandherr, chief executive of the Associated General Contractors of America, said in a statement.