Mark Kirkes: California gives advantage to union electricians

With the recent passage of Assembly Bills 566, 1358, 1185 and 762, California legislators prove once again how they will cater to the select few. The bills take dead aim at graduated apprentice requirements to give advantages to companies that employ union workers on public works projects. With union representation at about 16 percent of the overall construction workforce, these guarantee less competition and higher construction costs.

There are two paths to becoming a licensed electrician. Apprenticeship requires both union and non-union participation and is required on all public works projects. Apprenticeship requires the payment of prevailing wages on both public and private projects. For this reason, most nonunion contractors use apprentices only on public works.

Electrical trainees are used by most non-union contractors representing almost 85 percent of the workforce. Trainees must attend certified schools, just like apprentices, with the difference being they don’t have to be paid at “prevailing wage” rates.

These aforementioned bills do not recognize the “trainee” path to becoming a certified electrician. Thus eliminating 85 percent of the established and trained workforce on public works projects. Letting the elite few take advantage of all our tax dollars.

This story was originally published December 11, 2015 at 1:42 PM with the headline "Mark Kirkes: California gives advantage to union electricians."