11 People In Your Life Who Would Benefit From A Prevailing Wage Law

Get the facts about what repealing the Prevailing Wage Law would mean for regular Missourians. Because protecting the middle class is everyone's job, and voting for fair pay is everyone's business.

1. Our Veterans

Thinkstock

Veterans rely on construction jobs and other high-skilled labor positions to be there when their service is complete. For many vets, the skills they acquire in military training match closely with those of these industries. Repeal of a Prevailing Wage law would remove wage protections for the men and women who protect us.

2. Public School Teachers

Thinkstock

Mr. Nicholson knows students learn better in clean, well-built, up-to-date school environments. He wants the kids in his classroom to focus on learning, not distractions, and he wants to see them graduate into a robust Missouri economy with plenty of jobs to give all of them a chance to succeed.

3. Our Students

Thinkstock

Riley doesn't know it yet, but her safe, well-supplied elementary school was built with tax dollars. Repeal of the Prevailing Wage law would remove up to $28 million of tax revenue from Missouri, making it harder to ensure that Riley can go to a good school every day with engaged, motivated teachers.

4. Recent Graduates

Thinkstock

The next generation of skilled workers are looking to start their careers now. The repeal of the Prevailing Wage law would mean cuts to training programs and apprenticeships that help them get started. If talented prospects like Faith see that Missouri values its workforce and is committed to sustaining its middle class, they're more likely to look for jobs in state.

5. Medical Professionals

Thinkstock

To do her job, Clara needs to know her hospital was built to be a state-of-the-art medical facility. In her position, one small mistake could mean the difference between life and death. Plus, she's treated enough construction workplace injuries in the ER to know mistakes on the job site can cost lives too.

6. Full Time Moms

Thinkstock

A strong middle class helps families. It helps people invest in local businesses. It means more tax revenue to make schools and roads safer and better maintained. And it strengthens the social bonds that turn a population into a community. That's the kind of place Kathleen wants to raise her kids in.

7. Union Construction Workers

Thinkstock

America was built with union labor. Paying union men and women a fair wage gave rise to the American middle class. Union workers are highly skilled and make sure projects they build in their own communities are done right. Without a Prevailing Wage law, they are vulnerable to being undercut by out-of-state companies with no investment in Missouri's communities.

8. Small-Business Owners

Thinkstock

When the economy takes a downturn, small businesses are the first affected. Emma knows that fair wages and job security allow middle-class workers to reinvest in their own communities, which means stopping by for her famous mocha lattes.

9. Salespeople

Thinkstock

Zoey puts in thousands of miles on Missouri highways each year. Her accounts value the personal connection and dedication she provides. Zoey needs to know the highway system is maintained by workers who are properly trained and who put her safety first, so she can continue to provide for her family.

10. Local Mayors

Thinkstock

Mayor Woodley understands the middle class is the lifeblood of his community. The Prevailing Wage law allows him to protect his workforce and reinvest public dollars back into the community by giving public contracts to local businesses, not out-of-state contractors who underbid using lower-skilled workers.

11. Danny

Courtesy of ProtectMoFamilies

Finally, meet Danny Burlison. Danny represents several of the types of Missourians affected by Prevailing Wage. He is a veteran, a skilled carpenter, a husband, and a father of three. Ask yourself if you know someone like Danny, a regular Missourian, who counts on receiving fair pay for hard work done right.

To find more information on the benefits of Prevailing Wage laws and the negative impact that repeal would have on the lives of average Missourians, visit ProtectMOFamilies.com.

Paid for by the Committee To Protect MO Families, Martin Walter, Treasurer.