Prevailing Wage

Working Kansas Alliance supports prevailing wage laws because they ensure fair compensation for skilled labor on public projects. These laws require contractors to pay workers wages that reflect local standards for similar work, preventing a “race to the bottom” where companies could underbid projects by slashing wages. By maintaining consistent pay rates, prevailing wage laws protect workers from exploitation and guarantee that taxpayers’ money funds quality jobs that sustain families, rather than fueling low-wage competition.

WKA advocates for prevailing wage laws to protect high-quality workmanship. Skilled trades require extensive training, certifications, and experience to perform safely and effectively. When wages are driven down, it becomes harder to attract and retain qualified workers, increasing the risk of inferior construction and safety hazards. By upholding competitive wages, prevailing wage laws help maintain a highly skilled workforce that delivers durable, safe, and cost-efficient infrastructure for communities.

Prevailing wage laws support local economies and middle-class stability. These laws keep taxpayer dollars circulating within local communities by ensuring that public projects employ local workers at fair wages, rather than outsourcing to low-cost labor. This results in stronger communities and higher standards of living. Working Kansas Alliance believes prevailing wage laws are the cornerstone of economic fairness, workforce development, and community well-being.