Contractors plan to rally against repeal of common wage law

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana contractors plan to rally against a proposal that would repeal the state law that sets wages for public construction projects.

Indiana Building Contractors Alliance members will gather at the Statehouse on Monday to celebrate the economic impact made by union contractor businesses.

The House approved a Republican-led proposal last week that would eliminate the boards that set construction wages for each state or local project. The rally falls on the first full session day after bills switch from the House to the Senate.

Supporters of the repeal say it would save an estimated 10 percent to 20 percent on state construction projects by allowing more contractors to pay wages below union scale. Opponents argue the change would open the door for low-paying, out-of-state contractors.