Brian Willis: 202.675.2386, Brian.Willis@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Donald Trump signed a Congressional Review Act resolution today scrapping the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces executive order, which would have ensured that all contractors comply with workplace laws - including health and safety standards, wage laws, and civil rights laws before they receive new contracts.
According to a 2013 U.S. Senate report, 30 percent of the worst violators of workplace safety and wage laws continued to receive federal contracts, and in fiscal year 2012 the government awarded $81 billion in contracts to these companies. Moreover, the worst violators often have significant performance problems, which include contractors submitting fraudulent billing statements, cost overruns, and schedule delays that cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
The Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces executive order would have helped create a fair and consistent process by which the federal government can help ensure that all federal contractors comply with workplace laws and respect their workers. Regulations implementing the order were finalized in Aug. 2016, but a court order was preventing implementation. Advocates for workers, small businesses, veterans and people with disabilities, civil rights leaders, and many others support the policy.
In response, Dean Hubbard, Director of Sierra Club’s Labor Program, released the following statement:
“This is a slap in the face to everyone who hoped Donald Trump would have the backs of working people. His decision to sign a dangerous piece of legislation that takes a sledgehammer to a wide swath of worker protections and fraud prevention is indefensible.
“Trump should be strengthening workplace protections and fraud prevention, not helping rogue companies get around them. This is yet another disappointing decision by his administration that puts corporate profits before the well being of working families.”