MUSKEGON, Mich. — Even if they don't get the prevailing wage, trades people in Muskegon County may do more work on the new convention center in Muskegon.
Tuesday night, the Muskegon City Commission removed a requirement forcing sub-contractors on the convention center to pay the prevailing wage for carpenters, plumbers and other trades.
Earlier the Muskegon County Commissioners also dropped the prevailing wage requirement on the project. But while they won’t necessarily get the prevailing wage, the Muskegon City Commissioners approved language they say will put more local trades to work on the project by giving a preference to contractors who hire Muskegon County people.
“Assuming there were multiple bidders for one of the subcontract areas and say a non-local person was the low bidder, but we had a local bidder within 5% of the low bid and they agreed to employ 40% local labor, they would be awarded the contract,” explained Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson. “What we were able to do is hone in on what we need to do to ensure local labor and focus less on the wages that are paid.”
“It is disappointing prevailing wage is being removed from this project,” said Commissioner Ken Johnson. “I appreciate the city manager’s efforts to ensure, to the best extent possible, there is local on it. We should have figured out another way.”
Because the county and city commissioners agree on prevailing wage, bidding may proceed on the project and keep the convention center on schedule for completion in 2021.
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