LA Carpenters Regional Council
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
Endorse Foster Campbell for Governor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Gary H. Warren, Political Director (225) 279-2542
Carpenters say Foster Campbell is best candidate for Louisiana craftsmen
(Baton Rouge -- September 24, 2007) Saying that lowered standards in the construction market have negatively impacted the standard of living for Louisiana craftsmen at a time when their skills are most needed, the Louisiana Carpenters Regional Council this week announced its support for Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell in the governor’s race. The Council, which represents the Carpenters, Millwrights and Piledrivers in Louisiana, aligned with the Louisiana AFL-CIO to endorse Campbell.
“Foster Campbell has been willing to listen to the issues which have become prevalent in the construction market and the problems that they have created for all construction workers,” said Jason Engels, the Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Council. “His experience as a Senator and Public Service Commissioner and his voting record on issues relating to all working men and women singled him out as the candidate that we feel can best lead our state.
Union delegates from across the state voted unanimously to endorse Commissioner Campbell, Engels said
“The Construction Market has become flooded with unscrupulous contractors who are willing to cheat in order to submit low bids and gain enormous cost advantages over legitimate contractors,” said Engels.
Commissioner Campbell is prepared to protect the people of the state from unscrupulous practices, Engels said.
“He is committed to enforcing the laws that already exist for the misclassification of employees as subcontractors,” Engels said. “This tax and insurance fraud costs Louisiana millions of dollars in revenue, and the tab is picked up by all of the legitimate businesses and taxpayers in the state.”
The problem was made much worse following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita when President Bush suspended fair labor laws, Engels said. Suddenly, jobs that had been performed by Louisiana craftsmen were taken over by non-union contractors who hired low-paid immigrant workers, some of whom are in the country illegally.
Congressman Bobby Jindal, also a candidate for governor, did nothing to prevent his party’s president from suspending labor laws in Louisiana
“Many people are hurt by the lowering of standards in the construction market,” Engels said. “Workers receive lower wages and few if any benefits. Contractors who are willing to cheat often use cheaper unskilled labor and corner-cutting building practices. Taxpayers carry an extra burden to compensate for employers who do not pay taxes, provide workers compensation, unemployment insurance or health insurance.”
PHOTO ABOVE
Carpenters endorse Foster Campbell – The Louisiana Carpenters Regional Council has endorsed Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell for governor. From left in the photo above are Campbell, Council Executive Secretary Jason Engels and Council Political Director Gary H. Warren.