For Immediate Release
Wednesday, April 04, 2001
Statement by AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee on Bush Administration Repeal of Responsible Contractor Rules
On behalf of the 1.3 million members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), I strongly condemn the Bush administration's suspension yesterday of federal "Responsible Contractor" rules that protect workers, consumers, and taxpayers. It is sad and disappointing to see the administration take yet another step to punish working families in only a few months.
As the nation's largest public employee union, AFSCME and its members have seen first-hand what happens when state and local government contracts are awarded to irresponsible bidders. Too often, we are called upon to clean up the mess left behind by contractors who flaunt the nation's labor laws, use poorly trained workers to provide services and otherwise cut corners in pursuit of higher profits. Too often, contractors who commit abuses and squander public funds simply move on to another state or government entity and are awarded bids to perform the same or similar services.
That is why we were heartened by regulations issued by the previous administration requiring the federal government to examine a contractor's record of compliance with federal laws covering workplace safety, the environment, consumer protection, civil rights, and other areas before doling out dollars. These rules were not extreme. They asked contractors to demonstrate only a "satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics" and only allowed for the option of denying a particular contract if a company had proven itself to be a chronic lawbreaker.
Our union has fought to ensure that all levels of government provide efficient and high quality public services and remain open and accountable to every citizen. We firmly believe that the "Responsible Contractor" regulations represented basic American values of fairness, honesty, and respect for the law. Rewarding companies that repeatedly misuse government funds and violate key laws is unfair to both taxpayers and the vast majority of firms that obey the law and deliver a quality product in a timely and reliable manner.
