Prevailing wage laws affecting the construction industry in the United States exist at the Federal and State levels. These laws require that construction workers employed by contractors on government works be paid at least the wage rates and fringe benefits 'prevailing' for similar work where government contract work is performed. The federal law (Davis-Bacon Act) was passed in 1931. By 1969 four fifth of States had enacted prevailing wage legislation. In the 1970s, facing fiscal crises, States considered repealing their laws in an effort to reduce construction costs, and since 1979 nine States have repealed their laws. These repeals at State level along with unsuccessful attempts to repeal the Davis-Bacon Act have pushed prevailing wages to the forefront of public policy and controversy. This book, for the first time, brings together scholarly research in the economics of prevailing wages placed in historical and institutional context.

Revised Second Edition: This Second Edition includes updates to the 2010 edition and covers the general requirements and principles of federal Davis-Bacon and California prevailing wage compliance, including apprenticeship obligations. The book is written for the average contractor who may be considering performing public works for the first time or reentering the public works field after an absence of some years. It includes not only an overview of the requirements, but also best practices, tips and examples to understanding some of the more complex aspects of prevailing wage compliance. Finally, the book will also briefly touch on other states prevailing wage requirements. The book will discuss the new workforce tracking requirements for contracts which are using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). An in depth discussion will be had on California's prevailing wage statute, only because it is the most complicated. Finally, the book will also briefly touch on other states' prevailing wage requirements. The book is a basis for understanding current prevailing wage requirements. As the law changes frequently, a contractor would be wise to check the references and webistes noted in the book for the most up to date information"