POLICY PRIORITIES

We monitor hundreds of projects, ranging from public works to affordable housing to help crack down on wage theft and ensure a dignified workplace with responsible contracting practices

Prevailing Wage / Infrastructure

The Southwest region expects to receive billions for bridge replacements, transit improvements, and road repairs all subject to Davis-Bacon requirements under the Infrastructure Investment and

Jobs Act

Enforcement / Wage Theft

Construction is a bifurcated industry, separated into two sectors with different working conditions: a high wage, often unionized nonresidential construction sector, and a low-wage, often exploitative residential construction sector.

Affordable Housing

Many affordable housing projects rely on government funds, which triggers prevailing wage requirements. This policy has helped all contractors compete on a level playing field while supporting middle-class jobs to build strong communities and rewarding careers.

Advocacy

Advocacy Activities

The Quad C participates in a number of public forums to help advocate for the creation of quality development projects and good-paying jobs.

Actions

Policy Actions

The Quad C has engaged in the following policy actions:

Local Actions:

Los Angeles County:

LA City Contractor Pre-qualification Motion
- Instructed EWDD, DCP, and the Bureau of Contract Administration to report best practices for designating a list of pre-qualified contractors and determining applicability and incentivizing participation.

Hollywood Community Plan
- Added language to the Community Plan update instructing the DCP to study/develop a pre-qualification process that evaluates contractors on their record and commitment to high road wage and benefit standards and local hire training.

DTLA 2040 Plan & LA Housing Element
- Propose language to develop a pre-qualification process that evaluates contractors on safety records, participation in apprenticeship training, availability of employer-paid health insurance, pension benefits and record of compliance with labor laws.

Orange County:

Irvine Contractor Disclosure Ordinance
- Propose amendments to strengthen the City's current contractor disclosure requirements by identifying contractors that have violated labor laws.

Santa Ana Contractor Disclosure Ordinance
- Propose amendment enhanced the current contractor disclosure requirements of the City by introducing measures that identify contractors who have violated labor laws.

Santa Ana Housing Opportunity Ordinance
- Propose language that would incentivize developers to use a percentage of skilled journeypersons or apprentices in their projects for a reduction in the City's in-lieu fees.

San Diego County:

County Subcontractor Transparency Ordinance
- Propose language that would require contractors to disclose information for their subcontractors working on projects requiring County building permits.

City of San Diego Subcontractor Transparency Ordinance
- Propose amendments to San Diego’s municipal code to require contractors applying for building permits to disclose several new pieces of information before work on a project can begin.

Tucson, Arizona:

Local Wage Theft Ordinance
- Labor Standards Department would conduct investigations, audits, surveys and receive the complaints related to wage theft, when workers are denied pay that they’ve earned.

State Actions:

California State Agencies:

California Strategic Growth Council
- Propose modifying the AHSC application and scoring system to promote a quality local workforce by granting points to developers obtaining an enforceable agreement to contract state-approved apprentices and committing to verifying that contractors have a clean labor record.

California State Legislature:

Assembly Bill 2011
- Bill will expand affordable housing opportunities in prime infill locations for low-income Californians, while boosting well-paid, middle-class construction jobs.

Senate Bill 727
- Bill expands existing general contractor liability to include liquidated damages and penalties.

Assembly Bill 1701
- Bill holds general contractors and subcontractors jointly liable for unpaid wages, including fringe benefits.

Colorado State Legislature:

Senate Bill 161
- Bill updates and modifies laws pertaining to the payment of wages, employee misclassification, and workplace safety, and the enforcement procedures and remedies for violations of those laws.

House Bill 19-1267
- Bill defines the failure to pay wages or paying less than the minimum wage as a felony when the theft is of an amount greater than $2,000.