City Passes Prevailing Wage Legislation

Pittsburgh City Council today approved a bill that would guarantee that workers in future developments that contain city funding earn wages that are based upon the average earnings of their peers in the market. The vote on the legislation was unanimous but came after a shouting match devolved in council chambers. Councilman Patrick Dowd tried unsuccessfully to un-table a series of amendments that he voluntarily tabled when the bill was still in committee and eventually ended up in a shouting match with Council President Doug Shields over his right to be heard by the council. Councilman Peduto was able to introduce amendments that clarified how grocery stores were to be considered and also added a fine for violating the measure and eased reporting regulations among other things. The legislation will apply to projects of more than 100,000 square feet or 25,000 square feet for grocery stores that get $100,000 or more of city grants, favorable loans, financing, discounted land or infrastructure help. When approved the legislation received a standing ovation from the members of the audience.

Also passed today was the city's budget that did not include the 1% student tuition tax.