The Economics of Prevailing Wage Laws

Contents: Historical Context For Public Policy: Introduction: prevailing wage regulations and public policy in the construction industry, Hamid Azari-Rad, Peter Philips and Mark J. Prus; The American construction industry: an overview, Gerald Finkel; Thoughtless think tanks: sound bite thinking about the history and intent of prevailing wage laws, Hamid Azari-Rad and Peter Philips; Prevailing wage laws, unions, and minority employment in construction, Dale Belman. Public Policy: Costs, Skills, And Safety: Prevailing wage laws and construction costs: evidence from British Columbia's skills development and fair wage policy, Kevin Duncan and Mark J. Prus; Wage regulation and training: the impact of State prevailing wage laws on apprenticeship, Cihan Bilginsoy; Prevailing wage laws and injury rates in construction, Hamid Azari-Rad. Public Policy: Compensations: Benefits vs. wages: how prevailing wage laws affect the mix and magnitude of compensation to construction workers, Jeffrey S. Petersen and Erin M. Godtland; Health care subsidies in construction: does the public sector subsidize low wage contractors? C. Jeffrey Waddoups; Pension and health insurance coverage in construction labor markets, Mark A. Price; Index.