A level field for workers

Not that a prevailing wage policy for county government would win the war on poverty all by itself. Its sponsor, Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy, makes no such claim.

But Memphis city government has adopted the policy, as has Memphis City Schools, and county government should do the same.

Fringe benefits should be covered, as well, for such an ordinance to have its full effect.

Requiring contractors to provide health insurance for their employees may have some effect on what taxpayers are required to pay for a given project.

But not much. Taxpayers also fund TennCare and other state health care programs whose clientele include workers whose employers don't provide good health insurance.

And paying the prevailing wage does not elevate workers on government contract jobs above those who work on private sector jobs. The wage scale is established by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development on the basis of a regional survey that includes private and public sector work.

The institution of a prevailing wage rule could run into a roadblock if state Sen. Paul Stanley, R-Germantown, is successful in his effort to prohibit local governments from requiring contractors to conform to living wage or prevailing wage laws.

Stanley's measure has passed the state Senate and is scheduled for consideration by a House subcommittee on April 14.

The local ordinance also faces opposition from the West Tennessee chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, which portrays it as a union goal.

In fact, it does have union support. And it should have the support of anyone concerned about the health of the economy and the well-being of workers.

Take people off the poverty rolls. Put them into jobs that pay a decent wage or better.

The benefits spill over into retail sales and entertainment venues. The local tax base grows. Poverty might not be defeated, but its grip on the community will not be as strong.