DOVER, Del. (AP) - A bill giving organized labor control over public works projects in Delaware has cleared a House committee but faces an uncertain future.
Democrats on the House Labor Committee voted Wednesday to release the bill, despite angry criticism from construction industry opponents who packed the House chamber, and concerns about whether the law would even be constitutional.
Committee chair and chief bill sponsor Michael Mulrooney, D-New Castle, said the legislation would not go to the House floor until some issues are addressed.
The bill requires contractors on state-funded construction projects to negotiate project labor agreements with labor unions.
It also requires contractors on public works projects to draw 30 percent of workers from the state House district where the project is located, and that 5 percent of workers be Delaware veterans.
