Your editorial on union-only work on state projects misses a larger problem that the state has created (“In new project labor deal, Mass. taxpayers lose again,” July 24). The requirement for so-called prevailing wage rates on projects involving the state unnecessarily drives up the cost of construction. The dictated rates may level the playing field between union and nonunion firms, but we as taxpayers receive no benefit for the inflated cost.
Many projects are 20 percent higher than the same work done at a private property, and the quality is the same. If the hourly rate were lower, maybe we could afford more rigorous job site inspection. Then we could avoid future mistakes, such as falling roof panels.