Senator questions nominees on project labor agreements and the prevailing wage

A senator pressed Department of Labor nominees on Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and the Davis‑Bacon prevailing wage, saying both are important to Alaska’s labor community and can draw Alaskans into the trades.

Mister Berry told the committee he had declined to take a position in his labor chapter for Project 2025, describing his posture as one of “agnosticism and … openness.” He said he had faced criticism in a dissenting view for not seeking to change the law but told the committee he would be committed to enforcing Davis‑Bacon in his role as solicitor. “I opted not to take a position,” Berry said, and added that, in the relevant part of his duties “I would be completely committed to enforcing that law.”

Mister Rogers, addressing the same issues, said the Wage and Hour Division should continue its enforcement efforts for Davis‑Bacon and that prevailing wages must be calculated using appropriate data that fulfills congressional intent. “It’s important to make sure that prevailing wages are being properly calculated and applied in ways that further and enhance the purpose of the act,” Rogers said.

The senator followed asking whether the current method for calculating prevailing wages in a given area should be supported; Rogers reiterated the need for proper data and statutory compliance. No formal action or vote on these policies occurred during the session; the exchange was part of the committee’s questioning of nominees.

The committee moved on to further questioning of other nominees after the exchange.