In my summary of the new Defense Strategy below, I raise the issue of using the Defense Budget like "...an ATM" to fund political priorities and reward friends. What do I mean by that? Take a look at this story, detailing the Navy's decision to use a "Project Labor Agreement" (PLA) in the construction of an explosives handling pier at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.
Some interesting sections from the story:
"The Navy has agreed to use workers from Olympic Peninsula Building and Construction Trades Council and Northwest Regional Council of the National Construction Alliance II on the $715 million, four-year project."
"The trades council contacted the area's federal delegation — Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Reps. Norm Dicks and Jay Inslee — who wrote to the Navy supporting a PLA, Whetham said. Four trade council officials and seven from the Navy met in November to explore the benefits and arrived at cost savings and skilled labor."
" PLAs typically require that employees hired for the project be referred through union halls, that nonunion workers pay union dues while on the project and that the contractor follow union rules on pensions, work conditions and resolving disputes."
It is difficult to conceive of these requirements not driving up total cost. And it appears that public sector unions are not the only beneficiaries of Administration largess.
Bryan McGrath
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