Fraud, forgeries, fake addresses derail anti-Prevailing Wage petition yet again

LANSING – Leaders of Protect Michigan Jobs today said the Michigan Board of State Canvassers’ deadlock on certification of anti-prevailing wage petitions is a clear acknowledgment of the rampant fraud, forgeries and discrepancies that marred the signature-gathering process from the beginning.

“Repealing prevailing wage would hurt Michigan workers and slam the brakes on Michigan’s economic comeback,” said Steve Claywell, president of the Michigan Building Trades Council. “We appreciate today’s leadership by members of the Board of Canvassers who recognized the sloppy and unethical tactics used in this attack on prevailing wage.”

“The signature gathering process for this irresponsible attack on prevailing wage has been a carnival of massive fraud and forgery from the beginning, and the Board of Canvassers acted appropriately today in shutting down this sham of a petition,” said Geno Alessandrini, Business Manager of the Michigan Laborers District Council. “Prevailing wage works for Michigan and it’s simply too important for Michigan workers and communities to overlook the massive fraud that led us to this point.”

“Repealing prevailing wage would turn Michigan’s skilled worker shortage into a skilled worker crisis and members of the Board of Canvassers who stood up to the special interests today deserve our appreciation,” said Mike Jackson, executive secretary-treasurer of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. “We applaud the Board of Canvassers for holding a magnifying glass to the despicable tactics used by the special interests that pushed this irresponsible petition drive.”

“Those who would repeal prevailing wage resorted to fraud, forgeries and fake addresses in an effort to scam the system and undermine a policy that has a proven track record of creating jobs and developing talent right here in Michigan,” said Douglas W. Stockwell, Business Manager and General Vice-President, Operating Engineers 324. “The Board of Canvassers did the right thing today and we urge the special interests who bankrolled this massive act of electoral fraud to apologize to the people of Michigan and abandon their irresponsible effort once and for all.”