Posted on Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 5:16 p.m.
MDOT worker calls for reforms, more transparency with taxpayer dollars
By Guest Column
John Eck believes it's time for Michigan taxpayers to know how their dollars are being spent when it comes to contract workers within government agencies.
John Eck
In a column which appeared on Mlive.com, Eck, an MDOT transportation technician and a member of SEIU 517M, said what most people don't know is contract workers oftentimes end up costing the state more money than their own regular employees.
Eck and his colleagues are calling for lawmakers to make reforms to ensure responsible spending of tax dollars, as well as demanding greater transparency in how contracts are granted.
Comments
mixmaster
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 2:07 p.m.
I'd prefer to know that my tax dollars are going to hard working skilled and conscientious public workers (most often inspectors of the work done by the PRIVATE paving contractor) rather than to the profits of sometimes shady contractors who, without a second thought would use inferior material and unskilled (and underpaid) laborers, underbid to get the contract and then back-charge inflated expenses, to build the roads that we depend upon to be safe and last more than a few years.
Arborcomment
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 3:15 a.m.
Your honesty is refreshing mix.
mixmaster
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 4:46 p.m.
No, I'll leave that to others.
John S. Armbruster
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
Wonderful statement. Do you have any facts to back it up or are you just blowing smoke?
Basic Bob
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
You didn't read the article. Mr. Eck is not concerned with the competitively bid road projects going to union contractors. He is concerned with time-and-material engineering contracts, which apparently could be done in-house with college interns. I would rather leave it in the hands of licensed professional engineers for exactly the reasons you cite.
TreeTown
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 1:36 p.m.
IMHO. His proposals for better transparency are sound. Non of them is pro or against union or contract firms.
walker101
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 12:08 p.m.
Most of all this contract agreements are from former government employees that have an inside advantage, they already know how corrupt the system is and are able to take advantage of a good thing. This is how government works.
motorcycleminer
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 8:57 a.m.
SEIU 517M...read no further that says it all..contractors are required to bring it in on time and budget or they get reamed..state unions on the other hand just ream...the taxpayers...
snoopdog
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 1:38 a.m.
Get rid of unions at the state level, period. Taxpayers should not have to put up with this nonsense ever. I drive down the freeway and see 25 people standing around while 3 of them are actually doing something. Good Day
mixmaster
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 1:57 p.m.
Many, if not all of the people (hard working often in incredible heat and dust and danger from passing cars) work for PRIVATE CONTRACTORS.
Ron Granger
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.
That is typically a management issue. Sometimes it is waiting on a piece of equipment, other times it is waiting on a decision. Just like closing lanes and reducing speed limits when there is nobody working. That isn't "da grunts" who are making those decisions.
Ron Granger
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 11:33 p.m.
Eck makes excellent points. There is a profound lack of transparency in how contracts are awarded. "State contracts make up 26 percent of state spending, compared with just 10 percent spent on state workers. • Make all state contractors subject to the Freedom of Information Act. • Crack down on conflicts of interest by requiring state contractors to disclose any personal interest they have in governmental decisions in which they participate and prohibiting them from engaging when a conflict of interest is present."
Arborcomment
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.
Proposals in the MLive full article on contract visibility and process - proposed by Mr. Eck seem valid. However, leading off both articles is "contactors can cost more than state employees". Both fail mention that while a contractor may cost more during period of the contract, if the contract is not renewed, there is no further requirements by the State (like pensions/health care) and it is easier to fire a contractor for non-performance of the contract than a State employee and associated Union interests.