Why is the AFL-CIO promoting RCO’s?
On the surface, RCO’s look like a reasonable effort to protect local communities from contractors and subcontractors who do not perform up to their standards. Once you examine the details of the ordinance, it becomes apparent that the real purpose is to insure that only union contractors can meet the criteria drafted by the unions because only they run the type of apprenticeship programs that meet the criteria of these ordinances. Why is requiring a union apprenticeship program unnecessary? The apprenticeship training programs conducted by the unions and required in RCO’s are based on what many in construction believe to be an archaic model established back in 1937. Why do many feel union apprenticeship programs are outdated? Today there are many alternative avenues that provide a quality construction education, such as technical high schools, community colleges, trade and technical schools and colleges and universities offering craft education. Most construction employers today use in
