A provision included in Gov. Jim Doyle’s budget proposal requiring private construction projects that receive any public funding to pay prevailing wages to workers has some volunteers worried about their ability to contribute to projects around the state.

Presently, the wages are required for public projects only.

Prevailing wage laws require workers who are employed on public works projects get paid wages similar to those normally paid to workers on similar projects in the private sector. The laws were designed to prevent public works projects from being awarded to employers who frequently paid their local workers less than those in the private sector, according to the Department of Workforce Development.

Some volunteer organizations worry the governor’s proposal to change current law on prevailing wages will prevent people from working on publicly funded projects on a volunteer basis.

According to Rich Eggleston, spokesperson for the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities, the group has been working together with local government officials and union representatives to fix confusing or problematic language within the budget.

“There are a host of exemptions to such regulations, and at this point, people are trying to fix this so that volunteering is still allowed,” Eggleston said. “Most important in my view, they were receptive to changing the methodology for determining prevailing wages.”

Terry McGowan, business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139, dismissed concerns regarding the proposal. The group represents equipment operators, such as crane and forklift operators, as well as employees in the public sector in locations around the state.

McGowan, a proponent of the prevailing wage, argued many of the problems arose from federal law, leaving local and state groups with limited opportunity to change it.

“I think that some people are using exemptions like this to try and stir up anxiety about the prevailing wage,” McGowan said. “I think that a lot of people work really hard, and the prevailing wage needs to be in place.”

McGowan added some exceptions will exist and some volunteers will still be able to contribute to the work while proper business conduct and adequately paid employees will remain intact.