Romney’s labor policy positions ‘merit’ Associated Builders nod

Sources: Associated Builders and Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

In perhaps the first such move this campaign season by a major national construction group, ABC has endorsed Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

“[His] election is a top priority for the commercial and industrial construction industry and the millions of Americans it employs,” said 2012 ABC Chairman Eric Regelin, president of Granix LLC in Ellicott City, Md. “He has articulated a clear position on issues important to ABC members, including opposing federally mandated project labor agreements, returning the National Labor Relations Board to a neutral arbiter of labor disputes, and supporting the free-market, merit shop philosophy.”

While on the campaign trail in Phoenix, leading up to the February 28 Arizona primary, Romney told the ABC board during its national meeting, “If I become president, I will curb the practice of giving union bosses an unfair advantage in contracting.” On day one, he added, “I will end the government’s favoritism towards unions in contracting on federal projects and end project labor agreements. I will make sure workers in America have the right to a secret ballot and fight for right to work laws.”