Tesla Motors Inc NASDAQ:TSLA should hire local construction workers and contractors to build the gigafactory, demanded northern Nevada Democrats on Monday. Democrats hold a majority in the state Assemblies and Senate, says a report from RJG. They want the EV manufacturer to abide by the prevailing wage laws that govern the construction of public buildings, irrespective of the fact that Tesla’s gigafactory will be owned by a publicly traded company and is not a Nevada public building.
Democrats want Tesla to hire more Nevadans
Assemblyman David Bobzien, D-Reno, and Washoe County’s senior Democrat in the Assembly, said that steps should be taken to ensure that Nevadans get the benefit from the construction jobs from the ongoing manufacturing phase of the project and also the jobs at the factory when it’s up and running.
Democrats are preparing themselves to push these demands at a special session at noon today in Carson, Nev. to push for an agreement between Tesla Motors Inc NASDAQ:TSLA CEO Elon Musk and Gov. Brian Sandoval. Musk and Sandoval entered into a deal last week to set up the $5 billion project in Nevada in exchange for around $1.25 billion in tax benefits over a two-decade span.
“Governor Sandoval has consistently stated that growing jobs in Nevada, for Nevadans, is a top priority,” spokeswoman Mari N. St. Martin said. Martin added that the governor will continue to focus on job the creation until every Nevadan gets a job.
Meeting to hear voters’ opinions
Assemblyman Skip Daly, D-Sparks, said that the company needs some out-of-state workers and contractors to build the gigafactory, as they possess specific skills, but that the priority will be to secure the maximum number of jobs for residents of Nevada.
Daly, a member of the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee and secretary of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local 169, said that he is concerned about Nevada workers. Daly added that local workers and contractors should be given priority over outsiders, and with the special session, authorities should explore ways to monitor, enforce and measure the employment issue.
Lawmakers are examining various details of the proposal and also seeking input from constituents. State Sen. Debbie Smith, D-Sparks, and chair of the Senate Finance Committee, stated that she will host a “telephone-town hall meeting” with voters to listen what they have to say about the deal.
