By J.R. Gaylor
Posted: January 8, 2010

When the leaders of Wishard Hospital brought forward a massive renovation plan, all of the appeal was for this to be an all-community effort. The entire community was asked to support this by their votes "confirming our community's commitment to the New Wishard." Matt Gutwein, CEO of the Health and Hospital Corp., on a number of occasions in public meetings to rally community support touted inclusiveness of all community sectors as important to the success of this project.

Now that actual construction documents are being distributed, we find a much different story. We are finding out that a large sector of the construction industry -- nonunion contractors and nonunion construction workers -- will essentially be locked out from participating due to a backroom deal with the local big labor bosses.

Only through investigative reporting by Kara Kenney of WRTV (Channel 6) did Gutwein produce this divisive document on Dec. 28. Rumors of this had surfaced months ago when there was a supposed deal with the labor bosses who had promised to ensure a successful referendum vote if Wishard would, in quid-pro-quo fashion, direct the bulk of the $750 million of construction work to the unions and eliminate their competition.

Now as this backroom deal is being exposed, Gutwein is claiming that this was a necessary deal to get the project done on time and on budget, a real protection to the taxpayers. Similar deals were cut to eliminate qualified nonunion contractors on other high-profile projects.

Let's review how those have turned out for taxpayers:
» The Central Library was more than two years late and $50 million over budget.
» Lucas Oil Stadium was $75 million over budget and used up a $50 million contingency fund.
» Indianapolis International Airport opened a year later than original projections.

Labor bosses shift the argument and say this is about wage protections, safety and quality control. Those are hollow arguments from many years ago when unions were prominent. The bait-and-switch is alive and well. It worked on the stadium. Appeal for inclusiveness of the entire community when you need it and then switch to an exclusive deal with a small group of power brokers when you think no one is watching.

Gaylor is president and CEO of the Associated Builders & Contractors of Indiana, Indiana Chapter.