The Emporia Gazette

May 28, 2012

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OVER the past week, the Gazette has been reporting on the story of whether 100 Filipino construction workers were properly verified and had the right credentials to work on the new Westar Energy peaking plant that is being constructed outside Emporia.

Some union workers claimed that American workers were let go from the project and replaced with lower-wage Filipino workers.

When state Rep. Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth, heard this story she started asking questions and looking into the issue.

The new peaking plant is costing Westar $330 million and is being built by Black and Veatch. The workers in question were hired by a Black and Veatch subcontractor, Overland Contracting. Apparently Overlandhired the Filipino workers from Integrated Service Co.

Westar reported last week that the workers in question have been released from the project since the plant is nearing completion.

The Westar peaking power plant will be a tremendous benefit for the community. It is too bad that a subcontractor created this problem for both Westar and Black and Veatch.

We wonder if the money that Overland Contracting was hoping to save by using discount workers was really worth the trouble they created.

Keeping Americans employed is important. It is encouraging to see a state legislator having the courage to look into the issue and working to support American workers.

Christopher White Walker

Editor & Publisher