Powerful Labor Leader Tells Lawmakers to Keep Hands Off Prevailing Wage Laws

Building trades block efforts to speed affordable housing and child care development

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Building trades unions have again blocked efforts to reform prevailing wage laws in Oregon, which developers say have driven up the costs of affordable housing and child care projects. A powerful labor leader warned lawmakers not to consider such proposals in the future, effectively killing a bill that aimed to clarify and tweak the prevailing wage rules.

Why it matters

The debate over prevailing wage laws has driven a wedge between traditional allies - nonprofits, affordable housing developers, and child care providers on one side, and trade unions on the other. Developers argue that the Bureau of Labor and Industries' interpretations of prevailing wage laws have significantly increased project costs, resulting in fewer housing units being built and some child care facilities not being developed. However, unions are adamant about protecting their members' wages and benefits, seeing any changes to prevailing wage laws as a threat to their ability to support their families.

The details

Senate Bill 1566 aimed to clarify the law in several areas where developers say BOLI has made interpretations that have driven up costs, such as triggering prevailing wages for commercial uses like child care within affordable housing projects. Developers, city representatives, and child care advocates testified in support of the bill, but the powerful Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council came out strongly against it, with the executive secretary telling lawmakers not to 'entertain these types of proposals in the future.' As a result, the bill is not expected to move forward this legislative session.

  • On February 9, 2026, the trade unions testified in opposition to SB 1566 at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Labor and Business.
  • On February 12, 2026, Sen. Dick Anderson said he had been told by Democratic leadership that his bill would not move forward.

The players

Robert Camarillo

Executive secretary of the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents 30 member unions.

Sen. Dick Anderson

Republican senator who sponsored SB 1566 along with Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson.

Dana Hepper

Director of the Children's Institute, an advocacy group.

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What they’re saying

“This is something we strongly oppose. I urge you not to entertain these types of proposals in the future.”

— Robert Camarillo, Executive secretary, Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council

“If the Democratic majority truly wants to stand up for housing affordability, they should go further and pass this bill to actually build more housing. Until they stand up to the unions, we will see a continuing spiral downward.”

— Sen. Dick Anderson, Republican senator

“[But] nonprofit housing developers may not be able to access this co-location support because including any commercial space, including child care, would trigger a prevailing wage requirement to which they were otherwise not subject.”

— Dana Hepper, Director, Children's Institute

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.