Construction is a tough business and certainly not for the faint of heart. For years it was also an industry dominated by men and controlled by union bosses who often picked the winners and losers.

While a lot has changed over the years, a lot has stayed the same.

We both run family-owned businesses right here in Salem. One of us is a woman of color who manages a growing concrete and paving business in partnership with her three brothers. The other has built a successful electrical contracting business alongside her two daughters.

We are both certified by the state as women and minority owned contractors and collectively employ nearly 50 workers.

We offer family wage jobs with good benefits. Our companies are both non-union and our employees typically take home more that they would working for the union, while also receiving quality benefits – including retirement plans and 100% employer paid health insurance.

Both of our companies are active in apprenticeship and training programs and have safety records among the best in the industry.

Like many successful small businesses in our state, we’ve fought through adversity and overcome challenges. We compete against some of Oregon’s largest and well capitalized construction firms every day. Through hard work and perseverance, we’ve found ways to grow and thrive.

But our businesses – and those of hundreds of other women and minority owned contracting businesses in our state – face an enormous new threat. A new obstacle erected by our own state government.

Late last year, Governor Tina Kotek issued an executive order requiring union labor on nearly every state construction project. Known as “project labor agreements,” her order is a giant “keep out” sign for non-union businesses like ours – eliminating the opportunity for 80% of Oregon’s construction companies from working on projects funded with our own tax dollars.

But why? It’s not to save money. Every contractor working on public construction projects is already required to pay prevailing wages on government projects, meaning everyone competes on a level playing field.

That’s what makes the governor’s order such a head-scratcher.

It’s not about diversity and equity in construction either. You would be hard pressed to find contractors in either of our sectors who are more diverse and doing more to create opportunities for women and people of color than we are.

Further, project labor agreements would prevent hundreds of women and minority owned businesses from getting construction contracts. It’s why the National Association of Minority Contractors of Oregon oppose the governor’s executive order, as do dozens of other Oregon contracting and small business organizations.

The real reason for the order is that union bosses are calling the shots again. And just like in the old days, they don’t want to see us succeed.

So when politicians tip the scales in favor of well-heeled special interests, we’re going to call them on the carpet. Open and fair competition is critical for a healthy and equitably construction industry. Union and non-union contractors should all have a fair opportunity to work on taxpayer funded construction projects across our state.