This is the Federal Drive show blog. Here you can listen to the
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Steve Ryan
—
Partner at McDermott, Will and Emery
The largest federal contractor, Lockheed Martin, has reached an
agreement with
striking labor unions. About 3,300 members of the International Association of
Machinists had walked off the job April 23 at the Fort Worth plant where Lockheed
builds the F-35 fighter. The company hired temporary replacement workers. Ryan
explains what happens if a major contractor goes on strike and can't deliver
according to contract terms.
Read more: Lockheed CEO warns of increased government
costs from sequestration
Ken Simonson —
Chief Economist at the Associated General Contractors of America
A key Census Bureau survey faces the prospect of budget cuts. The American
Community Survey collects detailed data about Americans' economic life, far beyond
the 10-year count. The government uses the survey's data to design myriad
programs. Industry depends on it too. And businesses are worried about losing
it. Simonson testified recently in defense of the survey.
John Palatiello —
President of the Business Coalition for Fair Competition
The government-owned Federal Prison Industries — also known as
UNICOR — has employed
inmates since the 1930s. They mostly made goods that were used in the prison
itself, like furniture. But in recent years, FPI has expanded its product line.
Now inmates make military uniforms and even run federal call centers that give
prisoners access to the personal information of private citizens. Commercial
government contractors are ringing alarms. They say FPI has an unfair advantage.
Palatiello
testified before the House
Committee on Small Business in support of a bill he says would level the playing
field.
MORE ON THE FEDERAL DRIVE
Friday morning federal headlines
White House threatens to
veto spending bills over pay freeze, cuts
Air Force says 31 victims so far in sex
scandal
CHCO recommends employee-sharing
as budget salve
