Pittsburgh Council President Doug Shields is expected to introduce today a sweeping proposal to require prevailing wage rates for many employees working on city contracts or in city-subsidized developments.

Mr. Shields last night circulated the proposed legislation to fellow council members, seeking co-sponsors.

Any building service and food service workers employed by private firms but working under city contracts would be covered. So would any building service, food service, hotel and grocery workers at city-backed developments of certain sizes that have benefited from city aid.

The covered workers would have to get wages, benefits and time off that matched the average offered in the city, as calculated by the controller's office.

Development projects of more than 100,000 square feet, or grocery stores of more than 30,000 square feet, that get $100,000 or more of city grants, favorable loans, financing, infrastructure help or discounted land would be subject to the new rules.

Firms that didn't comply could face withholding of city payments, referral to the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, revocation of subsidies, or three-year bans on further city contracts.

The legislation is backed by several local unions that are expected to speak out on its behalf this morning. It is part of a raft of development, environmental and anti-poverty bills that several unions and council members have been discussing for months.

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