The petition to repeal the Michigan Prevailing Wage Act of 1965 is back. It never really has gone away since last summer.

The Associated Builders and Contractors/Protect Michigan Taxpayers and their rich conservative backers aren’t letting a little thing like throwing away $1.5 million on the first, failed petition-to-repeal effort halt their enthusiasm for lowering the wages of the state’s construction workers.

This relentless battle against the repeal effort is getting a little old, but in the building trades, there may not be a more important fight in our lifetime. Removing prevailing wage will wreak havoc on worker wages, training, quality and the long-term health of the industry.

This second petition effort might prove a bit more challenging for its sponsors, ABC/Protect Michigan Taxpayers, with potential signers harder to find behind closed doors in the winter.

And here are a few ways you can help make their effort a little more difficult:

1) Don’t sign the petition to repeal Michigan’s Prevailing Wage Act of 1965.

2) If you spot a petition signature gatherer, call the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council’s Decline to Sign Hotline, (855) 517-9437 and follow the prompts.

3) Contact your state senator or state representative and ask him or her not to vote for prevailing wage repeal when the petition drive is over. Go to www.michiganbuildingtrades.org to find your lawmaker, and contact him or her with an e-mail, letter or phone call.

(4) If you know your lawmakers’ names, call the Prevailing Wage WORKS for Michigan Hotline, 855-721-3304, to get a direct line to the office of your state senator or representative.