Policy Group Seeks Action to Boost Conditions for Workers at Federal Contracting Firms

A public policy group instrumental in a successful campaign to win a higher minimum wage for federal contract workers is now aiming at a larger target — federal contracting companies.

Demos, in a report released Wednesday, said Uncle Sam could better use his $1.3 trillion in purchasing power by pushing government contractors to improve conditions for their employees.

The New York-based organization, whose name means “the people,” is calling on President Obama to issue a “Good Jobs Executive Order” directing agencies “to incorporate higher workforce standards in awarding and evaluating federal contracts.”