Construction employment increased by 52,000 jobs in January and by 338,000 jobs, or 4.7 percent, over the past year, while the latest reading on construction spending showed moderate increases in all major categories, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged government officials to strengthen career and technical education programs and facilitate immigration for workers with construction skills before a worker shortage stalls completion of needed infrastructure.

New Deadline to Submit EEO-1 Data Extended Until May 31, 2019

Construction employment grew in 273 out of 358 metro areas between December 2017 and December 2018, declined in 37 and was unchanged in 48, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the job gains came amid strong demand throughout 2018 for construction projects but noted that tight labor market conditions likely prevented additional job gains last year.

AGC of America submitted comments supporting the National Labor Relations Board’s proposed rule on joint-employer status with certain clarifications January 28. The rule would reinstate a standard establishing joint-employer status under the National Labor Relations Act only when a company actually exercises substantial direct and immediate control over essential terms and conditions of employment of another company’s employees and does so in a manner that is not limited and routine. It would reverse the AGC-opposed Browning-Ferris Industries decision that was issued by the Obama Board in 2015 and recently upheld by a federal circuit court.

Forty-three states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between December 2017 and December 2018, while 36 states added construction jobs between November and December, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials cautioned that growing labor shortages and trade disputes were leading to higher construction costs.

After a year marked by numerous price spikes, construction costs declined in December but remained elevated compared to year-earlier prices, while prices of new buildings also moved higher, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new Labor Department data. Association officials noted that the cost of many construction projects is increasing as firms cope with labor shortages and increased costs for many of the materials they need for projects.

According to the latest Contractor Compensation Quarterly (CCQ) published by PAS, Inc., construction support staff wages are to rise by an average 3.4% by 2018 year end and pay increases have been fairly consistent the past few years. The prediction is based on data gathered from over 165 companies in the 15th edition of PAS’s Construction Support Staff Salary Survey. Though the projected 2018 increase is 3.4% for administrative and technical support, it is pointed out that historically support staff predictions are low, so year-end 2018 might look similar to 2017 and come in with a 3.5% increase.

On December 27, 2018, in IBEW Local 357 (Desert Sun Enterprises), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a decision reaffirming its longstanding rule that, when a union notifies a neutral employer of its intent to picket a primary employer (the employer with which it has a direct dispute) at a site where both employers are operating, the union must include assurances that it that the picketing will conform to the NLRB’s Moore Dry Dock standards. The decision is consistent with an amicus brief filed by AGC and is important for contractors and owners.

The Union Contractors Committee will host a session during AGC of America’s 2019 Annual Convention called the “State of the (Operating Engineers) Union” featuring guest speaker Jim Callahan, general president of the International Union of Operating Engineers. The session is scheduled for April 3 at 3:00 p.m. and is open to all convention registrants. The convention will take place April 1-4 in Denver, CO.

The National Labor Relations Board’s current joint employer standard has received a mixed review from a federal circuit court. The decision is disappointing to AGC, which sought reversal of the standard in an amicus brief in the case, but it provides some valuable guidance on how courts may evaluate the Board’s ongoing rulemaking efforts.