Construction's unemployment rate continued to to rise in November, climbing to 19.4% from October's 18.7%, while the nation's overall jobless rate declined slightly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported. Job creation has become a prime topic in Washington, as congressional Democrats work on new measures aimed at bringing more people back to work. Infrastructure spending is emerging as one component of those possible measures. The November data, released Dec. 4, showed that construction continued to lose jobs for the month, but in a modestly encouraging sign, the industry's 27,000 jobs shed was less than 117,000 monthly average for the
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) says the state’s Nov. 20 agreement with an investor-owned private company to take over port operations in Baltimore for 50 years could generate $1.3 billion in berth expansion, port deepening and related infrastructure improvement. O’Malley says the deal would create about 3,000 construction jobs and 2,700 other positions. Ports America Chesapeake, which has operated two terminals at the port since the 1990s, will pay the state $100 million immediately for the long-term lease, which will give it control over facility net revenue, operations and technology investment. The pact must be approved by the state Board
The city of Honolulu on Nov. 17 signed a project labor agreement with 12 building trade unions that will pay workers prevailing wages and protect the city against strikes or lockouts during construction of the $5.5-billion Honolulu Rail Transit Project. “When you have a project of this magnitude, you want to make sure there is no work stoppage,” says a project spokesman. Construction of the 20-mile elevated rail project is to begin in late January, with Vancouver, Wash.-based Kiewit Pacific Co. building the 6.5-mile design-build first phase from Kapolei to Pearl Highlands. The entire project, from Kapolei to Ala Moana,
More building owners are asking for geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) and other efficient heating-and-cooling alternatives, boosting demand for skilled workers who know how to assemble all the hydronic components. A union in Chicago has just begun to teach its workers formally on the ups and downs of GHPs. Instructors Paul Chapello (left) and William Wren use 4,000-gallon fish tank to keep geothermal installers in the loop. A nearby ground loop, partially exposed, also is tied into the system. Related Links: As More Buildings Go Geothermal, Project Teams Are Thinking Outside the Borehole Along Came a Spider� Editorial: More Straight Talk
Owner outsourcing of management and operations work has increased dramatically since 2006, according to a new survey of owners. The survey of 191 owners was released on Nov. 3 and conducted by Raleigh, N.C.-based management consultant FMI Corp. and McLean, Va.-based Construction Management Association of America. It found that outsourcing at the program-activation phase increased by 60% between 2006 and 2009 and by 30% in the operations and maintenance phase. It also found that over the next five years outsourcing will continue to increase in nearly all phases of the construction process.
Worried about an unemployment rate that now tops 10%—and is much higher for the construction sector—Congress has reacted with a package of extended and broadened tax breaks aimed at spurring housing and giving a boost to businesses in general. President Obama signed that bill on Nov. 6, but he and key congressional Democrats and industry officials agree more action is needed to turn around the grim jobless figures. In a move that could provide targeted help for construction, the White House is considering increased public-works funds as part of a recovery plan. + Image Note: Rates are not seasonally adjusted.
Orlando, Fla.-based employees of transportation engineer Reynolds, Smith & Hills Inc. (RS&H) have met with grief counselors following a Nov. 6 random shooting by a troubled ex-engineer employee that killed one current staffer and injured five others, including a state agency client official. The injured are all recovering. Photo: AP Jason Rodriguez, an engineer, was arrested in shooting rampage at office of his former design firm employer About 30 people were working in the Orlando office of Jacksonville-based RS&H when, according to police reports, Jason S. Rodriguez, 40, allegedly walked in, drew a handgun from a holster beneath his shirt
A former employee of engineer-architect Reynolds, Smith & Hills Inc. entered the company�s downtown Orlando office shortly before lunch on Friday and shot and killed one employee and wounded five other people. The alleged shooter, Jason Rodriguez, 40, then fled the building and was apprehended without resistance about four hours later by Orlando police. “Clearly, this has been a sad day for the close family at RS&H,” said Mike Bernos, spokesman at the company’s Jacksonville headquarters. “We’re saddened by the event. Our greatest concern is for our associates in the Orlando office.” Reached by cell phone, RS&H CEO Leerie Jenkins,
Construction�s unemployment rate climbed again in October, hitting 18.7%, up from 17.1% in September, as the industry lost another 62,000 jobs during the month, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported. Related Links: U.S. Department of Labor News Release BLS's latest monthly report on the unemployment picture, released Nov. 6, also showed that the nation's overall jobless rate reached 10.2% in October, the highest level since April 1983, and a hike from September�s 9.8%. The overall unemployment rate is adjusted for seasonal variations; the construction sector's rate is not. Perhaps anticipating worsening jobless results, Congress one day earlier gave
Gainesville, Fla., may be warm most of the time, but the job market facing students at the University of Florida’s M.E. Rinker School of Building Construction has been downright chilly. Only 50 industry firms showed up at its fall job fair, down from 115 with 15 on a waiting list in spring 2007. In years past, the school placed 95% of graduating seniors and master’s students, but only 50% so far in 2009. Industry programs face recession impacts but see a silver lining Photo: Clemson University Dept. of Construction Science and Management Clemson U. Construction Students School saw internship and
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