Thread: Construction sites brace for losses during march

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Construction sites brace for losses during march

Christine L. Romero
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 29, 2006 12:00 AM

SOUTHWEST VALLEY - The words "southwest Valley" and "growth" go hand in hand as homes, roads and other developments spring from the ground.

Construction is a major force in the region, and some wonder how Monday's planned pro-immigrant demonstration will affect it.

On April 10, more than 100,000 people hit the streets of Phoenix calling for immigration reform. The marchers who missed work left a void in the workforce; some business slowed significantly.

The impact was seen by companies using immigrant labor and was felt at hotels, restaurants and construction sites. One southwest Valley construction site near 91st Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road was at a virtual standstill. Only a handful of employees from a 35-member team clocked in that day.

"We know the average construction worker in America is 53," said David Jones, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Contractors Association. "We also know that America's youth is not lining up to learn the skilled crafts. . . . If the federal government doesn't come up with a functional guest-worker program, we will have some problems, and not just in Arizona."

He points to Arizona Department of Commerce's data that suggests a shortfall of 40,000 skilled laborers in the state by 2014.

Immigrant-rights advocates say they want to show the economic power of undocumented immigrants. Some have called for workers and students to stay home and not spend any money Monday. They hope to gain federal legislation allowing undocumented immigrants to earn legal status.

By contrast, others are upset with the demonstrations and the increasing number of undocumented immigrants on the payroll at the nation's firms.

So, exactly how many southwest Valley construction sites will Monday's plans affect?

The outlook is murky.

"I think it's going to be difficult to determine what the immediate impact is going to be," Jones said. "We probably won't know until the day after."

Most contractors will probably figure out the shape of their crews over the weekend.

Jones said he is hearing that foremen are starting to ask who plans to work Monday.

"They will probably get the word the night before or tomorrow afternoon," Jones said Thursday.

The choice to skip work Monday could have an impact on those who choose to work a construction site that day. Jones expects that some sites might let some employees get a few hours, but if the project requires more employees, those who show up may be sent home.

"That's a ramification if you elect to impact the job site in that way," Jones said. "It does have an effect on your fellow co-workers."

The diversity of the construction industry makes it difficult to say how fewer workers on the job will affect the outcome.

"To determine the impact of a one-day event really depends on where you are on the phase of that particular project," Jones said.

A site trying to pour concrete could face problems, for example.

Some foremen might decide to shut down the job site Monday if the turnout isn't enough. Most employers will probably be flexible, Jones said.



A version of this story may have appeared in your community section or your community Republic.

"We know the average construction worker in America is 53," said David Jones, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Contractors Association. "We also know that America's youth is not lining up to learn the skilled crafts. . . . If the federal government doesn't come up with a functional guest-worker program, we will have some problems, and not just in Arizona."

I will be 53 soon, how ironic!

Yea, the problem will be that these assinine construction companies will have to pay higher wages to attract our youth. Our youth aren't stupid. If you want someone to work their butt off in the hot sun, like I did for 20 years as a Journeyman Carpenter, then you'd better be ready to pay them fairly. Doing things by the books like having them sign a W-4 rather than a 1099, carrying workman's comp, paying for overtime and so forth. If you can't afford to do this, YOU DON'T BELONG IN BUSINESS!

I'm glad Im out of construction now, even though it was a family trait for many generations. It just isn't what it used to be. It's very corrupt. Contractors bid according to how many corners they think can be cut. It's gone from being a honorable industry to a very dishonest industry and I despise every bit of it. Now, the ony way these contractors can stay in business is to hire illegals. For the jokesters that state if higher wages were paid, housing would cost more. This whole time they have been employing illegals, housing should have been cheaper, according to that line of bull.

Yea, spent 20 years out in the hot sun in S FLA and then I see some SOB jerk of a US Senator telling me I wouldn't be able to pick lettuce in the hot sun for only one season. That Senator is a traitor. He must be mentally challanged. He's another one whose face needs to be spat upon.

My husband is in new home construction. His company can not even get any work since the illegal immigrants will work for such a low wage! Alot of contractors are making a fortune by hiring these illegals to work. If ICE wants to know where the illegals are working, I will take them by the hand and show them!

Originally Posted by Rockfish

"We know the average construction worker in America is 53," said David Jones, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Contractors Association. "We also know that America's youth is not lining up to learn the skilled crafts. . . . If the federal government doesn't come up with a functional guest-worker program, we will have some problems, and not just in Arizona."

I will be 53 soon, how ironic!

Yea, the problem will be that these assinine construction companies will have to pay higher wages to attract our youth. Our youth aren't stupid. If you want someone to work their butt off in the hot sun, like I did for 20 years as a Journeyman Carpenter, then you'd better be ready to pay them fairly. Doing things by the books like having them sign a W-4 rather than a 1099, carrying workman's comp, paying for overtime and so forth. If you can't afford to do this, YOU DON'T BELONG IN BUSINESS!

I'm glad Im out of construction now, even though it was a family trait for many generations. It just isn't what it used to be. It's very corrupt. Contractors bid according to how many corners they think can be cut. It's gone from being a honorable industry to a very dishonest industry and I despise every bit of it. Now, the ony way these contractors can stay in business is to hire illegals. For the jokesters that state if higher wages were paid, housing would cost more. This whole time they have been employing illegals, housing should have been cheaper, according to that line of bull.

Yea, spent 20 years out in the hot sun in S FLA and then I see some SOB jerk of a US Senator telling me I wouldn't be able to pick lettuce in the hot sun for only one season. That Senator is a traitor. He must be mentally challanged. He's another one whose face needs to be spat upon.

I've posted this before but it bears repeating. I know a contractor who had four crews and was doing really well until the illegal invasion here in NC. Being a man of principles and a true patriot, he wouldn't stoop to the level of scumbag contractors hiring illegals.

He's down now to one three-man crew that only does fix-up work for homeowners. Seems contractors who have no morals about hiring practices also have no morals about making sure the job's done correctly.

I personally know of a multi-million government building that wouldn't pass final inspection. What does this say about the work of subs who brought in people for $8-$10 per hr who didn't know their butts from a hole in the ground?

I am also a Carpenter and don't work as much as i use to, i've worked with Illegals and can atest to their lack of skills from screwing up plum cuts for rafters, not straping right Etc. They tend to rush things and screw up and ruin alot of material. I hate working with them but sometimes have no choice ,alot of them show up drunk and get sent home. As far as the Myth that they work hard is BS you have to watch them constantly or they will start talking with each other and stop working.