The battle to rein in the scourge of worker misclassification in the construction industry continues to play out at the national level and in state legislatures. As Construction Citizen readers are well aware, worker misclassification happens when employers intentionally pretend they have people working for them as subcontractors when, by law, those very people should be classified as employees and compensated as such.It’s important to note that there are many legitimate uses of contract labor. The IRS has guidelines in place for who can and cannot be a subcontractor.Unscrupulous business owners who misclassify workers do it as an easy way to avoid hourly wages and benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. Business owners who follow the rules – and that means the letter of the law – are at a disadvantage because those who cheat the system can underbid ethical companies by as much as roughly 30 percent when competing for work.
Calling it a "revolution" in education, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday laid out plans for what he called a "statewide model" for Pathways in Technology Early College High School, or P-TECH. The idea is focused on targeting workforce-ready partnerships between K-12, higher education and industry.The program has been growing and allows students to earn a high school diploma and an associate’s degree in six years with a much higher rate of completion.Speaking at Lone Star College in Houston, Patrick said students will benefit from the guidance of business community mentors and graduates of the program will be first in line for interviews for good-paying jobs. The effort, Patrick said, is meant to build on sweeping education reforms passed by the Texas Legislature in 2013 under House Bill 5, which created multiple pathways for students to earn a high school diploma.
February 08, 2016
At literally almost any time of the day, there are Houston-area residents on the campus of San Jacinto College in Pasadena acquiring skills they need to be able to pursue good-paying careers in construction. Delores Tarin, for example, is a young woman who spoke with the Construction Citizen Team during an evening welding class this past week.“The fire and the power is cool,” Tarin said. "After this, if I don't get a job with my new certification then I’ll continue and get my Associate's Degree,” she said. Tarin has previously worked as a helper on a pipeline and felt an upgrade in her skills will lead to a better-paying job.Educators stress that the opportunities aren’t “just jobs.” Careers are available.“There’s a career ladder out there,” said Dr. JD Taliaferro, Director of Applied Technologies at San Jacinto. “Some of these larger companies are being run by people who started as pipefitters, welders, and electricians out on the job,” he said. “Just because you’re starting somewhere, that doesn’t mean that’s where you end. Your fate is really up to you."
February 03, 2016
The News and Observer in Raleigh offers an in-depth look at two problems: lack of workers' compensation and worker misclassification.
January 21, 2016
AIG may be considering having those they cover for workers’ compensation wear devices that record movement in order to reduce on-the-job injuries.
January 14, 2016
The deadly tornadoes that recently ravaged Dallas/Fort Worth not only took the lives of Texans and caused millions of dollars’ worth of damage, they also provided evidence that cutting corners in commercial construction can easily mean the difference between buildings that hold up in severe weather versus those that collapse “like a house of cards" putting the lives of those inside them at great risk.The Dallas Morning News talked with an engineer who said some of the construction at a local school district in Dallas County was “horrific” from the standpoint of design and building execution:
January 06, 2016
First Lady Michelle Obama appears in a new public service announcement aimed at promoting higher education to the youth of America. In the video, Mrs. Obama and Saturday Night Live's Jay Pharoah sing:"If you wanna fly jets, you should go to college. Reach high and cash checks, fill your head with knowledge.If you wanna watch paint don't go to college.But, for everything else you should go to college."
December 30, 2015
With last minute shopping and preparations for Christmas celebrations happening at this moment all over the country – and the planet – our team thought it would be appropriate to take a moment to reflect on the reason for the season. Each day, we work toward advancing a socially responsible, sustainable and value added construction industry. Through the help of our sponsors, contributing writers, and others we never stop pushing toward the goal of a more perfect industry.
December 24, 2015
One of the construction companies involved in building One World Trade Center has struck a deal with federal prosecutors to pay out $20 million after an alleged overbilling scheme was uncovered.The government accused Tishman Construction, a unit of Aecom, of improperly billing clients on projects including One World Trade Center as well as the Plaza Hotel in New York. Tishman overbilled clients by fraudulently adding one to two hours of unworked or unnecessary "guaranteed" overtime pay per day to time sheets for labor foremen, according to prosecutors.Reuters reported the details:“Through a systemic practice, Tishman Construction bilked its clients by charging them for unworked time and at rates higher than those bargained for by their clients," Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Robert Capers said in a statement.John Gallagher, a spokesman for Tishman, said the company fully cooperated with the investigation.The settlement, reported by Reuters, follows similar accords with construction companies in recent years over alleged fraudulent billing practices on projects in New York City.
December 18, 2015
After a yearlong debate about the right way to handle it, the Dallas City Council this week passed a requirement for mandatory rest breaks for construction workers.
December 09, 2015
