TL:DRHe noted that aboutone-third of US construction trade workers are foreign born, compared with less than one-in-five workers in non-construction sectors. In Texas, California, New Jersey, Maryland and Washington, D.C., half or more of construction trade workers are foreign born. In building trades like insulation, drywall, and roofing, as many as 61% are foreign born.
Simonson said, “5% [of surveyed contractors] report a job site, or other sites such as their office, was visited by immigration and agents. Ten percent said workers left or failed to appear because of actual or rumoured immigration actions and 20% report subcontractors lost workers, [and] it’s likely even more firms will be affected in the coming months.”
Responding to the data, Worsham added, “My sense is [some workers] are laying low because, even if they are legal, I think there’s a fear of a raid and them being called up into something that is very disruptive to their family and to them.”
Turmail said, “We’re actually going to be launching digital advertising targeting the White House, Congress, the Department of Labor, the Department of Homeland Security, with data from this survey beginning next week.
“We do have a perception that some federal officials don’t appreciate the extent of labour shortages in the construction industry.”
Simonson added, “We’ve been trying to get [a construction-specific visa] for [about] 20 years.I’ve been with AGC for almost 24 years, and I know this has been high on our wish list for a long time, [and that] just shows the gridlock that there is.”
Seven out of eight firms reported raising base pay in the past year, even as pay increases slowed in most other industries.Some 42% increased spending on training and professional development. More than half turned to digital recruitment, with 55% using social media and targeted advertising, while 52% built connections with career programs at high schools and colleges.
“We’ve reached out to junior colleges,” Levy said, noting that high school initiatives can be productive, but some contractors may run into regional restrictions on recruiting under-18 workers for future hire.
My Thoughts 💭
Welp looks like farmers and general contractors can no longer feast on the low wages that come from undocumented immigrants. I don’t see any price relief in sight for construction. And now AGC is really trying to push for a special construction visa. With all of the work going to big tech (data centers) and public infrastructure who don’t really care too much about the bottom line I have a hard time seeing AGC winning this battle. Until it is a “National Security” concern will Congress pass something like this. But as one smart economist told me long ago we don’t have labor shortages we have wage shortages!