Union Carpenters Waiting For Work, Construction Jobs in Mass. at 10-Year Low

Construction jobs in Mass. at 10-year low
Deep decline has many vying for same spots
By Casey Ross, Globe Staff | March 16, 2009
Job losses are accelerating in every corner of the construction industry in Massachusetts, leaving thousands of people in a race to find work as the sharp economic downturn halts work on new homes, office towers, and retail stores. Employment among construction workers is down by 23,000 jobs statewide, a reduction of 16 percent, reflecting a rush in layoffs as work has stopped on building projects across the state. As their prospects worsen, legions of carpenters, ironworkers, and electricians are being forced to compete for a dwindling pool of jobs. In the last three months, the number of construction jobs has dropped by more than 10,000 positions statewide, or nearly equal to job losses at financial firms in the past year, according to state employment data. Overall employment in the industry stands at 120,400 jobs, the lowest level in a decade. The sharp downturn has ended a prolonged building boom that was fueled by easy credit and a strong housing market. Now, constraints on lending are preventing developers from getting money to start work. In January, one building permit was issued in Massachusetts for a residential complex with five or more units, according government housing data. Homeowners are also feeling the pinch, delaying renovations and other odd jobs that have helped sustain construction workers during previous downturns. "Building has just ceased. There is nothing happening," said Tim Fraser, president of Commonwealth Resources, a recruiting agency for the construction industry. "It's amazing how many good people are out of work. They have no interviews and no prospects." Labor leaders said they are hoping for help from the federal government's $787 billion economic stimulus bill, which is expected to result in $500 million to $600 million in road and bridge improvements in Massachusetts. But government work is the only sector that looks promising. Anthony Fedele, a journeyman carpenter for more than 20 years, said he rises at 5 a.m. to look for jobs. He's been out of work for seven months, and keeps getting turned away at local construction sites. For now, that's OK because his state unemployment benefits have been extended for another five months. But then what? He has four children under 14, and construction is as slow as he's ever seen it. "People say it's going to start picking up, but I won't believe it until I see cranes start moving again," said Fedele, 45. "At this point, I'm just numb to it." Mark Erlich, executive secretary of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters, said laborers like Fedele are being forced into prolonged unemployment because of the lack of debt available to help finance new construction. "When jobs finish up, there's nowhere for people to go," Erlich said. "Historically, our members have survived times like this by renovating kitchens and doing odd jobs for family and friends. But nobody has money to do that right now." Erlich said about 4,600, or 20 percent, of the union's 23,000 carpenters are out of work. He said that's the most since the early 1990s, when industry unemployment surged to more than 30 percent during the last prolonged recession, according to state data. Since then, construction activity has been constant. In Boston, ironworkers, electricians, and carpenters were sustained by the $15 billion Big Dig, as well as the start of work on the South Boston waterfront, where developers initiated work on several acres of office buildings, condominium towers, and retail stores. Today, the Big Dig is done and work on the waterfront is stalled. Steel is still rising at construction sites at Russia Wharf and Fan Pier, but work on those buildings started many months ago, before the economy fell into a recession. Less than a mile away, in Downtown Crossing, the $700 million redevelopment of the Filene's block remains on hold.

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[juiceman616]

I'm a union carpenter from Chicago. I'm in my tenth year and I have been on and off for the last three years. Im debating just to do something else totally different just to stay busy. The government needs to pay more attention to the residential trades of this country. We're the ones buying things that make this country keep moving.

[dbistrumalot]

@guk1303 Yeah but what is your rate of pay and benefit package?????

[dbistrumalot]

@chippyhippy I've been a union carpenter for 17 years and I know what you are going through. I've seen a lot of guys less skilled than me who stay working because they either have more time in or they know somebody. it would be nice if your work ethic, drive, and dedication were enough but they're not

[dbistrumalot]

@chippyhippy You just do it and hope they don't find out

[ispepteid1]

"They took our Jerb"! lol

[massvocals1]

there is no reason why we can not all be working the carpenter is in need we can fix this 

[massvocals1]

This massvocals please email me massvocals@comcast.net what i want us to come too is a dispatch system used with PC this would allow you to file your OWL listing date it and be class in every phase of work at that date You as member can access this with your union number there is lot more if you want a fair and open dispatch system please e mail me and i will show you what this can be

[chippyhippy]

As a union carpenter, you also sign a contract as an apprentice that "I believe" states that if you decide to work at a non-union company you will be fined $10,000. How does that fall into place if the union can't find work for you? Your family comes 1st!! 

[chippyhippy]

I have been a union carpenter for 9 years now. I worked steady for 7 1/2 years. I ran jobs, did the layout of several big projects. I thought I would always have a job because of my good work ethics. But, I have to say....a lot of it is who you know, or who you are related to. I have seen way too many guys without the skills or motivation still making the same money and still working...because of connections. It's sad that "what you know" takes a back seat.

[DaFuckyouat]

@Brandoskey

If social security won't exist in the future,what makes you think unions will exist in the future? The political class has nothing to lose by taking bargaining power away from domestic workers. They can probably use the deficit and high unemployment as an excuse to force wage deflation.