The first report on collective bargaining settlements for 2013 has been released by the Construction Labor Research Council (of which AGC is a member). Settlements reported to CLRC to date yielded an average first-year wage-and-benefit increase of 2.2 percent or $1.04. For newly negotiated, multiyear agreements, the average second year increase was 2.1 percent or $1.09, and the average third-year increase was 2.1 percent or $1.10. As percentages, these increases are higher than contracts settled in 2012 and 2011 for contract year one, and lower than 2012 and 2011 for years two and three.
CLRC also found that the trend toward negotiating shorter-term agreements has regressed. Only 20 percent of agreements negotiated so far this year were for one year, and 73 percent were for three years or more.
The report is a preliminary one, with yearly averages and other data likely to change as additional settlements are added throughout the year. Updated reports are scheduled for release in September and December.
The full report, which contains additional information and graphs, has been sent to the Union Contractors Forum and is posted in the Labor & HR Topical Resources area of AGC’s website under the main category “Collective Bargaining,” subcategory “Collective Bargaining Agreement Data.”
AGC’s collective bargaining chapters are reminded to please send settlements information to CLRC (clrc@clrc.biz) promptly after reaching settlements with unions. Chapters are also advised that CLRC is presently offering a discount of 25 percent or more on custom projects for local chapters of member organizations provided that the project is ordered both before January 31, 2014, and at least three months before completion is needed. Such projects include analyses of local:
- Market share
- Union vs. nonunion wage and fringe benefits comparisons
- Contract costs