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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (June 6, 2008)
Are we facing a construction workforce shortage? Not really By BOB SHIPRACK It seems every week those of us in the construction industry are told we face a dire threat in that we will have fewer workers in the future. Some claim the existing work- force is old and cannot be replaced. Organizations and governments are putting money into “solving” this perceived problem. Sub-standard training programs have taken off, which often do not prepare young people for construction careers. Let’s look at the facts vs. the myths. Myth #1: The construction workforce is old. Employment Department data shows construction is the third youngest sector of the Oregon work- force. Only 14 percent are age 55 and over. Fifty percent are between 25-44. Any visit to a construction worksite would verify this. Myth #2 There are not enough young people to take their place. The State demographer gave me these numbers: Actual decline in 18 year olds ended in 1986, then the number began increasing, hitting 39,000 in 1992, 50,500 in 1998, and 54,000 in 2008. They expect a level- ing out or a very modest reduction (4,000) by 2012. Never in recent history have we had so many poten- BOB SHIPRACK tial workers, and the number is only increased by positive in-migration. Myth #3 I cannot get any workers. That depends. The Employment Department just published “Will Oregon Have Enough Workers?” (available by calling 503-947-1204), which details this issue. Throughout the publication it stresses wages, benefits, and training as keys to drawing new workers and concludes “... employers unable to provide competitive employee compensa- tion may face a serious shortage of workers.” The Union apprenticeship pro- grams have had little trouble recruit- Zachary Zabinsky Personal Attention To Every Case Working For Disability Rights Since 1983 NO FEE WITHOUT RECOVERY 621 SW Morrison, Portland 223-8517 HEMORRHOIDS The Non-Surgical Treatment We specialize in the non-surgical treatment of hemorrhoids. For over 40 years people throughout the region have turned to the Sandy Blvd. Clinic for fast and effective relief. For more information, FREE consultation and/or a FREE informative booklet call: PAGE 10 (503) 232-7609 THE SANDY BLVD. RECTAL CLINIC PORTLAND Steven G. Cranford, DC, ND FORMERLY THE BEAL-OLIVER CLINIC CHIROPRACTIC/NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS 2026 NE SANDY BLVD., PORTLAND, OR 97232 (Editor’s Note: Bob Shiprack is the executive secretary of the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council and a member of IBEW Local 48.) BARGAIN COUNTER Free classified ads to subscribers DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication Published 1st and 3rd Fridays Now accepting e-mails Send to: Michael492@comcast.net Mail to: NWLP, PO Box 13150, Portland OR 97213 (Please include union affiliation) • 15-20 words • No commercial or business ads • 1 ad per issue • All lower case (NO CAPITAL LETTERS, PLEASE) • Ads MUST include area code or they will not be published Automotive ’96 SAAB 900S alloy wheels, 4 each, 15x7, 15 spoke, 5 hole pattern, includes center caps, all for $80. 503 661-6987 ’94 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY van, nice leather seats, 120k, $1,500 OBO. 360 835-8000 ’94 CHEV PU, SWB, canopy, bed liner, AC, PS, PB, CC, centerline wheels, 62k on new Goodwrench motor, $4995. 503 285- 6842 JEEP ALUMINUM diamond plate below door trims R&L sides, $45; pair CJ5 seats, good cond, $45 both. 503 254-1087 ’73 CHEV 454 std. block, crank, cleaned, maged, malar heads, pan, new cam, .010 brgs, .030 pistons & rings, $700. 503 658- 6108 ’01 CORVETTE Z06, black, run-flats, Bose stereo, all the extras, mint condition, 27K miles, perfect collectors car, $29,900. 503- 666-1811 ’05 B400 MAZDA, 4WD, extra cab 30,000 miles, new oversized tires, exc shape $14,400 OBO 503 266-5912 leave mes- sage ’93 MAZDA MX6 $500, needs body work and minor repairs, great interior. 360 574- 6264 or 505-460-7996 SPORTS BRA for 1989 Pontiac Bon- neville, best offer. 360 574-6264 Housing • Social Security • SSI - Disability Claims Write or call for a FREE information booklet and/or a FREE consultation. ing people and, in fact, have appren- tices and journeymen available on the out-of-work list now. Having seen the ups and downs of our industry over the years, I am familiar with how we get people in- volved. It does not help as we enter an economic downturn (recession?) to say we need 35,000 new workers. Employment figures show only a 2.8 percent increase through 2009. Part of the problem is also the rise of “workforce consultants” who convince normally rational people there is a huge problem and get well paid for it — though provide very little. Building Trades unions are go- ing through a strong period of growth with a big increase in ap- prentices and with training pro- grams and facilities — funded at millions of dollars per year statewide by unions and their em- ployers, which are among the top in the nation. We have always known that good pay and benefits, training, and treat- ing people fairly attracts and retains construction workers. The union construction industry has supplied our customers’ needs for over 100 years. I think we are well able to continue doing that. Next time you hear someone echoing these myths, show them the facts. EE R F Insurance accepted/pre authorization required. Labor-endorsed Bob Main wins Coos County seat COOS BAY — Labor-backed Robert “Bob” Main defeated in- cumbent John Griffith in a non-par- tisan election for Coos County Commission, Position 1. Main, the county assessor, was endorsed by the Southwest Oregon Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. He received 10,733 votes to Grif- fith’s 9,384. He is a former delegate to the la- bor council and member of AF- SCME Local 2936. Griffith was chair of the com- mission and considered a powerful voice on Oregon’s South Coast. Af- ter completing his term at the end of 2008, Griffith will have served on the three-member commission for eight years. NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS ROCKAWAY BEACH house, 3 bed, 2 bath, sleeps 9, great amenities, minutes to beach. 503 355-2136 or 503 709-6018 380 ACRES, FIELDS, pasture land, ju- niper trees, $1000 per acre, terms. 541 468-2961 PINE HOLLOW reservoir, 3 bed home w/garage, 1800 sq ft, very nice, view, lake 100 ft. $337,000. 360 737-1930 FISH/HUNT 2 bed, 1 bath mobile home w/garage on Lake Rock Creek Reservoir, 112k. 541 544-2030 WARRENTON 3 bed, 2 bath, furnished, sturgeon fishing is great and salmon sea- son is coming. 1-949-300-1188 FOR RENT, newly remodeled 3 bedroom 2 bath home, 2 car garage, rv parking, hot tub. Gresham call 971-221-8375 ROOMMATES WANTED to share clean and sober house in Hillsboro, 100 yards from Max line; call Don at 503-875-4977 Wanted CROSS CUT log saws, slicks, double bit axes, blacksmith hammers, planes, wood- working hand tools. 503 819-3736 CASH FOR older oil paintings. 503 653- 1506 OLD WOODWORKING TOOLS, planes, levels, folding rulers, chisels, handsaws, slicks, Adzes, old leather tools, shaves, tool chests. 503-659-0009 JUNK CARS, removal of unwanted cars and pickups, cash for some. 503 314 8600 Sporting Goods ’05 CUSTOM HARLEY Softail, flat black/redgraphics, all new, $12,000. 503 257-7390 ’88 BIG FOOT CAMPER, 9.5 ft, kept un- dercover, excellent shape, $5,000. 541 746-1928 ’01 WW 26’ Toyhauler, 4kw gen, micro, 2 large bat awning, large tanks, many extras, nice, $13,999 OBO. 503 720-7846 Dave ’93 WILDERNESS TRAILER, 19’, FSC, double axle w/new brakes, good tires, tow with 1/2 ton truck, $4,200 OBO. 360 225- 5108 ’66 10’ ALASKAN CAMPER, 12v 110, wa- ter, sink stove, it raises, it lowers, hydraulic, ex cond, $1,175. 360 256-7810 ’03 SUZUKI 650cc, Savage motorcycle, blue/green w/manual, 5,000 mi, 50 mpg, crash & saddle bags, sissi bar, $3,000. 503 621-3090 HYDROSWIFT BOAT, 14’, shoreline trailer and 40 hp Evinrude motor, good cond, $600. 503 723-9461 ’99 HARLEY FXST custom, black, Mus- tang seat, Tennessee fats windshield, lots of extras,$11,000. 503-317-4611 ’89 HI-LO CAMP TRAILER FSC, a/c, awning, new tires & battery, leveling jacks. exc.t cond. $5,995. OBO. 503-353-0434 ’98 TAHOE T/T, 32 ft, w/14ft slide, hard side exterior, duct furnace, A/C, rear kitchen, front queen bed, sleeps 6, $8,900. 360-225-5976 ’08 JAYCO 28’ travel trailer, slide out, 2 doors, walk-around queen bed, factory 2- yr. warranty, $18,500; w/tow vehicle $35,000. 503 491-5181 RIFLE MODEL US1903A3 Springfield (Remington 30-06), new unfinished sporterized stock,4x32 monoscope, weaver mounts, modified bolt, $175. 503 236-1329 Miscellaneous PARTING OUT Sparty texturing EQ in- dustrial Wisconsin eng pumps and more, $400 OBO on any parts. 503 253-4397 David LOG CHAIN binders, (3), heavy duty, $75 for all. 503 254-3587 COWS FOR SALE, have been with bull as of May 2. 503 538-9556 TROYBILT horse garden tiller, $800 OBO, EZ-hoe tiller cultivator, $75. 503 775-7457 NEW HUGE dog house well built, $175; 200 tomato plants $1 each. 503 287-7622 NEW MAYTAG WASHER, heavy-duty top loader, extended warranty, $380, OBO, Garage access. 503 312-5119 UTILITY TRAILER HD, 9’x6’ steel bed with tailgate, 8-lug axle with electric brakes, $1,150. 503 829-9374 eves JUNE 6, 2008
