Despite concerns that the nation’s economic woes could impact the construction industry, open-shop wages continue to rise at a steady rate to meet strong demand in certain sectors. Wages among open-shop journeymen jumped 5.1% in 2007 and they could rise another 4.8% in 2008, according to a survey by Personnel Administration Services, Saline, Mich.
While some sectors have slowed or flattened, the growing need to staff petrochemical and power projects is pressuring wage increases, says Jeff Robinson, president of PAS. “In areas around the country where we’ve seen a lot of powerplant work, we’re seeing some of the highest wage increases,” he adds.