The Work of Labor

The intricacies of labor laws are complex, but some level of understanding is essential to a smooth construction project. The employment of labor forces in the United States operates under both federal and state statutes that come out of a long history of labor-management relations.From the 1932 Sherman Anti-Trust Act originally designed to prevent business monopolies came the beginnings of our current day unions.  Other acts such as Norris-LaGuardia Act and the Wagner Act have created a complex system of balance and relational structure that is evident in many fields including the construction business.  Since construction workers are often thought of as skilled workers with no permanent position due to the limited duration of a project, the formation of trade groups such as the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO  are important.  One of the roles of these groups is to help coordinate with both management and government entities.  While it is not essential for every general contractor or construction manager to understand all the elements and expectations of each group, it is essential that the subcontractors they hire remain current on expectations such as wages, hours, and site conditions.