First drop since '94 for contract settlements
Wage-benefit settlements in newly negotiated 2002 U.S. construction labor agreements averaged $1.37 or 4.1 percent for their first year, the Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC) reported last month. The percentage increase dropped by about three-tenths of a percent compared to 2001.

The average second-year increase for multi-year agreements was $1.51 or 4.0 percent. The figures, said the CLRC, "represent a halt to the slow, but long-term upward trend in average annual settlement amounts that had been occurring beginning in 1994."

Average settlements in terms of dollar amounts were unchanged from 2001, but the percentage increase dropped. New agreements most commonly resulted in increases of between three and five percent. One-quarter of all newly negotiated construction labor agreements were for four years or more. 

Faber moves from MIOSHA to AGC
Jerry Faber, an iron worker, was recently named director of safety for the Associated General Contractors, Greater Detroit Chapter.

In his role, Faber will plan and implement safety training programs and on-site consulting for AGC member companies located in Southeast Michigan.

"Safety is a top priority among AGC contractors and Jerry is the right guy to help our members meet this important goal," said AGC Chapter Chairman James E. Like, vice president of Aristeo Construction. "With 30 years of experience in safety education and training with MIOSHA, Jerry will add great value to AGC members' training programs and other efforts which protect the safety of workers on the construction site."

Prior to joining the AGC, Faber served as occupational safety consultant for MIOSHA. He developed the training manual for the MIOSHA 10-hour construction safety seminar used across the state by thousands of construction workers.

State 'CIS' department tossed on scrap heap 
What's in a name? Maybe not much, but it's good to have the role of Michigan's workers recognized once again in a major state department.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm, according to a published report, is ready to open a new "Department of Labor and Economic Growth" to link to the "Michigan Economic Development Corp." and replace the "Department of Career Development" and the "Department of Consumer and Industry Services." The latter group, with the acronym "CIS," was created during the Engler Administration to replace the Labor Department, and was widely seen as a not-so-subtle slam by the former governor against organized labor.

"There's an opportunity here," Granholm said, "for labor and business to stop doing this Kabuki dance around one another and actually work together on growing jobs. Everybody wants to see results."

Former Lansing Mayor David Hollister has been chosen to run the new department.