Over 4000 Hoosier Contractors Support Common Construction Wage

Indiana Building Contractors Alliance - The Recognized Voice of the Construction

Industry
The Indiana Building Contractors Alliance (IBCA) is comprised of more than 4,000
Hoosier contractors. Our contractors have a shared, common vision for the
education and training of the workforce, and focus their interests in preserving
policies that support the construction industry. We represent Indiana contractors
as a voice of reason for business and provide insight to policy makers on the union
construction industry. Our member contractors and associations represent the
largest group of construction firms and the largest volume of construction effort in
Indiana.

We Support Common Construction Wage A Common Sense Approach to Protect

Hoosier Contractors and Local Jobs While Providing Savings to Taxpayers

Common Construction Wage was implemented by the Indiana Legislature at

the request of contractors to keep jobs local. They were being undercut by
out-of-state contractors bringing in low-wage, low-skilled workers from outside
our communities.
Common construction wage protects communities from unnecessary costs over
the lifetime of a project. Allowing out-of-state contractors to lower local
standards for construction wages attracts a lower skilled, out-of-area workforce
resulting in large productivity losses on the construction project. These workers
require more supervision and their work often needs additional review and
repair before it can be deemed safe and secure. This is at the expense of
taxpayers.
Typical workers not paid the common construction wage are eligible for
thousands of dollars in public assistance, which costs taxpayers for additional
reliance on cash assistance, food stamps, and health care tax payers dont
save, they subsidize.

Indiana Building Contractors Alliance Members Provide Training and Middle Class
Careers to Hoosiers

Our contractors are the largest trainer and supplier of skilled workers in the
Indiana construction industry.

The IBCA represents more than 4,000 contractors who choose to employ union
trades workers in Indiana.

IBCA contractors spend more than $42 million in apprenticeship training each
year to ensure Indianas maintains a state of the art, highly trained workforce
(compared to $2 million spent by nonmembers).

This dedication to training creates a workforce with consistently high-quality

workers and an immense pool of skilled labor for statewide allocation.

Due to this focus, Indiana has become one of the nations fastest growing
markets for nonresidential construction.

The contractors of the IBCA were the first to partner with the state to implement
the Helmets to Hardhats program, which provides advanced entry into training
and jobs in the construction industry for veterans who have already completed
applicable training.

The contractors of the IBCA, through their jointly sponsored training programs,
signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indiana Committee for
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. This guarantees that union
contractors will not deny employment because of service in the Guard or
Reserve and that employee job and career opportunities will not be limited or
reduced due to Guard or Reserve service.

Common Construction Wage Protects Market Share and Labor Supply

Common construction wage is a de-facto local preference law. It keeps

out-of-state contractors from coming in and underbidding local contractors
that contribute to their communities.

A well-trained and fairly paid labor force doesnt have to move around to
find jobs, meaning states with a common construction wage law see a
majority of construction projects completed by local workers almost 91% in
Indiana!

Having a ready, local, high-skilled workforce for projects is critical to our

ability to finish projects on time, on budget while keeping the work site
safe. Its much more effective to have a pool of high-skilled workers who do
the job right the first time than to pay lower wages for workers who dont
have the right skills and cant do the job at hand.

Skilled workers on common construction wage jobs are 15% more productive
than less-skilled workers and are key to our business model. This productivity
enables contractors to do high-quality work quickly and move on to the next
project, keeping us competitive.

Common Construction Wage Protects Businesses from Corporate Tax Increases

Construction workers in common construction wage states contribute 36% more

in federal income taxes than workers in states without the law.

In Indiana, common construction wage earners contribute $21 million in the

state and local tax base.

Better wages means a stronger and more fairly distributed tax base, helping
policy makers balance budgets without raising taxes on businesses.

Common Construction Wage Drives Economic Development

Every dollar spent on a prevailing wage project generates $1.50 in local

economic activity.

Thats money spent at local businesses such as restaurants, shopping malls,

and grocery stores spurring additional job creation that keeps local
communities and businesses strong.

Common construction wage jobs support 2000 non-construction jobs in

Indiana.

Without common construction wage, Hoosier construction workers would

see their wages reduced by $246 million. Businesses wont locate to
communities where the population cant financially support them.