|
|
Survey: Many Arizona construction firms avoided furloughs, but have difficulty finding workers
More Arizona construction firms are reporting difficulty in finding workers according to a national study. In addition, 33% of firms said projects already in progress had been halted due to the pandemic, according to the survey by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC.) According to the survey Arizona firms did not have to furlough or lay off employees, while only 50% of construction firms nationwide reported not having to furlough or lay off anyone. The survey included 2,005 firms from around the county with 26 reporting from Arizona. According to an article in the Phoenix Business Journal, many Arizona firms are still having trouble filling existing positions, with 72% of respondents reporting they were having a hard time filling hourly craft positions in the state, far above the national rate of 52% saying they had trouble filling those jobs. The coronavirus has also undermined the sector’s productivity levels as firms across the country change the way they operate to protect workers and the public from the disease. Forty-four percent of responding firms report that it has taken longer to complete projects and 32 percent say it has cost more to complete ongoing projects because of the coronavirus. As a result, 40 percent report they have adopted new hardware or software to alleviate labor shortages they have experienced. Click Here for Arizona Survey Results |
|
Pandemic Causes Historic Economic Contraction
It was expected, but still it is shocking to see. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the economy contracted by 33% in the second quarter. That is the largest quarterly contraction on record! But there is good news! The economy took a hard hit from the pandemic, but we expect the current recession will be much shorter than previous large contractions. That is the largest quarterly contraction on record. The previous quarterly record decline was -10% in the first quarter of 1958. The record-setting drop was caused by the Great Pause of the economy due to COVID-19. Further adding to the gloom today is an increase in unemployment claims. Initial claims were 1.4 million last week, which was an increase of 12,000 from the previous week. Continuing claims (initial claims minus those that are no longer claiming benefits) increased by almost 900,000 to 17 million. However, the four-week average fell by 435,000 to slightly over 17 million. That may turn around if initial claims continue to rise though. A key difference, and a silver lining, is the current recession will be much shorter than previous large contractions. The Great Depression lasted four years. The Great Recession (2007-2009) went on for two. This contraction is probably over already, after only a few months. The growth rates for the rest of 2020 will likely be robust, perhaps exceeding 20% in the third quarter. That would be the fastest quarterly growth on record, smashing the previous record of 16.7% in 1950. The recovery will have ups and downs. Today is a down day. There will be better days to come. |
Advocacy Notice: Initiative to Mandate Pay Increases for Health Care Workers
The free-enterprise system is once again under attack! A ballot measure being run by a California labor union will attempt to mandate a substantial pay raise for all Arizona healthcare workers.
The California union, is in the process of gathering 237,645 signatures before July 2, 2020, to qualify for the ballot. The initiative will require a 20-percent increase in wages, phased in over four years starting in 2021, for all “direct care workers” in Arizona hospitals. That includes nurses, technicians, aides, non-managerial administrative staff, social workers, and even food service and housekeeping staff in hospitals. From a chamber perspective, living wage proposals are economically unfair because they change the basis on which our economy operates. Instead of allowing market forces to determine pay, living wages put the interests of employees above all other considerations.
The Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), based in California is funding the grass roots efforts here in Arizona. Key among the initiative's main points is banning insurance companies from discriminating against Arizonans with preexisting conditions (Pre Existing conditions are currently protected by the Affordable Care Act.) The initiate also protects Arizonans against surprise medical bills (The state legislature has already passed laws dealing with surprise billing that went into effect last year). What most people do not know, is the little talked about mandate that requires all direct care hospital workers a 5% wage increase each year for four years.
From a chamber perspective, living wage proposals are economically unfair because they change the basis on which our economy operates. Instead of allowing market forces to determine pay, living wages put the interests of employees above all other considerations. Wage mandates ignore the principles of free-market economics; they prevent businesses from making profits, growing, and hiring more workers; and they base wages on what the worker wants instead of on the value of work performed. Also, the average salary for registered nurses in Arizona is $75,110, and the average hourly wage is $36.11, which ranks 15th in the United States, according to the website Nurses Salary Guide.
As business advocates, we need to emphasize our core principles of free enterprise, and remind the public and elected officials that removing obstacles to job creation and economic growth is paramount to building healthy and vibrant community.
What Can You Do
There is, however, one simple thing that residents in the NW Valley can do to push back against initiative mischief without rewriting the state Constitution. Encourage your employees, friends, neighbors and businesses associates that before signing any petition, read it carefully. Don’t rely on the word of paid signature gatherers, who are notorious for saying anything to get people to sign. Pull out your smartphone and check it out yourself on the secretary of state’s website: https://apps.arizona.vote/info/IRR/2020-general-election/18/0
Advocacy Notice: Initiative to Mandate Pay Increases for Health Care Workers
The free-enterprise system is once again under attack! A ballot measure being run by a California labor union will attempt to mandate a substantial pay raise for all Arizona healthcare workers.
The California union, is in the process of gathering 237,645 signatures before July 2, 2020, to qualify for the ballot. The initiative will require a 20-percent increase in wages, phased in over four years starting in 2021, for all “direct care workers” in Arizona hospitals. That includes nurses, technicians, aides, non-managerial administrative staff, social workers, and even food service and housekeeping staff in hospitals. From a chamber perspective, living wage proposals are economically unfair because they change the basis on which our economy operates. Instead of allowing market forces to determine pay, living wages put the interests of employees above all other considerations.
The Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), based in California is funding the grass roots efforts here in Arizona. Key among the initiative's main points is banning insurance companies from discriminating against Arizonans with preexisting conditions (Pre Existing conditions are currently protected by the Affordable Care Act.) The initiate also protects Arizonans against surprise medical bills (The state legislature has already passed laws dealing with surprise billing that went into effect last year). What most people do not know, is the little talked about mandate that requires all direct care hospital workers a 5% wage increase each year for four years.
From a chamber perspective, living wage proposals are economically unfair because they change the basis on which our economy operates. Instead of allowing market forces to determine pay, living wages put the interests of employees above all other considerations. Wage mandates ignore the principles of free-market economics; they prevent businesses from making profits, growing, and hiring more workers; and they base wages on what the worker wants instead of on the value of work performed. Also, the average salary for registered nurses in Arizona is $75,110, and the average hourly wage is $36.11, which ranks 15th in the United States, according to the website Nurses Salary Guide.
As business advocates, we need to emphasize our core principles of free enterprise, and remind the public and elected officials that removing obstacles to job creation and economic growth is paramount to building healthy and vibrant community.
What Can You Do
There is, however, one simple thing that residents in the NW Valley can do to push back against initiative mischief without rewriting the state Constitution. Encourage your employees, friends, neighbors and businesses associates that before signing any petition, read it carefully. Don’t rely on the word of paid signature gatherers, who are notorious for saying anything to get people to sign. Pull out your smartphone and check it out yourself on the secretary of state’s website: https://apps.arizona.vote/info/IRR/2020-general-election/18/0
2019 Legislative Report
Becoming the Voice of Business! Last year was the first year our Chamber stepped up its advocacy game by hiring a lobbyist. We monitored 84 bills and among the 25 bills that were passed, we supported 16 of those. Among the 59 bills that failed, we supported ten of those. Click here for the full Legislative Report
One of the most valuable, and often overlooked functions of our Chamber is being an advocate for the business community. The Surprise Regional Chamber works to represent the collective voice of the business community. Whether it's setting legislative goals, working with our lobbyist, sending out Action Alerts or keeping voters informed through our forums, the goal is ensuring an environment where business can prosper.
Jan. 2020
Chamber1
TAKE THE SURVEY NOW
2020 Business Climate Census Survey
Many in our business community are experiencing both challenges and successes as our economy grows. As we work to secure the NW Valley's future, it is crucial that the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce understand what issues are most important to businesses. The purpose of the Business Climate Survey is to track trends and issues affecting businesses and to inform elected officials about the issues and concerns of the local business community.
Click Here Now, To Take Our Annual Business Climate Survey
