NEWSROOM

ABC's NH/VT 2008-09 Construction Industry Wage & Benefit Survey Results are now available to members.
The annual survey data, collected from December 2008 through February 2009, included responses from 90 contractors, with an average of 79 employees and an average annual volume of $19 million. The responses covered wage and benefit practices for 27 classifications of employees. The survey results showed that on average the base wage for the classifications reported increased by .6% during 2008. Further, 66% of employers responding to the survey are providing some variation of bonus or incentive compensation in addition to the base wage. 94% of employers continue to provide health insurance for employees, yet deductibles have increased and  the amount of the employer contribution has decreased slightly from 72% to 71%. Some employer contributions are based on tenure and some employers establish maximum dollar amounts, not percentages for their contribution. Even with increased deductibles health insurance premiums increased 5% from last year's survey for single coverage and 8% for family coverage. 20% of survey respondents offer an HAS or HRA option and 20% self-insure a portion of the health insurance cost.

This survey is the only one of its kind available in our area. We appreciate the response from members to assure we received data to provide the most valuable information for as many employee classifications as possible. The  survey data is extremely important to:

• Provide members with valuable information to maintain competitive wage and benefit practices,
• Support owners who may be purchasing construction services and are subjected to union campaigns that include inaccurate statements about merit shop wage and benefit practices,
• Provide legislators and other public policy decision makers factual, documented evidence of the wage and
benefit practices of merit shop contractors. Please contact Chapter office for survey results.

FOOTNOTE TO WAGE & BENEFIT SURVEY -- One very specific “discovery” from the survey results is the potential cost savings that may be available to members through the ABC Merit Choice Dental  program. 71% of employers responding to the survey are providing dental insurance for employees and  contributing on average 49% of the premium. The average single monthly premium is $43 dollars, the average family monthly premium is $124 dollars. Although a variety of plans are available through the Merit Choice program the top single monthly premium is under $25 and the top family monthly premium is under $75. If any employer would like additional information please contact the Chapter Office.