Better Builder Certification Program - Drive - Google

BETTER BUILDERTM CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Stephanie Gharakhanian Better Builder Program Director Workers Defense Project January 8, 2015

WHO WE ARE

WHO WE ARE Workers Defense Project (WDP) is a membershipbased organization that empowers low income workers to achieve fair employment through:  Education;  Direct Services; and  Advocacy.

WAGE THEFT AND POVERTY LEVEL WAGES

 1 in 5 surveyed workers reported being denied payment

for their work;  52% of surveyed workers found to be earning povertylevel wages;  41% of workers misclassified as independent contractors or paid off the books.

Price et al. Build a Better Texas: Construction Working Conditions in the Lone Star State. University of Texas. January, 2013.

DEADLY WORKING CONDITIONS

 More construction workers die in Texas than any

other state, and at a higher rate;  One in five surveyed construction workers reported suffering a workplace injury that required medical attention;  61% of workers lack OSHA 10-hour safety training.

Price et al. Build a Better Texas: Construction Working Conditions in the Lone Star State. University of Texas. January, 2013.

BETTER BUILDER CERTIFICATON PROGRAMTM

PROGRAM GOALS • Partner directly with owners to raise standards for

construction workers and level the playing field for responsible contractors; • Ensure that workers receive a fair wage, guaranteed safe

working conditions, and earn a rewarding career in the construction industry.

HOW PROGRAM WORKS • Owners commit to WDP’s Better BuilderTM standards and

communicate this commitment throughout subcontracting chain; • Owners permit WDP to monitor construction to ensure compliance with standards; • Owners and contractors collaborate directly with WDP to cure violations when identified.

BETTER BUILDERTM STANDARDS • Living wage floor for all construction workers on project; • OSHA-10 safety certification for all workers; OSHA-30

safety certification for project supervisors; • Workers compensation coverage for all construction workers; • Local hiring requirement from certified craft training programs; • Monitoring by WDP-designated worksite monitors.

LOCAL HIRING • Goal: create career ladders in construction

industry for underserved communities; • Contractors hire % of workforce from training program certified by WDP.

TRAINING CERTIFICATON CRITERIA: • Craft training program; • Courses provided without cost; • Bilingual training available;

• Credentials of program and training instructors.

PROJECT MONITORING • Document Collection and Review – proof of

OSHA certification, workers’ compensation insurance, payroll records • Worksite Monitoring – on-site monitoring by WDP monitors to interview workers and complete a safety walk.

PROVEN TRACK RECORD Monitored 4 Projects in FY 2014 • Ranging from $3m to $500m in construction value • Conducted prevailing wage compliance on 2/4 projects

CASE STUDY: IMPACT WAY, PFLUGERVILLE,TX • 200 workers; 9 contractors • WDP recovered wages for 23 individual

workers • Wage violation rate exceeded 10%

QUESTIONS?