Construction Industry Speaks Out Against Cities Banning Work

By Karen L. Edwards, RCS Editor.

Boston was the first major city to put a halt to all construction activities because of Coronavirus.

The construction industry is understandably not happy with the City of Boston’s mandate to halt construction projects. According to an article in Bisnow.com, construction industry advocates are advising against the stoppage of construction projects, saying that “this will hurt cities in the long run.” The Boston shutdown requires projects to be closed and in a stable state by March 23 and officials have said they will revisit the stoppage in two weeks. In a press conference held March 17, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said that there are “no plans at this point to shut down construction statewide.”

Bisnow’s Kelsey Neubauer interviewed New York Building Congress President and CEO Carlo Scissura this week after New York City Council member Carlos Mechaca wanted to follow Boston’s lead and halt construction in the city. “The safety of all workers is critical, but I think that we have to be very careful to shut down,” he told Neibauer. “A lot of that construction is for people who are going to need services and support in the months to come as things start reopening.”

Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America issued a statement this week saying, “Halting construction activity will do more harm than good for construction workers, community residents and the economy. Construction firms are already acting to ensure the safety and health of their employees in the face of the coronavirus outbreak. These new measures, which include increased hygiene and halting group gatherings of staff, are in addition to the fact construction workers already wear protective equipment, including gloves that will help protect them and their co-workers.

Given the precautions already in place, halting construction will do little to protect the health and safety of construction workers. But it will go a long way in undermining economic vitality by depriving millions of workers of the wages they will need over the coming days. At the same time, these measures have the potential to bankrupt many construction firms who have contractual obligations to stay on schedule or risk incurring significant financial penalties.”

The Building Trades Employers Association issued a press release on March 19 calling for construction to be defined as an essential service. Lou Coletti, President and CEO of the BTEA said, “If construction shuts down, then maintenance and repair of all critical transportation infrastructure – which is essential for health emergencies - shuts down with it. Construction of affordable housing and health facilities will halt as well, which will directly impact the health, well-being and livelihoods of the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Construction is an essential service and must be allowed to continue during this crisis.”

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) issued a letter to President Trump asking the administration to provide clear guidance to the states regarding what an essential industry and essential worker is. "We made the case clear that the roofing industry should specifically be cited in any guidance as essential," stated NRCA.

Here at RoofersCoffeeShop® we hope that this doesn’t start a trend that ripples across major cities.

For more information on how you can be sure you are keeping your employees safe and protected from Coronavirus while working, please bookmark and regularly visit our Coronavirus resource page.