Masonry Magazine September 1966 Page. 22
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22
MINNEAPOLIS CHAPTER SURVEY
The Minneapolis Chapter, in cooperation with other employer groups, has just completed this very comprehensive study of the supply of manpower in that area. We call it to your attention, recommend your study of it, and suggest you make a similar study for your local chapter's jurisdiction.
"During the months of June, July and August, 1965, and at the height of the working season, the metropolitan area sustained a loss of 45 bricklayers out of the total 1,821 active journeymen in the Minneapolis and St. Paul locals.
"These men did not retire, die on the job or become incapacitated for one reason or another. During those months 594 men took vacations as provided in the 1963 labor agreement. It required employers to contribute 25 an hour in lieu of a wage increase to the bricklayers' vacation fund. The monthly breakdown by men and dollars withdrawn from the fund follows:
June 161 men $ 60,409.00
July 265 men 101,140.00
August 168 men 68,569.00
September 68 men 24,348.00
October 57 men 24,102.00
Totals 719 men $278,570.00
"Being aware of the current shortage of bricklayers, the Concrete & Masonry Contractors Associations of Minneapolis and St. Paul, along with building contractors, are now taking a long, hard look at what lies ahead.
"The above report on vacations (one week each) coming from Administrative Services Company which administers this and other funds, was the first approach. Next, the contractors have turned their attention to the figures on population growth in the metropolitan area projected in recent reports of the Metropolitan Planning Commission to get an idea of what lies ahead.
"Assuming that the metropolitan area population will grow from the present 1,800,000 people to 4,000,000 in the year 2000, a growth in the bricklayer force from the present 1,821 journeymen to 4,000 in the year 2000 seems indicated.
It is calculated that an immediate increase of 105 men is needed to pick up today's slack: 45 men at once to pick up the vacation time and another 60 to compensate for the low rate of indentureship of apprentices during the past five years.
"There are two other relatively unknown factors involved. The first is the pension program to be instituted this year, and the second is the rate of dropout, or leaving the trade for various reasons.
"The pension plan went into effect May 1, 1966. Το formulate this plan an actuarial study had to be made of the present union membership by age brackets. This study indicates that 64 active journeymen are eligible for retirement immediately. The study also shows that 11 may retire in the second year, 14 in the third, 13 in the fourth, 17 in the fifth, etc. The plan will have to be in effect for several years before a definite rate of retirement can be projected. No allowance for retiremnt is made in the figures earlier cited. The rate of 'dropout' has been estimated at 14 of 1% for study purposes. At the year 2000 this will require an additional 10 new journeymen bricklayers each year.
"So, the total requirements for new bricklayers now (continued on page 28)
MASONRY September, 1966