South Jersey BIZ - Issue #11 (November 2025)

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1125 Labor Dept - FINAL_Layout 1 11 / 6 / 25 2 : 13 PM Page 2 Today’s job sites are highly professional and technology - driven , with safety as the top priority . Merit shop contractors , like those at ABC - NJ , meet or exceed safety standards and invest heavily in training and certification to protect every worker . Another myth we often hear is that non - union contractors don’t pay fair or prevailing wages . In reality , ABC - NJ members are committed to competitive pay , great benefits , and advancement opportunities based on skill and performance . Our focus is on re - warding hard work , promoting safety and ensuring everyone in the industry has a fair shot to succeed . ” — Samantha DeAlmeida Roman , President & CEO , Associated Builders and Contractors - New Jersey Chapter “ Many New Jersey employers are still having to correct misconceptions around pay transparency , employee classification ( i.e . : whether an employee is an independent contractor or appropriately a member of the union ) and general union - related rights . Even indirect discouragement of a union workplace can violate labor laws , so all em - ployers need to be careful not to violate the collective bargaining rights of employees in order to avoid legal action by the union . ” — Susan S . Hodges , Shareholder & Co - Chair , Labor and Employment and School Law , Parker McCay How does your organization attract and retain the next generation of trades - people to ensure the talent pool remains robust and ready to meet tomorrow’s needs ? “ One great example of how we attract the next generation of tradespeople is Con - struction Industry Career Day ( CICD ) . ACCNJ collaborates with other industry associations , our labor partners and a planning committee to host our annual Construction Industry Career Day . This is an interactive two - day event to showcase the construction industry’s educational opportunities and occupations . One day is open to the public , and the other is strictly for high school students . This is a great way to show young people the benefits of a career in construction and what everyday life can look like . ” — Shamara Gatling - Davila “ Being in the community is very important when it comes to hiring the community’s future masons and workers . There’s a pro - gram at the Eastern State Penitentiary that we work with , and there’s various avenues for connection : There’s a push for that in our industry , so we connect with a lot of not only votech students , but also the various SouthJerseyBiz.net | VOLUME 15 ISSUE 11 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | 13

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1125 Labor Dept - FINAL_Layout 1 11 / 6 / 25 2 : 13 PM Page 3 employment and labor law benefit growing frustration many middle - class L A B O R your union clients ? families feel about the widening gap be - “ Parker McCay represents employers of tweenthe very wealthy and working peo - all sizes , and our knowledge of both em - ple.Even though wages have gone up in schools and resources in and around the ployment and labor laws gives our pub - many industries , there are still families city of Philadelphia . ” lic - sector clients an edge because we living paycheck to paycheck . … We are — Amy Hennessey assist them with legal compliance , as well seeingmore workers realize that they de - as helping them minimize labor disputes serve fair treatment and a voice on the What can be done to ensure that and strengthening workplace relationships job . Younger generations , in particular , students and future members of the between the employers and the unions . aregravitating toward the trades because workforce know there are rewarding , With effective training for managers and they want stability , purpose and a clear family - supporting careers available to non - unionizedstaff on how to handle em - path to success . Many see [ us ] as that them in the trades ? ploymentissues with union members , we path because it’s a way to earn a good “ We need to show students — especially helpour clients avoid matters that lead to living , learn valuable skills , and be part of women and minorities — that the trades grievances and arbitrations , which limit a brotherhood and sisterhood . are for everyone . At ABC - NJ , we work employerliability and also improves morale To keep this momentum going , we hard to break down stereotypes and open in the workplace . ” have to continue organizing , telling our doors by partnering with schools , com - — Susan Hodges story , and showing that unions are still the munity groups , and workforce programs best way for working people to build sta - that reach underrepresented populations . With national trends increasingly bility and opportunity . The EAS Carpenters When people see others like them thriving indicating a rise in union support , do Unionis focused on outreach and educa - in the trades , it changes perceptions . you anticipate that pattern’s staying tion , making sure the next generation These are good , family - supporting careers power ? What can be done to ensure knows this is a pathway to a real career . where anyone with drive and skill can suc - the trend toward unionizing We’re also continuing to invest in training , ceed . The more diverse our workforce , continues ? expandaccessto apprenticeship programs , the stronger our industry becomes . ” “ Absolutely . The rise in union support re - andensure every worker understands the — Samantha DeAlmeida Roman flects what we’ve always known — and value of standing together for fair wages , that’s when workers stand together , they benefits and respect on the job . ” w How does bringing expertise in both have power . But it also speaks to the — William C Sproule 14 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | VOLUME 15 ISSUE 11 | SouthJerseyBiz.net

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