2009 Construction Forecast

" On the construction industry expects a new tidal wave of layoffs this year to a mine. Kenneth Simons and from the associated general contractors association joins us now for this post on fox business. -- I am -- correct -- saying -- reporting we're reporting for the first time on fox. You -- saying that 30%. Of non residential construction jobs going to be finished in 2009 that gong 30% is that right."

" They're very much at risk right now this was a survey that we conducted among members of the associated general contractors of America. And that was that the mid point of the estimates of how many people they are expecting to lay off. Unless there is help in the form of say an infrastructure stimulus package that could make a huge difference."

" I okay now what kind of difference would it make as we all gonna get a significant infrastructure package I don't know how much money is going to be spent but the the law going to be spent. Will you come back -- projections and you're gonna say it much less than 30% of layoffs in 2009. Absolutely Stewart --"

" How much of that money will go into different categories of infrastructure spending or how quickly. The -- in the state agencies will get it out but the companies are saying we're ready to hire people back or to add to our payrolls. If the contracts are let alone and we know that they're not there."

" Let -- be clear this is general contractors this is not involved in residential construction. This is packed houses for example apartment building right is not back."

" Eight that's right AGC members do every kind of construction of and single family. Some of them do the high rise that residential but most of this work. Would be things like highways water and sewer systems. Other kinds of public works utility projects. Now building out that high speed Internet."

" Tell the truth candidate Doolittle. Politicking here I mean did you come out with -- subway which predicts die lay offs in your industry. Right before president elect Obama formulate city's infrastructure plan and it you're trying to put a little pressure on the president elect on chip."

" Oh I don't think he needs pressure from us but we do want congress to act quickly just as he does in fact APC. Argued a year ago that infrastructure should be part of the first stimulus bill and at that time. -- And treaties were turned aside on the grounds that it would take too long and we needed something fast well if that'd been done last February you'd see a lot more people at work today so we hope that this time congress will pay attention. Is your organization primarily employ all the union label. It's a mix it really depends on. What state we have I 95 chapters that blanket the country some of them are heavily union some almost totally non union members. But. Companies and every part of the country. Are hurting have had to lay off people and are ready to put them back."

" Work well you know -- and every time we talk about construct every time we talk about construction employment we raise the issue of illegal immigrants living. That pretty widely represented in the construction business on the."

" From what we can tell what it's mostly been on the single family home construction side we know that -- DC employers. Get frequent. Updates on what they need to do to make sure that they're complying with the documentation requirements. And really there's been. Very little activity that suggests that they are. And knowingly hiring illegals for any employer there all of those pitfalls that you are aware of that make it very hard to be sure that. Everyone you have is the person they say they are we got it. Ken Simons and -- general contractors association thanks for joining us appreciate it thank you --"