contractors

An ironworker scales a column during construction of a municipal building in Norristown, Pa. on Feb. 15, 2023.

Economy

Where did the workers go? Construction jobs are plentiful, but workers are scarce

8:59am April 06, 2023

by Mary Yang

Biden administration stimulus money pledged billions in funding for public works projects across the U.S. But contractors say they can't find enough workers to fix all the roads and bridges.

Leonardo Diaz lives in Los Angeles and drives for Uber and Lyft. He says he misses employee health and paid leave benefits he used to receive when he worked as a valet.

National

Gig Work With Benefits: California May Expand Employee Perks To Contract Workers

5:07pm September 05, 2019

by Yuki Noguchi

California lawmakers are expected to approve a proposal to reclassify Uber drivers and other contract workers in the state as employees, giving them more rights and benefits at employers' expense.

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Some of the newer housing where mold has been found is seen at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Private contractors that provide maintenance for military housing have been criticized for shoddy work and ignored repair calls.

National

Shoddy Maintenance Of Military Housing Under Scrutiny By Senate, Military Leaders

8:03pm March 07, 2019

by Tom Bowman

Thousands of military families are suffering from shoddy work or ignored calls for repairs from the private companies that maintain military housing. One senator called the negligence "criminal."

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Tom Hansen's irregular pay leaves him and his wife, Gina Barr, juggling their finances to pay the bills.

For One Family, Contract Work Means 'Feast Or Famine' As Income Varies

5:26pm January 24, 2018

by Jim Zarroli

An NPR/Marist survey found that 1 in 5 workers is a contractor, not a steady payroll employee. For about half of these workers, income can vary greatly from month to month, making budgeting difficult.

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