That, according to this year's Giants, presents opportunities for many contractors. Contractors, though, note that finding the workers to provide quality service is becoming tougher as well. A lack of young recruits joining the construction work force is an issue our Giants address. The construction industry's reputation as providing an insecure career is partly to blame for the smaller number of qualified workers replacing retiring veterans. Drug and alcohol use on the job is another important issue the Giants are tackling.
More owners require testing for anyone working on their jobsites.
Random drug screenings and agreements with union locals make for a good start, but there's a long way to go before mandatory drug testing is universal. What's perhaps most interesting is how the Giants deal with these issues and still come out on top of the industry. 32 Williams Union Boiler Co., Nitro, W.Va. 42 Colonial Mechanical Corp., Richmond, Va. 84 Berg Inc., Shreveport, La.