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News Briefs

Date Posted: February 2 2007

Jobless claims are taxable
With tax season approaching, the Michigan Unemployment Agency reminds those who received jobless benefits in 2006 that those earnings are taxable.

"Unemployment benefits are taxable, and those who received benefits will need these statements to prepare their 2006 state and federal tax return," said Lisa Estlund Olson, acting director of Michigan's Unemployment Agency. The statements are 1099-G or "Statement for Recipients of Unemployment Compensation Payments."

This year the Unemployment Agency will send out about 570,000 of those forms, by Jan. 26. Those who have not received their forms can call a UIA office. For telephone filed claims, call (866) 500-0017, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The UIA's customer relations hotline is (800) 638-3995, staffed M-F from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Higher pay/benefits for union trades
The final numbers are in, and first-year collectively bargained wage and benefit increases in 2006 averaged $1.73 per hour, or 4.5 percent. The jump represented the largest one-year dollar and percentage increase since 1989-90.

The information comes from the Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC), via the Construction Labor Report.

In 2005, first-year increases averaged $1.53 or 3.9 percent.

The news is even better for the latter years of multi-year contracts that were hammered out in 2006. Second-year wage and benefit levels average $1.99 per hour and third year levels will jump to $2.01. By area, the "East North Central Region," which includes Michigan, was within a few cents of the national numbers.

The CLRC said the average wage and benefit package for union building trades workers across the nation is $41.75 per hour.

Moch's 'Icon' project recognized
Each year the Grand Rapids Business Journal announces the top ten organizations that it considers to be the "Newsmakers of the Year." At a Jan. 15 luncheon sponsored by the Economic Club of Grand Rapids the property development firm of Moch International was a newsmaker finalist with two construction recognitions.

The first was the Icon On Bond development located at 538 Bond St., NW. It's a 110-unit, nine-story residential condominium project.

"Without the support of the labor unions and their signatory contractors," stated Joe Moch Sr. of Moch International, "the development would not be what it is today." With nearly half of the complex sold, he said he expects residents to be moving in by April.

John Cobe, president and regional division director of Operating Engineers Local 324, was instrumental in assisting Moch with initial start-up financing, with the Chicago Capital Management Group facilitating the remaining construction loan.

The other recognition for Moch is that the company is one of three seeking to develop the Grand Rapids "Mystery Project." Approximately 40 acres on the Grand River may be available for development.
(From Michigan Construction News.com)