Construction slips, but is up in '05
New construction starts retreated 2% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $657.8 billion, McGraw-Hill Construction reported Oct. 27.

While the U.S. housing sector continued to perform at a healthy pace, both nonresidential building and public works lost momentum. Through the first nine months of 2005, total construction on an unadjusted basis was reported at $492.4 billion, up 8% compared to the same period a year ago.

September, although down slightly, remained very close to the elevated pace witnessed over the summer. "In the face of the disruptions caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the construction industry for the nation as a whole in September proved to be resilient," stated Robert A. Murray, vice president of economic affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction. "Housing continues to be the mainstay for construction, and September's moderate weakening for nonresidential building and public works was relative to the elevated volume in August."

Murray added "the immediate concern for construction" is the rising cost of building materials, which are being pushed higher in the aftermath of the hurricanes.

The 8% increase for total U.S. construction starts during the first nine months of 2005 was fueled by residential building, up 13%; non-building construction, up 8%; and nonresidential building, steady with the same period of 2004. By geography, the Midwest region, which includes Michigan, had the lowest gain in the nation, up 1 percent. 

IUPAT's McGarvey goes to building trades
Sean McGarvey of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) has been elected to serve as secretary-treasurer of the Building Trades Department by its Governing Board of Presidents.

McGarvey will serve out the unexpired term of current Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Maloney who resigned due to family health issues, requiring his return to Canada. McGarvey assumed the office on Nov. 1.

"Sean McGarvey currently serves as chairman of the Building Trades Legislative Task Force," said Building Trades Department President Edward Sullivan. "We welcome his election as secretary-treasurer of the department because he brings a broad range of knowledge and understanding to this position having come up through the ranks and excelled at every level.

"The building trades face great challenges ahead and I am confident Sean McGarvey will bring strength, energy and innovation to our leadership team."

McGarvey started his career with IUPAT in 1981 as an apprentice glazier with Glaziers Local 252 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is currently general vice president at large of the IUPAT. McGarvey was the national membership mobilization director of the IUPAT during the 2000 presidential election. In 2002 he was appointed political director for the IUPAT.