1. Media headlines continue to focus on a “labor shortage” in construction. Is this a reality in Philadelphia?

No, there is not a shortage of people who want to work in construction, there is a shortage of people willing to do the work for cheap.

In Philadelphia, we have an active waiting list of around 1,500 individuals currently trying to get into our apprenticeship program. These are people ready to learn, ready to work, and looking for long-term careers in the trades. The demand from workers is there.

What is happening is that parts of the industry have come to rely on a lower cost model, where wages, benefits, and standards are not always what they should be. When projects are built around this model, it creates the perception of a labor shortage because fewer people are willing to work under these conditions.

If the focus is on building a skilled workforce with fair pay and proper training, the workers are there. The challenge is making sure the industry is creating opportunities that reflect that across the board.

2. If the workforce is there, why is it so important to maintain standards like prevailing wage?

Prevailing wage sets the standard rate of pay and benefits for construction work in an area, based on what skilled workers are already earning locally. It was originally put in place to prevent contractors from bringing in lower-paid out-of-town workers to undercut local wages on public projects.

It protects local workers and makes sure public dollars support the local economy. It also creates a level playing field, so contractors are competing on quality.

Without prevailing wage, it would shift to doing the job as cheaply as possible, which could impact training and safety.

3. Public projects are often awarded to the lowest bidder. How does that approach impact the construction industry, and where do Responsible Contractor Ordinances (RCOs) fit in?

Awarding work to the lowest bidder seems like the most responsible use of taxpayer dollars, but it’s not always what makes a project successful.

There was a time when the standard was the lowest ‘responsible’ bidder, which meant you weren’t just looking at price, but also if the contractor had the experience, a track record of following the law, properly trained workers, and the ability to deliver a project safely and on time. That standard got watered down over time.

Responsible Contractor Ordinances (RCOs) are about bringing accountability back into the process, requiring contractors and subcontractors to meet clear standards before they can even bid on public work. Some of those standards include proper licensing, no serious violations of wage or tax laws, and a trained workforce.

One key piece is requiring participation in legitimate apprenticeship programs. This would ensure that a large portion of the workforce on a project consists of skilled workers who have gone through real training. It helps address long-term workforce development, which is something we are continuing to build on in Philadelphia.

If everyone is required to meet the same wage standards, then the question we continue to highlight is how a bid for a public project comes in significantly lower than the rest. It points to something being cut that should not be, and sometimes it’s workers’ wages.

4. Construction tax fraud is often discussed, but what does it look like across Philadelphia job sites?

It usually shows up in ways that are easy to overlook. We see workers misclassified as independent contractors when they should be employees, people paid in cash or off the books, or jobs structured to avoid paying proper wages and benefits.

For the worker, that means no healthcare, no retirement, and no real protections if something goes wrong on the job. It creates a lot of instability and makes it difficult to treat construction as a long-term career for affected workers.

At the same time, it creates an unfair system for contractors who are following the rules. They are bidding against companies that are lowering costs by avoiding taxes and labor standards, which undercuts responsible work. So while tax fraud is often framed as a revenue issue, it weakens the entire industry.

5. What role can elected officials play in addressing these challenges?

The biggest impact they can have is through consistent enforcement.

Many of the right policies are already in place, whether they concern prevailing wage, worker classification, or contractor qualifications. The issue is that they are not consistently enforced, and when that happens, it creates an uneven playing field where some are held accountable while others are not.

Elected officials also have a responsibility to understand what is happening on projects in their communities. That includes reviewing certified payroll and ensuring public dollars support lawful and responsible practices.

If enforcement were consistent across the board, it would immediately raise industry standards.

William C. Sproule serves as the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC), leading over 43,000 members across six states and Washington, D.C. Under his leadership, EASRCC has expanded work opportunities, strengthened apprenticeship programs, and advanced labor standards. He has driven organizing efforts, secured key industry partnerships, and advocated for pro-worker policies. Sproule also oversees as chairman of the benefit funds, workforce development initiatives, and political engagement to protect union jobs. He represents EASRCC on various boards, helping strengthen the union. His focus remains on creating opportunities and securing a strong future for union carpenters.