Request for Proposal
Issued: August 27, 2019
Due Date for Proposal: September 28, 2019

Short Description of research: (1) Produce a uniform methodology that can be used for state specific studies that quantify losses caused by the misclassification of construction employees as independent contractors and the non-reporting of construction employee income. The due date for this section is October 28, 2019. (2) Quantify the federal and state revenue losses caused by the misclassification of construction employees as independent contractors and the non-reporting of income paid to construction employees. The due date for this part of the research is January 15, 2020.

Introduction and Background
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) is a labor union representing more than 500,000 carpenters, millwrights, pile drivers, floor coverers, factory workers and other workers in the United States and Canada.

We have seen a growing number of construction employees misclassified as independent contractors or being paid "off-the-books." There are many victims. Construction workers can go without workers' compensation protection, unemployment insurance and they suffer wage theft and non-payment of overtime. In addition, their employers are shifting their employment tax burdens onto them. These schemes also lead to losses in federal and state tax revenues. Insurers who do not receive full workers' compensation premiums pass along their losses to construction employers who do pay. Responsible construction employers also suffer. The construction industry is highly competitive, with work frequently awarded to the lowest bidders. As a result, those contractors that do abide by state and federal employment and tax laws are squeezed out of market places because they are underbid. Industry standards overall are also threatened. The erosion of labor standards makes it more difficult to recruit and retain skilled craftspeople.

Contact: Matthew F. Capece, Esq., Representative of the General President

203-231-0398

Please see complete Request for Proposals attached below.