Seasonal Operation In The Construction Industries
In cooperation with a committee of the President's Conference on Unemployment, the Division in 1923 and 1924 made an extensive survey of seasonal operation in the construction industries. The committee represented business and professional men, contractors, building material producers and dealers, building trades labor, real estate men, bankers, engineers, and architects.
The study showed that construction usually reached a peak in the summer months, from which it receded as cold weather came on. As a consequence workers in leading building trades, such as carpenters and bricklayers, were fully employed for only a few months, beginning about June or July, while contractors and material dealers were forced to adjust their business accordingly.
It was shown that the building season could be lengthened out into the spring and fall months, and further that construction in winter was both feasible and economical. Custom rather than climate appeared to be the reason for prevailing conditions.
Subsequent studies by the Division indicate that more and more construction is taking place in the winter months, with consequently steadier employment for building trades workers. Customs which tend to throw the greater part of construction into certain months, such as the existence of a fixed leasing date, are being vigorously attacked in many cities.
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