Open-shop contractors planning to provide raises to skilled craft workers in 2009 expect to raise wages by an average of 2.88 percent, according to the latest Merit Shop Craft Survey report issued by PAS, Inc.  When data from contractors not planning raises are included, the overall anticipated increase averages only 1.96 percent.  This compares to actual increases of 4.1 percent (excluding zero-increases) and 3.7 percent (including zero-increases) in 2008, and represents the lowest average increases seen in over 15 years.  Based on historical experience and other factors, however, PAS projects that increases will actually end up in the range of 2.3-2.8 percent nationally, and even higher in a few high-demand areas.  Although the demand for skilled trades has been limited in most areas of the country so far this year, high demand continues in pockets of the Gulf Coast and Midwest regions, PAS found.

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