Texas Business Profile - Work Force

Beaumont/Port Arthur/Orange Area

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The Beaumont/Port Arthur/Orange area is strong in skilled labor because of the abundance of large refineries and chemical plants. The regional health care facilities, Port of Beaumont operations and Lamar University further enrich the labor force.

A good supply of craftsmen, laborers, technicians and service workers make labor availability one of the region's strongest assets. Because much of the area's population was born in the area, employers can be assured of loyal, stable workers.

Lamar University, which excels in engineering science and business education, has a working relationship with local employers. The school's commitment can be seen in the fields of study offered to train employees -- robotics, computer aided design, industrial technology, health and the traditional business concerns.

Productivity is the keyword in the Beaumont/Port Arthur/Orange area - a productivity that comes from knowing that successful companies mean good, stable jobs.

Hourly Earnings

Source: Texas Workforce Commission

Updated: 9/26/2006

For information on wages of other job categories, go to http://www.texasindustryprofiles.com/apps/win/

Click Areas tab. Select Southeast Texas. Click Occupation tab. Be sure to use “next” link in top blue bar when needed.

WORK FORCE

Conroe/The Woodlands/Huntsville

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The Woodlands/Conroe/Huntsville corridor is one of those few fast growing areas of the country where the melting pot has stirred people from around the U.S. and the world with a healthy dose of entrepreneurial spirit, education and work ethic to build a success-oriented culture.

The work force in the area is well-educated, principally because of its strong university and college ties: University of Houston, Rice University, Sam Houston State University, North Harris Montgomery Community College and Texas A&M. Because the corridor starts as part of the Houston metro area, it has an abundance of workers in nearly every skill.

Hourly Earnings

Source: Texas Workforce Commission

Updated: 9/26/2006

For information on wages of other job categories, go to http://www.texasindustryprofiles.com/apps/win/

Click Areas tab.  Select Gulf Coast.  Click Occupation tab.  Be sure to use"next" link in top blue bar when needed.

WORKER'S COMPENSATION

Right-To-Work

The Texas Right to Work Law provides: 1) the use of violence or coercion in a labor dispute is a felony; 2) the closed shop, union shop and maintenance of membership provisions in labor councils are illegal; 3) labor organizations are responsible for damages resulting from strikes, picketing, or breach of contract; 4) mass picketing is illegal; 5) the check-off is illegal and the employer can make no deduction for union dues without written authorization or the Texas uses an experience-rated system to employee; 6) unions are liable to Texas and determine unemployment compensation trust laws - both civil and criminal; 7) secondary boycotts, strikes, and picketing are illegal; 8) strikes or picketing for recognition or bargaining are prohibited unless the union represents a majority of the employees in the particular establishment. Provisions are made for fixing venue of suits to enjoin strikes or picketing.

Worker’s Compensation

Each company in Texas may carry worker’s compensation insurance. Many private carriers including the Texas Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fund offer coverage at competitive rates. For very large businesses, self-insurance is permitted when conditions set forth by the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission are met. Companies that have difficulty getting coverage elsewhere may apply to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fund’s Start program. This program is designed to provide coverage for hard-to-insure businesses while providing expert assistance in improving their safety records.

The Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission administers the workers’ compensation claim process, ensuring prompt, fair settlement of claims. The Texas Workers’ compensation system does not allow for lump sum settlement of claims, but instead provides for payment of benefits for impairment, death, and a percentage of lost wages in addition to coverage of medical expenses related to a workplace injury.

Workers’ compensation benefits are calculated at 70 percent of the difference between the worker’s average weekly wage and wages worker is able to earn after the injury. The maximum compensation for temporary income benefits and death benefits may not exceed the states average weekly wage as set by state legislative for the fiscal year.

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

The State of Texas assesses a tax for unemployment insurance on the first $9,000 of wages to each employee. The rate of tax for new companies for the first eighteen months of operation is 2.7 percent of the $9,000 per employee wage base. Thereafter, employers receive rate adjustments based on their firing and layoff patterns and overall state employment patterns.

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