WHAT'S HAPPENING [THESE DAYS] WITH
MAJOR HOMEBUILDER CORPORATIONS?

	Open Letter to Major Homebuilder Corporations			Retirees are a New Force for Worker Justice
	What's Happening with Major Homebuilder Corporations?			Join Us! Info and Endorsers

In this campaign we call upon major homebuilders to adopt and implement subcontracting polices and practices that guarantee workers are treated fairly, that respect workers' legal and moral right to form a union to solve workplace problems, and that ensure that workers are not fired or harassed for seeking a voice at work.

Many major homebuilders have similar business needs:

1. Buy huge blocks of developable land – with lucrative land deals where possible.
2. Get the required permits to build homes, link to infrastructure (water, sewer, etc.) and manage the subcontractors who build the homes.
3. Raise the money by selling stock and long-term borrowing.
4. Market the homes primarily to those looking for an "active adult" lifestyle.

Current economic and political developments, however, have raised serious challenges for major homebuilders:

• BUSINESS (MEASURED BY SALES AND PROFITS) IS BOOMING
• STOCK PRICES, HOWEVER, HAVE REMAINED VERY LOW. HOMEBUILDERS ARE TRYING SEPARATELY AND JOINTLY TO WOO WALL STREET
• BUT COMPANIES ARE CARRYING VERY LARGE DEBTS DUE TO HUGE LAND PURCHASES, MAKING INVESTORS VERY NERVOUS
• IN SOME CASES, SERIOUS RECENT TAKEOVER BIDS BY OTHER CORPORATIONS HAVE BEEN ONLY NARROWLY AVERTED
• SOME COMPANIES HAVE FLOATED WHOLE NEW AND RISKY STRATEGIC PLANS, DIVERSIFYING MENUS OF HOMEBUILDING OPTIONS, BREAKING WITH TRIED AND TRUE BUSINESS PLANS USED UP TO NOW.
• MAJOR COMPANIES ARE LOOKING FOR NEW LAND PURCHASES, INCLUDING SOME "INFILL" DEVELOPMENTS, IN SUCH AREAS AS FLORIDA, VIRGINIA, CHICAGO, TEXAS, AND THE EAST COAST