The Better Builder program, led by the Workers Defense Project (WDP), aims to improve job quality and conditions for construction workers by implementing worker safety and well-being standards on construction projects. Developed in partnership with WDP’s worker–members, the Better Builder program addresses these challenges by setting baseline standards for wages, benefits, health and safety, and skills training, and requires consistent monitoring to ensure compliance.

Why This Matters

Texas has few worker protections and high rates of fatal work injuries relative to other states. The construction industry in Texas has the highest number of fatalities among the state’s private industries. Construction workers in Texas face additional challenges such as wage theft, a lack of preventative safety measures, and no requirement for private employers to offer workers’ compensation insurance. The Better Builder program addresses many of the issues faced by construction workers in Texas by outlining a set of standards to improve safety and job quality on construction projects. This case study highlights lessons learned that may be useful to other worker-based groups interested in improving job quality in other localities or industries.

What We Found

Key lessons learned from the Better Builder program include:

• prioritize worker voice in advocacy efforts; 
• understand community needs and design worker protections accordingly;
• independent monitoring is essential to the program design to ensure commitments to standards are met;
• use monitoring as an opportunity to educate workers;
• data collection can play a role in case-making for the program;
• communicate program expectations clearly to generate buy-in and address concerns with participation; and
• reinforce ties with allies and tailor policy and advocacy to the local context.

How We Did It

This case study draws on literature and interviews with Workers Defense Project staff and partners to document how the Better Builder program operates.