The Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC) recently released an updated report on Wage and Benefit Settlements in collective bargaining agreements through June of this year.

Wage and Benefit Settlements in 2010 have thus far averaged a first-year increase of 55 cents, or just over 1%, reported the CLRC. "This is down considerably from the average of $1.49 or 3.1% reported over the same period last year. Second and third year settlements are also lower, but by lesser amounts," according to Robert Gasperow, Executive Director of the CLRC.

In the East North Central region-which includes states like Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Minnesota-average first-year settlements were roughly double the national average at $1.11 or 2%. "This [average] is still more moderate than last year's $1.69 or 3.1%," notes Gasperow.

Read the full CLRC report.