News

Browse by Date - 201411

Construction Employment Increased in 37 States and District of Columbia During the Past Year

Construction firms added jobs in 37 states and the District of Columbia between October 2013 and October 2014 while construction employment increased in 28 states and the District of Columbia between September and October, according to an analysis today of Labor Department data by AGC. 

President's Unilateral Action Will Make Bipartisan Immigration Reform More Difficult to Achieve While Endangering Other Legislative Initiatives, Construction Official Says

For over a decade, when the Bush Administration began its push for immigration reform, through today, AGC has supported comprehensive immigration reform.  That support included an endorsement of the bipartisan immigration package that passed the Senate in 2013. 

EPA Adds Up YOUR Costs To Meet New Lead-Paint Rules for Public, Commercial Buildings

AGC Needs Your Help Confirming Whether the Cost Estimates Are Correct The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is exploring whether to expand its Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (LRRP) rule to cover construction work on existing public and private-sector commercial (P&C) buildings. The EPA has estimated how much it would cost YOU to meet its new lead-paint rules under consideration.   However, AGC needs your thoughts on these EPA estimates to ensure they reflect real-world impacts of a potentially huge expansion of EPA’s current LRRP requirements.

AGC Offers Webinar on Davis-Bacon Act and New Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Law

The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (“DBRA”) -- prevailing wage laws that cover most federal and federally assisted construction projects -- impose a plethora of often-confusing mandates.  Federal contractors and their subcontractors also face new rules (often referred to as the “10.10 Rule”) establishing a special minimum wage for employees who work on or in connection with a Davis-Bacon covered contract.  Failure to comply with these laws puts covered contractors at risk of catastrophic consequences, from high-dollar penalties to debarment.  On December 9 and 10, AGC of America will conduct a two-part webinar to help such contractors’ HR and other compliance personnel better understand the mandates and avoid those risks.

Ditches, Stormwater BMPs and Potholes Are Not Waters of the U.S.

AGC Urges Federal Agencies to Withdraw Proposed Rule AGC of America has presented a powerful case for why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) should withdraw their proposal to redefine “waters of the United States,” concluding that it is simply too flawed to repair. AGC filed a comprehensive 21-page letter on Nov. 13 that identifies practical problems with the proposal for the construction industry, based on input from AGC’s members. 

AGC Tells NLRB to Preserve Notice Rule in Common-Situs Picketing Cases

AGC of America has submitted an amicus brief with the National Labor Relations Board in a case involving common-situs picketing.  The case, IBEW Local 357 (Desert Sun Enterprises), presents an opportunity for the Board to reconsider its long-standing requirement that, when a union notifies a neutral employer of its intent to picket a primary employer (the employer with which it has a direct dispute) at a site where both employers are located, the union must include assurances that it will conduct the picketing in accordance with set standards for lawful picketing.

Next Union Contractors Call to Take Place Dec. 4

Collective bargaining chapters and AGC-member union contractors are invited to participate in the next quarterly conference call of AGC of America’s Union Contractors Committee on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 3:00 p.m. EST.  The agenda includes reports on legal and labor relations developments since the last call and a roundtable discussion of activities of interest to union contractors.  AGC membership is required, but Committee membership is not.  Chapter leaders and staff are especially encouraged to come prepared to share information about local bargaining, jurisdictional disputes, and other matters, along with any questions they’d like to ask of fellow union contractors and chapters.

Construction Employers Add 12,000 Jobs in October, 231,000 for the Year

Construction employers added 12,000 jobs in October and the sector's unemployment rate fell to 6.4 percent, the lowest rate for October since 2006, according to an analysis released today by AGC of America. Association officials said the construction employment gains, along with rising wages and weekly hours, are consistent with survey results showing more firms having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to fill available positions.

Drug & Background Screening to be Covered in Free Web Meeting Nov. 19

Join AGC of America’s Open Shop Committee and HR Forum for a web meeting featuring a “Quick Learn” presentation on drug and background screening on November 19 starting at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.  Following an update by AGC Associate General Counsel Denise Gold on various legal developments, experts Thomas Eden of Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP and Joy Osburn of Wolfe, Inc. will provide a PowerPoint presentation on how to protect your company from costly hiring mistakes through effective drug and background screening.

The Role of Communication in Supporting the Development of a Lean Culture

Implementing Lean Construction as a business operating system in an organization represents a powerful improvement opportunity, which requires company-wide change, especially for top management. Great two-way communication is the cornerstone for the development of organizational teamwork and the accomplishment of company goals. Everyone pulling in the same direction toward the company goals is the ultimate destination of teamwork.

Specialty Contractors Meet, Take Center Stage at AGC Building Contractors Conference in Austin

At the 2014 AGC Building Contractors Conference, "A/E/C Collaboration 2014: Partnering, Opportunity, Risk, Success & the Future," held last month in Austin, Texas, the construction industry's leaders came together to share the latest trends and solutions. AGC specialty contractors were also there to plan for the future and promote best practices.