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Browse by Date - 201611

Construction Employment Falls or Stagnates in One-Third of Nation's Metro Areas Between October 2015 & 2016 as Public Investments Decline

Construction employment declined or was stagnant in one-third of metro areas between October 2015 and October 2016 amid diminishing public-sector investments in infrastructure and other civil works, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said a new infrastructure proposal being crafted by the incoming Trump administration could, if structured properly, help add more construction jobs in many metro areas.

Federal Court Temporally Halts Overtime Rule

On November 22, a federal judge issued a nationwide injunction against the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) overtime rule, which was scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2016. As a result of this court order, implementation of the rule is effectively halted. However, the injunction is a temporary measure that suspends the regulation until litigation comes to a close. DOL has said that it is currently “considering all of [its] legal options.” At this time, it is unclear if or when the rule will take effect.

Only 23 States & D.C. Add Construction Jobs Between September and October as Demand for Infrastructure, Other Public Projects Falls

Only 23 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between September and October while construction employment increased in 35 states between October 2015 and October 2016, according to analysis of Labor Department data released today by AGC. Association officials said declining public-sector investments in infrastructure and other public projects were undermining construction employment growth in many parts of the country.

Benefit Funds Can Seek Contributions from Independent Contractor that Signed "Me-Too" Agreement 17 Years Earlier

A contractor signatory to an old “me-too” agreement with an “evergreen” clause could be responsible for benefit and other fund contributions required by a later multiemployer collective bargaining agreement (a “CBA”) even though the contractor was not a member of the multiemployer group and did not grant continuous bargaining rights to the group, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (DE, NJ, PA) has held.

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS VARY WIDELY BY METRO BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2015 & 2016 AS WORKER SCARCITY, WEAK PUBLIC BUDGETS TRIM HIRING

Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colo. and Boise, Idaho Lead Growth List while Bloomington, Ill. and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. have Biggest Declines as Construction Labor Remains Scarce

EEOC Announces New Enforcement Priorities

Earlier this week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a new series of enforcement priorities on which it will focus over the next five years. By releasing its second-ever Strategic Enforcement Plan, the EEOC provided a clear message to employers regarding the areas that will occupy a considerable amount of attention when it comes to investigations, enforcement actions, and litigation from 2017 to 2021.

Marketers Need to Understand BIM

Julie Huval, Beck Technology

The acronym “BIM” is showing up more and more in our industry. Owners are requiring it on projects, countries are setting standards for it, and firms are touting expertise in it. But what is Building Information Modeling (BIM) and, as marketers and business developers, why should we care?

Construction Spending Edges Down in September and Is Up Modestly for the First Nine Months of the Year Amid Private-Sector Growth and Public-Sector Declines

Construction spending remained in a yearlong holding pattern in September as declining public outlays offset strong growth in multifamily spending and several private nonresidential categories, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.  Association officials said declining investments in public infrastructure are undermining the sector’s recovery and urged Congress to act on pending water resources legislation and voters to support ballot measures designed to rebuild aging infrastructure.