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Congress, President Talk Infrastructure

Infrastructure investment was a major topic of discussion in Washington during the first week on the new Trump Administration with the House, Senate and President Trump each highlighting infrastructure investment as a priority. AGC has provided recommendations to both the administration and Congress for rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure. AGC will work with President Trump and Congress to ensure that any infrastructure plan includes real, dedicated funding for all types of infrastructure, while also encouraging greater private sector investments where appropriate. 

Action Requested on FY 2017 DOT Funding

he Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) sent a letter to all members of the new 115th Congress urging that it get off to a productive start and show the American public that its intention to make good on campaign pledges to work together in the best interest of the country by completing action now on a fully funded FY 2017 transportation appropriations measure. The letter points out that many state DOTs are unable to put their full list of construction projects out to bid because Congress has only approved FY 2017 funding for highway and transit programs through April 28, 2017. In addition, because the DOT funding is currently part of a continuing resolution to fund the entire government at FY 2016 levels, the highway and transit programs are funded at 2 percent below the level authorized in the one year old FAST Act. You are urged to also contact your Congressional delegation and urge them to complete action on this important funding bill. A message is available for you to send through the Hardhats for Highways site and can be accessed here. http://hardhatsforhighways.org/

Union Representation in Construction Up 0.6% from Last Year

Union representation in the construction industry (covering all occupations) rose from 14.0% in 2015 to 14.6% in 2016, according to an annual report issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”) January 26.  The number of union-represented employees in the industry also rose over the year, from 992,000 to 1,095,000, while the total number of workers in the industry rose from 7,109,000 to 7,488,000.  Union membership in the industry similarly increased, from 13.2% to 13.9%.

ConsensusDocs contracts revised according to current needs

Construction contracts can be an unholy mess with their often unique provisions that too often thwart predictability and fairness. The ConsensusDocs coalition of 40 industry groups has formed over the past nine years to counter this trend, and its latest update offers wide-ranging revisions for its 2016 Design-Bid-Build prime and subcontract agreements.

AGC WebEd: Lean Construction in the Horizontal Industry

January 31, 2017 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm EST

Lean construction methods in the building industry have focused largely on coordinating work between various trades and eliminating conflict through more productive communication and coordination. Although these concepts are important in all construction work, horizontal contractors self-perform more work and build in a more linear fashion, resulting in a greater need to improve performance within its own operations. In many ways horizontal construction is more like manufacturing than building construction.

Congratulations to the Winners of the 2016 AGC Outstanding Student Chapter Contest!

Applications for the 2016 Outstanding Student Chapter Contest have been accepted and AGC of America received applications from exceptional Student Chapters across the country! Each of the Student Chapters demonstrated a strong portfolio showing dedication to their community and public service projects. Three applications in particular stood out from the others and AGC of America is happy to announce the first, second and third place winners of the 2016 AGC Outstanding Student Chapter Contest: