Monthly Archives: May 2018

Following in the tradition of Presidents Bush’s “greening the government” and Obama’s “federal sustainability” efforts, President Trump ordered federal agencies to meet statutory requirements for environmental performance and prioritize actions that reduce waste and enhance the resilience of federal infrastructure and operations. Trump’s May 17 Executive Order Regarding Efficient Federal Operations takes a less prescriptive approach and provides agencies greater flexibility in meeting existing requirements than Obama’s now rescinded 2015 order – which set far-reaching goals for federal buildings and fleets beginning in 2016 through 2025 and beyond. 

On May 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the legality of arbitration agreements containing collective- and class-action waivers.  The Court held that arbitration agreements providing for individualized proceedings are valid and that neither the Federal Arbitration Act’s (“FAA”) savings clause nor the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) suggests otherwise.

From the repeal and replacement of the 2015 definition of Waters of the United States and opening up the National Environmental Policy Act procedures, to reevaluating regulations on listing species and designating critical habitat; the spring Unified Agenda sets a busy schedule for the year ahead.

The AGC Labor and Employment Law Council (LELC) held its 34th Annual Construction Labor Law Symposium on May 3 and 4 in Washington, DC.  Attorneys and labor relations managers from across the country gathered to learn about labor and employment law developments and government initiatives relevant to construction employers.