Construction Employment Declines In 99 Metro Areas In March From 2019 As Industry Officials Call For New State & Federal Funding To Add Jobs
Laredo, Texas and Lake Charles, La. Have Largest Construction Job Losses While Lewiston, Idaho-Wash. And Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas Add the Most Jobs; Association Survey Indicates Losses will Spread
Paycheck Protection Program Is Allowing Construction Firms To Add And Retain Employees Despite Declining Demand, New Survey Finds
Nearly Half of Firms Have Received Loans, But Growing Number of Project Cancellations, Delays and Delivery Problems Imperil Industry; Association Leaders Call for Immediate Infrastructure Funding
Federal Court Decision Casts Doubt on Nationwide Permit 12
In an April 15 ruling on Northern Plains Resource Council, et al. v. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana vacated (voided) the Army Corps of Engineers’ Nationwide Permit (NWP) 12 (in use on the Keystone XL pipeline project) on an Endangered Species Act procedural concern.
EPA Signs Memo Authorizing Extension of the Comment Period for Proposed Multi-Sector General Permit
On April 20, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extended the public comment period for the 2020 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit for stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity, also referred to as the “2020 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP).” The comment period was extended for 30 days, setting a new deadline of June 1, 2020. Construction companies that perform activities associated with cement or concrete manufacturing, asphalt paving, minerals mining, or landfill operations will all likely be impacted by the changes. AGC has several concerns with the proposed permit and is working with a coalition to submit comments.
EPA and Corps Publish the Navigable Waters Protection Rule
On April 21, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers’ Navigable Waters Protection Rule: Definition of “Waters of the United States” was published in the Federal Register.
AGC Submits Statement on Water-Related Discussion Drafts to Senate Committee
On April 22, AGC, along with four other organizations, was invited by the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee to submit a written statement on
Visit AGC.ORG/Coronavirus for Resources During COVID Crisis
AGC of America has been working tirelessly to provide members with valuable, relevant resources during the coronavirus (COVID-19) national emergency.
Davis-Bacon Contractor Not Responsible for Itinerant Workers' Actual Lodging Expenses
Weeks Marine, a contractor accused of Davis-Bacon violations, has finally prevailed in protracted litigation over its responsibility to reimburse workers for their actual lodging expenses. The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Administrative Review Board (ARB) has ruled that the lodging primarily benefited the employees.
NLRB's Final Rule on Union Election Policies Leaves Loose Ends on Construction-Industry Conversion Doctrine
The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) has issued a final rule amending union representation-case procedures. The rule was published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2020. The effective date was originally set for June 1, 2020, but has been postponed to July 31, 2020, due to the national emergency caused by the coronavirus.
US DOL Adds to Emergency Paid Leave Q&A's and Begins Enforcement
Temporary Non-Enforcement Period Ended April 17
OFCCP Issues New Directives to Improve Compliance Assistance
OFCCP recently announced three new directives to help maximize the effectiveness of compliance assistance resources, increase accountability, and resolve federal contractor compliance evaluations more efficiently.