On Nov. 20, Senate Republicans introduced an alternative for addressing the multiemployer pension plan crisis. This plan differs greatly from the House-passed Butch Lewis Act. While it makes positive structural reforms to the multiemployer pension plan system, it also raises questions on how it would impact plans and contributing employers. AGC will continue to advocate for a package that provides employees and employers with viable options for addressing pension funding shortfalls and allows for greater plan flexibility. For further information on the Senate plan, view the White Paper and Technical Explanation.
As the U.S. House of Representatives considers a suite of bills to spur action on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), AGC and industry allies urged policymakers to rely on the science and support the federal agencies in their efforts to research and set protective risk-based standards. PFAS are a large and diverse group of chemicals and a one-size-fits-all approach would not be appropriate.
Employers Must Now Submit Openings for Advertising on DOL Website
The agenda for AGC of America’s 2020 Annual Convention includes three sessions specifically for union contractors. The convention will run from March 9-12 in Las Vegas, NV, co-located with the CONEXPO-CON/AGG industry trade show. Registration is now open at https://convention.agc.org/.
On Nov. 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized an AGC-supported rule expanding the universal waste regulations to include aerosol cans and streamlining the management of this waste. It should help construction firms maintain a lower-tier generator category, because aerosol cans are often the only hazardous waste stream produced on a construction site. The also rule promotes safe puncturing practices and recycling. EPA estimates it will reduce the regulatory cost between $5.3 million to $47.8 million annually.
Check out AGC’s new jobsite tour brochure that will assist you in hosting state and local elected officials on tours of construction jobsites. This brochure provides information on how to successfully plan and execute a successful jobsite visit with an elected official from the invitation to the thank you notes. As you may know, one of AGC’s advocacy goals this year has been to help member companies host job site tours for members of Congress to provide a hands-on learning experience of the construction industry. These events have been successful in discussing workforce development, infrastructure funding, federal regulations, and other issues critical to our members with those who have legislative authority over our industry. While AGC will continue to complete jobsite tours with members of Congress, we hope you will use this resource to host state and local elected officials on your construction jobsites.
AGC’s Lean Construction Forum is focused on growing the implementation of lean practices in the construction industry by providing educational opportunities and developing a community where anyone with an interest in lean construction can come together to engage in a dialog on best practices, share information, and participate in a broad, coordinated effort to promote and define the use of lean concepts and processes within the construction industry.
The AGC Business Development Forum brings together Business Development professionals in one place, for one purpose – creating business opportunities by sharing the latest techniques and tools of Business Development, following and reporting on trends in the construction market and connecting a network of professionals invested in building better businesses. AGC’s BD Forum members include project managers, C-Suite executives, specialty contractors, marketing professionals and more - AGC’s BD Forum is for everyone because everyone is involved in BD!
A great crowd participated in AGC’s 2019 BuildCon held November 7-8, 2019 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, AZ. The event brought together high-level leaders in the Building construction industry where they gained first-hand knowledge and insight from industry peers on models of collaboration, behaviors, workforce skillsets and ideologies that propel our industry forward.