Expansion Would Threaten Traditional Subcontracting Relationships

Construction has one of the highest suicide rates of all major industry groups. AGC of America is launching a new effort to combat the silent epidemic of suicide and other mental health issues plaguing our workforce. As part of this effort, we are releasing a series of videos telling the stories of real industry professionals who have struggled with mental health. We hope that in sharing their stories, others will know they are not alone, and it is okay to seek help when it is needed. For more information and resources, visit agc.org/mental-health-suicide-prevention.

AGC CEO Stephen Sandherr and members of AGC’s Government Affairs staff met with US Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh on November 10 to discuss top industry priorities including, among other things, addressing the workforce shortage through skills training and attracting individuals to the construction industry as well as the importance of job site safety.

Tuesday, December 6, 3:00-4:00 PM EASTERN

AGC warns the IRS to look before it leaps into quickly rolling out prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements—for which it has no internal expertise or experience—tied to new private development tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act.

AGC of America and seven fellow employer groups jointly submitted an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court on November 8 urging the Court to reverse a Washington Supreme Court decision that prevents a company from recovering damages from a union that sanctioned the destruction of company property.

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) updated its website to include the new “Know Your Rights” poster, which replaces the previous “EEO is the Law” poster and “EEO is the Law” Supplement. The “Know Your Rights” poster summarizes the federal laws prohibiting job discrimination and explains how employees or applicants can file a complaint if they believe they have experienced discrimination.

AGC will provide the agency comments by the November 4 deadline on the reporting and documentation requirements of the new labor requirements.

The National Labor Relations Board has yet again changed its position on the question of whether an employer may unilaterally cease union dues checkoff after collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”) expiration without first bargaining to impasse. In its latest decision in the Valley Hospital case, the Board answered the question with a resounding “no.” The decision reversed a 2019 decision in the same case by a Trump Board, which overturned a 2015 decision in the Lincoln Lutheran case by an Obama Board, which itself overturned precedent established in the 1962 Bethlehem Steel case.

On October 3, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a petition for review supported by AGC in Glacier Northwest, Inc. v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union No. 174. Ready-mix concrete supplier Glacier Northwest had asked the Court to review a Washington Supreme Court decision holding that National Labor Relations Act preemption prevents the company from suing a union under state tort law for intentionally destroying company property in the course of a labor dispute. As previously reported, AGC and five other employer groups jointly submitted an amicus brief supporting the petition in June. Oral argument has not yet been scheduled.