Year: 2017

On Nov. 28, ABC will offer the webinar “DOL Training on Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors” at 2 p.m. EDT. The webinar will cover the Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors final rule issued by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) on Sept. 30, 2016, which implements President Obama’s E.O. 13706. 

The final rule requires certain federal contractors to offer employees up to seven days (56 hours) of paid sick leave annually, including paid leave for family care. It went into effect on Jan. 1, 2017, and applies to new contracts and replacements for expiring contracts with the federal government that result from solicitations issued on or after Jan. 1, 2017 (or that are awarded outside the solicitation process on or after Jan. 1, 2017).

Representatives from the WHD will lead the webinar and provide training on the final rule’s requirements to assist federal contractors with compliance. ABC members can register here.

Powered by WPeMatico

Construction input prices remained unchanged on a monthly basis in October, according to analysis of today’s Bureau of Labor Statistics release by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Overall construction input prices have expanded 4.3 percent year over year, while nonresidential input prices have expanded 4.1 percent since October 2016. Crude petroleum prices rose 6.6 percent for the month and are up 7.7 percent for the year. No other input manifested significant price growth in October.

“The construction industry benefited from a one-month reprieve in materials price increases in October, based on today’s release. The fact that materials prices have stabilized should be viewed as good news to the U.S. construction industry,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Most stakeholders agree that labor costs will continue to rise as America hurtles toward full employment. Significant increases in materials prices would further squeeze construction firms’ profits margins, or alternatively would make it less likely that planned construction projects would move forward.  

“Still, on a year-over-year basis, some materials prices are up substantially,” said Basu. “A faster growing global economy, combined with China’s commitment to suppress excess steel manufacturing capacity, has helped to produce a nearly 14 percent increase in iron and steel prices over the past year. U.S. trade policy has likely contributed to a greater than 15 percent increase in softwood lumber prices over the past year.   

“Where materials prices will go from here is pure guesswork,” said Basu. “While it is true that the global economy continues to improve, recent increases in commodity prices are likely triggering increases in quantity supplied, at least in certain categories. That supply response should help keep a lid on construction input prices over the next few months even in the context of growing demand for materials globally.”

Powered by WPeMatico

On Nov. 13, ABC President and CEO Mike Bellaman participated in the first meeting of the U.S. Department of Labor’s task force on apprenticeship expansion. The task force is responsible for identifying strategies and proposals to expand and promote apprenticeship opportunities. Bellaman is one of twenty members of the task force, joining two governors and leaders from business, associations, labor and education.

“With a significant network of apprenticeship programs nationwide, ABC joins this task force with a win-win attitude,” said Bellaman in his opening remarks. “We are committed to working synergistically to identify strategies and proposals to promote, enhance and expand ‘earn while you learn’ apprenticeship models across the United States.”

The meeting took place on the first day National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 13-19, during which ABC joined with the business community, labor groups and education leaders to highlight the tremendous job opportunities provided by apprenticeships and industry-recognized training programs. The third annual observance also emphasized the need for an infusion of Americans to pursue a skilled trade and embark on a fulfilling career.

The task force is advisory in nature, and will make recommendations to President Trump after a series of meetings. In his remarks, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta noted that the president would like to see a proposal in, “weeks, not years.”

Powered by WPeMatico

On Nov. 7, ABC joined Associated General Contractors, the Leading Builders of America and the National Association of Home Builders in a letter to Congressional leaders expressing the construction industry’s concerns regarding the upcoming decisions related to the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Haiti and Honduras. The letter urged Congress to take legislative action to ensure that TPS holders can remain and continue to work legally in this country. 

Local businesses and economies need these legally authorized workers from these countries and would be adversely impacted by a failure to extend their status.

Newsline will continue to update readers on any congressional action regarding TPS designations for El Salvador, Haiti and Honduras.

Powered by WPeMatico

On Nov. 13, the U.S. Senate began the first day of an expected four-day process to amend and approve their version of tax reform legislation. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on their version of the bill on Thursday, Nov. 15.  If both chambers pass their respective bills, conferees will be designated to negotiate an agreement between the House and Senate versions, which currently include a number of significant differences. 

ABC is working diligently on behalf of our members to make sure you are paying a fair and effective tax rate. On Nov. 14, ABC sent a letter to the members of the House of Representatives urging them to support the bill, as it will be considered a “key vote” on ABC’s 115th Congressional Scorecard. 

Michael Bellaman, ABC president and CEO, has supported the tax reform efforts on Capitol Hill, releasing a statement on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and speaking in favor of the legislation on Fox Business News.

Powered by WPeMatico

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) congratulates Justin Baker, executive vice president of Gaylor Electric in Mooresville, N.C., for being named ABC’s Young Professional of the Year. Baker accepted the award Nov. 8 during ABC’s Leadership Week Conference in Orlando, Fla. 

Justin Baker (center) accepts ABC’s Young Professional of the Year Award at the Future Leaders Awards Luncheon on Nov. 8.

 
Baker was among three finalists chosen based on their career achievement, leadership and vision for the future of the construction industry.

A member of the ABC Carolinas Chapter, Baker took over Gaylor Electric’s Carolinas branch five years ago, building it into one of the top-performing locations in the company. Baker believes the construction industry needs to harness technology and innovation to attract younger generations into the profession and make creativity as much a part of the trade as manual labor and teamwork.

“Justin is exactly the kind of young leader and thinker the construction industry needs as it searches for the next generation of skilled workers, designers and innovators,” said ABC Vice President of Environment, Health, Safety & Workforce Development Greg Sizemore. “Justin is an industry leader who values safety and quality and promotes those values to everyone he comes in contact with. We look forward to seeing the ideas and leadership Justin will bring to our industry for decades to come.”

Outside of work, Baker is active in his church, his community and with his family. When he’s not coaching his four kids’ multiple football, basketball and baseball teams, he helps those less fortunate. For instance, Baker and his family make and serve meals for the homeless with a group at their church, and he has traveled to Panama on mission trips to help impoverished communities by building schools and other community buildings.

Along with a trophy, Baker received a $1,000 check. ABC’s Young Professionals program was founded in 2014 and aims to shape the future of the construction industry by supporting the growth of professionals under the age of 40 who are employed by ABC member companies. 

Powered by WPeMatico

The ABC student chapter at the University of Cincinnati was named the 2017 Student Chapter of the Year for its accomplishments in programming, community service, communications and public relations and interaction with its sponsor, the ABC Ohio Valley Chapter, during the academic year. The student chapter received a $2,000 cash prize; complimentary registration, hotel accommodations and airfare for two members to attend ABC’s 2018 Legislative Week in Washington, D.C., June 24-29; and coverage in ABC National publications.

Colorado State University, sponsored by the ABC Rocky Mountain Chapter, was named the Construction Management Competition (CMC) overall winner of 2017. The 2017 CMC, sponsored by Autodesk, On Center, and RS Means, focused on the construction of the Universal Aventura Hotel, a 17-story structure with 600 guestrooms, lobby and public and support spaces. Each team was required to provide a price and a technical proposal before competing in a spontaneous exercise led by the Competition Committee. Colorado State University was selected based on their success in estimating, project management and scheduling, safety and quality control. 

Powered by WPeMatico

Be sure to mark your calendar for the upcoming ABC webinars on federal regulations and policies that impact the construction industry.

On Nov. 28, ABC will offer the webinar “DOL Training on Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors” at 2 p.m. EDT. The webinar will cover the Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors final rule issued by the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), which implements President Obama’s Executive Order 13706. Two representatives from the WHD will lead the webinar and provide training on the final rule’s requirements to assist federal contractors with compliance. ABC members can register here. 
 
Dec. 6, ABC will be hosting its “2017 Regulatory Roundup” webinar, which will detail the rollback and reforms of numerous regulations that affect ABC members. These regulations include the DOL’s persuader and overtime final rules, the blacklisting final rule and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s rules on electronic injury reporting and respirable crystalline silica. Maury Baskin, ABC’s general counsel, will lead the webinar. ABC members can register here.   

Powered by WPeMatico

On Nov. 7, ABC joined Associated General Contractors, the Leading Builders of America and the National Association of Home Builders in a letter to Congressional leaders expressing the construction industry’s concerns regarding the upcoming decisions related to the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Haiti and Honduras. The letter urged Congress to take legislative action to ensure that TPS holders can remain and continue to work legally in this country. 

Local businesses and economies need these legally authorized workers from these countries and would be adversely impacted by a failure to extend their status.

Newsline will continue to update readers on any congressional action regarding TPS designations for El Salvador, Haiti and Honduras.

Powered by WPeMatico

Robert Clarke, an architect with Gensler, is an alumnus of the ACE Mentor Program who serves as a mentor with the chapter in Austin, Texas.  

Operating in 37 states and annually engaging 9,000 high school students, ACE Mentor Program relies on construction managers, architects, engineers and even accountants and marketing experts to inspire students to pursue careers in design and construction.
 
“This is a great organization with a powerful, hands-on approach to introducing students to careers in construction,” said ABC President and CEO Mike Bellaman, who serves on the ACE board of directors. “It’s really rewarding to be an ambassador of our industry to promising young people who want to learn about the amazing opportunities in our field.”

Surprisingly, ACE is actually turning away interested kids due to a lack of mentors. Guest speakers are also needed. Learn more about why to become an ACE mentor or contact your local ACE affiliate to get started.

Powered by WPeMatico