Author: agcnews
Construction firms are vulnerable to many forms of cyberattack, including social engineering, ransomware attacks, wire fraud, and hacking. On this episode, Nikki Ingram, a cybersecurity risk engineer with Zurich North America, talks about what you need to look out for and shares some tips and preventative measures that will help contractors protect themselves. Nikki also presented a breakout session on cyber risks at AGC’s 2020 Annual Convention in Las Vegas. Link to her PowerPoint: bit.ly/39wmwIF
The 2019 AGC of America Outstanding Student Chapter Contest was broken up into three categories including Outstanding Emerging Student Chapter, Outstanding Community Service, and Outstanding Construction Management Skills. While many schools from across the country applied, the 2019 winners include: The three winning chapters received $2,000 each with a $1,000 travel stipend to attend AGC’s Annual Convention. They were selected by a panel of judges made up of practicing commercial contractors. Student chapters were evaluated on qualifying criteria in each of the three categories for exemplary demonstration of the AGC of America tenants of Skill, Responsibility & Integrity. The student chapters received their…
Earlier this month, the National CLC Steering Committee met at AGC’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. At this meeting the group thanked Ashley Phelps of Gilbane Building Company for her service as Chair from 2019-2020 and Gaines Moorer with Lakeview Risk Partners officially began his leadership for the 2020-2021 term. The group also welcomed new Steering Committee from across the nation for the 2020-2023 term including:
The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to the release of new guidance. “Federal officials have, wisely, heeded our advice and opted to release new guidance that makes it clear that construction activities are included in its list of essential critical infrastructure workers. This new federal guidance should help eliminate the confusion and ambiguity that has led several state and local officials to needlessly order halts to construction activity that is clearly essential. Read more.
As employers everywhere grapple with the COVID-19 crisis and its impact upon their employees and operations, questions have arisen regarding union contracts that expire on or about March 31, 2020. Although every labor contract and bargaining relationship is unique, established federal labor law principles can be applied to guide employers during this difficult time. Some common issues related to contract expiration are discussed below. Question 1. What happens if an employer’s union contract expires without a new agreement? A: If a contract expires without a new agreement, most terms and conditions of employment continue by operation of law, under the…
Thirty-nine percent of contractors report that project owners have halted or canceled current construction projects amid deteriorating economic conditions, according to a survey released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials warned that these cancellations mean massive job losses are likely soon unless Congress passes targeted recovery measures to boost infrastructure funding, compensate firms for lost or delayed federally funded work and provide needed pension relief. The project cancellations are particularly severe in light of new data showing that 42 states added construction jobs through February. “The abrupt plunge in economic activity is taking a swift and severe toll on construction,”…
There is so much going on in Washington DC, especially the last two weeks. We brought together our team of lobbyists who have been worked to help craft the coronavirus relief bill that is set for a vote as early as today (March 27, 2020) in the House. They provided an analysis of what is in the measure and how it could help the construction industry.
AGC of America and AGC of Washington’s joint Culture of CARE initiative is challenging leaders to take a bold and visible step towards ensuring their workplaces are welcoming, safe, and inclusive for an increasingly diverse and talented pool of workers. Join this effort by taking the Culture of CARE pledge. Once you sign the pledge, Culture of CARE provides companies with tools and resources to help establish a Culture of CARE in their workplaces. Learn more at www.BuildCulture.org. The companies who commit to a Culture of CARE aren’t passively thinking about their company culture. They are actively working to ensure that every employee – from the CEO to the laborer – has the opportunity to feel valued, respected, and heard.…
On Mar. 19, AGC submitted comments in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed update to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which would clarify that unintended or incidental impacts to migratory birds that occur within the scope of lawful, and often necessary, business activities do not carry criminal penalties and expansive liability exposure. The proposed rule would codify and apply a uniform interpretation of the MBTA that its prohibitions do not apply to incidental take. In addition, the proposal would limit the scope of the Act to actions that are directed at migratory birds, their nests, or their eggs, and would clarify…
On March 25, AGC called on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a division of the Department of Homeland Security, to issue a revision to recent COVID-19 related guidance that will explicitly include all construction workers as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers.” The absence of the word “construction” from many of the critical infrastructure workforces described in the guidance has become problematic as many state and local governments appear to be overlooking the memorandum and evaluating only the descriptions included under the various listed critical infrastructure workforces. In the few instances where construction is noted or, perhaps, implicitly referenced in the list,…