Author: agcnews

Construction employment increased in 32 states in January compared to both December and January 2019, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials said that the data was collected well before the coronavirus began to impact the economy and that construction employment levels are likely to decline beginning in March as the virus impacts many parts of the economy. “The construction industry began 2020 with widespread employment gains, although fewer states had increases than in 2019,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Exceptionally mild winter weather in many…

AGC’s Lean Construction Forum Steering Committee Chairman Scott Green, Manager of Construction Technology at Tarlton Corporation extended the baton at last weeks’ annual Convention to Jason Schneider, Partner, Director of Project Management at VJS Construction Services, Inc. for the 2020-2022 term. Jason Schneider has been part of the VJS team for over 18 years, starting as an intern at VJS while attending MSOE and was named a partner with VJS in 2015. Throughout the years, Jason has demonstrated himself as a leader in all aspects of VJS’ development including leadership, strategic growth, client development and a commitment to advancing VJS’ brand of…

For the second year in a row, AGC of America’s Business Development Forum, partnered with The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), to offer free one-on-one BD “Check-Ups” for AGC Convention attendees to review and offer guidance on their BD and marketing related efforts. Subject matter experts from across the nation were paired with attendees to answer questions and challenges relating to BD planning, sales, proposals, client presentations, branding, brochures, websites, social media, and more. The BD Check-Ups were held in-person from 9:30 am to 11:30 am Tuesday and Wednesday March 10 & 11, 2020 and Convention attendees were thrilled with…

At the AGC Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Building Division by acclimation elected Robert (Bob) Majerus as Chairman for 2020-2021.  Bob is a graduate of Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and has a Law Degree from the University of Notre Dame. He joined Hensel Phelps in 2006 and serves as Vice President and General Counsel, Bob has overall responsibility for contractual and legal matters for the Greeley, Colorado-based organization. Prior to joining Hensel Phelps, Bob was a trial attorney for a private law firm. He began his career with Hensel Phelps as Associate General Counsel before…

Autodesk Construction Solutions and the Associated General Contractors of America are awarding grants to 21 construction firms to provide more than 300 fall protection safety harnesses designed for women, the two groups announced today. The grants are designed to address one of the most significant safety hazards for construction craft professionals and recruit more women into high-paying construction careers. “We recognize the need for more women to join the construction industry to help fill the labor gap, and keeping them as safe as possible must be top priority,” said Allison Scott, director at Autodesk Construction Solutions. “For three hundred women in construction,…

The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) has issued a final rule changing the standard for when one company may be deemed a joint employer of another company’s employees. Like the proposed rule, the final rule establishes that a company is a joint employer if it actually exercises substantial direct and immediate control over essential terms and conditions of employment. However, consistent with AGC of America’s comments to the proposed rule, the final rule adds clarification as to what constitutes “substantial direct and immediate control,” “essential terms and conditions of employment,” and other key terms. A finding of joint-employer status is significant, as…

As of March 5, a majority of federal agencies, including the Department of Labor (DOL) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have launched guidance portals in accordance with a pair of executive orders (EO 13891 and EO 13892). These measures, signed by President Trump in October 2019, intend to reduce the impact of agency guidance the White House believes has become a back-door means of regulation. The orders target significant guidance that could have the potential to impact the economy, the environment, public health, or state, local, or tribal communities. Such guidance is supposed to be—but often isn’t—reviewed first by the Office of Management and Budget…

AGC’s 2020 Construction HR & Training Professionals Conference and pre-conference Federal Construction HR Workshop will be held on October 7-9, 2020, at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch in St. Louis, MO. The conference will offer unique opportunities for HR, training, and workforce development professionals in the construction industry. For training professionals, the conference will offer sessions related to the most cutting-edge techniques currently in the industry and envisioned for the future in training, education and workforce development. For HR professionals, the conference will help attendees stay up to date and compliant with employment laws and best practices.…

On Feb. 27, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released for public comment a draft of its general permit to regulate stormwater discharges from most industrial activities. Construction companies that perform activities associated with cement or concrete manufacturing, asphalt paving, minerals mining, or landfill operations will all likely be impacted by changes to EPA’s Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). The MSGP applies where EPA is the permitting authority and sets the standard for related general permits issued by states. AGC is working with a coalition to submit comments to EPA in advance of the deadline. EPA will take comments on the draft MSGP…

On Feb. 24, AGC CEO Steve Sandherr, along with other national business leaders, spoke at a press briefing on the need to streamline the environmental review process for projects that require federal approval in order to unlock American investment in modern, efficient infrastructure while advancing good environmental stewardship. On Feb. 25, AGC presented the same message at the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) public hearing on proposed regulations out for public comment that would update the rules implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The proposed NEPA reforms would set shorter timelines for completing environmental impact reviews as well as clear up ambiguous wording and definitions…