Author: agcnews
AGC of America submitted a joint amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court on September 4, joining forces with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups. The brief urges the Court to reverse a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that dramatically expands the scope of environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). AGC warns that the D.C. Circuit’s decision, if left in place, would set a dangerous precedent, forcing government agencies to evaluate environmental impacts far beyond their regulatory scope, creating unnecessary hurdles for construction projects across the country. The…
On September 6, 2024, President Biden signed an Executive Order on Investing in America and Investing in Americans (“Good Jobs” EO) directing federal agencies to prioritize and incentivize companies that adhere to a list of labor standards when awarding federal funds. The order goes beyond already existing minimum wage, PLA and paid sick leave requirements, as agencies will now be tasked with considering companies that promote union organizing, offer child and dependent care, provide health insurance, paid leave and retirement benefits, participate in registered apprenticeships and prioritize safety practices. Specifically, the EO calls on agencies to adopt the following labor standards: Several…
The 39th annual Construction Super Conference is headed to the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, from December 9-11, 2024. The premier event designed specifically for mid- to senior-level professionals who deal with legal and risk management issues in construction. ConsensusDocs is a proud sponsor of the marquee conference. Mark your calendars for a comprehensive experience that will provide you with the knowledge, resources, and networking opportunities to tackle today’s industry challenges head-on. The Construction Super Conference is more than just a series of lectures—it’s an immersive experience that equips you with actionable insights and practical tools. Walk away armed with information and resources crucial for navigating the…
As the title says, it’s not too late to begin an application for an AGC Awards Program! We strongly encourage AGC member companies in good standing who meet the competition requirements to apply online for some much-deserved recognition for their outstanding projects. The Baldwin Group Build America Awards (including the Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence category) and AGC in the Community competitions recognize the nation’s most impressive construction projects ranging across the building, highway and transportation, utility infrastructure, and federal and heavy divisions; those contractors excelling in their partnering and collaborative endeavors; and the charitable contractors and chapters giving back to their communities. The AGC Diversity…
The construction sector added 34,000 jobs in August while the industry’s unemployment rate fell to 3.2 percent, the lowest August rate in the 25-year history of the data, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials noted that the unemployment rate and the results of a recently released workforce survey conducted by the association and Arcoro indicate that firms would likely have hired more workers if only they could find qualified people. “Construction job growth was the strongest in five months in August,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But the record-low unemployment…
On September 4, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched an online tool that allows users to search the agency’s severe injury report database and view trends related to workplace injuries occurring in states covered by federal OSHA. The Severe Injury Report dashboard allows users to search and download data by year, industry, state, establishment name, and Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System codes. The dashboard includes information on all severe injuries reported by employers covered under federal OSHA since 2015. A brief instructional video is available to demonstrate how to use the dashboard. Visit OSHA’s Severe Injury Reports webpage for more information.
Next week the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate are set to return from their August recess and will immediately begin debate on funding the federal government before current funding expires at the end of September. As AGC has previously reported, this is one of the last must pass items on the agenda ahead of the November elections. A new policy debate emerges. House Republicans are looking to tie any proposal to fund the federal government, at current levels for six months, with legislation that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in a federal election. Can that actually…
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and September 9 – 13 is Construction Suicide Prevention Week, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the unique challenges we face in the construction industry that can impact mental health and increase the risk of suicide, as well as strategies to reduce these risks and save lives. To access resources and register to participate, visit constructionsuicideprevention.com. In addition, we encourage you to browse the wealth of information available through the AGC Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Task Force to help you and your teams make the most of National Suicide Prevention Month – Employer Best Practices Guide, Mental Health and…
On August 30, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officially published their proposed standard addressing heat illness in outdoor and indoor settings in the Federal Register. The proposed rule would require employers to evaluate their workplaces and implement controls to mitigate exposure to heat through engineering and administrative controls, training, effective communication, and other measures. Specific provisions include: The rule also provides certain exemptions, including short-duration exposures, emergency response activities, telework, and workplaces that are kept below 80 degrees. OSHA has given a 120-day comment period with a deadline of December 30, 2024. AGC will continue to review the proposed…
Construction spending slid 0.3 percent from June to July, pulled down by declines in private residential and nonresidential construction, according to an analysis of a new government report that the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials said their newly released workforce survey indicates the decreases are attributable in part to a shortage of skilled workers, and they called on the federal government to increase support for programs to prepare more workers for construction careers. “Nearly all spending categories show increases from a year ago but have fluctuated in recent months,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Our workforce…