Author: Crystal Yates
Join us in Phoenix, AZ, October 21–23, 2026 for the AGC Workforce & HR Conference, the premier gathering for HR, training, and workforce development leaders in construction. This year’s agenda will tackle some of the most pressing workforce challenges facing the industry through sessions on: Alongside these critical topics for recruitment, retention, and leadership development, you will be able to connect with peers from across the country through networking opportunities and facilitated conversation led by industry leaders. Register by September 5 to lock in current rates before prices increase, and don’t forget to book your hotel by September 29! For…
Federal officials just finalized three separate rules that impact the affirmative action compliance obligations and reporting requirements that federal contractors have followed for decades. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) initially proposed these rules last summer and published final versions of them in the Federal Register on August 21. Together they will impact nearly every federal contractor and subcontractor in the country – an estimated 118,000 businesses employing roughly one-fifth of the U.S. workforce. One sweeping rule wipes out an entire regulatory framework, another strips out data collection obligations, and the third is mostly a legal clean-up job. Here’s what…
The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its Temporary Protected Status (TPS) guidance following the Supreme Court’s June 25, 2026, decision, which allows the agency to move forward with certain TPS terminations and limits judicial review of most termination decisions. Employees working under TPS-based employment authorization may be affected by new expiration dates and reverification requirements. Information can be found on the following pages: Workforce shortages remain a significant challenge for construction employers, and changes affecting TPS workers could further impact labor availability. Construction employers should identify affected employees, track reverification deadlines, and consult…
On Aug. 3, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed revisions to the federal permit for stormwater discharges associated with construction activities. EPA’s Construction General Permit (CGP) serves as a nationwide model or template for state permits. Public comments are due Sept. 17, please share your concerns with AGC of America by Aug. 21. AGC and its coalition partners requested an extension to the comment period immediately upon publication of the proposed 2027 CGP. An extension will not prevent EPA from issuing the new permit on schedule. The current permit expires on Feb. 17, 2027. (Update: EPA extended…
According to the latest Contractor Compensation Quarterly (CCQ) published by PAS, Inc., contractors are projecting 2026 construction staff wages to increase an average of 3.94%, as reported by over 335 companies in the 44rd edition of the Construction/Construction Management Staff Salary Survey. Typically, projected increases are higher by year end, so there is a chance pay will end the year slightly higher. For pay increase comparison – according to WorldatWork, across all industries, exempt professionals saw 2025 increases of 3.6% with initial projected 2026 increases of 3.6%. Jeff Robinson with PAS will be presenting again this year at the AGC Construction Workforce…
We’re excited to announce that the agenda for the 2026 AGC Construction Workforce & HR Conference is now live! Join hundreds of your peers in Phoenix this October for three days of practical strategies, real-world case studies, and the peer connections that turn today’s toughest workforce and HR challenges into tomorrow’s solutions. Agenda highlights include: With dedicated Workforce and HR tracks, networking experiences, and a closing regional spotlight on workforce innovation from across the country, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise, stay ahead of industry trends, or connect with fellow leaders, start planning your experience…
On July 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued two companion opinion letters addressing when an employee’s commute and pre-shift activities count as compensable “hours worked” under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and offering unusual detail on how the WHD analyzes compensability. Quick Hits The letters, FLSA2026-9 and FLSA2026-10, are timely for employers managing hybrid and remote work arrangements, as well as those with field-based or dispatch workers who start their day at home. The letters are also notable for their depth, tracing the “hours worked” concept through the FLSA’s early history,…
AGC of America and its co-plaintiffs achieved a major victory on June 24, 2026, when a federal court vacated three provisions of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) 2023 Davis-Bacon regulatory reform that AGC had challenged as exceeding the agency’s authority. The ruling resolves a nearly three-year legal effort to prevent the expansion of Davis-Bacon requirements beyond the scope authorized by Congress. The lawsuit – filed in 2023 by AGC of America, AGC of Texas, J. Lee Milligan, Inc., and the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce – challenged provisions of the Biden Administration’s rule that sought to extend Davis-Bacon coverage to…
A new Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC) Settlements Report shows union construction wage and benefit increases remain at historically elevated levels in 2026, with newly negotiated collective bargaining agreements averaging a 4.9% first-year total package increase through the first half of the year. That marks an increase from 4.7% in 2025 and represents the fifth consecutive year that first-year settlements have averaged at least 4.0%. The average first-year increase reached $3.36 per hour, up from $3.13 in 2025. While inflation has moderated, contractors continue to experience sustained labor cost growth as bargaining settlements remain well above pre-pandemic levels. The report…
The newly released “Unified Agenda” outlines which regulatory initiatives the federal agencies will advance in the near term including on Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The agencies intend to complete several streamlining and reform efforts begun last year as well as new actions that are relevant to the construction industry. AGC of America looks at both in this article. Finalizing in 2026AGC expects to see final versions of several rules on which we submitted feedback during the proposal process. Future RulemakingsAGC will be tracking and potentially commenting on several new initiatives related to…