Author: Crystal Yates
Recent federal immigration enforcement changes have significantly increased compliance risks for construction employers. In March 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revised its Form I-9 inspection guidance, reclassifying many errors that were previously treated as technical into substantive violations. In many cases, employers no longer have an opportunity to correct these errors during an ICE I-9 audit. For contractors and subcontractors operating in high-turnover, multi-site environments, these changes materially increase exposure to audits, fines, and project disruption. This two-part webinar series provides practical, construction-focused guidance to help employers understand the new enforcement landscape and strengthen their I-9 and E-Verify…
Looking to tackle your biggest construction HR & workforce challenges? There’s no better place than the Construction HR & Workforce Conference! After yet another successful conference in 2025, we’re once again combining the best elements of a few AGC events to facilitate even better conversations between folks in construction HR and workforce development. The agenda is live as well. Here’s a preview of what will be covered: The Construction Workforce & HR Conference will focus on the intersection of HR and workforce development in our industry. The program will feature a multi-track educational program that includes sessions focused on HR…
Designed for construction industry individuals involved in collective bargaining, this intensive program provides practical training on the full bargaining process—from legal fundamentals and bargaining preparation to communications strategies, mediation, impasse procedures, and managing difficult negotiations. Led by one of the construction industry’s leading labor attorneys, the course will equip participants with proven strategies, real-world insights, and practical tools to help achieve better outcomes at the bargaining table. The program is ideal for those new to labor negotiations, as well as experienced negotiators looking for a refresher or seeking to sharpen their skills. Space is limited. Get additional information and register…
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division issued four opinion letters on May 28 answering real-world questions about employer practices and whether they comply with federal wage and hour law. These responses are specific to scenarios submitted by employers, employees, and other organizations, but the answers provide employers with a roadmap for compliance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). A word of caution: the guidance is limited to interpretation of the FLSA and does not impact state law in jurisdictions that have more robust wage and hour laws. Here’s what the DOL had to say…
Two 2026 Build America Award-winning projects are demonstrating how construction firms are helping communities address environmental challenges while delivering lasting benefits. AGC congratulates Manson Construction and Sundt-Davila for their achievements under the Build America Award’s “environmental enhancement” category. In Louisiana, Manson Construction Co. earned the top Build America Award in the Environmental Enhancement category for the LaBranche Marsh Creation project near Norco (pictured above). Working for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the team restored more than 1,200 acres of wetlands in southeastern Louisiana by dredging and placing more than 6.2 million cubic yards of material to rebuild marshland lost…
AGC of America participated in a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) engagement session on managing and using soils that have low concentrations of regulated per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). AGC highlighted the need for EPA to establish background levels and handling guidelines. At the EPA session, AGC and multiple member companies discussed practical concerns when contractors encounter soils with low concentrations of PFAS on projects (see AGC talking points). Contractors are experiencing increased costs on projects associated with managing PFAS including professional fees, insurance coverage, and disposal. Landfills for hazardous waste are limited and not sufficient for disposing of large…
Join your peers this summer for a series of discussions on sustainability and environmental compliance at AGC of America’s national headquarters (Arlington, Virginia) on July 21-23. Participants will be able to choose which roundtable meetings they would like to attend (i.e., sustainability, compliance, or both). Registration is now open. July 21 – Environmental Committee Meeting – Reserved for current and past committee members for their annual business meetings and discussions with federal regulatory agency staff. (Recruitment for the Environmental Committee begins mid-August.) July 22 – In-House Environmental Managers Meeting – Full Day Meeting – Forum for environmental professionals working in house at construction firms to have…
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has announced additional resources designed to help small businesses navigate compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) while balancing limited time and resources. What’s new: WHD advises that these resources can help employers: For more information on WHD resources and collaboration with businesses, visit the Wage and Hour Division or call 1-866-4US-WAGE. For AGC-provided resources on these and other employment topics, visit Labor & HR Topical Resources section of its website. To access the resources, you must be logged in with AGC-member credentials.
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has partnered with the National Immigration Forum to offer a citizenship and immigration support portal. The portal provides two key services: it offers employees of member firms and their immediate family members a way to find out if they qualify for citizenship and if so, help in completing their application. In addition, the portal provides employees of members firms and their immediate family members with questions about their legal status can use the service’s helpdesk to verify their status and connect with immigration service providers. Further details on the process and the following AGC…
AGC of America will offer Collective Bargaining Training on October 15 and 16, 2026, in Chicago, IL. This targeted educational opportunity will bring together AGC chapter labor relations staff and AGC-member construction contractors for an expanded, expert-led course designed to help management negotiators arrive at the bargaining table well prepared and leave with better outcomes. The agenda includes the full spectrum of collective bargaining – from legal fundamentals to advanced strategies for managing conflict, communications, mediation, and impasse. Led by a leading labor attorney for the industry, the program will deliver practical tools, real-world insights, and proven approaches for navigating…