Author: Crystal Yates

Immediately after assuming office on Jan. 20, 2025, Pres. Trump began issuing numerous executive orders. While they may not immediately impact business immigration, many of them presage changes in the business immigration landscape. The following is an analysis of several of these executive orders from that perspective: While these orders do not have an immediate impact on business immigration, they may cause an increase in administrative costs for companies with foreign workers and create retention challenges for companies. Editor’s Note: This article was written by Dillon Colucci and Rebecca B. Schechter of the law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and reprinted with permission.

According to the latest Contractor Compensation Quarterly (CCQ) published by PAS, Inc., construction support staff wages are to rise by an average 4.2%. The prediction is based on data gathered from over 252 companies in the 21st edition of PAS’s Construction Support Staff Salary Survey. This is down from the actual increase of 4.7% for 2023. Looking forward, PAS thinks 2025 support staff increases will likely mimic 2024 activity, unless construction conditions change. Additionally, according to PAS’s 2024 Benefit Survey, more firms have improved their benefit programs than have reduced them. In 2024, the percentage of firms improving their benefit…

Many federal contractors and subcontractors have long been required to create affirmative action plans and have also promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion – practices that some see as necessary to create equal employment opportunities and others criticize as discriminatory. President Trump quickly delivered on his promise to unravel such programs late last night by revoking an executive order that mandated certain aspects of the affirmative action requirements, barring “illegal” DEI programs, and signing an executive order that promotes “colorblind equality” and merit-based opportunity. While there are still many unanswered questions about this new direction – and legal challenges are expected…

President Trump just issued a far-reaching executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in not only the federal government but also the private sector. The order directs federal agencies to “combat illegal private-sector DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities” and to encourage private employers to instead implement the Trump administration’s policy of “individual initiative, excellence, and hard work.” While the order creates many unanswered questions and will likely face legal challenges, this Insight will explain what private employers need to know about these new federal anti-DEI initiatives and what you should do now. 5 Takeaways for Private-Sector…

In the final days of the administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a flurry of approved waivers for California to enact stringent emissions standards for on-road and off-road vehicles. Two waivers remain to be approved, impacting locomotives and fleets. EPA waivers for California have nationwide implications as other states are then able to adopt California’s standards. AGC also anticipates direct costs for engines/equipment and supply chain implications. President-elect Trump has signaled disapproval of the waiver for California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulations—indicating that the incoming administration will attempt to reverse the decision. That waiver is also the…

The 2025 AGC Annual Convention is set to take place in Columbus, OH, from April 8-10, 2025, and it’s packed with specialized programming for union contractors and their chapter staff. Don’t miss the chance to hear from industry-leading professionals at the following sessions: With enhanced union contractor focus conveniently built into the convention’s other exceptional educational sessions, networking opportunities, keynote presentations, and trade show, the 2025 Convention is an essential event for construction professionals with an interest in labor relations. For more information on the union contractor sessions, contact Jim Young.

Highlights The National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB or Board) decision in Endurance Environmental Solutions, LLC will make it more difficult for employers to unilaterally make workplace changes without first bargaining with their workers’ union, even when they seek to act under the authority of a negotiated management rights clause in a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The ruling replaces the “contract coverage” standard from a 2019 Board decision, under which employers could unilaterally change working conditions if the change is “within the compass or scope” of contract language. “We find that the contract coverage test adopted in [2019] undermines the [National Labor Relations…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed to expand a refuge in Georgia, jeopardizing a nearby mining project that is moving through the state permitting process. The project already has faced significant regulatory uncertainty from federal agencies, and the proposed refuge expansion appears to be another effort to stop the project. With national refuges in all 50 states, projects nationwide could face similar challenges in the future. AGC joined in with other industry groups to decry this precedent.   In October, the FWS proposed to expand the boundary of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to encompass the nearby mining…

Over the last year, the White House Office of Management and Budget has been reevaluating public engagement in the rulemaking process. In February and again this November, AGC urged the administration to strengthen, not limit, public engagement and provide adequate time for feedback—making the case for the valuable knowledge and expertise that trade associations and their members bring to the table. The regulated community is a key stakeholder to the rulemaking process. However, the White House has sought to limit how often requesters can meet with regulators. The comments recommend that government policymakers recognize industry trade associations as members of…

The AGC Contract Documents Forum and the AGC Construction Law and Operations Committee will hold a virtual Town Hall meeting. We will have an open discussion about mixing and matching different standard contract documents (and bespoke contracts) at the prime and subcontract levels. There will be a micro presentation on tariffs and how they might impact private and public contracts, followed by a discussion on how you might address this issue contractually. The AGC Construction Law Committee will share subcommittee activities and announce volunteer opportunities, including one for progressive design-build.  Register here.