Author: agcnews
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently ruled that Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Fund may continue its lawsuit against Transervice Logistics, Inc. and Zenith Logistics, Inc. seeking allegedly outstanding pension fund contributions. The case examined two consolidated appeals, each involving a nearly identical collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between each employer and a union, and trust agreements between each employer and the plaintiff fund. The court was asked to determine whether the employers were required to maintain contributions to a multiemployer pension plan pursuant to so-called “evergreen clauses” that renewed the CBAs each year unless timely terminated.…
Join AGC Charities and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada for a community painting project at the Reynolds Clubhouse on Sunday, March 12, 2023! This event offers a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to come together and make a positive impact on the local community. Participants will help revitalize the clubhouse, creating a brighter, more welcoming environment for the children who attend. Whether you’re an experienced painter or a first-timer, your efforts will contribute to enhancing the space where young people can learn, grow, and thrive. Don’t miss out on this chance to give back and connect with others…
On February 16, AGC weighed in on a proposed rule that would create new and onerous greenhouse gas reporting requirements for virtually every federal construction contractor. On February 16, AGC submitted extensive regulatory comments on a proposed rule (FAR Case 2021-015) that would create new and onerous greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting requirements for virtually every direct federal construction contractor (contractors who work on federal agency contracts—Army Corps, General Services Administration, etc.—at the prime or subcontractor level). The rule does not apply to federal-aid transportation contracts issued by state departments of transportation. The proposed rule introduces two new categorizes for federal contractors, “significant contractors” and…
On February 15, AGC participated in the FHWA virtual summit for Every Day Counts (EDC) on environmental product declarations to provide the contractors’ perspective on delivering sustainable infrastructure. On February 15, AGC participated in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) virtual summit for Every Day Counts (EDC). The summit provided participants an opportunity to learn about the seven initiatives featured in this cycle of EDC. EDC is a State-based model that identifies and rapidly deploys proven, yet underutilized innovations to improve safety for all users, shorten the project delivery process, create an equitable transportation system, and build sustainable and resilient infrastructure. AGC participated in the initiative on…
Contractors encountered a wide range of price changes for key construction inputs in January, with steep increases for fuel, concrete, and gypsum products offsetting sharp declines in lumber and steel prices, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials said a lack of clarity from officials in Washington as to what materials may be used on federally assisted projects is adding to price disparities. “Producer price indexes for construction inputs moderated over the past year but many items increased again in January,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “With demand shifting…
Prefabrication continues to grow in usage and impact. It is a hybrid of construction and manufacturing. Also, prefabrication includes on-site and off-site performance requirements. As such, several interesting legal issues arise that must be addressed contractually. Consequently, ConsensusDocs has just published the ConsensusDocs 253 Standard Agreement Between an Owner and Prefabricator. The ConsensusDocs 253 is based upon the risk allocation principles in the ConsensusDocs 200 Standard Owner/Constructor Agreement and General Terms and Conditions. This new document empowers an Owner to contract directly with the Prefabricator with an off-the-shelf best practices standard agreement. The agreement presumes the most common type of prefabrication, in…
AGC Charities and the local Construction Leadership Council will be hosting a volunteer day event at a local Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada facility which serves the youth that walk through the doors each day – more than 85 young people. The local facility, Donald W. Reynolds Club, features a games room, learning zone, computer lab, art room, gym with three full basketball courts, teen center, Notes for Notes Studio and outdoor area with a garden. Our volunteer efforts will be mainly focused on painting the facility’s gym, which is roughly about 100 by 200 feet and the…
Traumatic Brain Injuries are responsible for 25 percent of all construction fatalities, and many life-altering injuries. With this information and emerging technology, many contractors are considering the transition from the traditional brim hardhat to a chin-strap safety helmet. Joining on this episode to talk about their respective companies journey in this transition, include Seth Randall of Clark Construction, and Jamie Dabbs of TD Industries. Subscribe to AGC’s ConstructorCast on your podcast app, or stream all available episodes online at agc.org/ConstructorCast
Construction firms added 25,000 employees in January and raised wages for hourly workers more steeply than other sectors, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data. Association officials said the industry was benefitting from relatively strong demand for construction projects as firms struggle to fill available positions in the sector. “Construction employment and pay gains outpaced the economy as a whole in the past year, showing that demand for projects remains strong,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “In fact, most contractors would like to hire even more workers and are raising pay in…
On Jan. 31, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a controversial decision to block or “veto” a Clean Water Act section 404 permit for the Pebble Mine in Alaska. Last year, AGC raised concerns that EPA’s preemptive veto of the permit would set a harmful precedent for future projects working through the permitting and/or appeals process and have a chilling effect on infrastructure development. The permit in question was undergoing an administrative appeal (still pending) following the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ denial. In the 2022 letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, AGC joined other industry groups in urging EPA to…