Author: agcnews

Eighty-Nine Percent of Contractors Are Having a Hard Time Finding Craft Workers, While 88 Percent of Firms Are Experiencing Project Delays and 93 Percent Are Affected by Rising Materials Prices Construction firms are struggling to find enough qualified workers to hire even as they continue to be impacted by pandemic-induced project delays and supply chain disruptions, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk. The survey results underscore how the coronavirus pandemic has created constraints on the demand for work even as it limits the number of workers available to hire. “Market…

Contractors may have millions of dollars of equipment, tools and materials stored on their job sites. On this episode, John Wallen of HUB International discusses how to position your firm to best manage the risk of theft. That includes being aware of the coverage details of your insurance policies, taking a multi-layered approach to keeping sites secure and deterring theft, and considering “Internet of Things” (IoT)-based solutions. Also hear tips and best practices on filing a theft report and insurance claim. Guest:John Wallen CPCU, Vice President at HUB International, Wisconsin Construction Industry Practice Leaderwww.hubinternational.com Resources:Best Practices for Deterring Crime at…

Long Requested New Selection Methodology Also Finally Published The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has published the latest Corporate Scheduling Announcement List (CSAL) for construction contractors, which is comprised of 400 federal contractors, federally assisted contractors and subcontractors. After years and multiple requests from AGC of America, OFCCP has also finally released the methodology for developing the list as well as frequently asked questions (FAQs) where answers to other matters related to the topic are included. The CSAL is a courtesy notification providing contractors at least 45-days advance notice to prepare for the compliance evaluation. OFCCP encourages contractors to take advantage of…

Construction Officials Note Spending Figures Foreshadow New Data the Association is Releasing Tomorrow Shoring the Ongoing Impacts of the Coronavirus on the Construction Workforce and Demand Total construction spending ticked up from June to July, as gains in residential and public construction offset a dip in private nonresidential projects, according to a new analysis of federal construction spending data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Officials noted, however, that challenges remain for the industry, particularly because of continuing problems with coronavirus flare-ups and supply-chain disruptions. “Although nonresidential construction is no longer in free fall, many categories face continuing…

Seattle-Bellevue-Everett and Waterbury, Conn. Top Lists of Metros with Year-over-Year Employment Gains; Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J., Evansville, Ind.-Ky. Lose the Most Three-fourths of all metro areas added construction jobs between July 2020 and last month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today. Association officials noted that while many metro areas have added jobs since last summer, construction employment still lags pre-pandemic levels in many areas as the industry faces a host of challenges. “The rapid spread of the delta variant of coronavirus, along with soaring materials costs and multiple supply-chain…

The 2021 CLC Leadership Development Conference (LDC) was held in Chicago, IL August 11-13. Co-hosted by AGC of America and the Chicagoland AGC. The event brought together over 250 emerging construction leaders from across the country in various construction sectors to network, learn and share. The conference featured important session topics like cybersecurity, team building & growing leadership, communication strategies, and CLC best practices roundtables. A highlight of the event was the dinner cruise on the Odyssey Lake Michigan. Conference attendees networked with industry peers with breathtaking Chicago views and perfect weather. Special thanks to Stacey Kelly and all the…

On August 24, the Federal Aviation Administration announced the award of $766 million in airport infrastructure grants to 279 airports as part of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The AIP grant program awards billions of dollars each year for the planning and development of public-use airports across the country. As part of the AGC-supported fiscal year 2021 funding bill, the program received $3.75 billion in federal funding, $400M more than is authorized by the FAA Reauthorization Act. AGC applauds this funding announcement and will continue to support investment in our nation’s airport infrastructure. Click “learn more” to view the announcement and look at an…

Negotiations Underway to Determine What is Actually Included in the Bill On August 24, the House of Representatives passed—on a 220 to 212 party-line vote—a $3.5 trillion budget resolution that advances the legislative process for the enactment of President Biden’s human infrastructure proposal. The House and Senate are trying to pass the bill before the end of September. However, the actual legislative details of exactly what will be included in the human infrastructure bill remain under intense intra-party negotiation among Democrats in both the House and Senate, as no Republican vote is needed to pass this legislation. The new human infrastructure initiatives…

Set a Non-Binding Sept. 27 Deadline; Highway & Transit Programs Expire Sept. 30 On August 24, Speaker Pelosi and several moderate Democrats agreed to pass the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill—formally entitled the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA)—no later than Sept. 27, before federal-aid highway and transit programs expire on Sept. 30. Included in the IIJA is the AGC-supported, record $304 billion, five-year Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act that makes investment in the nation’s highway, road, and bridge programs, representing a 34% increase in spending over current levels of funding. This Sept. 27 agreement came after AGC members sent over 10,000 messages to Capitol Hill…

In a July 21 decision, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board) in Lippert Components, Inc., found that a union did not violate the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) by displaying a 12-foot inflatable rat (known as Scabby the Rat) and two large banners, one targeting a neutral employer, near the public entrance to a trade show. AGC filed an amicus brief in the case in December, urging the Board to change the standard for assessing such displays established during the Obama administration and to find the union’s conduct unlawful. Under that standard, displays of bannering and inflatable rats, even when targeting neutral employers,…