NLRB effects rule expediting union representation elections

Source: Associate Builders and Contractors, Arlington, Va.

A controversial final rule issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in December 2011 that overhauls procedures for union representation elections became effective on April 30. Under the rule, commonly known as the “ambush” elections rule, the amount of time between when a union files a representation petition and an election takes place is reduced from the current average of around 40 days to as few as 17–20 days.

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Town elevates commercial, industrial, residential buildings’ masonry cladding targets

Source: Texas Masonry Council, Cedar Park

As Central Texas experiences what many predict will continue to be a stormy spring, Cedar Park, Texas, has adopted standards for new construction, which officials hope will better protect its citizens and the tax base, according to the Texas Masonry Council. The Cedar Park City Council has voted to raise minimum masonry requirements for new industrial and commercial buildings and for some new residential units. At its regular meeting on April 12, 2012, the Council voted 5-1 in favor of the new masonry standards.

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After seven down years, modest cement consumption for 2012 forecast

Source: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.

Stronger than expected job creation and the beginning of a construction industry recovery means gains in real construction spending will materialize this year—after seven years of consecutive declines. According to the new forecast from PCA, increases in cement consumption will follow. PCA revised its fall forecast upward from 1.1 percent, to a modest 3.7 percent increase in 2012, followed by a 7.6 percent jump in 2013 and a 14.1 percent surge in 2014.

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Cemex leads Cement Industry Environment and Energy Awards

Source: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.

Four cement plants received special recognition for their commitment to improving the environment and their communities at the 11th Annual Cement Industry Environment and Energy Awards, sponsored by PCA and Concrete Products‘ sister publication Cement Americas at the association’s recent spring meeting in Chicago. Of the six total top awards, Cemex’s Louisville facility took three, including one for Overall Environmental Excellence.

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CTS prevails in decade-long Ultimax patent litigation

CTS Cement Manufacturing Corp., Cypress, Calif.

Putting an end to a 10-year-old patent litigation brought by Ultimax, Hassan Kunbargi, Heartland Cement Sales Company and the K.A. Group against CTS Cement Manufacturing, manufacturers of Rapid Set Cement, its Chairman Edward K. Rice, and a number of CTS customers, Judge Andrew J. Guilford of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled that Rice and CTS have a shop right in the patent they allegedly infringed.

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Court blocks NLRB rule on April 30 posting of union-organizing tips

Sources: Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Washington, D.C.; CP staff

ABC applauds a U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit injunction amid proceedings challenging the NLRB’s rule for private sector employers to post by month’s end “Notification of Employee Rights,” an 11- x 17-in. notice on National Labor Relations Act union-organizing and collective bargaining provisions.

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