Associated Builders & Contractors – Page 2

Multiemployer pension backstop plan advances on Capitol Hill

August 6, 2019 Concrete News

Sources: Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

Just ahead of its August recess, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act (H.R. 397), with 29 Republicans joining the majority in a 264-169 vote. Advocates argue the measure is needed to protect the pensions of 1.3 million workers in certain multiemployer pension plans (MEPP)—up to half of which cover construction trades participants—and prevent a Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) collapse.

Concrete defies construction input price drop

July 15, 2019 Concrete News

Sources: Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.

An Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index (PPI) data indicates that construction input prices decreased 1.3 percent on both a monthly and year-over-year basis, the latter metric representing the first such occurrence in nearly three years.

Union-endorsed apprenticeship program proposal rattles AGC, ABC

July 9, 2019 Concrete News

Sources: Associated General Contractors of America, Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

A proposal paving the way for associations to play stepped up roles in industry-recognized apprenticeship program (IRAP) development and oversight is drawing criticism from the two leading contractor groups due to its exclusion of construction.

ORGANIZATIONS – FEBRUARY 2019

February 25, 2019 Concrete News

Milwaukee-based Scott Campbell, Ph.D., P.E. is the newest National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Building Promotion team member. As senior vice president of Structures and Codes, he will join colleagues in advancing industry interests through model codes and technical standards, and support state and local advocacy efforts. He will work closely with engineers and architects, code advocates, and legislative specialists to offer technically correct code-related solutions that maintain public safety and increase building resilience. Campbell holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. He moves to NRMCA from Portland Cement Association, where he served as director of Code Technology.

Florida leads ABC Merit Shop index as Michigan climbs, California swoons

December 14, 2018 Concrete News

Sources: Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

The Sunshine State tops the ABC 2018 Merit Shop Scorecard, vaulting from ninth last year on the strength of free enterprise principles, open-competition approach to the construction sector, increased career and technical education opportunities, and job growth rates. Michigan saw the biggest year-over-year improvement in its ranking, rising from 24th to seventh after the repeal of its prevailing wage law, which will foster greater competition and lower construction project costs.

ORGANIZATIONS – AUGUST 2018

August 17, 2018 Concrete News

The American Society for Concrete Contractors will hold its 17th annual conference September 20-23 at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel, Charlotte, N.C. Concrete contractors, manufacturers, designers and other industry professionals will gather for three days of educational events and networking.

Economist confirms largest construction materials price surge in seven years

May 9, 2018 Concrete News

Sources: Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

Prices for inputs to construction materials expanded 1.3 percent in April and are 6.4 percent higher than at the same time one year ago, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The figures are the largest respective month-over-month and year-over-year increases since 2015 and 2011.

Builders renew plea for Trump to level federal contract field, sans PLA mandates

January 30, 2018 Concrete News

Sources: Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), Washington, D.C.; CP staff

ABC and a coalition of construction and business associations continue to urge President Donald Trump to eliminate government-mandated project labor agreements (PLA) on federal and federally assisted projects.

Feds’ Apprenticeship task force light on contractor representation

October 18, 2017 Concrete News

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor; Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta has appointed ABC President Mike Bellaman to the Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion, stemming from an executive order President Donald Trump issued earlier this year with an eye to strengthening the U.S. labor force.

EPA enlists cement, concrete, construction interests in partnership premier

October 5, 2017 Concrete News

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff

The EPA has designated cement and concrete, construction, and iron and steel among 13 regulated industries chartering Smart Sectors, a partnership program whose collaborative approach, agency officials contend, provides an opportunity to pinpoint more forward-thinking ways to protect the environment.