Davis-Bacon updates compound paperwork requirements, prevailing wage spikes

Sources: Associated Builders and Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff Capping a 28-month rulemaking process, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a final rule, Updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulations, which revises prevailing wage calculations and increases paperwork for contractors on federal and federally assisted construction projects.

Read More

Foundation fosters apprenticeships for heavy equipment and truck mechanics

The U.S. Department of Labor has approved the AED Foundation (AEDF) as a Standards Recognition Entity (SRE) for heavy equipment or truck mechanics and service technicians, plus diesel engine specialists. The designation allows it to guide members of Associated Equipment Distributors, Schaumburg, Ill., as they launch Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs.

Read More

Equipment manufacturers propel mechanics apprenticeships

Sources: Associated Equipment Distributors, AEF Foundation, Schaumburg, Ill.; CP staff The U.S. Department of Labor has approved the AED Foundation (AEDF) as a Standards Recognition Entity (SRE) for heavy equipment or truck mechanics and service technicians and diesel engine specialists. The designation allows it to guide Associated Equipment Distributors members as they launch Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs.

Read More

Agency launches program portal for Industry-Recognized Apprenticeships

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP) Standards Recognition Entities (SRE) online application is live. Excepting those in construction trades, the program enables organizations to pursue SRE certification, then develop and administer training for paid apprenticeships in manufacturing and other sectors.

Read More

Merit shops, unions air differences on new apprenticeship programs

The Associated Builders & Contractors weighed in on the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed apprenticeship program rule, which initially excludes the construction industry and military. The proposed rule would establish a process for creating high-quality, industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAP) by organizations that apply to become DOL-recognized Standards Recognition Entities. The agency would not initially accept applications from entities that create “Industry Programs” in construction, because it considers construction a sector that already has significant registered apprenticeship opportunities.

Read More

ABC leads coalition suing agency over union-biased ‘persuader’ rule

A lawsuit Associated Builders & Contractors and other national or state groups have filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas challenges the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) final “persuader rule.” Officially titled Interpretation of the “Advice” Exemption, it revises the definition of what activities constitute “advice” and expands circumstances under which public reporting is required per the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959.

Read More

Contractor-led coalition sues Labor Department over union-biased ‘persuader rule’

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

A lawsuit ABC and other national or state groups have filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas challenges the U.S. Department of Labor’s final “persuader rule,” issued late last month. Officially titled Interpretation of the “Advice” Exemption, it revises the definition of what activities constitute “advice” and expands circumstances under which public reporting is required under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959.

Read More

Construction trades’ unionization rate continues slide

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; CP staff

Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show the percentage of U.S. construction workers belonging to unions dropped from 13.9 in 2014 to 13.2 last year. The figures are based on rank-and-file totals of 968,000 and 940,000 against 2014 and 2015 workforces, respectively, of 6.97 million and 7.1 million. The total percentage of construction workers represented by unions—local or association members plus workers whose jobs are covered by a union contract—was 14.7 and 14.0 for 2014 and 2015.

Read More

ABC quantifies states’ fidelity to merit shop principles

20 Scorecard 400

Associated Builders and Contractors’ new “Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard” reviews and grades state-specific information significant to the success of commercial and industrial construction stakeholders. The meritshopscorecard.org site identifies states that have created an environment where merit shop contractors are well positioned plus those where strategic improvements need to be made in order to create a friendly business climate.

Read More

Builders, Contractors groups challenge proposed overtime requirements

Sources: Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

Associated Builders & Contractors, Associated General Contractors of America and the National Association of Home Builders are representing construction interests in a coalition opposing the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed rulemaking to alter Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime pay requirements with sharp salary threshold spikes.

Read More