ABC Commends White House Infrastructure Plan's Regulatory Streamlining, Workforce Development Expansion Goals

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) President and CEO Michael D. Bellaman issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s infrastructure proposal:

“ABC applauds the president for sending Congress a plan to rebuild America’s infrastructure. It is now time for lawmakers to develop legislation and policy to efficiently modernize America’s infrastructure and drive economic growth and prosperity for all Americans.
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ABC CEO Mike Bellaman Appears on the Fox Business Network to Discuss Apprenticeship Expansion

ABC President and CEO Mike Bellaman made a live appearance on Fox Business Network's "Varney & Co." show on October 17th. The one-on-one interview focused on the U.S. Department of Labor's Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion that Bellaman was appointed to the day before. Watch a clip of Bellaman's appearance here.

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ABC Supports Betsy DeVos’ Confirmation as Secretary of Education

On Jan. 9, ABC sent a letter to Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) to encourage the swift confirmation of Betsy DeVos as the next United States Secretary of Education. Read the rest of entry »

Final Rule Issued on Revising EEO Framework for National Apprenticeship Act

On Dec. 19, 2016, the Employment and Training Administration issued a final rule updating the equal employment opportunity regulations that implement the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 by amending 29 CFR Part 30. Current regulations prohibit discrimination in registered apprenticeship programs on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, and sex. The final rule updates the equal employment opportunity standards to include age (40 or older), genetic information, sexual orientation and disability among the protected base that cannot be discriminated against. Read the rest of entry »

Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 21– Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today released its annual update to “Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard,” which reviews and grades state-specific policies and information significant to the success of the commercial and industrial construction industry. The scorecard highlights states that have created a free enterprise-based environment where merit shop contractors are well positioned to succeed and calls attention to states where strategic improvements need to be made.
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ABC of Michigan-Supported Apprenticeship Ratio Reform Signed Into Law

ABC of Michigan secured an important victory for electricians when Gov. Rick Snyder (R-Mich.) signed industry-backed Public Act 73  of 2016 on April 5. ABC of Michigan advocated for the legislation, which will increase the ratio from one to three apprentices per one journeyman electrician through an amendment of the Electrical Administrative Act. State Rep. Amanda Price (R-Holland) introduced the bill in January in response to a court decision in 2008 that lifted an injunction and cleared the way for a one-to-one ratio to be implemented.  Read the rest of entry »

ABC Submits Comments on Proposed DOL Apprenticeship Rule

On Jan. 20, ABC submitted comments in response to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration proposed rule which seeks to update the equal opportunity regulations that implement the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 by amending 29 CFR Part 30. Current regulations prohibit discrimination in registered apprenticeship programs on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, and sex. The proposed rule updates the equal opportunity standards to include age (40 or older), genetic information, sexual orientation and disability among the protected base that cannot be discriminated against. The proposal also requires sponsors to take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in the registered apprenticeship programs. Read the rest of entry »

Persuader Rule and Overtime Requirements Top the DOL’s Regulatory Agenda

In addition to the OSHA and federal contracting regulations, the latest regulatory agenda, released Nov. 21, outlines the Department of Labor’s (DOL) plan to move forward with the controversial persuader rule and overtime requirements among other important rules affecting the construction industry.
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Find Out Why WIOA Becoming Law is Huge News for ABC Members

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law July 22 and has the potential to create great opportunities for ABC members who have been looking for skilled workers to fill the labor shortage. Here’s how it directly affects ABC members: Read the rest of entry »

DOL’s Latest Regulatory Agenda Highlights Apprenticeship, Affirmative Action, Overtime

In addition to providing updates on numerous OSHA rulemakings and the controversial proposal to narrow the “advice” exemption for persuaders and other labor relations advisors, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released updated timeframes for pending rules addressing apprenticeship, affirmative action and the classification of independent contractors. In addition, the agency laid out for the first time its plan to issue a new proposed rule regarding overtime eligibility.

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