5th Circuit Court of Appeals Hears ABC Challenge to NLRB’s “Ambush” Election Final Rule

ABC’s General Counsel, Maury Baskin of Littler Mendelson, Washington, D.C., argued against the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) controversial “ambush” election final rule on March 3. Baskin argued against the rule, also known as Representation-Case Procedures, in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, New Orleans, La. on behalf of ABC of Texas, the Central Texas Chapter of ABC and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). A ruling in the case is expected in the late spring or early summer.  Read the rest of entry »

Federal Contractor Alert: DOL Releases Proposed Rule on Paid Sick Leave

On Feb. 25, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Wage and Hour Division released a proposed rule to implementExecutive Order 13706 requiring certain federal contractors to offer employees up to seven days of paid sick leave annually, including paid leave for family care. 
Read the rest of entry »

Construction Contractors & Obamacare

Date: Thursday, March 10, 2016
Watch Now
Time: 11:00 a.m. (ET) / 10:00 a.m. (CT) / 9:00 a.m. (MT) / 8:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Brian Robertson, Executive Vice President, Fringe Benefit Group
Category: Health Care, AQC  
Presented by ABC's Strategic Partner, Fringe Benefit Group



WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
Fringe Benefit Group and ABC are expanding on their successful partnership to bring all member firms employee benefits solutions specifically designed and built for hourly employee populations. FBG brings ABC member firms government compliance expertise and ease of administration. FBG is responsible for all product quotation, client and member service, billing and premium remittance, online enrollment and eligibility management and more. 

This Webinar will introduce members to The Contractors Plan Total Benefits Solution. ACA compliance and determining if your firm is subject to penalties, and how to avoid them, will be discussed. 
Read the rest of entry »

Why 2016 is the Year to Retire Your Old Project Management System

Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Cory McFarlane, PMP, LEED AP BD+C, Chief Visionary, Pinnacle Construction Support Group, Inc.
Category: Training and Education  
Presented by ABC's National Event Sponsor - Procore

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
Following tech fads, or adopting solutions that are provided by companies that deliver project management software as an afterthought, can cost your company time, money, and possibly jobs. You don’t have the bandwidth to keep solutions hopping. So make 2016 the year you select a project management software that is going to meet your needs today and evolve with your business to meet the needs of tomorrow.

Read the rest of entry »

DOL Releases Guidance Defining Joint Employment

On Jan. 20, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Wage and Hour Division Administrator David Weil released a detailedAdministrator’s Interpretation (AI) and related guidance on the definition of joint employment under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA).
Read the rest of entry »

What Chapters Need to Know About the Enterprise Fleet Management Program

Date: Friday, February 26, 2016
Watch Now
Time: 11:00 a.m. (ET) / 10:00 a.m. (CT) / 9:00 a.m. (MT) / 8:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Joe Stergios, Corporate Business Development Manager, Enterprise Fleet Management
Category:    
WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
Have you signed the Enterprise Fleet Management agreement, but not sure how to begin marketing the program to members? Or interested in learning more about the program? If so, this webinar is for you. In 45 minutes, we will take a deep dive into the the new agreement, marketing and sales opportunities, Enterprise's value proposition and how to grow the program into a lucrative revenue stream.

Read the rest of entry »

The Connected Workplace – Using Emerging Technology Solutions to Transform your Business

Date: Thursday, February 25, 2016
Watch Now
Time: 11:00 a.m. (ET) / 10:00 a.m. (CT) / 9:00 a.m. (MT) / 8:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Jennifer Johanns, Business Development Manager, Verizon Wireless
Category:    
Presented by ABC's Business Partner - Verizon Wireless


WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
Join us for “The Connected Workplace” webinar and discover emerging construction technology solutions to help you transform your business. Learn about construction challenges and trends and how to develop a successful mobile strategy.
Read the rest of entry »

BIM and Laser Scanning Save Time and Reduce Risk

Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: John M. Russo, President / CEO, Architectural Resource Consultants (ARC)
Category: Training and Education  
WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
The built environment is complex.  Designing, constructing and operating buildings without understanding existing conditions is risky. Learn proven methods you can implement today that can save you time, money and reduce risk on your projects.
Read the rest of entry »

AIA Contract Documents: Best Practices for Editing Documents

Date: Thursday, March 1, 2018 Register Now
Time: 3:00 p.m. (ET) / 2:00 p.m. (CT) / 1:00 p.m. (MT) / 12:00 p.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
Attend a live webinar to learn helpful tips and tricks when using the AIA Contract Documents online service, including editing offline, avoiding common formatting issues, setting your document editing preferences, automating project data input, and much more! 

Read the rest of entry »

West Virginia Enacts Prevailing Wage Repeal and Right to Work

On Feb. 12, the West Virginia Legislature voted to override Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s vetoes of  a prevailing wage repeal bill and the West Virginia Workplace Freedom Act, making West Virginia the 26th Right to Work state in the country and the fourth state to pass Right to Work since 2012. 
Read the rest of entry »

Prevailing Wage’s Impact on Affordable Housing

The New York Independent Budget Office (IBO) has released a revised report on the impact prevailing wage requirements would have on affordable housing projects built with the 421a property tax break. The 421a tax credit had been the subject of extensive negotiations in the past months. In Jan. 2016, the parties involved announced they could not reach a compromise, killing the tax credit and jeopardizing Mayor de Blasio’s plans for 80,000 affordable housing units for New York City residents. 
Read the rest of entry »

NLRB Extends Ban on Captive-Audience Meetings Prior to Mail Ballot Elections

In its Jan. 29 decision in Guardsmark, LLC, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) extended its restriction on captive audience meetings in the run up to a mail ballot union election by an additional 24 hours. 
Read the rest of entry »

EEOC Proposes to Collect Pay Data on EE0-1

On Jan. 29, 2016, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a proposed rule expanding the data that is collected from certain employers on the Employer Information Report (EEO-1). 
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.
Read the rest of entry »

West Virginia Enacts Prevailing Wage Repeal and Right to Work

On Feb. 12, the West Virginia Legislature voted to override Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s vetoes of  a prevailing wage repeal bill and the West Virginia Workplace Freedom Act, making West Virginia the 26th Right to Work state in the country and the fourth state to pass Right to Work since 2012. 
Read the rest of entry »

New Hampshire Rejects Prevailing Wage Bill

Last week, the New Hampshire House rejected a bill (House Bill 1641) that would have required prevailing wage be paid on all state construction projects. Citing a union-backed study, proponents of the bill argued the legislation would create jobs, spur economic activity, and raise workers’ wages without increasing the cost of projects. Opponents rejected those assertions and insisted the state would pay more for construction projects under the provisions of the bill.  Read the rest of entry »

Updated OSHA Confined Spaces Standard: How do I Comply?

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2016
Watch Now
Time: 1:30 p.m. (ET) / 12:30 p.m. (CT) / 11:30 a.m. (MT) / 10:30 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Gary Clevenger, CNA National Risk Control Director, CNA 
Category: Compliance, Training and Education, AQC  
Presented by ABC's Strategic Partner - CNA

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
OSHA released the long-anticipated Confined Space Standard for Construction, which took effect August 3, 2015. Given the new standard's complexity, organizations should not wait to review the changes. The new OSHA standard will affect every workplace that performs confined space entries. Read the rest of entry »

Making the Most of ABC National's Workforce Week

Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2016 Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 30 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Allyson Nelson, Senior Manager of Sponsorships and Exhibits, ABC National 
Category: Training and Education  
WEBINAR DESCRIPTION 
If you are joining ABC National at our Workforce Week and National Craft Championships as a sponsor or exhibitor, please join us for this webinar.  

Learn the what you should expect before, during and after the event and how to make it beneficial to you and your organization. ABC National staff, Allyson Nelson, will take you through set-up to move-out!
Read the rest of entry »

Volunteer Orientation

Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2016 Watch Now
Time: 11:00 a.m. (ET) / 10:00 a.m. (CT) / 9:00 a.m. (MT) / 8:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Dave Chapin, National Chair
  Mike Bellaman, President and CEO  
Category: Training and Education  
WEBINAR DESCRIPTION 
ABC has an exciting year planned for 2016, and our committees play a crucial role in that plan. To help you and your committee achieve success in the coming year, ABC has designed an orientation webinar for committee chairs. Whether this is your first year as chair or you’ve served in this capacity for years—everyone will benefit from attending this webinar. We will discuss how committees enable the Association to achieve strategic goals, tips for leading a successful meeting, new resources and opportunities in 2016 and much more!
Read the rest of entry »

Committee Chair Orientation

Date: Monday, February 8, 2016 Watch Now
Time: 11:00 a.m. (ET) / 10:00 a.m. (CT) / 9:00 a.m. (MT) / 8:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Dave Chapin, National Chair
  Mike Bellaman, President and CEO  
Category: Training and Education  
WEBINAR DESCRIPTION 
ABC has an exciting year planned for 2016, and our committees play a crucial role in that plan. To help you and your committee achieve success in the coming year, ABC has designed an orientation webinar for committee chairs. Whether this is your first year as chair or you’ve served in this capacity for years—everyone will benefit from attending this webinar. We will discuss how committees enable the Association to achieve strategic goals, tips for leading a successful meeting, new resources and opportunities in 2016 and much more!
Read the rest of entry »

Completing the 2016 STEP Application: How to Maximize Your Safety ROI

Date: Friday, January 29, 2016
Watch Now
Time: 11:00 a.m. (ET) / 10:00 a.m. (CT) / 9:00 a.m. (MT) / 8:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Chris Williams, Director of Safety, ABC National 
Category: AQC  
WEBINAR DESCRIPTION 
Big changes have been made to the 2016 STEP application process with the addition of a new and improved online application portal—now learn how to use and maximize the value of both the STEP application and safety improvement process! Designed for all ABC members, this webinar will walk attendees through the new online STEP application and display new features such as the auto-save function (members can save their work and come back later to complete the application) and instantaneous STEP level notification. Attendees will also learn about how STEP and the 20 Key Components of a World-Class Safety Program self-assessment can be used to guide companies on their journey towards safety excellence.
Read the rest of entry »

Employers Must Post OSHA Injury/Illness Form by Feb. 1

ABC is reminding its contractor member firms that their 2015 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Form 300A work-related injury and illness log summaries must be posted in a visible spot on all construction sites Feb. 1 through April 30. 
Read the rest of entry »

New Drone Registration Requirements

Under new rules, effective Dec. 21, 2015 the Federal Aviation Administration is requiring anyone who buys a small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that is more than .55 lbs and less than 55 lbs to register it before it is flown outside. Registration of the UAS can be done through the online registry for a fee of $5; the registration is valid for three years. Individuals who previously owned and operated a UAS have until Feb. 19, 2016 to register.  Read the rest of entry »

OSHA Now Allows Electronic Submissions for Injury and Illness Reporting

A year after OSHA’s new injury and illness reporting requirements went into effect (Jan. 1, 2015); the agency launched a webpage to allow employers to electronically report cases. Employers now have three ways to report incidents: electronically through OSHA’s new web portal, https://www.osha.gov/report.html; by phone (1–800–321–OSHA or 1–800–321–6742); or by contacting the nearest OSHA Area Office. 
Read the rest of entry »

ABC and Business Community Ask for Delay of "Persuader" Rule

ABC, as part of a coalition representing more than 50 employer organizations, sent a letter Dec. 18 to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) urging them to delay issuing the Department of Labor’s (DOL) final "persuader" rule until it finalized a rulemaking scheduled for later this year that will make significant changes to Form LM-21, which employers are required to file when they hire a persuader. The final “persuader” rule is currently under review at OIRA.
Read the rest of entry »

U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Reach Deal on Omnibus, Tax Extenders

The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate have reached a deal on both the Omnibus spending package and extending certain expired tax provisions commonly referred to as “extenders.” 
Read the rest of entry »

IRS Extends Deadlines for ACA’s 2015 Information Reporting Requirements

A recent Newsline article discussed the upcoming deadlines for the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) 2015 information reporting requirements under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) sections 6055 and 6056. On Dec. 28, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2016-4, which extends the deadlines for the 2015 information reporting requirements, both furnishing to individuals and filing with the IRS.
Read the rest of entry »

Deadlines Looming for ACA Employer Mandate and Reporting Requirements

Effective Jan. 1, 2016, under the employer mandate provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employers with 50-99 full-time employees and full-time equivalent employees (applicable large employers) must offer full-time employees (and dependents) minimum essential coverage that is affordable and provides minimum value or be subject to heavy penalties. Note: effective for the 2015 calendar year, such employers are subject to reporting requirements.
Read the rest of entry »

Wellness Programs, Drones and EPA Regulations Included in Federal Regulatory Agenda

The Obama Administration’s regulatory agenda was released on Nov. 20 and lists the priorities of the administration and the rulemakings they expect to release in 2016, their final year. An update on rulemakings from a variety of agencies affecting the construction industry is below. ABC has also published Newsline stories updating the status of rulemakings from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. Department of Labor listed in the regulatory agenda. 
Read the rest of entry »

President Obama Signs Regulatory Reform Measures into Law

On Dec. 4, President Obama signed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (H.R. 22) into law, which included ABC-supported provisions that streamline the process for developers trying to obtain environmental permits and approvals for their projects. 
Read the rest of entry »

Overtime, Blacklisting and Persuader Rules Addressed in DOL Regulatory Agenda

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released its latest regulatory agenda on Nov. 20. The agenda lists the priorities of the administration and the rulemakings they expect to release in 2016, their final year. An update on rulemakings affecting the construction industry is below.
Read the rest of entry »

DOL Issues Proposed Rule Revising EEO Framework For National Apprenticeship Act

The Department of Labor (DOL) issued a proposed rule revising the equal employment opportunity regulatory framework for the National Apprenticeship Act on Nov. 6. 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. It requires sponsors to take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in the registered apprenticeship programs.
Read the rest of entry »

Total Benefits Solution

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2016
Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Brian Robertson, Executive Vice President, Fringe Benefit Group
Category:  
Presented by ABC's Strategic Partner - Fringe Benefit Group

 
WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
The Contractors Plan “Total Benefit Solution” – ABC members. Targeted to associate members who are providing professional insurance services to ABC members.

Read the rest of entry »

OSHA Releases Latest Regulatory Agenda

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its latest regulatory agenda on Nov. 20. The agenda lists the priorities of the administration and the rulemakings they expect to release in 2016, their final year. Read the rest of entry »

Technology Empowered Estimating

Date: Tuesday. January 19, 2016
Watch Now
Time: 1:00 p.m. (ET) / 12:00 p.m. (CT) / 11:00 a.m. (MT) / 10:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Karl Rajotte, Product Manager, MEP Estimating, Viewpoint Construction Software
  Mike Gillum, Product Manager, ProContractor Estimating, Viewpoint Construction Software
 
Category: AQC  
Presented by ABC's Strategic Partner - Viewpoint 

Information technology and automation have converted construction project estimating from an arcane and sometimes mysterious art to an art-and-science process that can be standardized (individually, for each company) and reliably repeated. That's a game-changer that leads to more winning bids, better project management, enhanced cash flow and overall improvements in management visibility and control. But not all construction companies have gotten the memo; too many still rely on outdated estimating tools and processes that leave them unable to scale their businesses, and vulnerable to more technologically-empowered competitors.
Read the rest of entry »

2016 STEP Chapter Orientation / Q&A

Date: Friday, January 8, 2016
Watch Now
Time: 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (CT) / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Chris Williams, Director of Safety, ABC National
Category:  
WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
Big changes to the 2016 STEP application and processing procedures have occurred--the online application will replace the paper version as the primary entry method beginning January 1. Are you ready?

Important information on the online application process will be outlined, as will the impact the all-online process will have on processing and delivery of awards. There will be time for Q&A during and after the webinar, as well as the opportunity to provide feedback on 2015 and suggestions to improve the process for 2016. Read the rest of entry »

What’s New with AIA Contract Documents?

Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Watch Now
Time: 11:00 a.m. (ET) / 10:00 a.m. (CT) / 9:00 a.m. (MT) / 8:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 30 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: Hasti Hejazi, Director, Global Innovation Education, The American Institute of Architects
  Courtney Holmes, Director, AIA Contract Documents Marketing & Sales, The American Institute of Architects
 
Category: Training and Education  
WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
In October 2015, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) released an updated version of AIA Contract Documents software.  During this informational webinar, ABC members will receive an overview of the recent release of agreements and guides available to AIA Contract Documents customers, learn about the forms most often used by contractors, and view a brief software demonstration. Read the rest of entry »

Compliance Alert –ACA Employer Reporting Requirements – Deadlines Approaching

Are you in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting requirements? To learn about the reporting requirements and important upcoming deadlines, a webinar presented by ABC’s general counsel, Littler Mendelson is available for ABC members to view, which can be found here. A login is required to view the webinar titled “Compliance Alert—Learn About the Affordable Care Act’s New Reporting Requirements for 2015” and a PowerPoint is also available.  
Read the rest of entry »

Grow Profitably with a Rigorous Focus on Business Development

Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Watch Now
Time: 1:00 p.m. (ET) / 12:00 p.m. (CT) / 11:00 a.m. (MT) / 10:00 a.m. (PT)
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Free
Speaker: David Brown, President/Senior Consultant, D Brown Management 
  Raymond Braswell, Senior Consultant, General Contractor Solutions, D Brown Management 
 
  Brian Andrew, Group Manager, Financial Solutions, D Brown Management 
 
Category:    
CONSTRUCTION EXECUTIVE WEBINAR HOSTED BY ABC'S STRATEGIC PARTNER - VIEWPOINT 


WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
This 1 hour webinar is designed for owners, executives and anyone else involved in the business development process including estimators and project managers.  Learn how to shape a market strategy that leverages your strengths then build systematic processes to capture more business.

Best-practice ideas from contractors across the country will be shared that will immediately help your team improve its Business Development process and ensure your customers satisfaction.  D Brown Management designed this webinar specifically for Owners and Executives who understand that effective business development encompasses the entire team.

Read the rest of entry »

EEOC Issues Proposed Rule on Wellness Programs

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Oct. 30 issued a proposed rule under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) that would authorize employers who offer wellness programs to provide inducements for an employee’s spouse, who is also a participant in the employer’s health plan, to disclose their current or past health information. Under the proposal, total incentives provided to an employee and his or her spouse for participating in a wellness program that is a part of a group health program that collects this information may not exceed 30 percent of the total cost of the health plan in which they are enrolled. 
Read the rest of entry »

Two-Year Budget Deal Signed by President Obama Carries Implications for Contractors

President Obama Nov. 2 signed into law the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (H.R. 1314), which suspended the application of the debt limit until March 2017 and ensured that the United States would meet its financial obligations. The deal was approved by a bi-partisan group of legislators the Unites States Senate Oct. 30 and the House of Representatives on Oct. 28. 
Read the rest of entry »

More than 900 ABC Members Urge DOL to Withdraw Proposed Overtime Rule

ABC and more than 900 members submitted comments in opposition to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Wage and Hour Division’s July 6 Proposed Regulations for Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and Computer Employees. If enacted, the proposal, commonly referred to as “the overtime proposal,” would more than double the minimum salary for the white collar overtime exemption and would automatically update the salary levels on an annual basis. 
Read the rest of entry »

ABC-Supported Bill to Provide Small Business Relief from ACA Signed into Law

The bill signed into law, the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act (H.R. 1624/ S. 1099), will remove the ACA requirement that mandates states to expand the small group definition. As a member of the 50-100 Coalition, ABC urged Congress to pass the PACE Act in letters to the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate as well as to individual members of Congress. 
Read the rest of entry »

Health Care Compliance Alert: Employer Mandate and New Reporting Requirements

As required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Treasury (Treasury) Aug. 28 released draft information reporting form instructions that employers will use to report on the health coverage they offer their employees. This impacts employers with 50 or more full-time employees and full-time-equivalent employees as well as employers that self-insure. Effective 2015, employers must collect the information required to be reported under ACA and, beginning in 2016, file the information reporting returns with the IRS. Learn more by reading the update from Littler Mendelson, ABC’s general counsel.
Read the rest of entry »

Hourly Minimum Wage on Federal Contracts to Increase in January 2016

Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, the minimum wage for workers on covered federal contracts and service contracts will increase to $10.15 per hour from $10.10 per hour in 2015. The increase is dictated by the Oct. 7, 2014, Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division final rule that implemented Executive Order 13658. 
Read the rest of entry »

OFCCP Issues Final Pay Transparency Rule for Federal Contractors

On Sept. 10, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued its final rule prohibiting federal contractors and subcontractors from terminating or otherwise discriminating against employees who discuss their compensation with co-workers or job applicants. This rule implements the Obama administration’s Equal Pay initiative under Executive Order 13665 and will take effect on Jan. 11, 2016.
Read the rest of entry »

White House Issues Paid Sick Leave Executive Order Targeting Federal Contractors

At a Labor Day rally before union members in Boston on Sept. 7, President Obama unveiled a new executive order requiring federal contractors to offer employees up to seven days of paid sick leave. The proposal covers all employees working on contracts subject to the Davis-Bacon Act and the Service Contract Act.

Read the rest of entry »

NLRB Uproots Decades-Old Standards in Joint Employer Ruling

ABC released a statement in response to the National Labor Relations Board’s Aug. 27 ruling in the Browning-Ferris Industries of California case, which redefines who qualifies as a “joint employer” under the National Labor Relations Act. ABC has been a vocal opponent of these changes for potentially imposing unnecessary barriers to and burdens on contractor and subcontractor relationships throughout the construction industry. 
Read the rest of entry »

OSHA Issues New Employer Recordkeeping Proposal

OSHA July 29 issued a proposed rule clarifying an employer’s continuing obligation to make and maintain accurate records of reportable injuries and illnesses.
Read the rest of entry »

Labor Department Issues New Guidance Targeting Worker Misclassification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released new guidance July 15 related to employers’ use of independent contractors. In the Administrator’s Interpretation and an accompanying blog post, Wage and Hour Division Administrator Dr. David Weil laments the “problematic trend” of deliberate misclassification, and considers the guidance part of a “multi-pronged approach” to combat the phenomenon.
Read the rest of entry »