Washington, D.C. - Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today voiced its strong support for the Government Neutrality in Contracting Act (H.R. 1671/S. 71). The bill, introduced by Rep. Mulvaney (R-S.C.) and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), will increase fair and open competition on federal and federally funded construction projects.

Washington, D.C. - A new report released today by the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) found that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed silica standards for U.S. construction industry will cost the industry $5 billion per year—roughly $4 .5 billion per year more than OSHA’s estimates. The coalition cautioned that the flawed cost estimates reflect deeper flaws in the rule and urged the federal agency to reconsider its approach.

Charleston, W.VA- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and ABC of West Virginia (ABCWV) today applauded Gov. Tomblin (D-W.V.) for signing the Establishing Fair and Open Competition in Governmental Construction Act (SB 409). The bill prohibits government entities from requiring contractors to enter into wasteful and discriminatory project labor agreements (PLAs) as a condition of performing work on publicly funded construction projects.

Little Rock, Ark.– Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and ABC of Arkansas (ABCAR) today applauded Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.) for signing the Fair and Open Competition in Governmental Construction Act (S.B. 426). The bill codifies and strengthens a 2005 executive order issued by Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.) that prohibits government entities from requiring contractors to enter into wasteful and discriminatory project labor agreements (PLAs) as a condition of performing work on publicly funded construction projects.

Washington, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) released the following statement on the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of a joint resolution to block the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) ambush election rule.

Washington, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) has named Jonathan Sacks of Palmyra, Maine its Craft Professional of the Year. Sacks currently works as a transmission and distribution training manager at CIANBRO in Pittsfield, Maine. He received the honor March 6 during ABC’s National Craft Championships (NCC) and Workforce Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Washington, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) has named Holley Thomas, Double Springs, Ala., as its Craft Professional of the Year. Thomas works as a foreman for KBR. Thomas received the honor March 6 during ABC’s National Craft Championships (NCC) and Workforce Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Washington, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announced the winners of its National Craft Championships and named its Craft Instructor of the Year and Craft Professional of the Year during the Careers in Construction awards ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The ceremony took place March 6 at the conclusion of ABC’s Workforce Development Conference.

Washington, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) congratulated the winners of the 25th annual Excellence in Construction Awards and named Brasfield and Gorrie ABC’s 2014 Contractor of the Year, March 5. The best-in-the-industry awards were given to firms that displayed exemplary commitment to safety and diversity in 2014.

Washington, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) released the following statement on the U.S. Senate’s passage of a joint resolution to block the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) ambush election proposal. The resolution, introduced by Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-Minn.), seeks to prevent the NLRB from implementing the ambush rule, which is scheduled to take effect April 14, through the Congressional Review Act.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced industry leader Greg Sizemore as its vice president of environment, health, safety (EH&S) and workforce development for ABC. Sizemore is tasked with directing ABC’s long-range strategic objectives related to creating an innovative, skilled, productive, healthy and safe workforce.