ABC Seeks to Overturn OSHA COVID Vaccination and Testing ETS

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9—Associated Builders and Contractors and its Alabama chapter today filed a petition for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals in the 11th Circuit against the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for its COVID-19 vaccination and testing Emergency Temporary Standard, which applies to employers with 100 or more employees.

Construction Input Prices See Largest Monthly Increase Since June, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9—Construction input prices increased 1.5% in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 1.4% for the month.

ABC’s Construction Backlog Rebounds in October; Contractor Confidence in Sales and Profit Margins Falls

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9— Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.1 months in October, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Oct. 20 to Nov. 2. The reading is up 0.5 months from September 2021 and 0.4 months from October 2020.

Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Holds Promise and Peril, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5—Associated Builders and Contractors released the following statement on today’s passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill creates an opportunity to effectively modernize our nation’s most critical infrastructure, and ABC and our members stand ready to do the important work to bring America’s infrastructure into the 21st century,” said Michael Bellaman, ABC president and CEO. “However, ABC remains wary of some of the bill’s exclusionary provisions and statements from the Biden administration that could restrict the eligibility of America’s workers to compete for and participate in these construction projects.

Nonresidential Construction Employment Rises in October, Says ABC

The construction industry added 44,000 jobs on net in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall, the industry has recovered 963,000, or 86.5%, of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the pandemic.

ABC Statement on OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4—Associated Builders and Contractors today released the following statement on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s issuance of its COVID-19 vaccination and testing Emergency Temporary Standard, which applies to employers with 100 or more employees as required by President Biden’s Path Out of the Pandemic COVID-19 Action Plan.

ABC to Congress: College Degrees Do Not Define Career Success

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4—Today, longtime construction industry leader, instructor and military veteran Frank Boecker testified on behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development on the indispensable role that community colleges, trade schools and career and technical education programs play in the construction industry.

State Construction Unemployment Rates Down in 49 States From a Year Ago, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3—The not seasonally adjusted national construction unemployment rate dropped 2.6% in September 2021 from a year ago while 49 states had lower unemployment rates over the same period, according to state-by-state analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. Only one state, Alaska, had a higher estimated rate than it did in September 2020.

Nonresidential Construction Spending Contracts 0.6% in September, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1—National nonresidential construction spending contracted 0.6% in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $791.2 billion for the month.

GDP Report: Investment in Nonresidential Structures Falls 7.3% in Third Quarter of 2021, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28—Investment in nonresidential structures contracted at an annual rate of 7.3% during the third quarter of 2021 and has now contracted during seven of the past eight quarters, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The overall economy expanded at a 2.0% annualized rate during the third quarter of 2021.

ABC Announces New Chief Editor of Construction Executive Magazine

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27—Associated Builders and Contractors today announced that it has hired Christopher Durso as the new editor-in-chief of Construction Executive, the magazine for the business of construction.

Report: Nonunion Workers Suffer Up to 34% in Wage Theft Under Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22—Associated Builders and Contractors today calls attention to a new report that highlights the negative economic impact of controversial government-mandated project labor agreements on nonunion construction workers, who comprise 87.3% of the construction industry workforce. The study found that the limited number of nonunion craft professionals permitted to work on construction projects subject to a government-mandated PLA suffer an estimated 34% reduction in wages and benefits.

Construction Inclusion Week Will Build Stronger Diversity Strategies, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18—Associated Builders and Contractors today released the following statement about the importance of Construction Inclusion Week, which runs Oct. 18-22.

Input Prices Decline in September but Remain Higher on a Yearly Basis, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14—Construction input prices declined 0.5% in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices fell 0.4% for the month.

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Inches Lower in September; Contractor Confidence Down for Second Consecutive Month

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12—Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 7.6 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted Sept. 20-Oct. 4. The reading is down 0.1 months from August 2021, but up 0.1 months from September 2020.

Nonresidential Construction Employment Rises Slightly in September, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8—The construction industry added 22,000 jobs on net in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall, the industry has recovered 912,000 (81.9%) of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the pandemic.

ABC Announces 2021-2022 Tech Alliance Members

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5—Associated Builders and Contractors today announced the members of its second annual Tech Alliance—a consortium of firms that create construction technology and innovative solutions for ABC contractor members, the majority of which primarily perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors. Consisting of 15 companies, the Tech Alliance will leverage technology solutions to help ABC members develop people, win work and deliver work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work.

Nonresidential Construction Spending Dips in August, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1—National nonresidential construction spending fell 0.4% in August, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Nonresidential spending totaled $788.6 billion in August on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, down 3.0% from August 2020.  

ABC, CISC Caution OSHA About Emergency Temporary Standard on COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27—Associated Builders and Contractors, a steering committee member of the Construction Industry Safety Coalition, released the following statement on CISC’s letter sent today to James Frederick, acting assistant secretary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, voicing concerns related to OSHA’s forthcoming COVID-19 vaccination and testing Emergency Temporary Standard, which will apply to employers with 100 or more employees as required by President Biden’s Path Out of the Pandemic COVID-19 Action Plan.

Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate Guidance Raises Concerns, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24—Associated Builders and Contractors released the following statement in response to guidance issued today by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force about what is required of federal contractors with respect to a vaccine mandate for employees as a result of President Biden’s Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors.

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Plummets in August; Contractor Confidence Down

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14—Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell sharply to 7.7 months in August, according to an ABC member survey conducted Aug. 19 to Sept. 1. The reading is down 0.8 months from July 2021 and down 0.3 months from August 2020.

Monthly Construction Input Prices Inch Lower in August, But Are Still Elevated Year Over Year, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10—Construction input prices declined 0.6% in August compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices fell 0.4% for the month.

ABC and Procore Announce Partnership to Provide Construction Management Solutions for ABC Members

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9—Associated Builders and Contractors and Procore Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: PCOR), a leading provider of construction management software, today announced a partnership that provides ABC chapters and members exclusive discounted pricing on their new purchases of Procore products and services.

Nonresidential Construction Loses 20,300 Jobs in August, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3—The construction industry lost 3,000 jobs on net in August, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the monthly setback, the industry has recovered 881,000 (79.2%) of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the pandemic.

Nonresidential Construction Spending Weak in July, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1—National nonresidential construction spending expanded 0.1% in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $786.7 billion for the month.

Construction Input Prices Up 23.1% Year Over Year, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12—Construction input prices rose 0.6% in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 0.8% for the month.

ABC Responds to Senate Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10—Associated Builders and Contractors today released the following statement on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which passed the U.S. Senate today by a vote of 69 to 30. The bill would provide $550 billion in new infrastructure investments.

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Flat in July; Contractor Confidence Falls

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10—Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator remained unchanged at 8.5 months in July, according to an ABC member survey conducted July 20-Aug. 2, up 0.7 months from July 2020.

Nonresidential Construction Adds Only 2,900 Jobs in July, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6—The nation’s construction industry added 11,000 jobs on net in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall, the industry has recovered 886,000 (79.6%) of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the pandemic.

ABC Recognizes Bipartisan Achievements in Infrastructure Bill, Cautions Against Anti-Competitive Language

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2—Associated Builders and Contractors today released the following statement on the 2,702-page Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act set to pass the U.S. Senate later this week. 

Nonresidential Construction Spending Down Nearly 1% in June, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2—National nonresidential construction spending declined 0.9% in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $779.9 billion for the month, down 6.6% from one year ago.

ABC: Newly Confirmed Members Threaten NLRB’s Role as Neutral Arbiter of the Law

WASHINGTON, July 29—Following the U.S. Senate confirmation of President Biden’s nominees to serve as members of the National Labor Relations Board, Associated Builders and Contractors issued the following statement.

U.S. Economy Expands in Second Quarter, Investment in Structures Contracts, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, July 29–The U.S. economy expanded at a 6.5% annualized rate in the second quarter of 2021, pushing overall gross domestic product above pre-pandemic levels. Investment in nonresidential structures, however, declined 7% for the quarter and has now contracted in six of the past seven quarters, according to an analysis by Associated Builders and Contractors of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

ABC: DOL’s Decision to Rescind 2020 Joint Employer Final Rule Disappointing, But Not Surprising

WASHINGTON, July 29—Associated Builders and Contractors today released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Labor’s rescission of the Joint Employer Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act final rule.

State Construction Unemployment Rates Down in 45 States From a Year Ago, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, July 28—The not seasonally adjusted national construction unemployment rate was down 2.6% in June 2021 from a year ago and 45 states had lower unemployment rates over the same period, according to state-by-state analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. Although not back to pre-pandemic levels, both overall employment and construction employment have demonstrated significant improvement during the past year.

ABC to Senate: The PRO Act Is a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

WASHINGTON, July 22—Ahead of today’s U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions’ hearing on the Protect the Right to Organize Act, Associated Builders and Contractors released the following statement.

Construction Input Prices Rise 2.8% in June, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, July 14—Construction input prices increased 2.8% in June compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of Producer Price Index data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 2.9% for the month.

ABC-Led Coalition Announces Six-Figure Advocacy Campaign

WASHINGTON, July 14—Build America Local, a coalition of construction industry and business organizations led by Associated Builders and Contractors, today announced a six-figure issue advocacy campaign aimed at educating Americans and members of the U.S. Senate about controversial  government-mandated project labor agreements that reduce competition and increase costs for the construction of taxpayer-funded affordable housing, clean energy and infrastructure projects across America.

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator and Contractor Confidence Index Rise in June

WASHINGTON, July 13—Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.5 months in June, according to an ABC member survey conducted June 20-July 6, 0.5 months higher than in May 2021 and 0.4 months higher than in June 2020.

Nonresidential Construction Sheds 22,600 Jobs in June Due Largely to Worker Shortages, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, July 2—The construction industry lost 7,000 jobs on net in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite that setback, the industry has recovered 875,000 (78.6%) of the jobs lost during the earlier stages of the pandemic.

ABC: Partisan House-passed Infrastructure Package Hurts American Workers and Small Businesses

WASHINGTON, July 1—Associated Builders and Contractors strongly opposes H.R. 3684, the INVEST in America Act, a partisan infrastructure bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 221-201. H.R. 3684 is a $715 billion surface transportation reauthorization and water infrastructure bill that represents House Democrat’s attempt to reauthorize the expiring 2015 Fast Act.

Nonresidential Construction Spending Down 0.7% in May, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, July 1—National nonresidential construction spending declined 0.7% in May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $784.5 billion for the month.

ABC: A Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Should Welcome the Entire Construction Industry to Rebuild America

WASHINGTON, June 24—Associated Builders and Contractors President and CEO Michael Bellaman today released the following statement regarding President Biden’s announcement signaling a bipartisan agreement on a $953 billion infrastructure plan.

ABC Awards Four Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Initiative Grants

WASHINGTON, June 24—Associated Builders and Contractor today announced that it has awarded an Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Initiative Grant to ABC of Michigan and its Greater Houston, Ohio Valley and Pacific Northwest chapters.

ABC Welcomes New Chief Financial Officer

WASHINGTON, June 17—Associated Builders and Contractors today announced P. Bianca Domally has joined the association as chief financial officer.

ABC’s Construction Backlog Inches Higher in May; Materials and Labor Shortages Suppress Contractor Confidence

WASHINGTON, June 15— Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.0 months in May, according to an ABC member survey conducted from May 20 to June 2, 0.1 months higher than in April 2021 and May 2020.

Construction Input Prices Rise 4.6% in May; Softwood Lumber Prices Up 154% From a Year Ago, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, June 15—Construction input prices increased 4.6% in May compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 4.8% for the month.

Construction Groups See Biden Administration’s Decision to Exclude Construction From the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard a Smart One

WASHINGTON, June 10—The Construction Industry Safety Coalition today issued the following statement on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s decision to apply an Emergency Temporary Standard on COVID-19 only to the healthcare industry.  

ABC Member Testifies to Congress: President Biden’s Infrastructure Plan Would Devastate Small Business

WASHINGTON, June 10—Today, Annie Mecias-Murphy, co-owner and president of Associated Builders and Contractors member JA&M Developing Corp., headquartered in Pembroke Pines, Florida, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure on the negative impacts that the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan would have on small business contractors.

ABC Announces Director of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity

WASHINGTON, June 8—Associated Builders and Contractors announced today that Tia Perry, formerly ABC’s director of business development and partnerships, will now serve as its director of inclusion, diversity and equity in support of ABC’s 69 chapters and 21,000 members.