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The federal government reopened on Oct. 17 after at 16-day shutdown and agencies that either weren’t operating or were only partially operating during that time are back up and running. Here is some information on what ABC members can expect from a few of the agencies post-shutdown. 

The 2013 ABC Attorneys Conference content-rich program covers the latest developments and insights impacting labor law and open competition in the construction industry. The conference also is an opportunity for CLE credits upon request. 

ABC Sept. 19 sharply criticized pending regulatory proposals from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in response to a hearing held by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions. The hearing, titled, “The Future of Union Organizing,” and ABC’s letter highlighted the Obama administration’s efforts to eliminate employer involvement in the union representation process.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) published two final rules Sept. 24, drastically revising Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, which require federal contractors and subcontractors to maintain affirmative action and nondiscrimination plans for veterans and individuals with disabilities, respectively. The rules will go into effect March 24, 2014. 

The Department of Labor (DOL) on July 3 released its spring regulatory agenda outlining the regulatory activities of its sub-agencies for the remainder of 2013. The regulatory agenda lists the priorities of the administration and the rulemaking they expect to release this year; however, DOL is not required to adhere to the timeline.

President Obama March 26 signed into law a continuing appropriations resolution that will fund the Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board and the Equal Opportunity Commission for the second half of fiscal year 2013, but that also maintains restrictions on actions by DOL. 

President Obama March 26 signed into law a continuing appropriations resolution that will fund the Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board and the Equal Opportunity Commission for the second half of fiscal year 2013, but that also maintains restrictions on actions by DOL. 

Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.) Feb. 15 introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, The Equal Standards in Hiring Americans Act (H.R. 759), that would require the Department of Labor (DOL) to meet the same goal for hiring disabled workers it is trying to impose on federal contractors.

Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.) Feb. 15 introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, The Equal Standards in Hiring Americans Act (H.R. 759), that would require the Department of Labor (DOL) to meet the same goal for hiring disabled workers it is trying to impose on federal contractors.

The Department of Labor on Dec. 21, 2012, released an updated agenda outlining the regulatory activities of its sub-agencies for the next year. The agenda includes items on reporting requirements for labor consultants, employers and associations, and affirmative action in federal construction, among other issues.