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Illinois Governor Vetoes Bill Tying Prevailing Wage to Union Contracts

On July 22, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a bill that would have significantly changed the prevailing wage calculation process by tying wage rates to union collective bargaining agreements. In vetoing the bill, Gov. Rauner said Senate Bill 2964 would effectively discount the wage rates of those who have chosen not to join a union and who make up a majority of the construction workforce. 

ABC Welcomes New Presidential-level Beam Club Member

ABC has added Iowa Chapter member Jeremy Price of Price Electric Inc. to the Beam Club presidential level. The Beam Club was established in 1966 to recognize ABC’s top membership recruiters for their commitment to growing the association. By recruiting five new members, ABC members are automatically enrolled in the Beam Club by their chapter. Members receive one point for each new member recruited. Beam Club activity is ongoing from year to year, with members’ point totals continually accruing and advancing them to the next Beam Club award level.

Claim Your Spot at the 2017 National Craft Championships

Intent to compete forms for the 2017 National Craft Championships are now available for ABC members and chapters who think their apprentices and craft trainees have what it takes to win the title of ABC National Craft Champion. The competition will take place Feb. 28 – March 3 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in conjunction with ABC’s Workforce Conference. Intent to compete forms are due Dec. 1, 2016. 

The Weitz Company Earns AQC Designation

The Weitz Company of Minneapolis, Minn., a member of ABC’s Minnesota/North Dakota chapter, has been awarded Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status by ABC. The AQC program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to excellence in five key areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety, employee benefits, training and community relations. A company that meets the criteria set forth in the program, and has earned Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) Gold, Platinum or Diamond status, is formally designated an “Accredited Quality Contractor.”      

Increase in Penalties Begins in August

Due to a provision in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, all agencies with civil monetary penalties covered by the statute have the authority to raise penalties annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Some agencies affected by this increase include DOL, EPA and OSHA. The provision also allows OSHA to have a one-time “catch-up adjustment” in 2016 since the fines have not increased since 1990.

NLRB Issues Decision in Miller & Anderson

On July 11, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued its decision in Miller & Anderson. In a 3-1 decision, the NLRB held that “employer consent is not necessary for units that combine jointly employed and solely employed employees of a single user employer. Instead, we will apply the traditional community of interest factors to decide if such units are appropriate.” Philip A. Miscimarra, the only Republican Board Member, dissented. The NLRB’s decision can be read here.  

DOL Releases New FMLA Employer Compliance Guide

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Wage and Hour Division recently released a new guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for employers, managers, human resources specialists, and professional leave administrators. The Employer’s Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act  provides employers with a roadmap for leave administration from the initial leave request to the employee’s return to the same or equivalent job at the conclusion of

OSHA Delays Enforcement of Anti-Retaliation Provisions in Electronic Reporting Final Rule

On July 13, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it was delaying enforcement of the anti-retaliation provisions in the electronic injury reporting and anti-retaliation final rule, also known as Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, until Nov. 1, 2016.  The provisions were originally scheduled to go into effect on Aug. 10. 

DOL, NLRB Overreach Would be Rolled Back by House Appropriations Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2017 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act Jul 14 in a 31-19 vote. 

One-minute Survey for ABC Chapter Staff: Rate Newsline!

Please tell us how you like the new format of ABC’s weekly all-member eNewsletter by answering this one-minute survey. 

ABC Files Preliminary Injunction Against Anti-retaliation Provisions of OSHA’s Electronic Reporting Final Rule

ABC, TEXO and a coalition of stakeholders filed suit against the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) final rule on Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, commonly referred to as the “electronic injury reporting and anti-retaliation final rule” on July 8. The suit immediately challenges the anti-retaliation provisions of the final rule that will limit post-accident drug testing and safety programs that contribute to construction jobsite safety.

House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Roll Back Harmful ACA Provisions

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Restoring Access to Medications Act (H.R. 1270 ) July 6, which would roll back a provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires prescriptions for over-the-counter medications purchased under flexible spending arrangements and health savings accounts. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) and Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.), passed the House 243-164  in a bi-partisan vote.

ABC Newsline Has a New Look and Features

ABC hopes you enjoy the first edition of the redesigned Newsline eNewsletter! The new format is mobile-friendly and personalized, including an ABC chapter button that makes it easy for readers to visit their local chapter websites for events and news. Need to update your information or want to invite a colleague to subscribe?

2016 National Craft Championships Winners Honored in Washington, D.C.

ABC’s 2016 National Craft Championships gold medalists were honored before an audience of more than 40,000 at a July 1 baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Before the game, the champions and their families were given all-access passes to the field and were able to watch batting practice, followed by a picnic hosted by ABC in the fairgrounds just outside the stadium.

OFCCP Issues Final Rule on Sex Discrimination for Federal Contractors

On June 15, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued a final rule on Discrimination on the Basis of Sex.  The final rule applies to federal contractors (including subcontractors) and is effective on Aug. 15, 2016. 

FAA Issues Final Rule on Drones

On June 28, 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a final rule on the operation and certification of non-hobbyist small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones). The final rule covers commercial uses for UAS that weigh less than 55 pounds and is effective August 29, 2016. 

ABC's West Virginia Chapter Establishes Flood Relief Program

Parts of West Virginia are facing a prolonged cleanup effort after widespread flooding killed 23 people, left an estimated 230,000 people homeless or temporarily displaced and prompted Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to declare a federal disaster. To support the victims of this natural disaster, ABC’s West Virginia Chapter (ABCWV) has established a flood relief program and is arranging for donations of labor, supplies and equipment to help the affected communities. 

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