Newsline

Federal Contractors: Voice Your Opposition FAR’s Proposed PLA Rule at SBA’s Virtual Roundtable on Sept. 29

The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy will host a roundtable to discuss the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council’s proposed rule that would require federal contractors and their subcontractors to enter into project labor agreements for federal construction projects of $35 million or more. The virtual roundtable will take place on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, from 1-2 p.m. ET. ABC encourages all federal contractors and subcontractors to participate to make their voices heard on this critical issue.

Survey: 97% of ABC Contractors Say Biden’s Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreement Policies Would Make Federal Construction More Expensive

According to a September 2022 survey of ABC contractor members published today, 98% oppose President Biden’s proposed rule mandating project labor agreements on federal construction projects of $35 million or more. PLA schemes needlessly increase costs and exacerbate the construction industry’s skilled labor shortage because they exclude almost nine out of 10 workers from participating in these contracts.

Take Action: Tell the Biden Administration to Scrap Its Costly Pro-PLA Scheme by Oct. 18

ABC recently released a new action alert to help members tell the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to withdraw a controversial proposed rule opposed by ABC that would require project labor agreements on federal construction contracts of $35 million or more.

Survey on President Biden’s PLA Mandate Policy Closes Sept. 23

An important survey of ABC contractor members seeking to gauge opinions and experiences with government-mandated project labor agreements closes this week. It is vital that as many ABC members as possible respond to the survey before the deadline. Member feedback will provide essential support for ABC’s comments opposing the Biden administration’s harmful proposed rule that requires PLAs on all federal contracts of $35 million or more.

OFCCP Extends Deadline to Oct. 19 for Contractors to Object to the Disclosure of EEO-1 Reports

On Sept. 15, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs announced that it was extending the deadline for federal contractors to submit written objections to the disclosure of EEO-1 reports from Sept. 19 to Oct. 19. On Aug. 19, the OFCCP published a notice in the Federal Register to inform federal contractors of a Freedom of Information Act request that seeks all Type 2 Consolidated EEO-1 report demographic data (or “Component 1” EEO-1 reports) submitted by federal contractors and first-tier subcontractors from 2016 to 2020. According to the OFCCP, Will Evans from the Center for Investigative Reporting submitted the FOIA request. 

Take the Survey: ABC Extends Deadline for Survey on President Biden’s PLA Mandate Policy to Sept. 23

ABC has extended the deadline of an important survey of contractor members that seeks to gauge their opinions and experiences with government-mandated project labor agreements. The deadline has been extended due to the need for as many members as possible to respond to the survey. This feedback will be critical to providing effective, informed comments opposing the Biden administration’s harmful proposed rule that requires PLAs on all federal contracts of $35 million or more.

The Federal Acquisition Regulations Council’s proposed rule aligns with President Biden’s Executive Order 14063. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by Oct. 18.

ABC distributed the survey on Sept. 7. Please email Michael Altman at [email protected] to receive the survey link or if you have any questions. The survey will close at 5 p.m. ET on Sept. 23.

Comments on New NLRB Joint Employer Rule Are Due by Nov. 7

On Sept. 6, the NLRB announced a new joint employer proposed rule, which would rescind and replace the ABC-supported 2020 final rule on Joint Employer Status Under the National Labor Relations Act. ABC plans to submit comments opposing the new proposal, and members are encouraged to do so as well. The deadline for the public to comment is Nov. 7.

Take the Survey: ABC Needs Your Input on President Biden’s PLA Mandate by Sept. 16

ABC is conducting an important survey of contractor members to gauge opinions and experiences with government-mandated project labor agreements. Ensuring as many members as possible respond to this survey will be vital to providing effective, informed comments opposing a harmful proposed rule that requires PLAs on all federal contracts over $35 million.

DOT Issues Proposed Buy America Waiver for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

On Aug. 31, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration released a proposed waiver of Buy America requirements for the construction of electric vehicle chargers receiving federal assistance.

GSA Final Rule Allows Union Organizing of Contractors on Federal Property

On Sept. 2, the General Services Administration issued a final rule to allow unions access to federal property for the purpose of soliciting membership from the employees of federal contractors. Previously, these activities were barred by a general prohibition on soliciting, posting and distributing materials in or on federal property controlled by the GSA.