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Politics & Policy
ABC’s September Regulatory Roundup—Learn About the Latest Developments Affecting the Construction Industry
ABC Disappointed in NLRB’s Cemex Decision
NLRB Revives Controversial 2014 ‘Ambush’ Election Rule; ABC Opposes Again
Safety
Build Health and Safety Engagement Through Leadership Commitment and Metrics Tied to Leading Indicators
Is Your PPE and Mobile Equipment as Safe as You Think It Is?
President Biden Announces Heat Safety Actions, Including DOL Hazard Alert
Events/Products/Programs
Nearly 350 ABC Leaders Gather in Washington for Annual Legislative Conference
ABC Members Rank Among ENR’s Top 400 Contractors
Trades Day: Industry Outreach Opportunity With Meaning
State/Local News
Ed Capodanno Honored by Delaware State Legislature
Election Update: ABC Staff and Members Elected in 2022
California Targets Workplace Cannabis Testing
Awards
Graham Roofing Earns the AQC Credential in September
ABC's Construction Executive Magazine Wins Silver in Publishing Competition
Legislation
ABC-Supported Legislation To Overturn the Northern Long-Eared Bat’s Endangered Species Listing Heads to President Biden’s Desk
ABC Advocates for Solutions to Workforce Shortage at U.S. House Committee Roundtable
Smucker Introduces the ABC-Supported Main Street Tax Certainty Act
Regulations
OSHA Announces Silica-Focused Inspection Initiative in the Engineered Stone Fabrication and Installation Industries
Take the Survey: Input Needed by Oct. 2 on President Biden’s IRA Mandates
Take the Survey: ABC Needs Your Input on President Biden’s IRA Mandates by Oct. 2
Workforce Development
Register Now for ABC’s Construction Inclusion Week Webinar Series
DOL High Road Workforce Development Program Map Snubs Nonunion Programs
LISTEN: How to Design an Effective Technology Adoption Strategy
On May 18, the administration released the latest regulatory agenda outlining their plans for their final months. The agencies are looking to work on several rulemakings impacting federal contractors. An update on rulemakings affecting the construction industry is outlined below. BLACKLISTING PROPOSAL What to Expect: The Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council plans to issue a final rule implementing President Obama’s “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” Executive Order 13673, commonly referred to as the blacklisting proposal, in August 2016. About the Proposal: The proposal would require federal contractors and subcontractors to disclose any “violations” of 14 federal labor laws that occurred in the three years prior to any procurement for federal government contracts/subcontracts exceeding $500,000. The proposal also requires contractors and subcontractors to update disclosures of labor law violations every six months while performing covered government contracts. Reported violations may then be used to disqualify contractors and/or subcontractors from performing federal work, based on a complicated and seemingly unconstitutional set of procedures proposed by the federal agencies. ABC’s Actions: ABC submitted comments urging the withdrawal of the FAR Council’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Notice of Proposed Guidance implementing the blacklisting proposal. To view a summary of ABC’s efforts in opposition to the proposal, visit abc.org/blacklisting. PAID SICK LEAVE What to Expect: DOL plans to issue a final rule in September 2016. About the Proposal: The proposed rule requires certain federal contractors to offer employees up to seven days of paid sick leave annually, including paid leave for family care. The paid sick leave required by the proposal is in addition to a contractor’s obligations under the Service Contract Act (SCA) and Davis-Bacon Act (DBA). Therefore, a contractor may not receive credit toward its prevailing wage or fringe benefit obligation under the SCA and DBA for paid sick leave provided in satisfaction of the requirements of the proposed rule. ABC’s Actions: ABC submitted comments on the proposal, stating it exceeds the executive branch’s constitutional and statutory authority. The comments also noted that if the DOL does not withdraw the proposal, at a minimum the DOL should conform the proposal to the existing requirements of the DBA and SCA in order to avoid confusion and unnecessary burdens on government contractors. OTHER UPCOMING PROPOSALS Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP): Sex Discrimination – Final Rule, May 2016 Construction Contractors’ Affirmative Action Requirements – Proposed Rule, August 2016 Requirement to Report Summary Data on Employee Compensation - Long Term Action