Newsline

ABC is now accepting volunteers to judge the 2014 National Craft Championships on May 1 in Birmingham, Ala. ABC members with recognized experience and expertise in a craft who are interested in participating should submit a judge’s form, found on the NCC website, to [email protected] indicating one of the 13 craft competitions they plan to judge.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced a series of Prevailing Wage Seminars for 2014 that will allow attendees to learn more about the Davis-Bacon Act, the process of obtaining wage determinations and adding classification, how to comply, the process of appealing wage rates and more. 

ABC is reminding its contractor member firms that 2013 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Form 300A work-related injury and illness log summaries must be posted in a visible spot on all construction sites Feb. 1 through April 30. 

OSHA Jan. 24 announced a 15-day extension of the public comment deadline for OSHA’s proposed crystalline silica rulemaking, moving the deadline from Jan. 27 to Feb. 11. The extension comes in response to an error on OSHA’s public comment submission page, which was first identified by ABC and brought to OSHA’s attention. 

OSHA held an informal public meeting Jan. 9 and 10 in Washington, D.C., to receive public feedback on a proposed rule that would require employers to submit to the agency electronically detailed injury and illness data that would be made publicly available through an online database. Employer groups, including the ABC-led Coalition for Workplace Safety (CWS), took the opportunity to express serious concerns over OSHA’s proposal. 

Associated Builders and Contractor’s (ABC) 2014 Workforce Development Conference is now open for registration. The conference, held April 29-May 2 in Birmingham, Ala., features more than 40 sessions covering a range of topics from project management, safety, workforce development, productivity and association management. 

The National Labor Relations Board Jan. 22 formally withdrew its modified ambush elections rule, which would have reduced the amount of time between when a union files a representation petition and an election takes place to as few as 17 days. 

ABC is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Craft Professional of the Year Award (CPOY) which honors an individual who exhibits outstanding skills and leadership and demonstrates a passion for their job in the field and giving back to the community. The winner will receive a brand new truck and a feature article in Construction Executive highlighting their hard work and dedication to the industry. 

President Obama Jan.17 signed into law a $1.01 trillion omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 3547) that funds all federal agencies for fiscal year 2014. The Senate Jan. 16 passed the appropriations bill by a 72-26 vote and the House Jan. 15, passed the bill by a 359-67 vote. The legislation includes funding decreases for many federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board.

ABC’s latest member program, Project Virtual, is now offering courses on BIM training and solutions to help ABC contractors better plan, build, and manage their building and infrastructure projects. 

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Jan. 13 in the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recess appointments case (Noel Canning).  The oral arguments centered on a lower court ruling that held President Obama’s early 2012 recess appointments of three members to the NLRB were unconstitutional. More background information on the Noel Canning case and ABC National’s involvement can be found on the ABC website. 

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced a webinar series on the requirements for federal contractors and subcontractors when implementing the new Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act rules. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started a pilot rebate program for nonroad engines called the Construction Equipment Funding Opportunity, which helps to provide financial assistance to public and private construction equipment owners for engine replacements and/or exhaust controls on older construction equipment. 

The Public-Private Partnership Alliance announced the agenda for its 2014 National Conference for Public-Private Partnerships (P3C 2014), which will be held Feb. 24-25 in Dallas, Texas. As one of the largest events combining public planners, economic developers and A/E/C professionals, the second annual conference will bring together top industry decision makers to address the most relevant and pressing issues faced in public-private partnerships.

The 2014 Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) applications are now available and have been mailed to all ABC chapters and contractor members. 

This year’s BizCon takes place during Merit Week, Feb. 11-12 in Maui, Hawaii, and presents a great opportunity to mix work with play for the whole family. Merit Week features a line-up of events that allow ABC chapters and members to enjoy the exciting activities Hawaii has to offer while gaining insight and expert advice to take back to the office.

On Jan. 9, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury issued another set of frequently asked questions regarding implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  The FAQs (Part XVIII) discuss coverage of preventive services, limitations on cost-sharing, and wellness programs and provided guidance on the Mental Health Parity Act.

In response to the House-Senate Conference meeting on the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (H.R. 3080) and the Water Resources Development Act (S. 601), ABC Jan. 7 sent a letter to members of Congress thanking them for recognizing the importance of our nation’s water infrastructure and for moving forward with the first Water Resource Reauthorization bill since 2007. However, ABC also expressed concern that the proposed Senate bill would expand Davis Bacon requirements and exclude a public-private partnership (P3s) program.

ABC announced a new education program, the ABC Project Management Institute, offering owners, project managers and estimators to learn how to utilize and develop tools that will improve profitability and productivity at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. 

ABC members interested in participating in the 2014 BizCon in Maui, Hawaii, Feb. 11-12, have until Wednesday, Jan. 8 to register at the early bird rate and take advantage of the hotel discounts at the Grand Wailea. 

The deadline to submit an intent to compete form to take part in the 2014 National Craft Championships April 29-May 2 in Birmingham, Ala., is Friday, Jan. 10. ABC chapters and contractors can send their best craft trainees to compete in the competition to represent their company’s dedication to workforce development, their ABC chapter’s training and their hometown.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) January 6 formally abandoned its controversial “Employee Rights” notice poster rule after deciding not to file a petition for the U.S. Supreme Court to review two U.S. Court of Appeals decisions invalidating the notice posting rule. The rule would have required employers to display a poster in their workplace that contained a biased and incomplete list of employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act.