Newsline

Anti-Retaliation Provisions of OSHA’s Reporting Rule Take Effect Dec. 1

The anti-retaliation provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Electronic Injury Reporting and Anti-Retaliation final rule (also known as Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses) go into effect Thursday, Dec. 1. The rule, which was finalized on May 12, 2016, will make the submission of the injury and illness forms mandatory and exclusively electronic for most employers. For the first time, OSHA plans to make this information publicly available on the Internet through a new searchable database and use the data for enforcement purposes. Also, some forms of post-accident drug testing and accident-free programs will be deemed to be unlawfully retaliatory.  READ MORE

DOL’s Controversial Overtime Rule Blocked

On Nov. 22, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction blocking the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) burdensome and costly overtime final rule. The rule would have changed the federal exemptions to overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act for administrative, executive and professional employees, the so—called "white collar" worker classifications that have long been exempt from time-and-one-half pay for working more than 40 hours per week. The new rule will not go into effect without further action from the court. READ MORE

SDV Construction Earns AQC Accreditation

SDV Construction of Albuquerque, N.M., a member of ABC’s New Mexico 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.  READ MORE

ABC Welcomes New Beam Club Presidential Level Member

ABC has added Massachusetts Chapter member Barry Belcastro of Belcastro Brothers, 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. READ MORE

ABC Praises Injunction Against Department of Labor’s Controversial Overtime Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 23– Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) welcomed news that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction blocking the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) burdensome and costly overtime final rule. Prior to the injunction, the rule was scheduled to go into effect on Dec. 1 and would have doubled the current minimum salary threshold for employees that are exempt from overtime pay and automatically increased it every three years. READ MORE

Page Mechanical Group Launches NCCER-Accredited Apprenticeship Program

ABC member Page Mechanical Group Inc. (PMG) reached a major milestone in its employee education program in October by launching its own apprenticeship training program. The program is accredited through NCCER and offers PMG employees an in-house apprenticeship training program in pipefitting, welding, sheet metal fabrication and insulation trades.  READ MORE

Fall 2016 Regulatory Alert: Learn about Important Updates on Federal Rules and Regulations

ABC's Regulatory Alert, released Nov. 22, provides an overview of federally mandated rules, regulations and enforcement actions from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other federal agencies.  READ MORE

Shapiro & Duncan Inc. Earns AQC Accreditation

Shapiro & Duncan Inc. of Rockville, Md, a member of ABC’s Metro Washington 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.   READ MORE

Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 21– Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today released its annual update to “Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard,” which reviews and grades state-specific policies and information significant to the success of the commercial and industrial construction industry. The scorecard highlights states that have created a free enterprise-based environment where merit shop contractors are well positioned to succeed and calls attention to states where strategic improvements need to be made.
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Webinar: Affordable Care Act & Employer Wellness Programs – What Employers Should Know for 2017

On Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. EST, Ilyse Schuman of Littler Mendelson P.C . will present a webinar on Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requirements for employers and their potential impact on your company in 2017 and beyond. Ms. Schuman also will discuss how the recent elections could impact the ACA.   READ MORE