Newsline

Construction Employment Falters in March; Nonresidential Segment Loses 8,200 Net Jobs

The U.S. construction industry lost 15,000 jobs on net in March, according to an ABC analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a significant reversal from February, when the industry added a post-recession high of 65,000 net new jobs (upwardly revised from +61,000). READ MORE

ABC Applauds Confirmation of John Ring to NLRB

On April 11, the U.S. Senate voted 50-48 to confirm John Ring to be a member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Mr. Ring's confirmation brings the NLRB back to five members: three Republicans and two Democrats. ABC sent a letter to the Senate in support of Mr. Ring, who served as a partner at Morgan Lewis. ABC will count Wednesday's vote as a key vote for the 115th congressional scorecard.   READ MORE

Federal Agencies Sign MOU to Streamline Infrastructure Permitting

On April 9, federal agency heads signed the “One Federal Decision Memorandum of Understanding,” which will further implement the administration's executive order to streamline the federal permitting process for major infrastructure projects. ABC expressed support for the executive order when it was announced in 2017.  READ MORE

Construction Executive Named Amongst Best Contractor Magazines

ABC’s Construction Executive magazine was included in a list of the top 20 contractor magazines issued by GenieBelt, a construction project management software company. The magazine also won a Silver Azbee Award of Excellence for the Mid-Atlantic region from the American Society of Business Publication Editors last week. READ MORE

Register Today for National Small Business Week

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and SCORE Association will host a free, three-day Virtual Conference during SBA’s 2018 National Small Business Week, May 1-3. READ MORE

February Construction Unemployment Rates Down Year-over-year in 34 States

The February 2018 not seasonally adjusted national construction unemployment rate was 7.8 percent, down 1 percent from February 2017 and the lowest national February rate on record, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released by ABC. Estimated construction unemployment rates were down in 34 states on a year-over-year basis, unchanged in one state (Arizona) and up in 15 states. READ MORE

Nonresidential Construction Flat in February; Public Sector Spending Plummets

Nonresidential construction spending inched 0.1 percent higher in February, according to an ABC analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Nonresidential spending, which totaled $732.8 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis, has expanded 1.3 percent since February 2017. READ MORE

DOL Launches New PAID Pilot Program and Offers Webinar

On April 3, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division launched the Payroll Audit Independent Determination program, a new nationwide pilot program to assist employers in expediting the resolution of inadvertent overtime and minimum wage violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The pilot program will be implemented for approximately six months nationwide. READ MORE

Commerce Issues Guidance for Tariff Exemptions

On March 19, 2018, the U.S. Department of Commerce began accepting exclusion requests from U.S. industry for the recently announced tariffs on steel and aluminum product imports. According to the notice published in the Federal Register, “individuals or organizations using steel or aluminum articles identified in presidential proclamations 9704 and 9705 and engaged in business activities in the United States may submit exclusion requests.”  READ MORE

DOL Releases Video Series on FLSA Compliance

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division released several videos that will assist employers with complying with the requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act. READ MORE