News for Labor Issues
DOL “Persuader” regulation is back
By Judd H. Lees, Sebris Busto James
Posted on: 03/28/2016
Having trouble finding qualified workers? You’re not alone!
An overwhelming majority of construction firms report trouble finding qualified craft workers to fill key spots as demand for construction continues to rebound in many parts of the country, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released by AGC of America.
Posted on: 10/13/2015
NLRB’s joint-employer decision could have implications in construction
While employers were troubled by the National Labor Relations Board’s decision to issue a complaint against McDonald’s last year based on the alleged unfair labor relations acts of its franchisors, the Board’s pending Browning-Ferris decision represented more potential downside for the construction industry based on the Board’s potential expansion of the definition of “joint employers.”
Posted on: 09/28/2015
Is your subcontractor an ‘independent contractor'? GCs could be at risk.
The DOL now says carpenters, construction workers and electricians may be misclassified as independent contractors, and that most workers are employees.
Posted on: 09/28/2015
Is your subcontractor an 'independent contractor?' GCs could be at risk.
The DOL now says carpenters construction workers and electricians may be misclassified as independent contractors and that most workers are employees.
Posted on: 08/25/2015
Finding business-friendly programs is as easy as E-S-D
Chad Pearson Shared-Work Marketing ManagerThe Employment Security Department (ESD) isn’t just “the unemployment office” anymore. A full suite of business programs is available to help employers be successful.
Find your next employee of the month through our partnership with WorkSource.
Dia...
Posted on: 04/06/2015
CITC opens craft-laborers program
As of January 15 2015 CITC has been approved by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC) for a Construction-Craft Laborers apprenticeship program. The new program is statewide which means that if a company participates in their laborers program apprentices can work anywher...
Posted on: 01/30/2015
AGC of America plans legal challenge to “quickie election†rule
NLRB ruling not only makes it easier for unions to organize open-shop contractors it also limits union contractors’ flexibility by converting from 8(f) to 9(a) relationships. Click “ambush election” rule.
Posted on: 12/17/2014
Old E-Verify records to be deleted; employers must download historic records prior to Dec. 31
According to the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) effective January 1 2015 E-Verify transaction records more than ten years old will be deleted from the system. As a result employers will no longer have access in E-Verify to cases created prior t...
Posted on: 12/09/2014
Immigration: AGC supports earned path to legalization; says executive order makes bipartisan reform difficult
AGC of America released the following statement regarding the President’s Nov. 20 immigration executive order:For over a decade when the Bush Administration began its push for immigration reform through today AGC has supported comprehensive immigration reform. That support included an endorsement...
Posted on: 11/21/2014
L&I proposes 1.8% workers' comp rate increase for 2015
L&I is proposing an average 1.8 percent rate increase for 2015 workers’ compensation premiums. The increase comes out to about 1 cent per hour worked. Proposed rates differ considerably by construction job classification. For example the Concrete Work - Foundations and Flatwork classification...
Posted on: 09/29/2014
AGC of America partners with Hiring Our Heroes program
The Associated General Contractors of America recently joined the national Hiring Our Heroes program as part of the construction industry’s effort to add 100000 veterans over the next five years. The new partnership will make it easier for construction contractors to find recruit and hire veteran...
Posted on: 08/27/2014
No PLA for JBLM hangar project after AGC protests
The Army Corps will not be pursuing a project labor agreement (PLA) for a large hangar project at JBLM after AGC expressed its opposition. AGC applauds this decision particularly in light of the recent uptick in the use of PLAs on federal projects.
The U.S. Army Corps of Seattle District (USACE...
Posted on: 07/22/2014
AGC of America joins Hiring Our Heroes program to add 100K vets to workforce
AGC of America announced that it is joining the national Hiring Our Heroes program as part of the construction industry’s effort to add 100000 veterans over five years. The new partnership will make it easier for construction contractors to find recruit and hire veterans association officials add...
Posted on: 06/10/2014
Help stop NLRB's “ambush†election rule
The NLRB has re-issued a proposed rule on representation-case procedures with a public comment deadline of Monday April 7. It mirrors a 2011 “quickie election” or “ambush election” rule that was ultimately invalidated by a court. To take action click ambush rule.
Posted on: 04/02/2014
AGC working on several labor-related bills
Several labor-related bills – some opposed by AGC some supported – are still alive in the current legislative session. Below is a recap; for additional information contact Van Collins at 360 352 5000360 352 5000.AGC supports:SB 5125 – Changes the statutory definition of occupational disease so th...
Posted on: 02/17/2014
AGC testifies on a flurry of labor bills
AGC opposes bills to increase apprentice utilization mandate paid vacation leave and mandate certified payrolls on public projects and supports bills to clarify independent contractor rules.
Apprentice UtilizationHB 2526 would make any bidder “non-responsible” that does not meet apprenticeship u...
Posted on: 01/31/2014
Can a contractor be forced to pay twice for a subcontractor's employee benefits? Washington Supreme Court to decide (again).
By James R. Lynch Ahlers & Cressman PLLC(Editor’s note: Oral arguments can be viewed on TVW here.)In the first case of its Winter 2014 term the Washington State Supreme Court is considering whether an employee benefits trust may use the Washington public works bond and retention statutes to p...
Posted on: 01/21/2014
L&I Director on Rates: Aiming for Predictability, Lower Costs
L&I Director on Rates: Aiming for Predictability Lower Costs
Editor’s note: We asked the Department of Labor & Industry Director Joel Sacks to answer a few questions for this newsletter about his thinking regarding workers’ comp rates. Click here for a separate article about the propos...
Posted on: 10/08/2013
New Affirmative-Action Rules Finalized
On August 27 the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced two final rules that will expand the affirmative-action obligations of direct federal contractors and their subcontractors with regard to veterans and individuals with disabilities. The rules upda...
Posted on: 09/10/2013
74% of Construction Firms Having Trouble Finding Qualified Workers
Nearly three-fourths of construction firms across the country report that they are having trouble finding qualified craft workers to fill key spots amid concerns that labor shortages will only get worse according to the results of an industry-wide survey released today by AGC of America. Associa...
Posted on: 09/09/2013
Union Agreements Include Sick Leave Waivers; Others Still Affected
Seattles new paid sick leave ordinance takes effect September 1 and nearly all firms with at least five employees will be affected. Firms headquartered outside Seattle will also be affected if they have employees who perform at least 240 hours of work in the city within a calendar year.
During ...
Posted on: 06/26/2012
Tentative Agreements Reached with All Unions
On Friday June 1 AGC reached a tentative agreement with the Carpenters Union. With this agreement negotiations with all five of the basic crafts have been completed. The Laborers Teamsters Operating Engineers and Cement Masons agreed to tentative agreements earlier last week.
Common elements i...
Posted on: 06/05/2012
Labor Negotiations Update
by Doug Peterson AGC Labor Relations Director
With labor contracts expiring May 31 2012 negotiations with the Carpenters Cement Masons Laborers Operating Engineers and Teamsters continue. Meetings are scheduled with all five unions into the final two weeks of the May.
Even though no wage incre...
Posted on: 05/21/2012
Court Grants Injunction on NLRB Posting Rule
From Denise Gold Associate General Counsel AGC of America April 17 2012:
In the continually changing saga of the National Labor Relations Board’s new regulation to require most private-sector employers to post certain notices informing employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations...