Nearing the end of 2013, we’ve seen tons of regulations, public comments, changes and an insane amount of political posturing. It’s enough to make your head spin and it’s no wonder the country is in a tizzy. As we close out 2013 and the start of the open enrollment period of the exchanges this month of October, as well as look to the changes and implementations that will begin in 2014…just a couple of months away, it’s time to get serious if you’re in the construction industry and make sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row. Read More “Affordable Care Act: Here We Go! Are Your Ducks in a Row?”
Forbidden Territory: The Back Door Public Construction Bid/Negotiation
Negotiating bids for public construction is generally frowned upon. The projects should be awarded to the responsible bidder with the lowest responsive bid. However sometimes the public agency awarding the project experiences budget woes resulting in negotiating before OR after awarding a project. Another problem public construction agencies encounter are problems with poor scope of a project resulting in a lack of competitive prices, not allowing participation by more contractors as well as auditing woes. Read More “Forbidden Territory: The Back Door Public Construction Bid/Negotiation”
Construction Industry Adds Jobs in November
Nearly 17,000 new jobs have been added by the construction industry in November 2013 making the sector’s employment level reach the highest it’s been since August of 2009. The industry’s unemployment rate has fallen to 8.6 percent. However, that’s still employment is still nearly 1.9 million below peak levels in 2006. This data comes from an analysis done by the Associated General Contractors of America. The Association also notes that this is probably due to construction spending levels hitting a four year high in October. Read More “Construction Industry Adds Jobs in November”
Controversial “Employee Rights” Poster Rule Abandoned by NLRB
A rule that 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 has been abandoned. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) abandoned its poster rule when they decided not to file petition to the U.S. Supreme Court to review two U.S. Court of Appeals decisions that invalidated the rule. The decision to not file was made by allowing the deadline to file the appeal to pass. Read More “Controversial “Employee Rights” Poster Rule Abandoned by NLRB”
Can Workers Identify Ergonomic Risks with the Help of Training?
Although there have always been many companies that offer their workers ergonomics training to help them identify risk factors that present opportunity for injury, only recently has a study been done to show if such training is actually of any help. The participants in said study were college individuals without any industrial experience. Read More “Can Workers Identify Ergonomic Risks with the Help of Training?”
Decision Against Davis Bacon Expansion is Celebrated by ABC
An important decision was made by a U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that limits the scope of the Davis Bacons Act and because of this, the Associated Builders and Contractors are celebrating. On March 31st, Judge Amy Berman Jackson rejected the DOL’s ruling that the Davis Bacon Act can be expanded to include privately funded projects. Read More “Decision Against Davis Bacon Expansion is Celebrated by ABC”
Highway Workers Protected by the Partnering of AGC, OSHA, and NIOSH
Highway Workers Protected by the Partnering of AGC, OSHA, and NIOSH
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) have signed and alliance, entering into a collaborative relationship to protect workers in highway work zones. It’s all part of the Roadway Work Zone Safety and Health Partners. Read More “Highway Workers Protected by the Partnering of AGC, OSHA, and NIOSH”
Federal Contractors Must Disclose Annual Compensation Data
Federal Contractors Must Disclose Annual Compensation Data
The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced on August 6, 2014 another obligation for federal contractors and subcontractors. Read More “Federal Contractors Must Disclose Annual Compensation Data”
FAQ
Davis Bacon Act Fact Sheet
Following is a Davis Bacon fact sheet of frequently asked questions for contractors and lay persons alike.
What is the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA)?
It is an Act requiring payment of locally prevailing wages, including fringe benefits to workers on federal government contracts that exceed the amount of $2,000 for construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings and work sites. Read More “FAQ”
Bill Has Been Made to Increase Competition on Federal Contracts
There is a new bill introduced by Representative Mulvaney , a Republican from S.C., that will increase fair and open competition on federal and federally funded construction projects. The bill is named the Government Neutrality in Contracting Act (H.R. 1671). Read More “Bill Has Been Made to Increase Competition on Federal Contracts”