ABC announced it has made a seven-figure ad buy comprised of issue ads and express advocacy in six states. The ad buy will include radio and statewide digital ads in support of pro-free enterprise candidates and issues in Florida, Indiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

On Oct. 18, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it agreed to further delay enforcement of the anti-retaliation provisions of OSHA’s final rule on Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses until Dec. 1st. Under the anti-retaliation provisions of the final rule, some forms of post-accident drug testing and accident-free incentive programs will be deemed unlawfully retaliatory. 

On Monday , Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. representatives from the Wage and Hour Division will cover the basics of the U.S. Department of Labor’s final rule updating the overtime regulations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), highlight resources and guidance available for employers, and answer compliance assistance questions. 

Gov. Terry E. Branstad proclaimed October Careers in Construction Month in a brief signing ceremony at the ABC of Iowa workshop in Grimes, Iowa. The governor praised apprenticeship programs such as ABC’s as an alternative to school-based vocational and technical training. “While they learn, they can also earn a salary, and that’s one of the benefits. You don’t end up with a bunch of debt like a lot of college students end up with today” he said.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 7– Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and its ABC Southeast Texas Chapter announced that they have filed a lawsuit challenging the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces final rule, commonly referred to as the “blacklisting” rule, which was released Aug. 25, 2016. The legal challenge was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division, by the Texas office of Littler Mendelson, P.C., ABC National’s general counsel. The firm will represent ABC, the ABC Southeast Texas Chapter and the National Association of Security Companies (NASCO) in the lawsuit.

Kencor, Inc. Elevator Systems of West Chester, PA., a member of ABC’s Eastern Pennsylvania 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.  A company that meets the criteria set forth in the program, and has earned Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) Gold, Platinum or Diamond status, is formally designated an “Accredited Quality Contractor.”      

Messer Construction Co. of Charlotte, NC., a member of ABC’s Carolinas 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.  A company that meets the criteria set forth in the program, and has earned Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) Gold, Platinum or Diamond status, is formally designated an “Accredited Quality Contractor.”      

The 2016 ABC Employee Benefits Survey is now open through Oct. 15. This survey looks at benefit practices of ABC member contractors and helps you benchmark your current benefits offerings against your peers. The results are tabulated in the aggregate, as well as by region and company size. Find a link to the survey or view the 2014 survey results.

On Sept. 30, the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division issued a final rule requiring certain federal contractors to offer employees up to seven days (56 hours) of paid sick leave annually, including paid leave for family care.  The paid sick leave required by the final rule is in addition to a contractor’s obligations under the Service Contract Act (SCA) and Davis-Bacon Act (DBA). 

On Sept. 29, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) finalized its revisions to the Employer Information Report or EEO-1 report, which will impact private employers, including federal contractors and subcontractors, with 100 or more employees.  Beginning in March 2018, such employers will be required to report pay data and hours worked on the new EEO-1 form. ABC’s General Counsel, Littler Mendelson P.C., has prepared an analysis for ABC members.