After days of torrential rain and flooding, President Obama declared a major disaster in Louisiana. Residents are facing a prolonged cleanup effort after widespread flooding killed at least 11 people and left an estimated 11,000 homeless or temporarily displaced. ABC's New Orleans/Bayou Chapter is working with local organizations to aid flood victims. Monetary donations to support their efforts can be made to the ABC disaster relief fund with the Red Cross.

Technology-rich equipment, tools, drones, robots and vehicles are revolutionizing how America’s commercial and industrial construction projects are built, according to the July/August issue of Construction Executive magazine. Improved safety, productivity gains and expedited schedules are driving industry-wide investment in technology acquisitions and upgrades among contrac

ABC slammed the flawed Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces final rule, commonly referred to as “blacklisting,” released by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council. The rule, which was accompanied by a guidance document from the U.S. Department of Labor and a White House amendment to Executive Order 13673, will increase costs for taxpayers, threaten the livelihood of millions of Americans who work for responsible federal contractors and cripple the federal procurement process with needless uncertainty, delays and

Earlier this month, prolonged rainfall in southern parts of Louisiana resulted in catastrophic flooding that submerged thousands of houses and businesses, including ABC Pelican Chapter. Located in hard-hit Baton Rouge, the chapter had two to three feet of water in its administrative building and training center, and more than half of the staff have lost their homes.

On Aug. 12, ABC submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) expressing concerns about the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) proposed revision to the Employer Information Report (EEO-1), which would require employers with 100 or more employees to provide data on W-2 pay and hours worked, beginning in 2018. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, OMB is responsible for reviewing and approving the revised EEO-1 report. 

On June 28, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration issued a final rule on the operation and certification of non-hobbyist small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones). The final rule covers commercial uses for UAS that weigh less than 55 pounds and it takes effect Aug. 29.

On July 22, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a bill that would have significantly changed the prevailing wage calculation process by tying wage rates to union collective bargaining agreements. In vetoing the bill, Gov. Rauner said Senate Bill 2964 would effectively discount the wage rates of those who have chosen not to join a union and who make up a majority of the construction workforce. 

ABC has added Iowa Chapter member Jeremy Price of Price Electric 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. Members receive one point for each new member recruited. Beam Club activity is ongoing from year to year, with members’ point totals continually accruing and advancing them to the next Beam Club award level.

Intent to compete forms for the 2017 National Craft Championships are now available for ABC members and chapters who think their apprentices and craft trainees have what it takes to win the title of ABC National Craft Champion. The competition will take place Feb. 28 – March 3 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in conjunction with ABC’s Workforce Conference. Intent to compete forms are due Dec. 1, 2016. 

The Weitz Company of Minneapolis, Minn., a member of ABC’s Minnesota/North Dakota 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.”