The National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP) and the Association of Defense Communities are co-hosting the ABC sponsored 4th Annual Federal Energy Workshop and Defense Energy Partnership Forum, October 8-9, Arlington, Va., which will focus on finding solutions to the issues facing the federal energy market. Register here.

The National Craft Championships (NCC) Intent to Compete deadline is fast approaching. ABC members and chapters that want to send their best craft trainees to compete in the 2014 competition should have their competitors submit a form before Dec. 6. Visitwww.nationalcraftchampionships.org for more information. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has issued two surveys soliciting comments from the construction industry on the potential use of a project labor agreement (PLA) for projects in Fort Greely, Alaska and the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

ABC National and ABC of Michigan Sept. 6, celebrated a victory when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit upheld a law that banned government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) on taxpayer-funded construction projects.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, individuals and employees of small businesses will have access to health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace (or Exchange). Open enrollment for coverage through the Marketplace begins Oct. 1, 2013. Section 18B of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as added by section 1512 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), requires employers to provide all new hires and current employees with a written notice about the Marketplace. 

Register your entry now for the ABC Excellence in Construction Awards (EIC). The EIC awards competition recognizes projects that are the best of the best from merit shop contractors. Enter today to gain industry-wide recognition and get an advantage over competitors.

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) Aug. 27 signed into law S.B. 776, which is designed to curtail the ability of contractors to count contributions to merit shop labor-management cooperation committees (LMCCs) against their fringe benefit obligations only if those committees monitor and enforce the prevailing wage. Other activities will still be allowed. The legislation preserves that ability for contractors contributing to similar committees run by unions.

Adams Electric Company, Greensboro, N.C., a member of the ABC Carolinas Chapter, and Gilbane Building Company, Houston, a member of the ABC Greater Houston Chapter have been awarded Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status by ABC.  

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Sept. 4 became the second court to deny a request by the NLRB to review a decision to invalidate the NLRB’s August 2011 “Notification of Employee Rights” rule. Under the rule, employers would have been required to display a poster in their workplace that contained a biased and incomplete list of employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act.

ABC Business Partner, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), is now offering ABC members a free 30-day trial of AIA Contract Documents® software that includes full access to all AIA agreements and forms. Sign up by Friday, Sept. 20 to start the free trial.