The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit May 16 ruled that President Barack Obama’s recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) between March 2010 and January 2012 were unconstitutional. The ruling, which supports a Jan. 25 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit invalidating the January 2012 recess appointments of Democrats Sharon Block and Richard Griffin, also invalidates the March 2010 recess appointment of Craig Becker. 

The Department of Labor May 8 issued a technical release containing guidance on a provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that requires employers to issue employees a notice of coverage options.

As part of the H-2B Workforce Coalition and in conjunction with Immigration Works, ABC is encouraging members that use H-2B visas to participate in a survey on how developments related to the visas are affecting their bottom line.

The National Hispanic Contractors Association and ABC will be holding concurrent Legislative Breakfasts on June 12 and afterward, members of both groups will visit their legislators to discuss key industry issues. 

OSHA has released new materials to help employers comply with the newly revised Hazard Communication Requirements, including a fact sheet outlining the new training requirements, Quickcards on the new pictogram label requirements, and a brief synopsis on the labels and pictograms. 

The U.S. House of Representatives May 16 voted 229 –195 to pass H.R. 45, which would repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a survey requesting comments from the construction industry on the potential use of a PLA for the Public Health Command Laboratory Replacement, Edgewood Area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. 

A reference document provided by Washington Council Ernst and Young offers ABC members a summary of employer requirements contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The ABC Inland Pacific Chapter and the State of Idaho May 6 made oral arguments in an appeal of a December 2011 ruling that struck down two statutes of importance to merit shop contractors.  

ABC May 14 responded to the Senate Judiciary Committee mark-up of a section of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act (S. 744) by supporting an amendment that would allow all industries, including construction, equal access to temporary worker visas.