In August, ABC launched the “One Post a Day” social media campaign to share positive messages with ABC chapters every day that showcase our commitment to the merit shop construction industry as well as safety and workforce development. This campaign has been successful and, based on recent feedback, we decided to make some changes to make it even more targeted and effective.

On Nov. 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 by an overwhelming bipartisan vote. TRIA is a shared public/private insurance program available to the construction and real estate sectors to cover catastrophic losses caused by acts of terrorism. ABC urges all senators to support H.R. 4634.

The AQC program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to quality, safety, craft and management education, talent management and diversity, and community relations.  This past month, 22 ABC members became Accredited Quality Contractors.

ABC, as part of the Construction Industry Safety Coalition, recently submitted comments to OSHA in regards to a proposed Beryllium rule. ABC stated that the 30-day timeframe OSHA requested for feedback was not enough time for people in the industry to submit thoughtful comments to the agency.

On Nov. 7, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a guidance letter that will provide ABC contractors working with the Department of Defense the legal clarity necessary to allow active duty soldiers onto their jobsites in order to receive on-the-job training, which previously caused unanswered legal questions. 

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has released an updated Technical Assistance Guide to help federal and federally assisted construction contractors and subcontractors understand their obligations under the laws enforced by OFCCP.

On Nov. 12, ABC joined other employer representatives in submitting a comment letter to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to express support for EEOC’s decision to not seek renewal of OMB clearance for the EEO-1 Component 2 form based on concerns over the utility of the data, the burdens of reporting it and confidentiality protections.

On Oct. 30, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration launched a new website, FindTreatment.gov, to help people struggling with substance abuse and addiction locate treatment centers and to provide them with additional resources. 

On Nov. 5, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled Fluctuating Workweek Method of Computing Overtime, which would revise a DOL regulation concerning salaried, non-exempt employees who work hours that vary each week under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Elections were held yesterday in Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia. Over the past few weeks, all eyes have been on Virginia, as the balance of power in the state was on the line.