After months of failed negotiations, a strike by members of the International Longshoremen’s Association began Oct. 1.  As ILA members walked off the job without a new contract from the United States Maritime Alliance, more than 35 ports shut down along the East and Gulf coasts. In their first strike since 1977, the ILA has pledged to strike ‘as long as necessary’ seeking higher wages and a new language on automation in a six-year contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance.

On Sept. 27, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, issued a veto on SB 894, a bill that centered around the imposition of mandated project labor agreements on state construction projects. When introduced, the bill originally was crafted to mandate PLAs on all state projects over $35 million in total project costs, directly mirroring President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 14063, which mandates PLAs on all federal construction projects over the same $35 million threshold.

On Sept. 30, ABC launched an important survey to obtain ABC member contractor feedback on OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Indoor and Outdoor Settings proposed rule. OSHA’s proposed rule would apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime and agriculture sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction and require employers to develop programs and implement controls to protect employees from heat hazards.

ABC has added Empire State chapter member Diane Cahill of Cahill Strategies LLC to the Beam Club Presidential Level.