On Nov. 1, ABC submitted comments opposing the General Services Administration’s Sept. 2 final rule to allow unions access to federal property for the purpose of soliciting membership from the employees of federal contractors. Previously, these activities were barred by a general prohibition on soliciting, posting and distributing materials in or on federal property controlled by the GSA.

ABC argued that the GSA had failed to undertake proper notice-and-comment procedures, that the rule will discourage competition in federal procurement from nonunion contractors and that it contains significant ambiguities that will create uncertainty for contractors.

The final rule specifically references a recommendation generated by the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment in its Report to the President, released publicly on Feb. 7.  

The report urged President Biden to pursue a wide range of pro-union policies, including the allowance of union soliciting on federal property. ABC pushed back on the report, urging the administration to instead implement inclusive policies that promote all of America’s construction workforce.

The final rule took effect immediately on Sept. 2.