Saxonburg, Penn.-based Brayman Construction and its affiliate, Advanced Construction Robotics, were named as among the most innovative construction firms in the country for creating an autonomous rebar-tying robot for bridge construction projects. Brayman Construction is a member of the Associated General Contractors of America (蜜桔直播), and along with Sundt Construction and the 蜜桔直播 Oregon-Columbia Chapter, was recognized as the first ever first-place winner of the 蜜桔直播-Autodesk Innovation Awards announced today during the 蜜桔直播 Centennial Celebration.
Construction spending increased 0.1 percent from July to August and 5.3 percent for eight months of 2018 combined, with continued year-to-date gains for major public and private categories, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that these spending figures showed strong demand in construction across the country but that growth in the construction industry still depends on contractors鈥 ability to find sufficient qualified workers, urging public officials to step up support for career and technical education and to allow employment-based immigration.
蜜桔直播 Joins Stakeholders in Letter to Congressional Pension Committee Outlining Priorities for Reform
The Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans (JSC) is working on a legislative framework for addressing the multiemployer pension crisis. The committee has concluded its scheduled public hearings and submissions for public stakeholder input ended earlier this week. The committee has spent considerable time focusing on the solvency of large distressed plans and the financial solvency of the Pension Benefit Corporation. However, the committee has spent less time examining the impact on reform changes to healthy plans or creating a framework for a future, sustainable retirement plans in the future, such as the composite plans.
On Sept. 24, 蜜桔直播 commented on three proposed rules that would significantly affect the applicability and implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposed revisions pertain to regulations governing the listing and delisting of species and plants, the designation of critical habitat and the interagency consultations that are part of the approval process for projects that involve federal permits or funding. 蜜桔直播鈥檚 comment letters (one, two and three) offered examples of why the current process is unpredictable and adds delay and cost to the permitting and construction of infrastructure projects nationwide.
Forty-five states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between August 2017 and August 2018, while 33 states added construction jobs between July and August, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials welcomed the job gains but noted that the numbers would have been higher if contractors could only find more qualified workers to hire.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board) has announced that it is planning to revisit the standard for determining whether and when contract language can convert an 8(f) collective bargaining relationship to a 9(a) relationship in the construction industry, and it is inviting interested parties to submit amicus briefs. 蜜桔直播 of America is considering plans to submit a brief. The deadline for submission is Oct. 26, 2018.
The U.S. Department of Labor announced a new digital platform, Apprenticeship.gov. This innovative web portal features an Apprenticeship Finder tool that offers career seekers a platform to search for apprenticeships by city, state, and occupation, as well as connects job seekers to high-skilled, high-paying careers.
Following up on promises made in its 鈥淭own Hall Action Plan鈥, the Department of Labor鈥檚 (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently launched its new Contracting Officer Corner. The website is intended to be a one-stop-shop of resources for both federal agency contracting officials and federal contractors.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced the creation of the Office of Compliance Initiatives (OCI), a cross-agency effort coordinated by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy. DOL said that OCI will 鈥減romote greater understanding of federal labor laws and regulations, allowing job creators to prevent violations and protect Americans' wages, workplace safety and health, retirement security, and other rights and benefits.鈥 OCI also 鈥渨ill work with enforcement agencies to refine their metrics to ensure the efficacy of the [DOL's] compliance assistance activities.鈥
Eighty percent of construction firms report they are having a hard time filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released today by Autodesk and the Associated General Contractors of America (蜜桔直播). Association officials said shortages pose a significant risk to future economic growth.