腦瞳憫filed comments opposing the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Divisions (WHD) recent proposals to withdrawal the Independent Contractor status and rescind the Joint Employer definition under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 腦瞳憫supports the Trump administrations previous revisions to both rules, opposes these recent DOL actions and fully expects the opportunity to provide public input on any future revision or adoption of guidance regarding either rule.
On April 15, 腦瞳憫participated in a small roundtable with the White Houses National Economic Council centered on President Bidens Executive Order on Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of Americas Workers. The executive order directs the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council to consider proposing amendments to the FAR to promote enforcement of the Buy American Act of 1933. The White House staff briefed 腦瞳憫on the direction of proposed rulemaking and 腦瞳憫gave feedback to better inform the FAR Councils as to the impact domestic product preference policies have on those building the nations infrastructure. 腦瞳憫will continue to advocate for the construction industry to ensure that policy makers are well informed about the uniqueness of construction.
On April 15, AGC, along with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and other industry stakeholders, called on Congress to authorize $200 billion in highway and bridge stimulus or down payment funding in any infrastructure package, available to be obligated through 2026 at 100 percent federal share. The request also asks that Congress provide $487 billion for the Federal-aid Highway Program as part of the upcoming five-year surface transportation reauthorization due by October 1. According to a recent USDOT report, the current investment backlog for highways and bridges stands at $756 billion. This funding request would finally address this longstanding investment backlog in our nations roads and bridges.
$1 Billion in RAISE Grants Tied to Administrations Policy Objectives
Senate Republicans are reportedly preparing a counteroffer to the White Houses $2 trillion infrastructure proposal. West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito and others in a Republican working group have stated that such a proposal would be in the range of $600 to $800 billion, more targeted in scope focusing on traditional infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ports, airports, broadband, and water infrastructure and would be funded by unspecified user fees. 腦瞳憫will continue to monitor Congressional activity on infrastructure and surface transportation reauthorization negotiations.
According to the latest Contractor Compensation Quarterly (CCQ) published by PAS, Inc., construction executive staff wage increases came in at 3.8% for 2020 and are projected to rise by an average 3.4% in 2021. Though it is pointed out that historically executive staff predictions are low and readers are warned that it might not be until late in the second quarter that we get a better sense of true year end expectations.
腦瞳憫chapters and members should be aware that fraudulent unemployment claims are on the rise. While this has been a problem throughout the pandemic and while the construction industry is not a unique target, many 腦瞳憫members have reported experiencing such claims and some have reported a spike in recent weeks.
Now that the country is on course to see all adult Americans eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in a matter of days, and an increasing number of employees are returning to the workplace, vaccination status is likely to be an increasingly common topic over the coming weeks and months. This has led many 腦瞳憫members to ask: when and how can employers ask their workers whether theyve been vaccinated without getting into hot water? Whether its an innocent question asked while trying to make conversation or an inquiry posed to determine whether someone can return to normal duties, employers need to understand their legal rights and obligations regarding this serious topic. Missteps can easily lead to legal complications.
The Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC) has released its latest edition of the Union Labor Costs in Construction. The report covers trends in collectively bargained compensation in the industry, providing data analyses by region, time, and trade. It can be a valuable resource when preparing for collective bargaining
Please join 腦瞳憫of America, and its partners on the Construction Industry Safety Coalition, in planning to participate in the COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness Week in Construction, April 19-23. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of the safety, effectiveness, and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination among construction workers.