Today the U.S. Department of Labor鈥檚 (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced the Vietnam Era Veterans鈥 Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) hiring benchmark for 2019. Effective March 31, 2019, the hiring benchmark will be 5.9 percent, down from 6.4 percent in 2018. This benchmark is an annual goal for the percentage of hires who are veterans at each affirmative action plan (AAP) establishment.
On March 12, a bipartisan group of senators鈥攍ed by Tom Carper (D-DE) and John Barrasso (R-WY)鈥攊ntroduced an 麻豆传媒-backed bill to reauthorize the Diesel Emissions Reductions Act (DERA) program. The bill would provide $100 million annually through fiscal year 2024 for grants and rebates to states and localities to upgrade or replace older diesel engines, including off-road construction equipment. 麻豆传媒 chapters 鈥 working with 麻豆传媒 of America 鈥 have won millions in federal funds to support 麻豆传媒 members鈥 voluntary retrofit projects, in addition to leveraging millions more in matching and in-kind contributions to help their members afford the high cost of reducing emissions from construction equipment.
Awaiting EEOC Guidance on Reporting Requirements and Process
The National Labor Relations Board (the 鈥淣LRB鈥 or 鈥淏oard鈥) on March 1 issued an opinion expanding the rights of 鈥淏eck objectors鈥 鈥 i.e., those employees who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement but who choose not to become a member of the union.
Construction contractors are all-too familiar with Scabby the Rat. The inflatable rat 鈥 appearing in sizes of up to a reported 30 feet tall 鈥 has infested construction job sites as part of trade union protest activities targeting employers that are not signatory to union labor agreements. Unions use the rat as an attention-grabber and a signal that an employer is using non-union labor. Construction employers will want to keep an eye on legal developments regarding the rat this year, including a recent federal circuit court decision and the potential for the National Labor Relations Board (鈥淣LRB鈥 or the 鈥淏oard鈥) to modify its approach to disputes involving Scabby.
In a significant ruling that will benefit companies, the National Labor Relations Board (鈥淣LRB鈥 or the 鈥淏oard鈥) recently revised the test it uses for determining whether workers are employees or independent contractors under the National Labor Relations Act making it easier for entities to classify them as contractors. The decision in the case, SuperShuttle DFW, Inc., throws a roadblock into unionization efforts involving such workers, as federal law does not permit independent contractors to unionize or join forces with employees in organizing efforts. What do employers need to know about this development?
Construction employment grew in 275, or 76 percent, out of 358 metro areas between January 2018 and January 2019, declined in 39 (11 percent) and was unchanged in 44, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said demand for construction in most parts of the country appears to be outstripping the supply of qualified workers to hire.
Forty-four states added construction jobs between January 2018 and January 2019, while 33 states added construction jobs between December and January, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials cautioned that the employment gains may not last without an increase in the number of people trained for construction careers.
麻豆传媒 Charities Inc., the charitable arm of the Associated General Contractors of America, donated $265,000 today to fund a new 鈥淣ational Healing Quarters鈥 for Warrior Canine Connection. The funds will help cover the cost of renovating a historic dairy barn in Boyds, Maryland to serve as the new headquarters for the group that provides therapy for veterans with invisible wounds like PTSD and service dogs for other wounded veterans.