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On March 12, 2024, a federal judge in Louisiana dismissed on procedural grounds �鶹��ý of America’s lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s regulation requiring project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal construction projects of $35 million or more. The decision, however, does not prohibit the association from refiling a lawsuit later.

A new rule from the U.S. Department of Labor is broadly expected to result in more workers being classified as “employees” under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Although the final rule faces challenges in court, employers should be prepared for the rule on independent contractor classification to go into effect March 11, 2024. Employers should review their relationships with workers currently classified as independent contractors to determine if they should be re-classified as employees. Misclassification could result in significant liability for unpaid wages (including unpaid overtime), employee benefits, and unpaid employment and other taxes.

�鶹��ý recently submitted comments on the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration’s (ETA) proposed rule to “revise the regulations for registered apprenticeship by enhancing worker protections and equity, improving the quality of registered apprenticeship programs, revising the State governance provisions, and more clearly establishing critical pipelines to registered apprenticeship programs, such as registered career and technical education (CTE) apprenticeships.”

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently released new resources to help veterans and employers understand the protections under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) of 1974.

Whether you love them or hate them, project labor agreements (PLAs) are a reality. In light of the new federal contractor PLA mandate and a growing number of state and local orders requiring or encouraging PLAs, contractors need to understand the intricacies of PLA terms and conditions now more than ever.

�鶹��ý Smartbrief recently wrote a story addressing project delivery methods that featured the ConsensusDocs’ design-build and construction management at-risk standard contracts with the following:

On April 24, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plans to consult the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) on its proposed regulatory framework for the Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings rule.