AGC of America’s 2024 Annual Convention is coming up March 19-22, 2024, in San Diego, CA. This not-to-be-missed event features distinguished keynote speakers, invaluable networking opportunities, eye-opening award ceremonies, and impactful education sessions. Events of particular interest to Human Resource & Labor News subscribers include:
The Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC) reports that the first year of new collective bargaining settlements reached in 2023 for union craft workers in the construction industry had an average wage-and-benefits increase of 4.7 percent or $2.98. The CLRC notes the surge in inflation in 2021 and 2022 have led to sharp increases but highlight that there is a lag effect on union craft increase because of the vast majority of negotiated union contracts are multiyear and many have yet to fully realize the recent surges in inflation. The CLRC projects first-year increases to level off in 2024/2025.
The union membership rate--the percent of all workers who were members of unions—for the construction industry was 10.7 percent in 2023, a full percentage point lower than last year when it was 11.7 percent according to an annual report released January 23, 2024, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Union representation in the industry also declined, from 12.4 to 11.4 in 2023. Still, union membership in construction remains considerably higher than the 6.0 percent rate across industries in the private sector. Union membership in the U.S., both in general and in the construction industry, fell to the lowest rates on record.
Join AGC of America for "Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Three-Part Webinar Series: Understanding, Influencing and Complying with Federal Prevailing Wage Requirements," an informative three-part webinar series taking a deep dive into recent updates to Davis-Bacon rules and compliance.
According to the latest Contractor Compensation Quarterly (CCQ) published by PAS, Inc., construction support staff wages are to rise by an average 4.4%. The prediction is based on data gathered from over 234 companies in the 20th edition of PAS’s Construction Support Staff Salary Survey. This is down from the actual increase of 5.0% for 2022. Looking forward, PAS thinks 2024 support staff increases will likely mimic 2023 activity, unless construction conditions change.
In this episode, we spotlight the transformative impact of a Culture of CARE's two pivotal pillars: Commit and Empower, specifically in the context of fostering leadership and accountability within construction firms. You will hear from two leading construction firms who share how a steadfast commitment from leadership sets the stage for a culture of inclusion and belonging. We explore how empowering employees at all levels contributes to a sense of responsibility, aligning individual actions with organizational values. Join us to understand how cultivating leadership and accountability through a Culture of CARE not only enhances workplace inclusivity but also propels construction companies toward sustained success. Listen Now!
On January 10, the Associated General Contractors of America and its Louisiana AGC chapter filed suit in federal court to block the Biden Administration’s unlawful effort to mandate project labor agreements (PLAs) on major federal construction projects. Unless stopped, the government-mandated PLA final rule will require every federal prime contractor and subcontractor to engage in negotiation or agree to PLAs on federal construction projects valued at $35 million or more, with limited exceptions, beginning on new contract solicitations issued on or after January 22.
AGC of America is reviewing a newly released 779-page U.S. Department of Labor proposed rule to “modernize” regulations governing registered apprenticeship programs.
On January 12th the US House of Representative passed a bipartisan Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution by a vote of 206 to 177 to block the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from finalizing its new joint employer rule. Under a rule issued by the NLRB and that becomes effective Feb. 26, 2024 it would allow joint employer finding based on only indirect exercise of control or mere reservation of control. Joint employer status is important because employers can be held jointly responsible for union recognition, collective bargaining and unfair labor practices.
If you’re gearing up for union negotiations in 2024, don’t miss the opportunity to review current and past practices that may not have been incorporated into expiring collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). It will be worth the effort to dig up and review all of the side letters, settlements and memoranda of agreement that the parties have entered into since the last CBA was signed. You may want to urge the union to engage in that effort too, especially if you intend to propose or freshen up an integration or zipper clause.