“Optimism about future job opportunities and market growth in 2018 and beyond remains high among union contractors, labor representatives and owner-clients – but at the same time, many remain concerned about a growing shortage of union craft workers,” reports The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC) in a recent press release about the publication of the 2018 Union Craft Labor Supply Study. The study was conducted by TAUC and the AGC-supported Construction Labor Research Council.
On May 15, AGC put forth its support for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to expand the universal waste regulations to include non-empty aerosol cans. Recognizing that aerosol cans are often the only hazardous waste stream produced on a construction site, this proposal could change a company’s status as a “generator” and reduce program costs and facilitate recycling.
From the repeal and replacement of the 2015 definition of Waters of the United States and opening up the National Environmental Policy Act procedures, to reevaluating regulations on listing species and designating critical habitat; the spring Unified Agenda sets a busy schedule for the year ahead.
On May 9, 2018, the Trump Administration unveiled its Spring 2018 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions mapping out federal agency priorities for the coming months. This bi-annual publication informs the public of regulations under consideration or planned by federal agencies. The present agenda includes several submissions by labor agencies.
The AGC Labor and Employment Law Council (LELC) held its 34th Annual Construction Labor Law Symposium on May 3 and 4 in Washington, DC. Attorneys and labor relations managers from across the country gathered to learn about labor and employment law developments and government initiatives relevant to construction employers.
Responding to recommendations from a 2016 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report and input gathered from succeeding Compliance Assistance Town Halls and stakeholder meetings, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has released its “Town Hall Action Plan” addressing “three general areas of focus: training, communication and trust.”
Registration and hotel reservations are open for the June 5 tour of the International Union of Operating Engineers’ brand new International Training & Conference Center in Crosby, TX.
Construction employment increased by 17,000 jobs in April and by 257,000 jobs over the past year while firms boosted pay to help recruit new workers, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the increases in pay appear to be attracting more former construction workers back into the job market, but cautioned that labor conditions remain extremely tight.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to meet Clean Air Act deadlines to review, revise and implement national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) – with nitrogen oxides and ozone at the forefront of recent actions. President Trump recently issued a memo that directs the Agency and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to take a series of “actions” to facilitate state and industry compliance with NAAQS and reduce barriers to economic growth. This includes decisions for the air permits needed to construct new facilities or to expand or modernize existing facilities. The memo notes that these air construction permits have become increasingly difficult to obtain as NAAQS have become more stringent. The White House said in a press release that the “Administration will reform NAAQS implementation to provide States with a more efficient process and to promote economic growth."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed a rule that would streamline the regulation of hazardous waste aerosol cans (currently managed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C, generally because of their ignitability, and subject to stringent rules on handling transport and disposal) by adding them to the existing federal list of materials that can be managed under the universal waste management system. EPA’s universal waste rules provide a streamlined hazardous waste management system for common industrial wastes like batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and lamps. (“Authorized” states would choose whether or not to adopt the new universal waste rules into their state programs. Some states have already added them to their universal waste lists.) This would likely simplify handling and disposal for contractors and save firms money (e.g., no manifest required for transport). Notably, because aerosol cans are often the only hazardous waste stream produced on a construction site, classifying them as universal waste could change a company’s “generator status” and exempt it from RCRA Subtitle C hazardous waste requirements. Universal wastes do not need to be counted toward a hazardous waste generator’s inventory for determining whether the generator is classified as a Very Small Quantity Generator, Small Quantity Generator, or Large Quantity Generator.