On June 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized an 勛圖窪蹋厙-supported rule to update and clarify its regulations on state water quality certifications under the Clean Water Act (CWA). This is welcome news as many 勛圖窪蹋厙 members perform construction activities on land and water that require section 401 water quality certification before proceeding, such as work that relies on a federal dredge and fill permit. The new rule refines the scope of the certification review to those water quality concerns at the point source and sets timelines to ensure the process does not become overly protracted. These changes will streamline environmental permitting for infrastructure projects.
New York City Has Largest Job Loss, Montgomery-Bucks-Chester County, Pa. Has Worst Percentage Loss As Coronavirus Pandemic Drives Rampart Decreases in a Month When Industry Typically Adds Employees
Study Finds That Participants Will Receive Higher Benefits with a Composite Plan than a Multi-Employer Retirement Plan, and That More Employers are Likely to Participate in the New Model Once Authorized
New Federal Investments in Transportation, Other Types of Infrastructure Will Help Offset Expected Declines in State and Local Funding as State Budgets Suffer Impacts of Coronavirus Lockdowns
勛圖窪蹋厙 of Americas Union Contractors Committee will hold its next conference call on June 11, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. The call will feature updates from 勛圖窪蹋厙 staff and a roundtable discussion of labor matters around the country. Participation is open to all 勛圖窪蹋厙 members and chapter staff, regardless of committee membership. (勛圖窪蹋厙 nonmembers may not participate.) To register for the call, click here. Call-in information will be sent to all registrants on the day prior to the call.
North Americas Building Trades Unions (NABTU) and CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training (NABTUs research arm) on April 27 publicly released COVID-19 Standards for U.S. Construction Sites. The document provides recommended practices for construction employers to implement at job sites designed to prevent disease, disability, and death caused by exposure to infectious disease. The practices include staff training, symptom checking, social distancing, personal hygiene, and decontamination measures.
On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule that allows employers to pay bonuses or other incentive-based pay to salaried, nonexempt employees whose hours vary from week to week. The final rule clarifies that payments in addition to the fixed salary are compatible with the use of the fluctuating workweek method under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC) recently released its latest edition of the Union Labor Costs in Construction. The report (previously called Trends and Outlook) includes general and detailed information about trends in collectively bargained compensation in the industry, including data analyses by region, by time, and by trade. It can be a valuable resource when preparing for collective bargaining negotiations, particularly when used in conjunction with CLRCs latest Settlements Report.