News
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Falls to Close 2019
Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 8.4 months in December 2019, a 4.2% decline from November’s reading. This appeared to be due primarily to seasonal factors. “December’s nonresidential construction...
ABC and Southwire Form Strategic Partnership to Provide Safe, Innovative Electrical Solutions
Associated Builders and Contractors and leading electrical manufacturer Southwire, headquartered in Carrollton, Georgia, today announced a strategic partnership that will provide ABC chapters and contractor members with innovative, productive electrical solutions....
The PRO Act Passes in the U.S. House of Representatives
On Feb. 6, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the disingenuously named Protecting the Right to Organize Act by a vote of 224 to 194. Five Republicans voted for the bill: Reps. Don Young (Alaska), John Katko (N.Y.) and co-sponsors Jeff Van Drew (N.J.), Chris...
Study: Project Labor Agreement Mandates Inflate the Cost of Connecticut School Construction by 19.8%
A study released in January 2020 by the Beacon Hill Institute found that Connecticut schools built under controversial government-mandated project labor agreements cost 19.8% more than schools that were bid and constructed through fair and open competition, free from...
Apply for the 2020 HIRE Vets Medallion Program Award by April 30
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service is accepting employer applications for the 2020 HIRE Vets Medallion Program Award, which recognizes employers for their efforts to recruit, employ and retain our nation’s veterans. In 2019, the...
Nonresidential Construction Employment Rises in January, Says ABC
The construction industry added 44,000 net new jobs in January, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has expanded by 142,000 jobs, an...
DOT Employer Resources Available: CDL Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
On Jan. 6, directed by an act of Congress, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration launched an online database called the Commercial Driver's License Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. Employers that utilize commercial drivers should be aware of the new...
The Merit Shop Construction Workforce Grew in 2019, According to BLS
Construction industry employment grew by 192,000 wage and salary workers to 8.35 million in 2019, according to a new report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the report found the share of construction industry employees that belong to a union dropped...
December Construction State Unemployment Rates Down From a Year Ago, Says ABC
Feb. 5—In December 2019, estimated not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates fell nationally and in 24 states, rose in 25 states and were unchanged in one state (New York) on a year-over-year basis, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor...
Nonresidential Construction Falls Again in December, Says ABC
National nonresidential construction spending declined 1.2% in December 2019 but is up 4.4% on a year-ago basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis,...