Members' Edge - August 2, 2018

AGC News

The construction industry is experiencing record
economic activity with low unemployment and little expectation that the current
domestic workforce can alone meet employment demand.

Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would allow contractors to hire year-round construction guest workers, who otherwise have no legal immigration avenue. The Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act would provide industries like construction access to tens of thousands of new temporary workers while protecting Americans and alleviating incentives for individuals to enter the country illegally.

Visit https://advocacy.agc.org/votervoice/?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f60406%2fRespond to view the full article online.

AGC Education And Research Foundation Scholarship Application Is Now Open

Each year the AGC Education and Research Foundation offers undergraduate and graduate level scholarships to students enrolled in ABET or ACCE accredited construction management or construction related engineering programs. The application closes November 1, 2018.

Through endowments made by AGC members and supporters, as well as AGC Chapters, the Education and Research Foundation awards over 150 scholarships each year to students dedicated to pursuing a career in the construction industry.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=516031&issueID=60721 to view the full article online.

Showcase Your Company's Commitment To Diversity And Inclusion

AGC of America is now accepting applications for its 2019 AGC Diversity & Inclusion Awards program. This award seeks to raise awareness of the value a diverse workforce and inclusive environment brings to a company by bringing attention to diversity and inclusion champions within AGC.

Visit https://www.agc.org/diversityawards to view the full article online.

Pressure Intensifies On Contractors As Year-Over-Year Increases Outstrip Bid Prices

Prices for goods and services used in construction costs were unchanged overall from June to July, but months of steep increases over the past year have squeezed the profits of contractors, whose bid prices have not matched the cost shocks, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new Labor Department data. AGC warns that the impact of recent and threatened tariffs are likely to put contractors in further financial peril.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2018/08/09/construction-input-costs-are-mixed-july-pressure-intensifies-contractors-year-over to view the full article online.

Events

We're Helping To Develop the Next Generation Of Leaders!

This program is designed to strengthen the next generation of leaders' civic and professional network and help them emerge with an increased knowledge of our industry's diversities.

Check out the details! Deadline to apply is Friday, August 17, 2018.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=516091&issueID=60721 to view the full article online.

Join Us At The AGC APEX Awards Gala September 22!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=516023&issueID=60721 to view the full article online.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=516024&issueID=60721 to view the full article online.

News you can Use

NLRB General Counsel Issues New Guidance on Employee Handbooks

National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Peter Robb has issued a memorandum about the NLRB’s new approach to cases charging that employee work rules or employment policies (also referred to as employee handbook policies) unlawfully interfere with employees’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

Visit http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/agchr/issues/2018-07-18/4.html to view the full article online.

U.S. Department Of Labor Investigation Results In Cabinet Manufacturer To Pay $175,458 In Overtime Payments

Texas-based cabinet manufacturer Kent Moore Cabinets LLC will pay $175,458 in back wages to 59 employees to resolve overtime, minimum wage, and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) found in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD).

WHD investigators found that the employer failed to pay overtime to service technicians. Kent Moore Cabinets LLC incorrectly classified these employees as exempt from overtime, and paid them a guaranteed wage plus commissions for their primarily manual labor. The service technicians received no additional compensation when they worked more than 40 hours in a workweek, in violation of the FLSA’s overtime requirements. The company also failed to maintain accurate pay and time records for these employees, violating the FLSA’s recordkeeping provisions.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/OPA-FINAL_18-1115-DAL_WHD_KentMooreCabinets.pdf to view the full article online.

AGC Is Proud To Be A Pinnacle Sponsor Of OSHACON!

Visit http://oshacon.org/ to view the full article online.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=516124&issueID=60721 to view the full article online.

Membership Benefits

All AGC Members Invited To Attend Chapter 401 (k) Plan Review Luncheon

Make plans to attend a special luncheon Wednesday, August 22, 2018 to learn more about the AGC Southwest Chapters 401 (k) plan.

Who can attend?

Participating companies, employees and anyone interested in learning more about the AGC 401 (k) plan.

Why you should attend:

• Receive your company’s individual plan review

• Assess the competitiveness of your design features compared to other AGC plans

• Get advice from our auditors (Hannis T. Bourgeois) on avoiding 401(k) plan pitfalls

• Enjoy lunch and mingle with other AGC CFO’s, CEO’s, HR & owners

Currently, the plan has investment assets of over $310,000,000 with 96 participating employers.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/AGCSouthwestChapters401k-2018PlanReviewInvitation.pdf to view the full article online.

AGC Members Save With Avis & Budget!

Visit https://www.agc.org/member-benefits/member-discount-programs?utm_source=informz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=informz_email&_zs=Vsnnc1&_zl=m4825 to view the full article online.

Our innovative, cloud-based software with integrated recruiting and ATS, onboarding, performance management, learning management (LMS) and succession planning can make your HR experience simple and user-friendly for both management and employees.

Visit https://www.agc.org/BDHR to view the full article online.

Here's Looking at You

AGC Safety Director Sports Proper Safety Harness Atire

Kim Mason, AGC Houston Director of Safety Services, recently demonstrated the correct way to wear Personal Fall Arrest System during an OSHA 30-Hour class. "Personal fall arrest systems are used to stop workers in a free-fall. They consist of an anchorage, connectors, and a body harness. They can also include a lanyard, lifeline, and deceleration device," she stated. "Most importantly," she added, "workers need to continuously check the lanyards and the body harness mechanisms to ensure that they are still in working order!"

Visit https://www.nsc.org/pages/harness-hero to view the full article online.

AGC Members Beat The Heat At Networking Mixer

AGC Houston members packed Cafe Adobe's main dining room on August 2, 2018 for our summer networking mixer. The event drew more than 100 construction industry professionals for a chance to network and win a cool goodies from Marton Roofing Industries, Ltd., our sponsor, including two pairs of Texans tickets! Congratulations to Chris Holley, Crain Group, LLC, who won the Predator FPV drone door prize!

Visit https://www.facebook.com/pg/AGCHoustonChapter/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155891504894117 to view the full article online.