Members' Edge

Education/Training

Join us October 25, 2018 for an interactive session on conceptual planning and scheduling, and incorporating risk mitigation techniques.

Presented by Lana Coble, Ed.D, and Kendall Pouland, Tellepsen

Ideal for Project team members who are involved in creating, updating, evaluating, reporting, or providing input in the project schedule between Pre-Construction through Construction.

Visit https://agchouston.org/Shared_Content/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=2018150&WebsiteKey=c528e6e9-a956-41d3-9bf4-82416fc10399 to view the full article online.

AGC News

Construction Spending Extends Year-To-Date Gains In July In Most Public and Private Segments Even as Contractors Struggle to Find Craft Workers

Construction spending increased 0.1 percent from June to July and 5.2 percent for seven months of 2018 combined, with year-to-date growth for most major public and private categories, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. According to the report, said sustained growth will depend in part on contractors’ ability to find increasingly scarce craft workers and urged public officials to step up support for career and technical education to prepare more students for construction careers.

Read the full report

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2018/09/04/construction-spending-extends-year-date-gains-july-most-public-and-private-segments to view the full article online.

Temporary Exclusion From Federal Contractor Paid Leave Rule For CBAs Doesn't Apply To Most Union Construction Contractors

Union contractors may not rely on contributions to typical vacation or welfare plans as a basis for claiming the temporary exclusion to the federal contractor paid sick leave rule, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has informed AGC. WHD provided the information to AGC in response to questions posed by AGC on behalf of questioning members.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2018/09/06/temporary-exclusion-federal-contractor-paid-leave-rule-cbas-doesnt-apply-most-union to view the full article online.

AGC Releases Workforce Survey And Note 6.2 Percent Construction Cost Increase

"Price changes for construction materials in August were mixed, but contractors are likely to be hit with additional cost increases as new tariffs take hold, as well as significant labor cost escalation," said AGC of America’s chief economist, Ken Simonson. "Prices for goods and services used in construction rose over the past year at nearly double the rate that contractors have raised their bid prices to put up new buildings."

Diesel fuel, steel, aluminum, asphalt paving mixtures and gypsum products were among the diverse products that contributed to the large year-over-year cost increases

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

Message from the President/CEO

Texas Contractors Struggle with Workforce, As Industry Leaders and AGC Of America Call for Immigration Reform as Part of Comprehensive Plan

Seventy-eight percent of construction firms in Texas say they’re having difficulty finding skilled workers, despite record employment in the industry, according to Ken Simonson, AGC of America Chief Economist who spoke in Houston, August 29, 2018, and delivered the latest results from a national Workforce Shortage Survey. Simonson, along with Brian Turmail, AGC of America led a press conference at Marek Brothers Systems, Inc., which featured Mike Holland, COO, Marek Brothers Systems, Inc.; Dan Gilbane, Sr. Vice President, Southwest Division, Gilbane Building Company; Chuck Gremillion, Executive Director, Construction Career Collaborative.

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

Member News

Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. Announces Acquisition Of Ryder Insulation

This month, Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. announced that it acquired Ryder Insulation after having worked alongside each other for more than 40 years on high profile projects that include ExxonMobil's Woodlands Campus, Phillips 66 headquarters and Texas Children's Pediatrics and Maternity Center.

"Ryder's deep expertise in fireproofing, firestopping and advanced insulation techniques will strength Marek's portfolio of offerings," stated Phil Nevlud, Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. Managing Director. The acquisition became official September 4. John Ryder, owner and president of Ryder Insulation will join the team as a specialty Department manager.

Pictured from left are Saied Alavi, Phil Nevlud, John Ryder, Jorge Rodriguez and George Kissamis

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=522909&issueID=63812 to view the full article online.

News you can Use

OSHA Publishes New Silica Frequently Asked Questions For Construction

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=520592&issueID=63812 to view the full article online.

Congress Approves Water Infrastructure Bill

Congress has reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on the
America''s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, which will allocate billions of
federal dollars toward improving ports, harbors and waterways as well as $4.4
million for a safe drinking water program. The legislation also could help
curtail rural and coastal flooding.

Visit http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/406097-house-and-senate-negotiators-reach-agreement-on-water-infrastructure to view the full article online.

Houston Bond Issue Jump-Starts 237 Flood Control Projects

More than $3 billion in flood risk reduction and repair projects can move forward in Houston following a vote held on Hurricane Harvey''s anniversary that authorized a $2.5-billion bond program.

Those bonds will be used to fund 237 projects, including three large detention basins across the county. The projects and land acquisitions, which will occur over the next 10 to 15 years, include the three detention basins, repairs to Buffalo Bayou and acquisition of thousands of pieces of property.

Visit https://www.enr.com/articles/45122-houston-bond-issue-jumpstarts-237-flood-control-projects?id=45122-houston-bond-issue-jumpstarts-237-flood-control-projects&ajs_uid=6345J0989723C2K&oly_enc_id=6345J0989723C2K&ajs_trait_oebid=3782E0258467B1M to view the full article online.

Senate Approves $5M OSHA Budget Increase

The Senate''s passage of a spending bill that covers funding for the Occupational Health and Safety Administration would increase the agency''s funding by $5 million over the current fiscal year. The bill requires House passage and a presidential signature.

Visit https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17465-osha-in-line-for-funding-boost-after-house-and-senate-conference-committee-agrees-on-appropriations-minibus to view the full article online.

Membership Benefits

Enroll Today For Free!

AGC members receive
valuable discounts of up to 29% on select FedEx Express® and FedEx Ground®
shipping services, up to 70% on FedEx Freight® shipping services. There are no
costs and no minimum shipping, copy or print requirements to take advantage of
this great member benefit.

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

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=520493&issueID=63812 to view the full article online.

Enroll today

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=522896&issueID=63812 to view the full article online.

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