On Feb. 4, President Biden signed a new executive order on use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects (PLA). When in effect, this will require every prime contractor and subcontractor to engage in negotiation or agree to PLAs on federal construction projects valued at $35 million or more. Rest assured, AGC of America will rigorously explore every possibly avenue — including legal options — to push back against this executive order, as underscored in the association’s recent statement.
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"A report from the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment is of great concern, especially for Americans who expect the government to create and support policies ensuring fair and open competition on taxpayer-funded federal and federally assisted construction projects,” said Ben Brubeck, ABC vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs. “The report’s recommendations to expand the use of anti-competitive and costly project labor agreements will increase infrastructure project costs by 12% to 20%, reduce competition from the best quality public works contractors and exacerbate the construction industry’s skilled labor shortage by discriminating against the nearly nine out of 10 members of the construction workforce who choose to be union-free."
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The first 1.25 million metric tons of annual Japanese steel imports to the US will be freed of the 25% tariff imposed by the Trump administration under a new deal reached between the two countries. The tonnage is the average quantity that the US imported in 2018 and 2019. (Associated Press)
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This is an instructor-led course that teaches students critical skills needed to respond to and manage an emergency until emergency medical services arrives. Skills covered in this course include first aid for sudden illnesses, injuries and protection from blood-borne pathogens; choking relief and sudden cardiac arrest for adults. This course is for anyone with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card in CPR and AED use to meet job, regulatory, or other requirements.
FORT WORTH - ENGLISH
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 11 | 8 a.m. - noon
WHERE: TEXO Fort Worth Training Room | 417 Fulton St, Fort Worth, TX 76104
DALLAS - ENGLISH
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 18 | 8 a.m. - noon
WHERE: TEXO Dallas Conference Center | 11111 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75229
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OSHA 30-Hour Construction safety course is intended for supervisors or for workers with some safety responsibility. It provides a greater depth and variety of training on an expanded list of topics associated with workplace hazards than the TEXO Safety First class. Topics include recognition, avoidance, abatement and prevention of safety and health hazards found in the workplace.
WHEN: Feb. 14-17 | 7 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
WHERE: TEXO Fort Worth Training Room | 417 Fulton St, Fort Worth, TX 76104
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Everyone related to the construction process has an incentive to get the project done faster and at a lower cost. Lean Construction is based on the holistic pursuit of continuous improvements aimed at minimizing costs and maximizing value on a construction project. This highly interactive, virtual program provides 35-hours of instruction, one day a week (for two-plus hours a day) and training to provide construction industry professionals at all levels with the knowledge and skills to take advantage of the benefits of Lean Construction.
WHEN: Feb. 14 - April 18
WHERE: Virtual Course
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Primavera P6 is the required scheduling application for most large construction projects. However, because of its robust functionality, Primavera P6 can be daunting to learn. Whether you are a new scheduler or a seasoned Microsoft Project user, this three-hour course will cover the fundamentals of using Primavera P6.
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 15 | 9 a.m. - noon
WHERE: TEXO Dallas Conference Center | 11111 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75229
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The 2022 TEXO Board of Directors would like to invite you to a New Member and Potential Member Breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 17. Please join us for an informal gathering to introduce you and your company. This breakfast is open to anyone interested in TEXO. We hope you will join us!
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 17 | 8-9:30 a.m.
WHERE: TEXO Dallas Conference Center | 11111 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75229
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In today’s challenging economy, construction companies must:
- Get paid for the materials and services they provide.
- Pay only once for the materials and services they receive.
- Know what Texas laws protect its interests.
- Have the legal tools to necessary to succeed.
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 18 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: TEXO Fort Worth Training Room | 417 Fulton St, Fort Worth, TX 76104
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Mark your calendars for the TEXO Foundation & Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region 5 Student Competition, where teams of students from the Region 5 schools will compete against each other using member companies' construction projects to show their skills and interest in careers in construction. This is your chance to get in front of the best and the brightest college students and future recruits!
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 21 | 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
WHERE: Irving Convention Center | 500 West Las Colinas Boulevard, Irving, TX 75039
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Join Women in Construction for a fun-filled night of networking and art. Quigley’s Clay House will help guide you with painting pottery of your choice or making a glass mosaic piece. Complimentary wine and appetizers will be served.
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 22 | 5-7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Quigleys Clayhouse | 1334 Beltline Rd, Richardson, TX 75081
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Mentorship is an important component of growing a workforce, even if the firm is a small one. The migration to working remotely for some or all of a workday has complicated effective mentorship. Join AIA Dallas and TEXO for a discussion of how some have approached mentorship in the new workplace and bring your own suggestions.
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 24 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
WHERE: AD EX | 325 N Saint Paul St #150, Dallas, TX 75201
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Each year AGC of America surveys our member firms on their expectations for labor and market conditions for the coming business year. We then closely analyze those survey results and prepare our annual Construction Hiring and Business Outlook. AGC has once again teamed up with Sage Construction and Real Estate to prepare the Outlook and have included their insights into how construction firms are – and will be – using technology to remain competitive.
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It's a new year and a new chance to RISE TO THE CHALLENGE as the year-long contest for the coveted trophy begins again. The 2022 TEXO Challenge Cup Series, presented by Milwaukee Tool, is now open for Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsorships. To learn more about these strategic investment opportunities and the benefits included with each sponsorship level, please click below.
Available Sponsorships:
Gold Sponsor – 3 left
Silver Sponsor – 8 left
Bronze Sponsor – 4 left
TEXO members receive 22% off monthly access calling plan fees, unlimited VZemail for $20 per month, 35% off eligible Verizon accessories and for a limited time receive a $100 bill credit.
By joining TEXO Members 401(k) Plan, you can provide an outstanding plan, save money, and spend less time administering it. TEXO Members 401(k) Plan, from a government reporting standpoint, is treated like one large plan. The end result for you is a 401(k) plan with competitive investments, outstanding service, and someone else doing a majority of the plan maintenance legwork.
On Friday, Feb. 4, President Joe Biden signed the Executive Order on Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects at an event at the Iron Workers Local 5 union hall in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
Government-mandated PLAs increase the cost of construction 12% to 20%, reduce competition from 87.4% of the construction industry workforce and steal up to 34% of wages from the token few nonunion workers allowed to work on a PLA jobsite.
Here is what you need to know about the PLA EO:
Want to see what's coming up next year in Q1 & Q2? Click below to check out our 2022 Event Calendar for the highlights.
Missed our Legislative Recap event? Want to know about new laws passed by the 87th Texas Legislature? Check out these recap notes from our very own Jack Baxley, Vice President of Governmental Affairs. Feel free to reach out to Jack Baxley with any questions at jack@texoassociation.org.
If you'd like to check out an overview of what all we accomplished as an association this year, click below to view our 2021 Year In Review infographic.
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