Members' Edge - February 22, 2018

Education/Training

Nominations due March 31, 2018.

Presented annually, this prestigious award gives special recognition to a construction industry employee who most exemplifies the highest standards of excellence.All construction industry employees are eligible including employees of general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, service companies, architects and engineers.

Visit https://agchouston.org/AGCH/About/Chapter-Awards/Standard-of-Excellence-Award/AGCH/About/Awards/Standard_of_Excellence_Award.aspx?hkey=58acf562-f89a-49e5-a798-a0e8bb172722 to view the full article online.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=488978&issueID=57405 to view the full article online.

AGC News

AGC of America Urges President's Infrastructure Plan Should Serve As Impetus For Legislation

Construction Official Urges Congress to Act Quickly to Pass New Infrastructure Legislation Now that the President Has Outlined an Ambitious Plan to Invest $200 Billion in New Federal Funds

Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of AGC of America, released a press release on February 12, 2018 in reaction to the release of President Trump’s proposal to improve and rebuild the country’s aging public works, including roads, bridges, airports, waterways and clean water systems.

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

Use The AGC-Supported CICA Center to Meet All of Your Environmental Services Needs

The AGC-supported CICA Center is a free online resource on environmental compliance and sustainability that is open to the entire U.S. construction industry. The Center is an online clearinghouse of resources on the top rules you will need to keep track of during your construction projects.

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

December Brought Significant Changes In NLRB Positions and Composition, Including AGC-Supported Reversal of Joint Employer Ruling

Republicans’ brief control of the National Labor Relations Board ended with the expiration of Chairman Philip Miscimarra’s term on Dec. 16, 2017. In anticipation of the change, the Board issued several employer-friendly decisions with significant impact. The most high-profile among them is a ruling in Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors that overturns the controversial, AGC-opposed joint-employer standard established in Browning-Ferris Industries.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2018/01/10/december-brought-significant-changes-nlrb-positions-and-composition-including-agc to view the full article online.

News you can Use

Austin Passes Paid Sick and Safe Leave Law

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=489072&issueID=57405 to view the full article online.

DOL Offers Free Compliance Assistance at Employer Forum

U.S. Department Of Labor Houston Employer Forum

Wednesday, February 28, 2018, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Houston Community College Southeast, Learning HUB, 6815 Rustic, Houston, TX 77087.

Don’t miss this free opportunity to get compliance assistance information and training from the agencies that enforce federal labor laws. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first- served basis. Up to two people per organization may attend.

Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/us-department-of-labor-dol-2018-educational-and-outreach-forum-tickets-42515658479 to view the full article online.

Architecture Billings End 2017 On A Strong Note

Increasing Firm Profitability Remain Top Business-Related Concern for the Coming Year

The year 2017 ended with architecture firms continuing to report strong firm billings. An Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 52.9 for December meant that, for 10 of the year's 12 months, architecture firms saw increases in billings (any score over 50 indicates billings growth).

Visit http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/agcbuild/issues/2018-02-19/2.html to view the full article online.

AGC Houston Supports OSHA Construction Safety & Health Conference Houston September 13-14, 2018

The OSHA Construction Safety and Health Conference will provide an ideal forum to learn about new and ever changing safety products, processes, procedures and technology in the construction industry. You will have the opportunity to network with construction safety professionals, technical experts, regulators and executives to exchange new ideas and concepts related to construction safety.

This conference is expected to draw between 600-800 attendees from both construction and industrial sectors, twice the size of the previous conference held in Dallas. Plenty of sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities!

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

DOL Reissues 17 Wage and Hour Opinion Letters

On January 5, 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reissued 17 previously withdrawn opinion letters addressing a wide range of topics under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Fifteen of the 17 letters were originally signed off on during the final days of the Bush administration, but were withdrawn by the Obama administration "for further consideration by the Wage and Hour Division" on March 2, 2009, and stated that it would "provide a further response in the near future," but never did.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2018/01/11/dol-reissues-17-wage-and-hour-opinion-letters to view the full article online.

Modular Construction Will Build New Momentum in 2018

Factories in flat-packs and homes built in factories — modular construction will build new momentum in 2018. However, the industry is battling with significant skills shortages and must manage increasing globalization.

Visit https://www.forconstructionpros.com/business/article/20988270/modular-construction-will-build-new-momentum-in-2018 to view the full article online.

Membership Benefits

Your AGC Membership Pays

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=488981&issueID=57405 to view the full article online.

A One-Stop Shop Service For AGC Members!

Our dedicated specialist has years of experience handling complicated power needs for the construction industry.

Reliant will request your temporary meter from the TDSP and can manage the transition from temporary to permanent power.

Reliant will ensure that your meters are installed in the right place, at the right time, to help meet your construction timelines − all at a special AGC price.

Call: 1.855.350.8656 or visit reliant.com/agc for more information.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=488983&issueID=57405 to view the full article online.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=488984&issueID=57405 to view the full article online.

AGC Southwest Chapters 401(k) Plan Offers Free Wealth Mgmt. Webinars For Participants

AGC Houston is pleased to announce that 401 (k) group plan participants can choose from a series of webinars designed to review the plan's highlights and personal retirement outlook. The first Webinar took place January 25 and the second one will be held today, February 22 at 4:00 p.m.

All webinars will be live at 10:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. CST. Sign up for the next series of webinars, featuring the following topics:

Saving & Budgeting; Plan Highlights & Your Retirement Outlook; Balancing Retirement & College; Investing 101; Your Retirement Outlook & Joining The Plan; Social Security; Planning For Families With Special Needs; Healthcare In Retirement

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/AGCSWC401k.pdf to view the full article online.