AGC Constructor

Temporary restraining order, noting federal contractors are already being harmed by the mandate 

AGC of America and two of its chapters, the Dallas-based TEXO chapter of the association, and the statewide AGC of Texas chapter, filed suit this week in federal court to block the Biden administration’s effort to impose a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on federal contractors and subcontractors. The groups noted that many of their members that regularly construct federal projects and are already being harmed, as key employees leave for other jobs in the industry to avoid the strict federal mandate.

AGC of America is releasing a new series of COVID-19 vaccine PSAs designed to encourage construction professionals to get their shot. The series will feature testimonials from workers who did not get their shot, contracted COVID and nearly died. They are now urging their co-workers to get their shots. Other videos feature construction mentors talking about the value of the vaccine. You can view the current videos here.  The videos urge people to visit AGC of America’s vaccine toolkit to learn more.

All 34 lawsuits—including AGC’s, supported by the Construction Advocacy Fund —challenging OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on COVID-19 are now consolidated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The federal government has filed a motion in that court to dissolve the current stay of any enforcement of that standard, including its vaccination/testing mandate, and on December 10, the parties will complete their briefing of that motion. Since November 6, that stay has precluded OSHA from implementing or enforcing the ETS, including requirements that OSHA had scheduled to take effect on December 6. AGC of America expects the court to grant or deny the government’s motion within a matter of days. While significant, the court’s decision will not end the litigation. Its decision on the stay will not be a final decision on the merits of the ETS. That will come later.  
 
The Sixth Circuit is considered one of the more conservative courts. Republicans nominated 11 of its members and Democrats nominated only 5. If the Sixth Circuit nevertheless dissolves the stay, OSHA will have the authority to immediately begin implementing and enforcing the ETS. At that point, one or more of the petitioners is, however, likely to go to the Supreme Court, seeking an emergency order to reinstate the stay.

Prices of numerous construction materials soared again in November, outpacing the rate at which contractors raised their bid prices, according to an analysis by AGC of America of government data released recently. Association officials said the current steps being taken to address supply chain problems and rising prices have been insufficient and urged public officials to redouble their efforts. 
 
“Prices for nearly every type of construction material are rising at runaway rates,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “These costs are compounding the difficulties contractors are experiencing from long lead times for production, gridlocked supply chains, and record numbers of job openings.”

How BIM and prefabrication can save time and money 
 
Although prefabrication has existed for centuries, building information modeling (BIM) and virtual design and construction (VDC) have given the construction method a boost, saving contractors time and money. 
BY DEBRA WOOD 

 
Internet of Things technology, often referred to as IoT, has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years. And while IoT has been around for quite some time, its use in the construction industry is just starting to take shape. 
BY RAYMOND VOLPATT, PRESIDENT OF VOLPATT CONSTRUCTION 
A MASTER BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MEMBER 

COVID-19 has presented unique challenges to the aviation industry. From 2019 to 2020, the industry saw a 60 percent reduction in passengers worldwide, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), representing a $371 billion loss of gross passenger operating revenues. The pandemic has also brought many construction projects and improvement plans at airports to a standstill.  
BY IRAJ GHAEMI, VICE PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION, SUFFOLK 
A MEMBER OF MULTIPLE AGC CHAPTERS 

 
To say the last two years has been challenging for everyone in both our professional and personal lives, is quite possibly the understatement of the past 20 months. The construction industry has certainly faced a myriad of challenges, economic fallouts and other setbacks over the years, but none as far-reaching as COVID and its continued impact on all of our lives. As we reassess and begin 2022 with at least some sense of hope, the “challenge” now posed to the construction industry is to redefine our notion of success – more specifically, how we measure and celebrate successes both externally with our clients and partners, as well as internally with our employees. 
BY JULIE WANZER, LEED AP, OWNER OF BUSINESS REWRITTEN 
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BEST PRACTICES SERIES

Molded polystyrene geofoam helps solve construction challenges as airports expand 
 
Ask any construction professional about their work and most will say they enjoy that every day is a little different. Even after more than 37 years of hands-on experience, Matt Outsen still feels that way. Outsen specializes in complex concrete structural frames for buildings and infrastructure. For the last 12 years, he has been a superintendent with Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company (RLW) of Draper, Utah, an AGC of Utah member, where complex, high-stakes projects are the norm.  
BY SEAN O’KEEFE 

 

The YWCA Central Massachusetts recently announced the official completion of its comprehensive renovation of YWCA Central Massachusetts’ Salem Square location, after over a year of work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Built originally in 1961, the YWCA required complete MEP infrastructure replacements, accessibility upgrades, interior modernization work and exterior façade improvements. The renovation, completed by Consigli, a member of multiple AGC chapters, also provided several enhancements to the Early Education and Care facility, the creation of new classrooms and the integration of STEM programming and portable resources. 

Lift marks milestone in building shrine dedicated to future saint 
 
When you lift a 32-ton cathedral dome, it all comes down to trigonometry. That was the final check Marvin Rivers made before teams from The Boldt Company, a member of multiple AGC chapters, lifted the giant dome in place on the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine.

 

Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) connects the military community — service members, military spouses, and veterans — with American businesses to create economic opportunity and a strong and diversified workforce. For details on any event, please visit the Hiring Our Heroes Calendar.