SPOTLIGHT
ABC Wins First Battle In
Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) PLA Fight
ORDA Concedes, Releases PLA Study
The Chapter recently filed an Article 78 against ORDA due to its failure provide a due diligence study upon request. The study was used to justify the Project Labor Agreement on a key project.

The Chapter filed for release of the study and, with the threat of litigation looming, ORDA has agreed to produce its findings. This is our first victory in our battle against the PLA mandates on ORDA projects.

Contact Tanner Schmidt for more information.
ORDA concedes
Round 1!

Every dollar contributed to our Legal Defense Fund matters.

If you have yet to make a contribution, please do so today!

We've got one victory under our belts but there are more battles to come.

Victory in this fight will be a major win, long-term, for open shop contractors in NYS.

The time is now.
Join the fight today!
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS & ADVOCACY
New York State Legislature: Session Recap
A mixed-bag once again
Successes:

  • Negotiated Improvements to the Hero Act
  • Blocked Carlos’ Law
  • Stopped the Roadway Excavation Quality Assurance Act

Continuing the Fight:

  • Expansion of Prevailing Wage
  • Wage Theft Legislation Passed Both Houses
  • Ban of Coal Tar Products
The New York State Legislature concluded session on June 11th. The Senate and Assembly passed 892 bills, many of which will be sent to Gov. Cuomo to sign, veto or make Chapter Amendments between now and the end of the year.

Click here for a more detailed summary of key legislation coming out of session this year that will impact you as an ABC member.
Biden Administration Circulates Executive Order on PLAs
New executive order would expand PLA use in government agencies
According to news reports and ABC staff, the Biden administration has circulated a draft executive order to expand federal agencies’ use of project labor agreements. The order would update the Obama-era order from 2009 that encouraged federal agencies to consider requiring project labor agreements when awarding contracts of at least $25 million on a case-by-case basis and permits state and local government recipients of federal money to mandate PLAs on public works construction projects.
White House Reaches Agreement on Infrastructure
Bi-partisan proposal has Biden's blessing
ABC President Mike Bellaman released a statement on the deal: "ABC is encouraged by the still-developing bipartisan agreement on an investment in America’s infrastructure. This is an important step towards getting the infrastructure investment American taxpayers need and deserve. CLICK HERE FOR FULL STATEMENT

Monday, President Biden announced a deal with a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators on a framework for an infrastructure package that would provide approximately $1 trillion to address the needs of the nation’s most critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and broadband services for Americans.


CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL ARTICLE
The "PRO" in PRO Act May as Well Stand for Pro-union
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is at it again, advocating for the passage of the Federal PRO Act. Here are some highlights:

  • Advocating for union protections
  • Joined by Teamsters Local 118
  • Stated that unionizing "evens the playing field"
  • Advocated for helping unions collect dues in Right to Work States
In response to criticism of the legislation Gillibrand had this to say:

"I think that’s B.S. I think that’s false. I don’t think it’s true. I think it's scare tactics. You don’t have to choose between giving workers fair pay, safe work conditions and a good work environment and growing the economy."

An interesting choice of words when referring to "scare tactics" considering her support of unions and their questionable tactics.
ALERT: Unions Increasing Organizing Efforts

ABC's Empire State Chapter is aware of increased, aggressive union organizing activities. We have the resources to help you. If you are interested in learning more, please click below to contact your Regional Membership Director.
EDUCATION/WEBINARS
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For Questions:

Contact Amy Platenik
Education Director
IN THE NEWS
COVID-19 State of Emergency Declared Over
Governor Cuomo has officially called an end to the COVID-19 State of Emergency in New York State.
CLICK VIDEO ABOVE TO SEE ANNOUNCEMENT

Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions.
  • State of Emergency first put in place in March 2020

  • Gave Cuomo ability to make decisions on business closures, capacity limits, and other public health regulations

  • State also saw an eased process for receiving aid in certain situations

  • End of State of Emergency also ends the governor’s executive powers:

  • Federal guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remain in effect:

  • Unvaccinated people must still wear masks indoors

  • All NYS specific regulations are now dissolved
Department of Buildings Releases First of its Kind Construction Safety Analysis for New York City
The Department of Buildings (DOB) announced today the release of a new building construction safety report that provides deep insights on construction safety trends in the five boroughs over the 2019 and 2020 calendar years.

"We are very encouraged by the dramatic decline in on-the-job injuries this report shows, and we applaud the efforts of both the Department of Buildings and the construction community to keep workers safe. Safety is everyone’s job and should always be front and center in all that we do. Commissioner La Rocca and her team are to be commended and we look forward to continuing to work with her and her office." - Brian Sampson
MEMBERSHIP
Refer a Member,
Win ABC Empire State Gear!

The Chapter is now offering a new referral rewards program. If you know of a company that is not a current ABC member but they should be, please fill out the form below.

Each form submitted will enter your name into a drawing to win Empire State Chapter gear at our next statewide meeting.

If your referral officially joins the Chapter, you immediately automatically win ABC gear of your choice. We have hoodies, golf shirts, quarter zips and more. Show off your ABC pride!

To refer a member, please click the button below:


APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR EIC AWARDS:
Friday, July 30
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For a chance to be considered as one of the best-of-the-best, submit your company's best project, completed in either 2020 or in the early part of 2021.

Honorees will be recognized with an Excellence in Construction Award at our celebration this year in Cooperstown.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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SAFETY
Working in Outdoor and Indoor Heat Environments
Millions of U.S. workers are exposed to heat in their workplaces. Although illness from exposure to heat is preventable, every year, thousands become sick from occupational heat exposure, and some cases are fatal.





Lead by example.

Commit to protecting your team!

APPLY TO ABC's

STEP PROGRAM


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STEP is the safety improvement tool you can't afford to go without!

Application Deadline: August 1st
EMPIRE STATE CHAPTER RESOURCES