Monthly News Update - December 2020
In This Issue
Chapter/Industry Events
A Look Back
State Legislative Session
2021 Industry Education
Compensation Survey Results
Exclusive AGC Benefits
Quick Links
 
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UPCOMING CHAPTER & INDUSTRY EVENTS
CLC Happy Hour - January 27 
Outstanding Construction Awards Dinner - (postponed with new date TBD)
Safety Committee Monthly Meeting - February 1 (contact Michael)

Safety training (OSHA 10/30, First Aid, etc...) available on demand. Contact Michael Welvaert to schedule.
A LOOK BACK at 2020...and a LOOK AHEAD to 2021
  

This year has been very challenging for the commercial construction industry both here in Central Texas and across the United States.  Due to COVID, we have all been forced to deal with a wide range of new issues, including added health and safety measures on the jobsite, delayed or cancelled projects, and numerous efforts by local officials to shut down construction activity completely.  Throughout these challenges, however, the Austin AGC has worked tirelessly in support of our members' business interests and helped keep you working even while other industries were shut down.

Back in March we helped make sure commercial construction was classified as essential during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite early calls to halt most forms of construction, we were able to push back by banding together with the whole of the industry here to successfully make the case that industry has a proven track record of complying with complex safety rules and PPE requirements. Without our industry voice being heard, commercial construction could have been shut down in Central Texas.

When storm clouds like COVID are on the horizon, it's too late to build shelter.  That's why it is critical that the Austin AGC continues to have your membership support every year, even when the construction skies are blue and nothing appears to threaten the industry.

As always, in 2021 we will continue providing your company with many benefits such as safety services, networking events, health care and workers comp insurance, a 401k plan, educational classes and, of course, advocacy at the local, state and national levels.  But we can't be successful as an organization without your continued financial support, and for that reason I hope you will choose to remain an Austin AGC member and support us in the years to come.  If you are not yet an member firm, contact Toni Osberry to sign up!

Also, next year will be extra special for us as we will celebrate 75 years of serving the business and advocacy needs of the local commercial construction industry here in Austin, Texas.  We are proud to have worked on behalf of local companies since 1946, and we plan to be here for you over the next 75 years and many more.

The Austin AGC team wishes you and your employees all the best for a safe, happy and prosperous 2021!
AGC PREPARES for 2021 STATE LEGISLATURE
 
 

The Texas State Capitol building will reopen on Jan. 4, after being closed to the public since March due to Covid-19. State officials made the announcement last week as lawmakers prepare to begin the new legislative session on Jan. 12.

Key issues for the AGC Texas Building Branch (TBB) this coming session include the following: 
  • Omnibus pandemic bill - working for business liability/insurance protections for contractors related to COVID
  • Shortening statute of repose (currently 10 yrs + 2 yrs tail)
  • Ensuring contractors not liable for design defects
  • Supporting tuition revenue bonds (TRBs) for higher ed construction
  • Protecting construction defects bills from last session that may be attacked/watered down.  These bills require funds won in school lawsuits to be spent on defect repair, allow contractors right to cure, and restrict lawyer contingency fee cases.
The Austin AGC looks forward to working alongside our state TBB team and other AGC Chapters across Texas to protect and promote the industry at the Capitol in 2021!
EDUCATION CLASSES in 2021
 

The Austin AGC will offer a number of industry training courses in 2021.  

Of course, safety classes (10/30 Hour OSHA, First Aid/CPR in English and Spanish, equipment training) will be available as always. Contact Safety Director Michael Welvaert to request.   

We will also host numerous safety and environmental training classes offered through the OSHA Education Center at The University of Texas at Arlington in our new training room.

We will also continue our partnership with Procore to offer the AGC Project Manager Development Program (PMDP) that proved to be very popular in 2020.  Our first PMDP class is already scheduled to start March 23rd and students are already registering!  We also hope to offer other AGC classes with Procore, including BIM and Lean Construction

Last, we are working on a leadership class taught by Safety Director Michael Welvaert who will bring his years of military and construction industry experience to this training for your personnel. Stay tuned for more information and scheduling. 
TEXAS CONTRACTORS COMPENSATION and BENEFITS SURVEY
  
The annual 2020 AGC Compensation and Benefits Survey of Texas contractors is now available!  The survey provides accurate information on salaries and company financial data/compensation practices in the Texas commercial construction industry. This survey covers the Austin, Houston, Rio Grande Valley, and TEXO (Dallas and Fort Worth) chapters' general contractor firms. Confidentiality is maintained in that neither company nor company code designations are provided other than a participant alphabetical listing.

This year, there are 33 survey participants covering 8,502 employees in 43 positions. Austin is represented by 3 companies, Houston by 14, Rio Grande Valley by 2,and TEXO by 14. Of our 33 participants, 26 are General Contractors, and 7 are Subcontractors.

Purchase price is $250 for companies that participated in the survey, and $600 for non-participants.  Contact Phil Thoden for more information.
AGC MEMBER EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS


  





The Austin AGC offers exclusive benefits to member companies for health insurance, workers comp, and 401k plans!  Click on any of the links above for more information on each program