A recent examination based on witnesses, photographs, construction plans, engineers, and a 3-D computer simulation and model of the complex explores the question of How a Collapsed Pool Deck Could Have Caused a Florida Condo Building to Fall.  Two theories are explained in this Washington Post article, both of which are consistent with a growing number of witness accounts that the pool deck collapsed first, but the cause of that failure remains unknown. Some engineers pointed to water corrosion-related issues identified in 2018, but others said such damage alone was unlikely to have caused the collapse. The cause of this deadly disaster is still under investigation.

A Project Labor Agreement, PLA, is a collective bargaining agreement that applies to a specific construction project and lasts for the duration of that project. It can provide structure and stability to large construction projects and establishes terms and conditions of employment. A PLA ensures compliance with laws and regulations governing workplace safety and health, equal employment opportunity and labor and employment standards. Additionally, a PLA protects taxpayers by eliminating costly delays due to labor conflicts or worker shortages.

The Associated Builders and Contractors, ABC, as well as the Associated General Contractors of America, AGC, oppose PLAs.  ABC Announces New Campaign to Fight PLA Legislation

The Association previously reported that Governor Murphy signed several Bills in early July to protect workers and employers from unlawful misclassification of employees. The legislation addressed enforcement, stop-work orders, streamlined identification of employee misclassification, and created a statewide database of certified payroll information. Since then, several New Jersey state agencies investigated a construction site in Jersey City in response to allegations of worker misclassification, cash payments, and not properly paying overtime. NJDOL, Treasury Raid Worksite in First Joint-Enforcement Action to Combat Worker Misclassification

Must Employers Bargain with Unions over Mandatory Vaccines? SHRM

Funny You Should Ask: Is A Vaccine Mandate Subject Of Bargaining? JD Supra

DOJ Releases Memorandum Supporting Employers’ Right to Mandate Vaccines Approved by the FDA for Emergency Use Ogletree Deakins

With mask, vaccine mandates on the rise, employers have options — but consistency is key ConstructionDive

OSHA Publishes Updated COVID-19 Guidance in Light of Rising Delta Variant Cases Littler

Murphy: Private-sector companies can make vaccination requirement for employment ROI-NJ

Recent reports show Total Construction Starts Move Lower in July, falling 3% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $854.8 billon. “Construction material prices continue their march higher and are weighing heavily on construction starts,” stated Richard Branch, Chief Economist for Dodge Data & Analytics. “On the upside, projects entering the planning stage remain at levels not seen in several years and forward progress on an infrastructure program and the federal budget provides hope that brighter days are ahead.” The largest multifamily structures to break ground in July were all in New York City; three projects totaling over $600 Million.

Dodge Momentum Index Pulls Back in July, falling 6% to 155.8, down from the revised June reading of 164.9. While the economy has continued its forward progress through the summer, the Index has regressed somewhat as higher material prices and shortages of skilled labor continue to exert a strong influence over the construction sector. Despite the declines in June and July, the Momentum Index remains near levels last seen in 2018. Compared to a year earlier, the Momentum Index was 25% higher than in July 2020; institutional planning was up 27% and commercial planning was 25% higher than last year.

A July ABI Billings score of 54.6, while down from 57.1 in June, still shows that most firms are continuing to see their billings increase with inquiries into new projects. The value of new Design Contracts remains at near all-time historic highs with a score of 58 in July, only down 0.9 from 58.9 in June.   

Business Conditions Remain Strong at Architecture Firms with more in the Northeast reporting an increase in July vs. June billings. In addition, 61% of these firms predict an increase in revenue for the second half of 2021, making up for a more sluggish first half of the year compared to other regions.

Labor Day is Monday, September 6, 2021 and per the Collective Bargaining Agreements,

IMI's Contractor Education Webinar Series is designed to help you grow your business and succeed in a competitive marketplace. The 1hr. webinars are held virtually on Thursdays at 12:00pm! Contact the Association Office and obtain your password to access the Resources for BAC Signatory Contractors page for upcoming and previous on demand webinars.

From the CEO of ICE, Matt Aquiline, "ICE is reinstating the previously retired ICE Voice to keep in touch with our stakeholders in this time of distance. The new Voice will provide short updates of issues of interest and links to more in depth articles." Be sure to check out the newest issue and for more updates visit the ICE website.

Files at the New Jersey Historical Society in Newark show that Matthew Maguire of Paterson, New Jersey, [1855-1917], was not only a man to be reckoned with in the beginning days of the American labor union movement, but was very probably the man behind the creation of Labor Day.

President Grover Cleveland signed a law on June 28, 1894 making the first Monday of September a national holiday.