In This Issue:
  • Paycheck Protection Program Update
  • Update on NLRB 2019 Final Election Rule Legal Decision
  • Phase One Reopening: Safely Restarting Construction Activity in NYC
  • June Toolbox Talks
  • June is National Safety Month
  • ABC Virtual Training
  • ABC Webinar Series
  • Empire Chapter COVID-19 Resources
Paycheck Protection Program Update
The U.S. Senate approved the  Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (H.R. 7010) on June 3. ABC supported the bill and key-voted the roll call vote in the House.
The legislation, which will now be signed into law by President Trump, will make the following changes to the Paycheck Protection Program :

  • Establish a minimum maturity of five years for a paycheck protection loan with a remaining balance after forgiveness;
  • Extend the expense forgiveness period from eight weeks to 24 weeks during which a loan recipient may use such funds;
  • Increase the nonpayroll portion of a forgivable covered loan amount from 25% to 40%;
  • Extend the period in which an employer may rehire or eliminate a reduction in employment, salary or wages that would otherwise reduce the forgivable amount of a paycheck protection loan;
  • Allow businesses that receive loan forgiveness to also receive payroll tax deferment;
  • Ensure businesses won’t suffer due to increased unemployment benefits.

During the Senate’s consideration of H.R. 7010, a statement for the record was issued by a bipartisan group of lawmakers clarifying that the extension of the covered period defined in section 1102(a) of the CARES Act should not be construed so as to permit the Small Business Administration to continue accepting applications for loans after June 30, 2020.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) also said she is drafting a PPP technical changes bill to address the 60-40 payroll to non-payroll cliff in the bill and to allow PPP to be used for personal protective equipment, among other technical fixes.
 
Additionally, the legislation does not address the recent IRS interpretation denying deductions for otherwise deductible expenses under the loan forgiveness of the PPP. It also does not expand eligibility for the program to 501(c)6 organizations.

ABC continues to advocate for both issues to be addressed in the next relief package.
Update on NLRB 2019 Final Election
Rule Legal Decision
This email provides an important update about the recent legal decision regarding the NLRB’s election rule. The key takeaway for you is that any ABC member company that receives a union organizing petition during this period of uncertainty should be advised to seek legal counsel immediately.
Phase One Reopening: Safely Restarting Construction Activity in NYC
DOB will inspect every work site across the city for social distancing compliance, proper hygiene, and to make sure construction safety requirements are met.

New York, NY –  The New York City Department of Buildings today released new COVID-19 safety guidelines for property owners and contractors as 33,556 non-essential construction sites get back to work as part of New York City’s entrance into Phase One of New York state’s reopening plan, currently scheduled for Monday, June 8th, 2020.

These new required safety measures for construction sites were developed in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and are being implemented to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus to workers and the public during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read the guidelines .
June is National Safety Month
Electrical Code Change
The 2017 National Electrical Code went into effect in New York State and will be enforced as of May 1, 2020. In preparation for these code changes, ABC will be offering online classes to update members and their employees.

Jason Ashlaw, ABC's Statewide Director of Safety, is a certified Master Electrician as well an Electrical Instructor for ABC.

He will be conducting this training on two separate dates shown below.

Dates:
Tuesday / June 9, 2020 / Time: 3:00pm -5:00pm
Thursday / June 11, 2020 / Time: 8:00am -10:00am

Cost: $30.00 per person to attend
Leadership Training
As we emerge from our shutdown and as new issues develop in the workforce it's vital to have a trained team of dedicated leaders. This 8-hour interactive virtual training is designed for new supervisors and emerging leaders in your company.

The training covers five key topics, on how to lead a crew on a jobsite. This training is 3 separate, 2.5 hour training sessions. 

  • Overview of Construction Industry Today
  • Business Organization
  • Qualities of a Leader
  • Qualities of a Good employee
  • Safety Leadership
DATES:
July 28, 2020 & July 30, 2020 August 4, 2020
(Must Attend All 3 Sessions) 

Time: 3:30pm - 6:00pm

ABC Member Cost: $300 per person
(Payment due at registration)
Workforce Logic

When: Wednesday,June 10, 2020
Time: 8:00-9:00 AM

Join ABC Empire Chapter member, Aerotek's Shane Sweeney in a webinar discussing :

  • Employee Retention and organic work force expansion
  • Sales (How to create a diverse portfolio in a new post COVID market)
  • Capitalizing on internal improvements, training, materials, equipment ect..
  • MBE & WBE partnerships to unlock work that you might not have had access to previously 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

When: Wednesday,June 10, 2020
Time: 2:00-3:30 PM

Speakers: Anirban Basu, chief economist, ABC
Moderator: Lauren Pinch, Construction Executive Editor-in-Chief

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unfamiliar territory to the construction industry and continues to wreak havoc on business as usual.
To help construction executives grasp the economic fallout and predict how the rest of the year will play out, CE invites you to join Anirban Basu, chief economist for both ABC and CFMA, for the Mid-Year Economic Outlook webinar. Basu will discuss the impact of the crisis on the construction industry and the economy in general, as well as review regional and national economic indicators, including: GDP, inflation, construction spending, materials pricing and workforce participation and unemployment rates. He also will share predictions on how the rest of the year will play out for contractors.
This important webinar will cover the impact of COVID-19 on the economy as it pertains to construction business executives including:
  • Reduced spending
  • Employment impact
  • Supply chain and pricing issues
  • Local U.S. pressure locations
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
More Upcoming or Missed Webinars
ABC Empire Chapter Resources