In This Issue:
  • Upcoming Webinars
  • ABC in the News
  • In Case You Missed It-PPP Update
  • 2021 Custom Training
  • Empire Chapter Resources
Managing Through the Pandemic: Strategies to Address Employees with COVID Symptoms, Cases, Testing, Quarantines and Employee Leave Entitlements

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 3
Time: 9:00 AM ET
Speakers: Jason Ashlaw, Director of Safety & Workforce Development at ABC Empire State Chapter; Scott Green, Partner at Goldberg Segalla

Join Goldberg Segallas' Scott Green as he discusses how to manage employer requirements as it relates to employees with Covid symptoms, Cases, Testing, Quarantines and Employee Leave Entitlements. ABC's Jason Ashlaw will cover the related CDC recommendations.

2021 Federal Legislative and Regulatory Forecast

Date: Thursday, Jan. 28
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Speakers: Maury Baskin, Littler Mendelson P.C.; Peter Comstock and Ben Brubeck, ABC National
Moderator: Karen Livingston, ABC National

Maury Baskin, Littler Mandelson P.C., Peter Comstock and Ben Brubeck, ABC National, will offer valuable insights on the following:

  • How a 50-50 Senate and a narrow House majority impacts President Biden’s priorities
  • The potential for additional COVID relief, infrastructure funding, and legislation affecting taxes and immigration
  • How Democrats can use the budget reconciliation process to enact key priorities
  • The future of the PRO Act and other labor legislation in Congress affecting the construction industry
  • What executive orders can contractors expect under the Biden administration? Will the administration broaden the scope of the PLA EO on federal and federally assisted government contracts?
  • Should federal contractors expect to be targeted by the Biden administration?
  • How will the regulatory agenda under the Biden administration impact labor, safety and workforce development policies as well as federal contractors?
  • Will OSHA issue a COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard?
  • How can ABC staff help contractors navigate through new legislation initiatives and regulatory actions?
Non-union Businesses Locked Out of Bidding to Rebuild Olympic Oval

ABC Empire State Board Member Jeff Luck from Luck Brothers Construction sends a letter to the Olympic Regional Development Authority asking them to remove the PLA on a major renovation project. ABC is also engaging with ORDA to remove the PLA requirement.

To read the letter, click HERE.
Labor Agreement for I-81 Will Raise Costs and Sideline Local Workers

Earlier this week, the Post Standard published an article submitted by Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Operating Officer Jeff Albert regarding a potential PLA on the I-81 project.

"As leaders continue to discuss and debate the future of Interstate 81 and the impact on downtown Syracuse, they must get two things right. The first is getting the design right. The second is ensuring no Project Labor Agreement, or PLA, is placed on the project. A PLA is a pre-hire agreement where most of the workers will come from local union hiring halls. A PLA restricts certain contractors from bidding the work because they can’t hire their current employees."
 
To read our full response, click HERE. 
Cuomo Announces $306B Infrastructure Plan for New York

In response to Governor Cuomo's $306B Infrastructure plan, Associated Builders and Contractors President Brian Sampson completely disagrees with Cuomo’s intention to mandate prevailing wage rates and project labor agreements. These PLA's will restrict contractor competition for the new projects and will increase overall costs.
 
To read our full response, click HERE. 
As a resident of New York, you know first-hand how expensive it is to live and work here. Often times our elected officials are uninformed about the impact they have on our lives. This year we plan to flip the script to make sure your elected official knows how you feel. We’re going to make it simple for you to voice your opinion!

The ABC Empire State Chapter uses the ABC Action App to help us push information to you. The app will allow you to quickly weigh-in on critical issues. It’s easy to use and simple to get.
Download the action app follow these steps:
Go to your phones Apple or Google Play Store
Search, "ABC Action App"
Download the App
Fill out your information

Stay informed so you can elect legislators that believe in fair and open competition. Download the ABC Action App today.

If you have any questions please reach out to Tanner Schmidt tschmidt@abcnys.org (585) 730-1814.
ICYMI-PPP Update
ABC Empire Chapter Resources