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WASHINGTON, April 23—Associated Builders and Contractors today issued the following statement opposing the U.S. Department of Labor’s final rule that will change overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The final rule increases the minimum annual salary level threshold for exemption in two phases: from the current level of $35,568 to $43,888 on July 1, 2024, and to $58,656 on Jan. 1, 2025. In addition, salary thresholds will update every three years starting on July 1, 2027.
“ABC appreciates that the DOL recognized the value in retaining the methodology used by the prior administration in the 2019 overtime rule update for the phase I increase,” said Ben Brubeck, ABC vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs. “Regrettably, the DOL decided to use a new methodology for phase II, which results in a 65% increase to $58,656 from the current threshold only nine months from now—further complicating the current economic outlook. Multiple industries, like construction, are grappling with uncertain economic conditions such as inflation, supply chain disruptions, high materials prices and workforce shortages, all of which push operational costs ever higher. Specifically, ABC estimates that the construction industry must hire more than half a million additional workers in 2024 to meet demand.”
“Virtually all of ABC’s members employ workers who qualify for exempt status, and phase II of the final rule will reclassify huge numbers of these employees as nonexempt,” said Brubeck. “This will disrupt the entire construction industry, specifically harming small businesses, as the rule will greatly restrict employee workplace flexibility in setting schedules and hours, hurting career advancement opportunities. These issues will recur repeatedly because the DOL rule will automatically increase the salary level every three years beginning in 2027. Additionally, the rule’s significant increase in the salary level threshold fails to account for disparate income levels in different regions of the country.
“ABC will consider all options, including a legal challenge, against this final rule,” said Burbeck.
On Nov. 8, 2023, ABC submitted comments to the DOL in response to the proposed rulemaking, calling on the DOL to withdraw it.
WASHINGTON, April 23—Associated Builders and Contractors today issued the following statement opposing the Federal Trade Commission’s final rule to ban noncompete clauses. The FTC voted 3-2 to issue the final rule today.
“The final rule to ban all noncompete agreements nationwide—except existing noncompetes for senior executives— is a radical departure from hundreds of years of legal precedent,” said Ben Brubeck, ABC vice president of regulatory, legal and state affairs. “Ultimately, this vastly overbroad rule will invalidate millions of reasonable contracts—including construction project contracts—around the country that are beneficial for both businesses and employees.”
As ABC argued in its comments submitted April 19, 2023, in opposition to the FTC’s unprecedented proposal to ban noncompete agreements:
ABC members have valid business justifications for utilizing noncompete agreements, such as protecting confidential information and intellectual property. This new rule will have a harmful effect on their companies as well as their employees, forcing companies to rework their compensation and talent strategies.
ABC joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and 280 business groups in submitting comments urging the FTC to rescind the proposed rule on April 17, 2023.
Concord, NH–The Associated Builders and Contractors New Hampshire/Vermont (ABC NH/VT) is pleased to welcome Jen Beach as its new Membership Director.
“As the Membership Director, Jen will help expand the association’s resources and expertise to serve the region's construction industry,” said Josh Reap, president and CEO of ABC NH/VT. "We are thrilled to have Jen join the team!"
Jen brings to this role more than 15 years of experience in sales and marketing and is a dynamic client relationship manager. She is a founding board member of Project Blackout, a 501(c) nonprofit organization in Windham, NH on a mission to turn out the lights on pediatric cancer.
“I am honored to be selected by ABC to represent the New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter, and look forward to building relationships and providing connections for our members,” said Jen. “ABC is an outstanding organization with top notch members, I look forward to getting to know everyone.”
Jen may be reached via email or call 603-805-9476.
ABC NH/VT is a leader in the construction industry and workforce development, representing over 260 merit shop builders and industry-related firms in New Hampshire and Vermont. The association’s membership includes all specialties within the construction industry, including firms that perform work in the residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors of the industry. ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America’s business community and the construction industry.
Associated Builders and Contractors today announced it has released an artificial intelligence technology guide for the construction community, which includes definitions, construction use cases and considerations. The purpose of the guide is to provide a level of knowledge to ensure contractors can be active participants in the construction AI conversation.
“ABC helps members realize the potential of AI, which helps contractors complete projects on time, minimize staffing challenges, save money and improve health and safety,” said Matt Abeles, ABC vice president of construction technology and innovation. “The construction industry is faced with a steep worker shortage of more than half of a million in 2024, and promising technologies like AI can help address this challenge. As younger workers become industry leaders, we must approach AI in construction as beneficial with a balanced view that includes continuous evaluation, developing ethical guidelines and increasing awareness about what AI can and cannot do.”
“The possibilities of AI technology may sound endless, but we must first educate ourselves on the basics, and this resource is a starting point to understand AI and its potential impact on the construction industry,” said ABC Director of Construction Technology and Innovation Patrick Scarpati, who authored the guide. “The industry has immense opportunities to evaluate how we can better deliver projects, and we can lean on AI in achieving essential goals like upskilling, workforce development, knowledge transfer, supply chain optimization, enhanced safety design and planning and much more.”
The guide describes uses of AI during the construction project lifecycle, including preconstruction, construction and building maintenance. It also provides definitions of terms, such as deep learning and predictive AI, as well as best practices in drafting office AI policies.
ABC creates the conditions for construction companies to innovate, differentiate, and attract and educate their top talent, ultimately to win and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. ABC continues to invest in helping its members select and understand high-quality construction technology available to them through its Tech Report, Tech Alliance, Tech Marketplace and Safety Tech Guide.
Visit abc.org/ai.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Associated Builders & Contractors NH/VT (ABC NH/VT) is proud to announce the launch of "Breaking the Stigma", a series of workshops aimed at promoting mental health awareness and well-being within the construction industry.
Taking place every Wednesday throughout the month of May, "Breaking the Stigma" will feature engaging and informative presentations on various topics related to mental health and total human health. These sessions will cover critical areas such as substance use disorders, suicide prevention, psychological safety on the jobsite, and hard hat health.
Key Details:
"We are committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health within the construction industry," said Jennifer Landon, VP of Education and Workforce Development, ABC NH/VT. "The Breaking the Stigma series is designed to provide valuable insights, resources, and support to ABC members, fostering a culture of well-being and safety in the workplace."
Registration for "Breaking the Stigma" is now open. Member companies can register their staff by visiting abcnhvt.org/calendar or calling 603-226-4789.
About ABC NH/VT
Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association representing more than 23,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 68 Chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. ABC's membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors.
CONCORD, NH, December 19, 2023—Associated Builders and Contractors NH/VT Chapter (ABC) today announced the endorsement of Hollie Noveletsky for Congress, NH-1. ABC represents over 285 local contractors and construction-related firms in the multi-family, industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector.
“Hollie Noveletsky is a contractor who knows firsthand the challenges faced by our industry,” said Josh Reap, President & CEO of ABC. “We know that in Washington, Hollie will be a voice for the New Hampshire construction community, thus earning the support of the Associated Builders & Contractors.”
Candidate Hollie Noveletsky has been a champion of free enterprise and open competition throughout her career in construction. As the leader of a woman-owned steel fabrication company, she has supported policies that support merit shop construction workers and businesses. Hollie Noveletsky understands the recently announced Biden Administration pro-union mandate to be incompatible with New Hampshire’s construction industry, where over 90% of construction workers choose to work open shop.
“We need someone who will go to DC to represent New Hampshire and fight for our values. We believe the best person to do the job in NH-1 is Hollie Noveletsky,” added Reap.
Associated Builders and Contractors NH/VT is the leading voice promoting fair and open competition in the construction industry in New Hampshire and Vermont.
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Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 that represents more than 22,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 68 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abc.org.
Fulcrum Associates project, the 11,000 s/f Manchester Fire Station #9, was the New England Journal of Real Estate's featured project of the month.
"Fulcrum Associates was recently joined by fire leadership, firefighters, local and state officials, and mayor Joyce Craig, to celebrate the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new Manchester Fire Station #9. This state-of-the-art facility was constructed to replace the aging station, originally built in the 1960s. The new two-story, 11,000 s/f facility comfortably houses two fire trucks, an ambulance, and includes a community room for local neighborhoods. Station #9 serves a densely populated area with mixed occupancy, elderly apartments, large commercial buildings, the South Willow St. corridor, South Beech St., Queen City Ave. and Brown Ave..."
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Last week, ABC NH/VT held a reception to welcome students and contractors participating in our 2nd Vermont Commercial Craft Apprenticeship class which begins Nov. 17 2023.
This year the apprenticeship program will include 19 students who will be placed at six companies, including DEW Construction, PC Construction Company, ReArch Company, HP Cummings, Kingsbury, and Bread Loaf. More than 30 people attended the welcome reception in support of the program.
The following is the November 2023 CCA Class Student Listing:
ABC NH/VT is addressing the workforce shortage locally by serving as the Sponsor of Registered Carpentry Apprenticeship programs in New Hampshire and Vermont. The apprenticeship programs address a critical workforce shortage by connecting employers with individuals interested in learning carpentry. Apprentices receive multiple years of on-the-job training and hundreds of hours of related instruction. We continue to see expanded interest in the programs and at the same time helping to address the workforce shortage.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3—The construction industry added 23,000 jobs on net in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has increased by 219,000 jobs, an increase of 2.8%.
Nonresidential construction employment increased by 8,400 positions on net, with growth in all three subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added 4,200 positions, while nonresidential building and heavy and civil engineering added 2,600 and 1,600 jobs, respectively.
The construction unemployment rate increased to 4.0% in October. Unemployment across all industries increased from 3.8% in September to 3.9% last month.
“The construction industry added jobs for the seventh consecutive month in October,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Over the past year, hiring has been concentrated in the nonresidential segment, with especially strong employment growth in the nonresidential building category. This is in large part due to the unprecedented surge in manufacturing megaprojects.
“While contractors’ demand for labor remains robust, the rising cost of labor, pushed upward by worker shortages, remains a pressing issue for the industry,” said Basu. “Average hourly earnings for construction workers increased at over twice the rate of economywide wages in October and have risen significantly faster over the past 12 months. With over half of contractors intending to increase their staffing levels over the next six months and fewer than 7% intending to downsize, according to ABC’s Construction Confidence Index, labor shortages should continue to push wages higher over the next few quarters.”
Traditional college pathways continue to be pushed as the preferred route to a lucrative career. Degree seekers spend years learning while potentially racking up tens of thousands of dollars of college debt that must be paid back by a job that may not be in high demand.
In construction, there are more openings for craft professionals than there are individuals available to fill those roles. As a result, average hourly earnings are rising and career advancement opportunities are exceptional. Enrolling in a construction apprenticeship sets you on the path for success early on, and you can earn a living while building your foundation for tomorrow’s advancement opportunities in the industry.
Construction offers more than 20 career paths in specific trades like HVAC, carpentry and pipeline technicians. Apprenticeships help people find and upskill in the specific crafts they find fulfilling, giving them access to one of the leading sectors where workers report the highest levels of job satisfaction, according to a report based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American Time Use Survey.
Associated Builders & Contractors NH/VT (ABC NH/VT) is addressing the workforce shortage locally by serving as the Sponsor of Registered Carpentry Apprenticeship programs in New Hampshire and Vermont. The apprenticeship programs address a critical workforce shortage by connecting employers with individuals interested in learning carpentry. Apprentices receive multiple years of on-the-job training and hundreds of hours of related instruction. I’m pleased to share that we have several dozen apprentices between the two programs. We continue to see expanded interest in the programs and at the same time helping to address the workforce shortage.
National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 13-19, reminds us that apprenticeships are the best way to set yourself up for success from Day 1, and America should treat them as such.