Federal court says DOL joint-employer rule 'arbitrary and capricious'; ABC says judge 'got it wrong'

A federal court judge found that the Labor Department's new rule is in conflict with the Fair Labor Standards Act's broader definition. The Associated Builders and Contractors contends the judge "misapplied precedent" and suggests an appeal.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 15, 2020

Engineer finds a portion of Texas border wall at risk of failing

Delivered as part of a lawsuit against We Build the Wall, a new report claims that Fisher Sand and Gravel's work on part of the U.S.-Mexico border wall was done without ensuring that it would not "cause more harm than good."

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 11, 2020

Payroll tax deferral program could leave employers holding the bag

Firms that allow workers to defer Social Security taxes this year could face the liability of repaying the taxes themselves, according to an ADP executive.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 11, 2020

Black workers file lawsuit against Mitsubishi Electric US for racial harassment, discrimination

The plaintiffs, four employees in the company's elevator and escalator business, claim that the company did not take timely action after they complained about alleged racist behavior by supervisors and other workers.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 10, 2020

Work resumes at Amazon distribution center site after deadly accident

The two men killed earlier this month at the Suffolk, Virginia, jobsite worked for Louisiana-based Eastern Constructors, which has seen other employees killed or injured in workplace incidents in recent years.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Sept. 15, 2020

PPP loan forgiveness could result in big tax bills

Unless Congress intervenes, the IRS will not allow businesses to write off wages and rent paid for with Paycheck Protection Program funds, something many contractors are unaware of, according to one expert.

By Jennifer Goodman , Joe Bousquin • Aug. 31, 2020

Electrical sub to pay $1.25M to settle discrimination claims at Apple jobsite

The ruling sends a message that subcontractors as well as general contractors must take prompt, effective action to stop harassment and hate speech, said the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

By Lisa Burden • Aug. 31, 2020

Justice Department indicts Minnesota contractor for $841K PPP loan fraud

Kyle Brenizer applied for and received a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan under the name of his defunct construction company and allegedly submitted false employee and tax information.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 28, 2020

Contractors file $16M of liens on Royal Caribbean's Miami headquarters project

The cruise firm has halted work on capital projects because of the COVID-19 pandemic, including on its new $300 million corporate campus that broke ground last year.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 26, 2020

Racism saps safety and profits from construction, owners say

Executives from Microsoft and Compass Datacenters issued a call to action to stamp out hate in the construction industry, saying it stifles productivity and keeps talented workers away.

By Joe Bousquin • Aug. 21, 2020

NYC announces new PLAs, community hiring initiative

Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration entered into new Project Labor Agreements with trade unions and has proposed state legislation requiring contractors to hire low-income New Yorkers.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 18, 2020

The new PPE your workforce shouldn't be without

Proximity Trace is helping general contractors protect their workers and maintain safety protocols on site.

Aug. 13, 2020

Judge denies FIGG's request to lift highway administration suspension

A district judge ruled Monday not to rescind the Federal Highway Administration suspension imposed on FIGG Bridge Engineers, which was involved in the deadly Florida International University bridge collapse in 2018.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Aug. 18, 2020

Skanska, DPR, Schneider Electric face VR/AR patent infringement lawsuits

There are steps contractors can take to be prepared for such a claim, according to an intellectual property attorney.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 11, 2020

Appeals court upholds $687K builders risk exclusion on Balfour Beatty project

The court found that the risk policy for a Houston office building did not cover damage to the windows caused by slag from welding operations by subcontractor Milestone Metals. 

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 10, 2020

Former Turner exec pleads guilty to charges based on $1.5M in bribes

Ronald Olson pleaded guilty in federal court to tax evasion and faces New York state charges related to bribery and bid rigging.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 6, 2020

Citing FIU bridge collapse, feds propose 10-year debarment for FIGG

The company, which has been suspended for the time being, faces an unusually lengthy debarment that would ban it from participating in federally funded projects with the exception of subcontracts valued at less than $30,000.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 3, 2020

Virginia first state to enact COVID-19 emergency temporary standard

An ETS regarding coronavirus-related workplace safety requirements for contractors and other businesses is also in the works for Oregon.

By Kim Slowey • July 28, 2020

Biggest OSHA fines of Q2 2020

Despite the pandemic, OSHA is still focusing on other jobsite dangers, including fall issues at a Florida roofing company that's been cited 12 times in the last few years.

By Kim Slowey • July 27, 2020

$1B Arkansas highway project can proceed, judge rules

The district court judge said a local neighborhood association and others did not present enough evidence, among other things, to show that stopping the project was in the public interest.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Sept. 14, 2020

OSHA's new COVID-19 investigations, silica guidance

Here's what contractors need to know about OSHA practices and enforcement as well as new rules on the horizon, according to an attorney during a recent Associated General Contractors webinar.

By Kim Slowey • July 22, 2020

Cities, OSHA crack down on COVID-19 jobsite violations

In jurisdictions across the country, officials are citing and fining contractors that don't follow coronavirus precautions, and warning they'll shut down projects for repeat offenses.

By Jennifer Goodman • July 21, 2020

What contractors need to know about Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ rights

Construction companies must ensure that employees, particularly managers and supervisors, are aware of the ramifications of these new legal protections, according to construction attorneys.

By Kim Slowey • July 20, 2020

NYC construction inspectors issue 41 coronavirus-related stop work orders

New York City inspectors are "out in force," following up on thousands of calls from workers and the public about potential problem sites and issuing work stoppages and fines, a city official said.

By Joe Bousquin • July 16, 2020

Florida to require sea level studies for coastal public construction projects

Contractors that move forward on publicly funded projects without performing an impact projection study could have to reimburse the state for all or part of the money spent on the project.

By Kim Slowey • July 15, 2020