Current Events

September Suicide Prevention Month

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:56:00 GMT

As members of Associated Builders and Contractors, we are helping employers create safer cultures, provide education to identify and help those at risk, raise awareness about this crisis and normalize conversations around suicide and mental health. Other resources available to employers include free suicide prevention training, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline call center, the Crisis Text Line and the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention.

CIASP is dedicated to changing the statistics by educating and equipping organizations, industry service providers and construction professionals to STAND Up for suicide prevention and address it as a health and safety priority.

https://www.preventconstructionsuicide.com/

Apprenticeship Week - SCR 55

Wed, 07 May 2025 21:05:00 GMT

Click Here To View Presentation

Senator Niello celebrates Apprenticeship Week by presenting Senate Concurrent Resolution 55 on the Senate floor. With the Senator are two electrical apprentices, Karmin Peterson and John Lipary who both part of ABC's program‬. In 2025, National Apprenticeship Week celebrates its 11th anniversary of raising awareness of the vital role that apprenticeships play in providing opportunities to learn and earn on the pathway to good quality jobs and well-paying careers with the opportunity for career advancement.

Governor Newsom proclaims Apprenticeship Day

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 18:11:00 GMT

Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring April 30, 2025, as “Apprenticeship Day.”

The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found here.

Victory for Taxpayers and Construction Industry as Court Rules Biden’s Project Labor Agreement Policy Is Illegal

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 19:58:59 GMT

Originally Published on January 20, 2025

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20—Associated Builders and Contractors today celebrated a decision from the U.S. Court of Federal Claims that rules in favor of ABC members that filed bid protests challenging former President Joe Biden’s controversial policy requiring anti-competitive, inflationary, union-favoring project labor agreements on federal construction projects of $35 million or more.

Judge Ryan T. Holte’s Jan. 19 ruling responds to 12 bid protests filed by experienced ABC member federal contractors against three federal agencies that mandated PLAs in solicitations for construction services as a result of a Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council rule effective Jan. 22, 2024, implementing Biden’s Executive Order 14063.

The Biden policy has been widely criticized by the construction industry, taxpayer watchdogs and lawmakers for needlessly inflating construction costs and effectively steering contracts to unionized firms and union labor at the expense of taxpayers and federal laws requiring fair and open competition.

“ABC and its federal contractor members are ecstatic that the judicial system has delivered justice for American taxpayers and the 90% of the U.S. construction industry workforce that is nonunion,” said ABC Vice President of Regulatory, Labor and State Affairs Ben Brubeck. “ABC members were harmed by former President Biden’s costly executive overreach, which violates federal laws and rewards special interests at the expense of fair and open competition.

“Damning evidence procured through market research conducted by several federal agencies was raised in the case’s Jan. 16 oral argument and corroborated plaintiffs’ complaints and ABC’s long-standing concerns,” said Brubeck. “The findings of federal agencies illustrate how Biden’s controversial policy mandating union-favoring project labor agreements stifles competition and raises costs on federal construction contracts nationwide.

“ABC has testified before Congress that, when mandated by government, PLAs increase construction costs by an estimated 12% to 20%, reduce competition from qualified contractors and their employees, steal money from the paychecks of token nonunion workers permitted on PLA projects and exacerbate the construction industry’s worker shortage,” said Brubeck. “Typical PLA mandates discourage competition from some of the best bidders by forcing contractors to sign special union collective bargaining agreements, hire workers from union halls and apprenticeship programs and accept compulsory union representation on behalf of any members of their existing workforces. This exposes those workers to union wage theft of up to 34% of their compensation unless they join a union and vest in union benefits plans.

“ABC will continue to advocate for inclusive solutions that result in cost savings, more jobs and more opportunities for all qualified small, minority- and women-owned businesses and all American workers in the construction industry,” said Brubeck. “This lawsuit did not address additional Biden policies pushing PLAs on federally assisted infrastructure projects procured by local and state governments and private developers, so the fight will go on.”

On Jan. 9, ABC and 24 other construction and business groups in the Build America Local coalition sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting an executive order that would restore fair and open competition on federal and federally assisted construction projects that would save taxpayers an estimated $10 billion annually.

On March 28, 2024, ABC and its Florida First Coast chapter filed suit in federal court to block Biden’s PLA final rule on construction contracts procured by federal agencies, asserting it is beyond the scope of executive authority and violates the U.S. Constitution, the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act, among others. The case is fully briefed and plaintiffs are awaiting a decision on the overall case and a ruling on the motion for preliminary injunction filed in April.

ABC members won 54% of the $205.56 billion in federal contracts worth $35 million or more during fiscal years 2009-2023 and built award-winning projects safely, on time and on budget, without unnecessary government-mandated PLAs. Prior to the Biden final rule, when given the option, the federal government decided to mandate PLAs just 12 times out of 3,222 federal construction contracts of $25 million or more.

Learn more at abc.org/bidenplafaqs and BuildAmericaLocal.com.

Dirk Haire with Fox Rothschild LLP and Jake Scott with Smith Currie Oles LLP represented federal contractor bid protestor plaintiffs in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims case, MVL USA Inc., et al., v. United States, Case No. 24-1057. An unsealed decision is expected to be released this week to the public.

DOL Withdraws Harmful Apprenticeship Regulation

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 03:46:43 GMT

On Dec. 2, in a win for ABC and its members, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs published a notice that the U.S. Department of Labor’s flawed final rule overhauling its apprenticeship regulations has been withdrawn.

For more information, read ABC’s press release and visit abc.org/apprenticeship.

“ABC fully supports government-registered apprenticeship programs as a key component of the construction industry’s all-of-the-above solution to upskilling the more than half a million new workers needed in 2024 alone, but the DOL’s proposed apprenticeship overhaul was out of touch with the needs of employers and apprentices, and was a missed opportunity to modernize and expand the apprenticeship system,” said Ben Brubeck, ABC vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs. “We are pleased that the Biden administration heeded the concerns of ABC and industry GRAP stakeholders and halted this unnecessarily costly and burdensome policy change, which would have restricted GRAP system growth and exacerbated the construction industry’s labor shortage.”

On March 18, ABC submitted more than 40 pages of comments on the DOL’s controversial proposed rule, urging the DOL to withdraw the illegal and misguided provisions of the proposal.

Ben Brubeck will also discuss the apprenticeship issue during ABC’s Virtual Legal Conference in his session, “Learn About Significant Changes to Government-Registered Apprenticeships Programs and New Onerous Mandates on Private Work.” Register today!

Vote with ABC of California - Proposition Recommendations November 5, 2024 | General Election

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 19:47:00 GMT

We hope this guide helps you navigate the upcoming propositions. As an association, ABC of CA has consistently opposed Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) mandates because:

Taxpayer Fairness through Open Competition: Hardworking taxpayers deserve efficient and effective policies that will encourage all qualified contractors to compete to build long-lasting, quality projects at the best price. Government-mandated PLAs discourage this process and prevents the more than 89% of the U.S. construction workforce who are not members of a union from bidding and working on projects in their own communities funded by their tax dollars.

Higher costs: Anti-competitive and costly PLAs restrict open, fair and competitive bidding on public works projects. By preventing cost efficient local businesses from bidding on contracts to build roads, bridges, schools and other structures, this guarantees that taxpayers pay 12% to 20% more and the local community benefits less.

Capitol Weekly Opinion: Needed: Greater participation of women in construction industry

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 21:00:00 GMT

Opinion Editorial by Deborah Wilder and Jean Bjork published in Capitol Weekly on July 22, 2022

There are more women in the construction industry today than ever before.

Historically, the industry has been dominated by males, and while that is still true today, we are slowly challenging this reality as the number of women in construction is steadily increasing. In 2021, women made up 10.9% of the United States construction industry which is up from 9.9% in 2018.

This momentum is inspiring and is a motivator to continue the work of our many dedicated organizations, such as the Women Construction Owners & Executives (WCOE) California Chapter and the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of California. As leaders in the industry, WCOE and ABC of California chapters are working tirelessly to recruit, train, and create pathways for women to secure construction careers.

We are striving to increase diversity and inclusion in construction, which means we must advocate for policies that will get us closer to this goal. Therefore, we are proud to support Senate Bill 1115 introduced by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) which will encourage more women to join the industry. The bill will officially establish a ‘Women in Construction Priority Unit’ and help create pathways for women to secure good, high-paying jobs in construction.

As construction professionals ourselves, we know firsthand that women working together is a crucial factor for success. It is imperative to unite and help each other succeed in this industry, and if SB 1115 passes, we will have access to more resources and supportive services that will help women across the state pursue careers in this ever-growing industry.

RELEASE: ABC of California Member Companies Achieve World-Class Safety Performance in Construction Industry

Tue, 24 May 2022 20:15:07 GMT

ABC of California Member Companies Achieve World-Class Safety Performance in Construction Industry

Sacramento, Calif., (May 18, 2022) — Associated Builders and Contractors of California (ABC of California) today announced the California companies that achieved top honors on its national organization’s 2022 Safety Performance Report – an annual study utilizing a safety management system that dramatically improves safety performance among participants regardless of company size or type of work.

The report details the dramatic impact of using proactive safety practices to reduce recordable incidents by up to 84%, making the best-performing companies, including 16 companies across the Golden State, 645% safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics construction industry average.

“ABC of California and our contractor members understand that our people are our greatest asset, and we will continue to advance world-class safety through valuable resources like the Safety Performance Report,” said John Hamo, Chair of the Board of Directors for ABC of California. “It’s the ABC-standard to expect our member companies to be focused on creating a safe and productive work environment for their team members, their families and communities in which they live and work.”

STEP Diamond members are more than six times safer than the industry average, achieving an 84% reduction in Total Recordable Incident Rates. ABC of California commends the following companies in California that achieved Diamond status, meaning they’ve gone above and beyond to achieve world-class safety on and off the jobsite:

Sturgeon Services, Bakersfield
Agbayani Construction Corporation, Daly City
Diversified Power Corporation, Dixon
Durham Construction Inc., Clovis
Escon Builders, Union City
Hayward Electric Company, Hayward
Helix Electric, Sacramento & San Diego
ENGIE Services Inc., Oakland
Pacific West Controls Inc., Visalia
Rampart Enterprises Inc, Sacramento
Seal Rite Paving & Grading, Fresno
Tao Mechanical LTD, Livermore
Telstar Instruments Inc., Concord
Facilities Protection Systems, Brea
Icenogle Construction Management, Inc, San Francisco

ABC’s research on more than a billion hours of work completed by participants in the construction, heavy construction, civil engineering and specialty trades in 2021 identified the following proactive injury and hazard elimination best practices:

New hire safety orientation: Companies that conduct an in-depth indoctrination of new employees into their safety culture, systems and processes based on a documented orientation process experience reduce TRIR by 70% and their Days Away Restricted or Transferred rate by 72% compared to companies that limit their orientations to basic safety and health compliance topics.
Substance abuse prevention programs: Robust substance abuse prevention programs/policies with provisions for drug and alcohol testing where permitted lead to a 70% reduction in TRIR and a 73% reduction in DART rates.
Toolbox talks: Companies that conduct daily toolbox talks reduce TRIR by 76% and DART rates by 79% compared to companies that hold them monthly.
Top management engagement: Employer involvement in safety programs at the highest level of company management produces a 71% reduction in TRIR and DART rates.

ABC has studied how to improve construction jobsite safety through STEP since 1989. Participating ABC member firms measure their safety processes and policies on key components and criteria for best practices through a detailed questionnaire, with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incident rates.

Read the report at abc.org/spr.

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About the ABC Safety Performance Report

The 2022 ABC Safety Performance Report is based on submissions of unique company data gathered from members that deployed STEP in 2021. ABC collects each company’s trailing indicator data as reported on its annual Occupational Safety and Health Administration Form 300A (“Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses”) and its self-assessment of leading indicator practices from its STEP application. Each data point collected is sorted using statistically valid methodology developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for its annual Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Survey and then combined to produce analyses of STEP member performance against BLS industry average incident rates. The report demonstrates that applying world-class processes dramatically improves safety performance among participants regardless of company size or type of work.

The ABC 2022 Safety Performance Report is brought to you by ABC Tech Alliance member KPA, which provides safety management software, training and consulting to the construction industry.

About Associated Builders and Contractors

Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 that represents more than 21,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 69 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.

Fresno Business Journal: 'Women in Construction Week' Celebrates A Growing Demographic Shift

Wed, 11 May 2022 22:01:02 GMT

Fresno Business Journal, April 27, 2022

As more women continue to build paths in various industries that have typically been male dominated—tech, manufacturing, trucking, construction—they are also building more opportunities as well as buildings.

In March, The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of California, a state chapter of ABC, a national construction trade association, celebrated “Women in Construction Week”, highlighting the initiatives and work of women within in the industry.

“Women in Construction Week” was introduced in 1960 by the National Association of Women in Construction, which was founded in 1953.

Though more women have entered the construction industry in recent decades, women still only make up 10.9% of the people working in the construction industry, according to 2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The number shrinks for the number of women working on a job site with only 1 of every 100 employees working in the field, according to multinational human resource consulting firm Randstad NV.

Just under 87% of women working in construction hold office positions.

Even with these figures, there are local women in the industry that are building careers and opportunities in the Central Valley.

Read the full article.

ABC 23: Highlighting women in male-dominated fields

Tue, 10 May 2022 23:48:43 GMT

Bakersfield Californian, March 23, 2022

This Women’s History Month we are highlighting women who are making a difference in the community here at 23ABC.

If you spend the day with these women, you’ll learn how to use everything from cranes to lifts. Their goal being to show if they could do it on their first day so could any other woman.

“Most of your training you learn here, you don’t have to have much training just the will to work,” said Bonita Sanchez, Welding Foreman at JTS Modular.

Bo started out at JTS as a welder then became a team lead and is now a foreman.

“I am very proud of myself for my accomplishments and where I am at today. It's been a lot of hard work working in this male dominated field. It's pretty hard looking for a job and I’m just really proud of myself.”

According to Bonita, when women get involved in construction there's no limit to the heights you can reach.

Read the full article here.

Community Voices: Empowering women in the state's construction industry

Tue, 10 May 2022 23:37:43 GMT

Opinion Editorial by Lisa Kelly published in the Bakersfield Californian on March 15, 2022

California’s workforce was weakened by the COVID-19 pandemic and while we are regaining many jobs, we have a long road ahead. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, men have largely recouped their labor force losses, while more than 1 million fewer women were in the labor force in January 2022 compared to February 2020.

This trend is concerning, but not surprising. It was widely reported that working women shouldered a significant burden throughout the pandemic. Yet now as we look forward to a post-pandemic economy, there is a unique opportunity to get more women in the workforce, potentially into fields that are predominantly male, like construction, and now is the ideal time. It’s not only Women’s History Month, but National Women in Construction Week took place March 6 to March 12 – making it the perfect time to highlight the opportunities and benefits of working in construction in California.

Over the last 10 years, I’ve worked my way up to my current position as the vice president general manager at Lalonde Equipment Rental located here in Bakersfield. Lalonde Equipment has been around for more than 50 years — supplying the heavy machinery needed for projects like leveling the runway at Los Angeles International Airport and clearing debris for new freeways throughout California. I’m proud of the work that we do and that’s why I’ve worked here for more than a decade.

Jobs in the construction industry provide women the chance for a fulfilling career path and high wages. Society relies heavily on the construction industry, which most people associate with a hammer and drill, but there is so much more. Construction professionals are involved in almost every aspect of daily life, from building roads and bridges, to wiring lights and power in local grocery stores and schools. Not to mention, a woman can expect to earn 20 percent to 30 percent more in a skilled trade career opposed to a non-construction related career.

I acknowledge there is still work to be done to achieve a fully inclusive and diverse construction workforce, but we must take a moment to celebrate the amazing progress we’ve made over the last few years in building more opportunities for women to succeed in the industry. According to data gathered in 2021, women make up about 10 percent of construction industry workers. While there is still room to grow, this number has increased substantially since 2017. Between 2017 and 2018, the number of women working in construction trades increased by 17.6 percent.

Read full article here.

RELEASE: Statewide Construction Organization Helps Lift Californians Reclaiming Self-Reliance through Job Training & Opportunity

Tue, 10 May 2022 23:34:09 GMT

Statewide Construction Organization Helps Lift Californians Reclaiming Self-Reliance through Job Training & Opportunity

April is Second Chance Month and Construction is Looking to Hire Reentering Citizens

Sacramento, Calif., April 1, 2022 – The Associated Builders and Contractors of California (ABC of California) today renewed its commitment to Second Chance Month in April – making a pledge to lift those up who are committed to rejoining society and making meaningful contributions. In March of 2021, the White House Proclaimed April as “Second Chance Month,” citing that incarcerated individuals after serving their time should have the opportunity to fully reintegrate into society and that America’s criminal justice system must offer meaningful opportunities for redemption and rehabilitation.

“Second Chance Month highlights the value that reentering citizens bring to California’s construction workforce,” said John Hamo, Chair of the Board of Directors for ABC of California. “These individuals have paid their debt to society and should be given the opportunity to achieve their newly found career dreams. We have inspiring stories throughout the Golden State where ABC of California members are working with individuals seeking that second chance to build a bright future for themselves. California has significant infrastructure needs and requires a skilled construction workforce now and in the future, and reentering citizens can help us rebuild better and stronger than ever before.”

An example of this effort shines through in partnerships like the one between Hope Builders and Sunwest Electric, Inc. Hope Builders is an Orange County program that prepares disadvantaged young adults for living-wage careers by providing mentorship, life skills and job training. Sunwest Electric, Inc. is an established leader in the construction industry with 37 years of experience and a member of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Southern California (ABC SoCal) that’s providing job opportunities for those looking for a second chance. Through this partnership, Hope Builders and Sunwest Electric has trained and employed a countless number of reentering citizens for successful careers.

Like the model established between Hope Builders and Sunwest Electric, ABC of California has member companies throughout the state are helping reentering citizens reconnect to the workforce and build futures that last. Hamo added, “It’s a successful program and here’s how it works: member contractors accept matched students, for some contractors it’s more than 10 students at one time, into ABC training programs across multiple disciplines. It’s a win-win scenario – as these students are driven, motivated and changing their lives for the better.”

A similar partnership can be found between the Associated Builders and Contractors of Northern California (ABC NorCal) and the Salvation Army Alameda County. Together, ABC NorCal and the Salvation Army sponsor a program that’s providing a new transformational set of skills for individuals in need of personal reform after encountering recovery or homeless programs. While some in this program are switching career paths, others are gaining a change in lifestyle after experiencing substance abuse, homelessness, or a cycle of entries within the justice system.

Throughout the Golden State, ABC of California is building a workforce that is safe, skilled and productive using innovative and flexible learning models and apprenticeships. In fact, ABC of California member companies pay millions of dollars each year into workforce training programs that are connecting students, women, those in underserved communities, reentering citizens, and veterans with rewarding and quality careers in construction. To learn more about this partnership or ABC of California, visit the organization’s website that is found here.

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Apprentice Spotlight: The Face of Oakland’s Construction Industry, Charles Oliver

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 09:56:10 GMT

Opinion Editorial by Charles Oliver, a Carpentry Apprentice at ABC Northern California Chapter and works at Anderson Pacific Engineering

A little over 7 years ago, I needed a career change. I was in a job that I had no chance of moving forward. I was a high-school graduate who needed more training to build the life that I wanted for my wife and children. That’s when I took a chance with a local construction company and my career took off. Now, I’m getting an opportunity for tuition-free craft training in the Associated Builders and Contractors of Northern California’s (ABC NorCal) Carpentry Apprenticeship Program and I’ve already graduated from the ABC NorCal’s Construction Craft Laborer Program.

As an Oakland resident, I’m a proud student at ABC NorCal apprenticeship program, which is part of a larger statewide organization known as Associated Builders and Contractors of California (ABC of California). ABC of California is a statewide trade association that represents those of us working in building commercial, industrial, public work, and affordable housing projects with state and federally approved apprenticeship programs. Essentially, ABC NorCal and ABC of California have given me the opportunity to build right here in my community.

However, opportunities for me to work and support my family in the City of Oakland may now be shattered. The City is working on a project labor agreement with the building trades union that will limit workers and apprentices like myself, and give those jobs to those who are union-only. I am concerned that the City will be excluding skilled members of the community, like myself, from getting work. I am, along with many other non-union workers are equally, if not more, experienced and qualified.

It is my hope that the Oakland City Council recognizes how harmful this type of policy is to me and my family. I would like to be able to work on quality jobs and earn prevailing wages right here in my own backyard. I, along with all ABC NorCal apprentices, do top-notch work but will be unable to do that work in Oakland because we don’t belong to a union. We should not be unfairly punished, which is why I’m strongly encouraging the Oakland City Council to support local workers like me and reject this harmful policy.

As we come out of a pandemic and gain our footing, our local and state leaders must look for ways to create career opportunities for all, instead of cutting out people like me from good paying jobs in our own communities. We all know that California Bay Area is an expensive place to live and it’s extremely difficult to make a wage that supports a family, buys a home, and maintains a good quality of life. Yet, I can do that through this apprenticeship training program and it is imperative that it remains a possibility in Oakland.

There is not time to waste, I hope others can learn from my experience – I’m a California success story. For those who want to learn more about ABC of California’s apprenticeship training programs, visit the organization’s website at www.abcofca.org. If you’re looking for a chance to build a career in California’s construction industry, now is the time to take that leap.

Charles Oliver is an ABC Northern California Carpentry Apprentice and works at Anderson Pacific Engineering.

Construction Dive: ABC NorCal's new CEO aims to advance workforce training

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 03:40:03 GMT

Newly appointed to lead the Northern California chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, Deborah Maus will focus on apprenticeship support and providing long-term career opportunities.

Associated Builders and Contractors' Northern California Chapter Board of Directors has chosen Deborah Maus as its new president and CEO.

Maus' career has spanned over 25 years in strategic and operational leadership, including executive positions in transportation systems management with Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP USA) and the South Natomas Transportation Management Association in Sacramento. She made her move into construction trade associations in 2017, when she took on her most recent role as CEO of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors of California.

RELEASE: ABC of California Announces Over 300 Members Achieve World-Class Safety Standards Through ABC STEP Program

Sun, 31 Oct 2021 01:12:08 GMT

ABC of California Announces Over 300 Members Achieve World-Class Safety Standards Through ABC STEP Program

California Construction Companies Continue to Make Safety a Top-Priority

Sacramento, Calif., October 26, 2021 – Associated Builders and Contractors of California (ABC of California) today announced 324 contractor members have achieved world-class safety standards through the Associated Builders and Contractor’s STEP Safety Management System. According to ABC’s 2021 Safety Performance Report, STEP participants, regardless of company size or type of work, can reduce recordable incidents up to 85%, making the best-performing companies more than six times safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics industry average.

“ABC of California is challenging the status quo by placing safety as a top priority in the industry. By encouraging members to achieve and maintain world-class standards, we are creating a culture where safety is an obligation, not just a goal,” said John Hamo, Chair of the Board of Directors of ABC of California. “In fact, 10% of the STEP participants in California are Diamond level participants which are 655% safer than the industry average and we only expect this number to grow.”

STEP participants measure their safety processes and policies on key components the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce job site incidents.

“STEP participants have demonstrated a commitment to create the conditions for all to do their work without incident,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC vice president of health, safety, environment and workforce development. “An industrywide commitment to total human health is also essential to ensure both the physical and mental health and safety of our workforce. By implementing proactive safety measures, such as substance abuse programs, new hire safety orientation and toolbox talks, STEP participants are committed to consistently raising the bar when it comes to safety performance.”

Founded more than three decades ago, STEP has evolved into a world-class safety program that dramatically improves safety performance among construction industry participants. Ratings range from Diamond, the highest, to Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Participant.

To learn more about the STEP program, visit abcstep.org.

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Associated Builders and Contractors of California is a statewide construction industry trade association that represents members across California. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC helps 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 abcofca.org.

ABC Apprentice Spotlight: Build Opportunities - Not Barriers - to Employment

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 22:12:51 GMT

Opinion Editorial by Gilbert Diaz,an Electrical Apprentice at ABC and works at Champion Electric | October 25,2021

Three years ago, I was in federal prison wondering what life would be like on the other side of my sentence. Looking at my life now, I’m grateful that I found a purpose and a trade that gave me a second chance.

I owe a lot to the Associated Builders and Contractors of California (ABC of California) Electrical Apprenticeship program and Champion Electric for treating me like a member of the family. Because one person had faith in me, I was introduced to the program that almost sounded too good to be true and I felt like I had a bright future ahead.

ABC of California offered me a competitive wage, health care coverage, classroom and field training, and hands-on experience with Champion Electric where I am learning the craft from experts in the industry. It is hard work, but it beats the alternative which could’ve landed me in a different spot than I am today.

My situation is not so unique - almost 1 in 3 Americans have a criminal record. For most of us, a criminal record is a significant barrier to employment and leads to instant rejection from some jobs.

That’s why we desperately need more programs – like ABC’s apprenticeship programs and the high road contractors that participate - that are designed to give hardworking people a chance to prove that they can achieve their goals and establish a career regardless of their past.

I am a perfect example for why apprenticeship programs work and why we should have more of them. Going through the program and getting a good job has given me the flexibility to pursue my passions outside of work like starting a boxing gym to help youth in my community.

Because of my apprenticeship, I started a training program at a boxing gym in Riverside to keep young kids out of trouble and provide them a safe place to go after school. We’re trying to expand the program to include afterschool care, tutors to help with homework, and eventually become a place where if they keep up their grades, they can train for free.

Thankfully, ABC of California has been working to develop its apprenticeship programs and has officially been approved to set up an additional facility in Riverside County that will expand training to 150 more students and new jobs for employee administrators.

With more companies hiring than ever before, this approval comes at an ideal time to get more people into strong programs that will help people reach their full potential. Especially in the construction industry, we need more programs like the one at ABC of California to funnel people with diverse backgrounds into these positions.

There is a severe labor shortage that has spread across the state and country. ABC of California apprenticeship programs have a low barrier to entry which allows more people to be eligible to participate and eventually work as a trained and skilled apprentice in the field.

Not only are these programs providing unique opportunities to work, but they are also a recruiting tool for companies like Champion Electric to find hardworking and properly trained apprentices. Over the years, Champion Electric has worked with hundreds of apprentices and many of them have stayed with the company for decades.

Riverside County is lucky to have this new training facility to help train and employ hundreds of apprentices throughout the years. For anyone looking for a second chance, I encourage you to check out an apprenticeship program that can help you find a long-term career and the ability to grow into the person you want to be.

Gilbert Diaz is an Electrical Apprentice at Associated Builders and Contractors and works at Champion Electric. He gives special thanks to Julian Ville and the HairDoctor Family.

Community Voices: Senate Bill 419 puts Central Valley workers out of work

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 01:09:52 GMT

Opinion Editorial by Robert Acosta published in the Bakersfield Californian on June 12, 2021

California’s Central Valley has some of the highest unemployment rates in the state and it’s the reason Gov. Gavin Newsom said in his first State of the State Address in 2019 that he was committed to unlocking the enormous potential of the Valley. Coming out of the pandemic, the Central Valley is working hard to get back on its feet and we’re encouraged that the state Legislature recently passed a host of bills to protect workers from facing unemployment amid the pandemic. Yet it’s baffling that a legislator would introduce Senate Bill 419 authored by Sen. Henry Stern of Los Angeles — a bill that puts Central Valley workers in the state’s oil and gas industry out of work in the most disadvantaged region of the state.

Senate Bill 419 displaces thousands of Central Valley workers and fails to take in account the years of job training, education and experience that many hard-working Central Valley oil and gas employees have gained throughout their careers — deeming them unqualified for jobs that they’ve been doing safely for decades.

California’s oil and gas industry supports millions of jobs in the Central Valley — with 1 in 7 workers in Kern County working in a job connected to the oil and gas industry. And that number doesn’t even consider surrounding businesses that benefit from this economic activity. For example, a local restaurant owner recently shared that his restaurant could face dire consequences if there is a drop in oil and gas workers in the area. We’re his customer base. In the Central Valley, we produce more than 80 percent of California’s oil and gas. While this legislation was introduced under the guise of safety, it fails to consider that the oil and gas industry is already one of the safest industries in California and the nation.

Read full article here.

Guest View, Miguel Villa: Trade one box for another

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 01:08:15 GMT

Opinion Editorial by Miguel Villa published in the Gilroy Dispatch on July 15, 2021

After time with the criminal justice system in 2010, I experienced the job rejection that many like myself deal with upon re-entering the workforce. While I was more than qualified for job after job, as soon as they saw the box checked for a felony conviction, my resume went straight to the trash.

Now, years later and with a national craft competition win under my belt, I am experiencing another kind of box-checking rejection. As a non-union roofing construction worker, I will not be able to work at Gavilan College if a Project Labor Agreement is adopted.

This is not a new obstacle. Upon my re-entry, I worked tirelessly to join a union so that job opportunities would be more accessible, but there were no pathways to joining that did not impose a financial burden on me. Joining the Associated Builders and Contractors Northern California apprenticeship program was a way to find work that did not discriminate against my background while providing the additional training and certifications required for construction projects.

Here in Gilroy, this rejection is hitting particularly close to home. I would love to be able to work on a project to quite literally put a roof over my son’s school, not to mention a commute just miles from my house. Gavilan Community College, where my son is a student, is currently considering a project labor agreement policy that would require a majority of its workforce to come from the union.

But because I don’t check the union box, I may not even have the opportunity to work on this project. Rather, I would be forced to work on projects nearly hundreds of miles away, spending time, money and energy on my commute instead of my family.

The Gavilan Community College construction project to upgrade their classrooms, labs and other facilities is a result of Measure X, a bond passed by voters in 2018. The college is considering whether to adopt a project labor agreement that restricts workers and apprentices to those who are union-only.

Read full article here.

New Santa Ana: Santa Ana’s Hope Builders is all about second chances

Mon, 03 May 2021 21:13:12 GMT

The White House Proclaimed April as “Second Chance Month,” citing that incarcerated individuals after serving their time should have the opportunity to fully reintegrate into society – lifting up those who are committed to rejoining society and making meaningful contributions. Californians are taking that mission seriously and have success stories to prove it.

Meet Viniquia Reed and David Gonzalez – two Californians who went through HopeBuilders, a program that prepares disadvantaged young adults for living-wage careers by providing mentorship, life skills and job training. Both Viniquia and David are now employed and have successful careers with southern California-based Sunwest Electric, Inc.

After being released from prison, Viniquia was striving to build a successful life and that’s when she found Hope Builders. Her dedication showed when driving more than an hour daily to successfully complete the program. Her hard work and commitment paid off. Now, Viniquia has a flourishing career as an electrician at Sunwest Electric, Inc. and is serving as an industry-leader in a widely male dominated field that has a myriad of opportunities to offer women.

David heard about Hope Builders after being released from prison and was struggling to find employment. Able to secure numerous job interviews, potential employers passed on David after learning of his record. It was at Hope Builders where he fell in love with construction and found a path to Sunwest Electric, Inc. as an electrician – creating an opportunity to build a successful life that includes career achievement and opportunities for growth and advancement.

Read the full article here.

NATIONAL RELEASE: Construction Companies Can Be 655% Safer With These Best Practices, Says ABC Report

Mon, 03 May 2021 21:10:58 GMT

Sacramento, Calif., April 30—Today, Associated Builders and Contractors announced the findings in its 2021 Safety Performance Report, an annual assessment that furthers the construction industry’s understanding of how to achieve world-class safety by deploying its STEP Safety Management System. Published to coincide with Construction Safety Week, May 3-7, the annual report details the drastic impact of using proactive safety practices to reduce recordable incidents by up to 85%, making the best-performing companies more than six times safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics industry average.

“Leading from a posture of safety and committing to a culture of safety create the conditions for all in the construction industry to complete their work without incident and go home safe and healthy every day,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC vice president of health, safety, environment and workforce development. “ABC’s Safety Performance Report creates a roadmap through empirical evidence to keep workers safe on the job, regardless of the size of the company or type of work. Implementing best practices built on the foundations of leading indicators, substance abuse programs, new hire safety orientation, toolbox talks and top management engagement creates a culture that embraces world-class safety.”

The ABC 2021 Safety Performance Report identified the following best practices to lower Total Recordable Incident Rates and Days Away and Restricted or Transferred rates:

Tracking and reviewing activities carried out to prevent and control injury, such as safety training, new hire safety orientation and behavior-based safety observations, leads to a 64% reduction in TRIR and DART rates.
Companies that conduct an in-depth indoctrination of new employees into the safety culture, systems and processes based on a documented orientation process experience 52% lower TRIR and 54% lower DART rates than companies that limit their orientations to basic safety and health compliance topics.
Substance abuse programs and policies with provisions for drug and alcohol testing where permitted lead to a 59% reduction in TRIR and a 61% reduction in DART rates.
Companies that conduct daily toolbox talks reduce TRIR by 76% and DART rates by 78% compared to companies that hold them monthly.
Employer involvement at the highest level of company management produces a 59% reduction in TRIR and DART.

The Safety Performance Report is based on data gathered from ABC member companies recording nearly one billion hours of work in construction, heavy construction, civil engineering and specialty trades. It tracked 35 data points from companies that deployed STEP in 2020 to determine the correlation between leading indicator use and lagging indicator performance, which is measured by TRIR and DART incident rates. Each of the 35 data points was sorted using a statistically valid methodology developed by the BLS for its annual Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Survey, and then combined to produce analyses of STEP company performance against BLS industry average incident rates.

Founded in 1989 as a safety benchmarking and improvement tool, STEP has evolved into a world-class safety management system that demonstrates safety leadership and cultural transformation to clients. Participating ABC member firms measure their safety processes and policies on key components through a detailed questionnaire with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incidence. Applying world-class processes dramatically improves safety performance among participants regardless of company size or type of work.

Read the report at abc.org/spr.