News for Labor Issues
Update on Port of Seattle’s PLA-enforced priority-hire proposal
Citing problems already apparent in the priority hire ordinances passed by the City of Seattle, Sound Transit and under consideration by King County, AGC raised significant concerns about the Port of Seattle’s proposal.
Posted on: 10/23/2017
Acceptable worksites: new City of Seattle specification provisions now in effect
The City of Seattle’s City Purchasing & Contracting Services recently revised its General Special Provisions for City construction contracts to add new “Acceptable Worksite” language.
Posted on: 07/11/2017
Legislature passes compromise paid family-leave bill
The Legislature passed and Governor signed a compromise family leave bill that included significant elements sought by the business community.
Posted on: 07/10/2017
L&I says contractors can now submit certified payrolls electronically
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries recently launched the option for contractors to upload payroll records on public works projects to create certified payroll reports.
Posted on: 07/10/2017
Pregnancy accommodations bill signed into law
On May 16, Gov. Inslee signed SSB 5835, requiring businesses with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant women. The bill passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate, and takes effect July 23, 2017.
Posted on: 05/23/2017
AGC’s career awareness legislation signed into law
In a victory for AGC, career awareness legislation spearheaded by the association was signed into law by Gov. Inslee last week.
Posted on: 05/08/2017
AGC of America pushes Perkins Act reauthorization
Legislation reauthorizing and updating the Perkins Act was introduced in Congress recently.
Posted on: 05/08/2017
Priority-Hire Update
Priority-hire programs are sweeping through our local agencies and, while AGC of Washington has been a stalwart supporter of diversity on the jobsite, we have taken exception to the City of Seattle's approach.
Posted on: 03/07/2017
AGC’s Career Awareness Bill
AGC’s Past President Nancy Munro and Executive Vice President David D’Hondt testified before the Senate Higher Education Committee in support of AGC priority legislation that would create a career awareness training.
Posted on: 02/28/2017
Paid sick leave: What contractors need to know
Last November, when voters passed Initiative 1433, commonly known as the minimum-wage initiative, they were also approving a provision in I-1433 that requires employers to provide paid sick leave.
Posted on: 02/14/2017
L&I announces improvements to intent and affidavits reporting and tracking
The Department of Labor and Industries recently announced the launch of new features for the Prevailing Wage Intent & Affidavit (PWIA).
Posted on: 02/14/2017
Congress to consider repealing blacklisting & other midnight Obama regulations this week
This week, Congress is considering the repeal of last minute Obama administration regulations, including the Blacklisting regulations. Urge your members of Congress to repeal this and other Obama regulations now.
Posted on: 01/31/2017
AGC shows support for CTE funding
AGC member Bob Adams, of Guy F. Atkinson Construction, testified recently before the Senate Early Learning K-12 Education Committee in support of funding for CTE (career and technical education) programs in middle and high schools.
Posted on: 01/31/2017
AGC urges Trump to repeal PLA executive order
AGC of America and others sent a letter urging President-elect Trump’s administration to repeal President Obama’s executive order...
Posted on: 01/17/2017
Paid sick leave: What contractors need to know
In November, when voters passed Initiative 1433, commonly known as the minimum wage initiative, they were also approving a provision in I-1433 that requires employers to provide paid sick leave.
Posted on: 01/04/2017
Minimum-wage increases took effect Jan. 1
Washington minimum wage employees received a 16 percent raise on the first of the year -- with a few exceptions.
Posted on: 01/04/2017
Minimum wage climbing to $11 in 2017; paid sick leave starts in 2018
The minimum wage in Washington will increase to $11 an hour starting on Jan. 1, 2017, and to $13.50 by 2020.
Posted on: 12/12/2016
Significant New Obama Regulations, Including Overtime, Are Blocked
After waking up to the news of a Trump victory, a number of clients have asked whether the long list of pending Obama regulatory labor and employment changes, which were assumed to be “safe” under the expected Clinton win, will be rescinded under a Trump administration.
Posted on: 11/29/2016
AGC urges OSHA to reconsider unjustified policy against post‐accident drug testing
Earlier this year the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a new rule on recordkeeping, which highlighted OSHA’s intention to enforce policies that prohibit mandatory post- accident alcohol and drug testing
Posted on: 10/18/2016
L&I proposes workers’-comp rate increase for 2017
The rate paid for workers’ compensation coverage in Washington would rise by an average of 0.7 percent next year under a proposal released by L&I...
Posted on: 10/03/2016
Court puts hold on AGC-opposed “persuader rule”
From AGC of America...
Posted on: 07/26/2016
Act now: Support career- and tech-education bill in Congress
The U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, legislation which would reauthorize and reform the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.
Posted on: 07/11/2016
Minimum wage, paid sick leave initiative gets on the ballot
AGC joined several business groups to voice its concern that, although raising the minimum wage and requiring paid sick leave through Initiative 1433 sounds good, the unintended consequences could be harmful, particularly for first-time job seekers.
Posted on: 07/08/2016
Employers note: New overtime rule takes effect Dec. 1
On May 18, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the new federal overtime rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Posted on: 07/08/2016
Initiatives could bring mandatory sick leave to construction
There may be two initiatives on the November ballot to raise the minimum wage; both of them go beyond the minimum wage and require paid sick leave.