News
Kuney, General, Scarsella, Mowat, CH2M Hill among WSDOT/AGC Award Winners
Seven transportation construction projects were honored for administrative or environmental excellence by WSDOT and AGC of Washington. Awards were presented by WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond at the WSDOT/AGC annual meeting January 5 2011 in Fircrest WA.
Five projects were selected as winners of ...
Posted on 01/10/2012
AGC Protests Use of PLA on Bangor Project
For the first time on any Department of Defense project the U.S. Navy is requiring the use of a project labor agreement (PLA). AGC protests Naval Facilities Engineering Commands (NAVFACs) use of a PLA for the building of the $450-550 million second explosives handling wharf at Naval Base Kitsap-...
Posted on 01/10/2012
Ban on Truck Driver Use of Hand Held Mobile Phones
US DOT has issued a final rule that restricts the use of hand-held mobile telephones by interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers (CMV) and interstate hazmat drivers beginning January 3 2012. The rule does not restrict or prohibit the use of hands free devices. The rule does not currently appl...
Posted on 01/09/2012
Progress on Columbia River Crossing; Kuney to Test Techniques
In December Federal transportation agencies gave formal approval for the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project plan which allows final design and construction planning to proceed. The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration signed a record of decision for the CRC.
Signa...
Posted on 01/09/2012
Seattle Considers Setting Apprenticeship Graduation Rates for Projects
Seattle City Councilmember Sally Clark is considering a proposal to recognize only state-approved apprenticeship programs for public works contracts with the City if they have a completion rate of 60% or greater for the licensed trades - electrical plumbing and elevator workers.
AGC views this p...
Posted on 01/09/2012
Soiza to Succeed Silverstein as DOSH Chief
Dr. Michael Silverstein L&Is assistant director for the Division of Occupational Safety and Health announced he will retire at the end of February. Leadership of DOSH will transfer to Anne Soiza currently deputy assistant director for DOSH.
AGC has had much interaction with Silverstein over ...
Posted on 01/09/2012
With Time Ticking, Your Voice Matters in Redistricting
by Rick Slunaker AGC Government Affairs Director
With the holidays upon us it’s hard to think about politics. But intense negotiations are occurring in Olympia by the Washington State Redistricting Commission which is trying to draw our state’s new boundaries for the 10 congressional and 49 legi...
Posted on 12/12/2011
$2 Billion Proposal Could Jumpstart Public Capital Projects
AGC is pursuing a capital projects proposal of up to $2 billion that if enacted could generate 30000 jobs and jumpstart scores of public projects such as sewers community college classes and labs and a variety of vertical and horizontal projects.
The idea is to issue bonds backed by some of the ...
Posted on 12/12/2011
Sound Transit Releases PLA Study
The long awaited Sound Transit PLA study has been released. The study which has been under review for months was released in response to a public records request by the Laborer’s Union. Sound Transit had wanted to review the study with its officers prior to release.
According to Sound Transit t...
Posted on 12/12/2011
Seattle Revises Its Recently Published WMBE Plan
As a result of a workshop sponsored by AGC on Seattle’s new WMBE requirements the City has developed a new version of the plan.
The new plan removes the dual-elements used to determine marketplace availability. Instead the City will utilize past performance alone. The new form reflects this chan...
Posted on 12/12/2011
No Mandatory Apprenticeship Quotas on Pierce County Project
AGC applauds the recent announcement by Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy that she will not implement a mandatory government apprenticeship quota on the $300 million Chambers Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion.
AGC encouraged the Public Works Department and the Executive to abide by c...
Posted on 12/12/2011
No Mandatory Apprenticeship Quotas on Pierce County Project
AGC applauds the recent announcement by Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy that she will not implement a mandatory government apprenticeship quota on the $300 million Chambers Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion. AGC encouraged the Public Works Department and the Executive to abide by co...
Posted on 12/12/2011
Positive News on Workers' Comp, Unemployment Insurance Rates
AGC is pleased to announce good news with regard to both workers compensation and unemployment insurance.
Today Governor Gregoire announced there will be no overall increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums next year (however construction firms will see a smaller-than-proposed increas...
Posted on 12/01/2011
Make Change with Dollars for McKenna and BUILD
By Pat McGarry President AGC of Washington
2012 presents us with a rare opportunity.
All nine statewide offices (including of course the Governorship!) are up for election along with all 98 members of the State House of Representatives and 25 members of the State Senate. Simply put we have a ...
Posted on 11/15/2011
AGC, Contractors Express Concerns for New WMBE Plan
The City of Seattle’s new WMBE inclusion plan has been through a real-world bid process and the preliminary conclusion from AGC is that it’s a flawed plan that creates another hurdle to participation in City projects. On the other hand despite its flaws contractors will likely be able to meet th...
Posted on 11/15/2011
Industry, Especially Construction, Show Improved Job Sites
Washingtons job sites were safer in 2010 continuing a trend that began nearly a decade ago according to survey results released by the Department of Labor & Industries.
The Occupational Injury and Illness Survey for Washington State showed that 5 out of every 100 full-time workers in Washing...
Posted on 11/15/2011
Young Professionals Get Career Advice and a Glimpse of the Future
Members of AGC’s Future Leadership Forum gained career advice and a glimpse of the industry in the coming years during FLF’s Panel of Execs event cosponsored by the AGC Education Foundation.
With David Ashbaugh (Ashbaugh Beal) moderating industry leaders Nancy Munro (MidMountain Contractors); To...
Posted on 11/14/2011
Southern District Food Bank Efforts
As the 2011 Holiday Season approaches it is time again to count our many blessings. This year has brought even more change to the world we live in. Unfortunately one of the biggest changes is the increase of families in our local community that need help providing food and gifts for children dur...
Posted on 11/09/2011
AGC Southern District Holds Free 2012 WA Construction Forecast
The Southern District will hold this free seminar at our Fife Office (3601 20th St E.) on Nov. 18 at noon. McGraw Hill is flying-in their top forecaster for this event and he will present a 2012 Washington State-specific sector by sector construction forecast. This information is valuable! Don’t ...
Posted on 11/08/2011
Get to Know Your AGC Staff: Lauren Gubbe
As Director of AGC’s Workers’ Comp Group Retro program Lauren Gubbe oversees the Group Retro program and staff works closely with the plan underwriter negotiates back to work services develops training and works with the legislative team for lobbying on workers’ comp issues. She started as the as...
Posted on 11/01/2011
GLY Receives Vision Award from Leadership Eastside
GLY Construction was recently awarded the Vision Award by Leadership Eastside a local organization known for bringing together leaders across the Eastside to address community issues.
As a recipient of a “LENi” or Leadership Eastside Network Inspiration Awards GLY was selected from nominations s...
Posted on 10/31/2011
Lease Crutcher Lewis: Quarter Million Dollars for Charity
This year Lease Crutcher Lewis has donated more than $125000 to local charities in Seattle and Portland in honor of the company’s 125th Anniversary. Recently CEO Bill Lewis doubled that gift with his own $125000 donation to Washington STEM.
“The idea for this 125th Anniversary Philanthropy Campa...
Posted on 10/31/2011
Major Community Service Award for Korsmo
Korsmo Construction has been chosen to receive the State’s most prestigious civics award.
Korsmo and Sterling Savings Bank are recipients of the 2011 Corporations for Communities award which honors exceptional Washington businesses that make community a priority. Sterling is the winner of the la...
Posted on 10/31/2011
AGC Members – Sign Up to Save Lives through Disaster Response
(NOTE: AGC members who are willing to be placed on the AGC Disaster Response Team list should email Mandi Kime or call her at 206-284-0061. Please include some details about the equipment that you will be willing – as available – to invest in a disaster response. Plus let Mandi know if you wo...
Posted on 10/31/2011
Next Southern District Dinner Meeting is November 2
Time for politics! Come and hear from the best. Longtime Tacoma News Tribune Political Reporter Peter Callaghan will cover it all. McKenna vs. Inslee state budget shortfalls special sessions in Olympia the Liquor Privatization Initiative another transportation-related Eyman Initiative GOP Preside...