News
L&I working on prevailing wage ease-of-use improvements
Over the next seven months, L&I will launch exciting new features for the Prevailing-Wage Intent & Affidavit (PWIA) system and Awarding-Agency Portal.
Posted on 12/18/2018
AGC seeks changes to burdensome overtime draft rule
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is changing employment rules that determine which salaried employees in Washington are required by law to receive overtime pay, minimum wage and paid sick leave.
Posted on 12/18/2018
AGC protests proposed prevailing-wage enforcement strategy
L&I is considering a proposal from REBOUND, a building trades group, to significantly alter the way in which the department enforces prevailing-wage laws and the potential penalties for non-compliance.
Posted on 12/18/2018
Washington Supreme Court expands contractor notice obligations
The Washington State Supreme Court dealt another blow to public works contractors in Washington State.
Posted on 12/04/2018
L&I hosts webinars on Equal-Pay Opportunity Act
On June 7, 2018, the Equal-Pay Opportunity Act (EPOA) went into effect, making updates to the Washngton State Equal Pay Act of 1943.
Posted on 12/04/2018
Workers’ comp rates will fall by average of five percent in January
The price of workers’ compensation insurance in Washington will take the largest drop in more than 10 years on January 1, as the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) finalized its proposed 5 percent decrease in the average amount employers pay for the coverage.
Posted on 12/04/2018
Doug Peterson retires from AGC
As director of labor relations, Peterson was best known for handling the sometimes-tense negotiations with unions that supply labor to AGC members. He led nine negotiations over the 23 years he held that position.
Posted on 11/26/2018
AGC hires new Northern District Manager
AGC of Washington has hired long-time Bellingham resident Lance Calloway as its new Northern District Manager.
Posted on 11/19/2018
Don’t be caught unaware! Plan NOW for family leave premium collections to begin Jan. 1
On Jan. 1, 2019, employers need to begin collecting paid family and medical leave premiums; budget for the employer share of the premium; and begin tracking hours and wages of all employees, including seasonal, temporary and part-time workers.
Posted on 11/19/2018
City of Tukwila issues bridge-restriction advisory
The City of Tukwila Department of Public Works is advising the motoring public that the weight restriction for the 42nd Avenue South bridge over the Duwamish River will be reduced for Single Hauling Vehicles (SHVs) with 6 and 7 axles.
Posted on 11/14/2018
AGC seeks changes to new prevailing-wage law
The Legislature passed legislation that changed the way prevailing wages are set, saying that the prevailing wage will be the wage set by collective-bargaining agreements for those trades and in those counties with CBAs.
Posted on 11/05/2018
L&I proposes new overtime rules
The Department of Labor and Industries is in the process of updating rules regarding exemptions to the minimum-wage act (MWA) which exempts executive, administrative and professional (EAP) workers.
Posted on 11/06/2018
Is your employee Washington-based, for minimum-wage and sick-leave purposes?
One of the lingering questions regarding the state’s new minimum wage and paid sick leave law, which went into effect Jan. 1 2018, is how “Washington-based employees” will be defined.
Posted on 11/06/2018
"Hours-of-service" rules don’t work for construction
AGC of America organized a meeting with the administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the agency’s top management team to discuss the need for a construction-industry exemption from hours-of-service (HOS) restrictions.
Posted on 11/06/2018
AGC opposes PSCAA fuel proposal
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is considering a regional low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS), and AGC is opposed. AGC is joining a coalition of business, agriculture and labor groups in requesting that PSCAA drop its proposal.
Posted on 11/06/2018
New law may require employers to send child-support payments electronically
Employers of all sizes are valuable partners with the Department of Social and Health Services Division of Child Support (DCS). By reporting new hires, processing Income Withholding for Support orders (IWO), and sending payments to us, you help DCS collect more than 65 percent of the nearly $700 million we collect for families each year.
Posted on 11/06/2018
Contractors invited to participate in WSDOT/FAA disparity study
The Washington State Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration, is conducting a disparity study regarding FAA grants awarded to Washington State airports. This study is conducted to ensure that disadvantaged businesses have equal access to contracting opportunities and that the current program remains legally defensible and administratively successful.
Posted on 11/06/2018
Are you and your employees ready for new family taxes in 2019?
With the passage last year of a paid family- and medical-leave program for Washington State, new taxes will be collected on BOTH employers and employees starting Jan. 1, 2019.
Posted on 09/20/2018
PSRC announces $6.4-billion transportation plan
The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) recently unveiled a $6.4-billion draft regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), with 377 projects underway in the region through 2022.
Posted on 09/20/2018
Proposed decrease in 2019 workers'-comp rates
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has proposed a decrease for 2019 in workers-comp rates, averaging 5%. For construction-risk classes, the range looks to be between a 5% and 17% reduction.
Posted on 09/20/2018
AGC urges a NO vote on Initiative 1631
AGC is urging a NO vote on Initiative 1631, the carbon tax measure, and has officially joined the No on 1631 Coalition working across Washington to defeat this unfair tax measure in November.
Posted on 09/11/2018
Difficulty finding qualified craft workers is a near universal problem for the industry
Almost all of you are having a hard time filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released by Autodesk and AGC of America.
Posted on 09/11/2018
AG’s Office agrees to consider legality of Education Special District 112’s Construction-Services Group
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has agreed to look into the procurement practices of Educational Special District 112’s Construction Services Group, and to issue a non-binding opinion on whether it school districts that contract with the group must comply with Washington’s competitive procurement procedures in doing so.
Posted on 09/11/2018
Attorney General’s Office agrees to consider legality of Education Special District 112’s Construction Services Group
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has agreed to look into the procurement practices of Educational Special District 112’s Construction Services Group, and to issue a non-binding opinion on whether it school districts that contract with the group must comply with Washington’s competitive procurement procedures in doing so.
Posted on 09/06/2018
Changes in prevailing wage rates to take effect Aug. 31
As it is required to do every February and August, the Department of Labor and Industries has posted new prevailing wages, and among them are some significant changes.