News
Call to Action: Tell Legislature to Vote on Workers' Comp Reform
Last week AGC members sent nearly 500 messages to legislative leaders urging them to bring ESB 5566 legislation that provides a flexible benefit option for workers to voluntarily settle workers’ comp claims up for a vote. But we need more messages! If you haven’t yet click Workers’ Comp Action...
Posted on 04/13/2011
Of Wind Tunnels, Laminates and Miss Elam: Sven Ellstrom
Life holds some interesting ironies for Sven Ellstrom CEO and Founder of Ellstrom Manufacturing Inc.
“In 1960 I had $854 in my pocket and no bills” he says. Now even though he’s led the development of several of world-renowned companies Sven says “I have no money in my pocket and I have a lot...
Posted on 04/13/2011
State Budget Battles: What's in it for Construction?
As this year’s legislative session in Olympia heads into the home stretch everyone’s attention is on the budget. There are three distinct biennial budgets crafted by the Legislature – Operating Capital and Transportation – and each one has impact on construction and the politics among the three ...
Posted on 04/13/2011
Bill to Fix Lien Process Appears Dead in Senate
Legislation prepared by the AGC Legal Affairs Committee to fix mechanics’ lien processes muddled by the Athletic Fields court decision progressed a long way through the legislative process but unfortunately did not pass the Senate before the final cut-off date.
The legislation – House Bill 1708 ...
Posted on 04/13/2011
1099 Mandate Repealed; 3 Percent Withholding Looms
AGC of America achieved a significant victory as the Congress passed – and the President is expected to sign – legislation to repeal the new IRS Form reporting mandate enacted in last year’s healthcare bill.
The mandate would have required businesses beginning in 2012 to report to the IRS all pa...
Posted on 04/13/2011
AGC Welcomes New Members!
The following firms have been approved for membership: Marsh Inc. (Management consulting project risk management dispute resolution services provider of technical and management consulting to engineering industrial commercial construction.); Siemens Industry Inc. (HVAC fire and security.); Realm ...
Posted on 04/13/2011
Thom Sicklesteel Honored by AGC Board
AGC’s Board of Trustees honored Thom Sicklesteel President of Sicklesteel Cranes with an Award of Appreciation at its April 11 meeting.
Thom was acknowledged “for outstanding contribution and dedication to educating the construction industry on crane safety” said AGC President Pat McGarry. “T...
Posted on 04/13/2011
Save on FICA and FUTA Taxes With AGC's Retirement Plan
Looking for a retirement plan for your employees? One that specializes in the unique needs of construction with options for Davis Bacon and profit-sharing contributions? Come to this free informational event on the AGC Retirement Plan May 6 at the AGC Building in Seattle (free lunch!). Find ou...
Posted on 04/13/2011
Attend HR Roundtable to Learn How ADA Changes Affect You
The April 26 HR-Roundtable will take an in-depth look at EEOC’s regulations interpreting the ADA Amendments and how this will affect your approach to injuries in the workplace. This presentation will include a discussion about GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act). Click HR Roundtable ...
Posted on 04/13/2011
AGC Members Encouraged to Complete Moss Adams Salary Survey
For the ninth year Moss Adams LLP is conducting its Construction Industry Salary Survey in conjunction with AGC. The results will be available in early Fall. The more firms that participate the better the final product so AGC encourages members to complete the confidential survey. Click Moss Ada...
Posted on 04/13/2011
13th Annual AGC Safety Team Golf Tournament
The 13th Annual AGC Safety Team Golf Tournament is now open for player and sponsor registration! Please join us at the High Cedars Golf Course in Orting on Thu. June 30 for a 1 p.m. shot-gun start. At $75 per player we are still the cheapest golf tournament in town! It is a four-person scramble. ...
Posted on 04/13/2011
Sellen's \Where's Waldo\ Game Delights Children's Patients
Sellen Construction and Children’s Hospital have been playing a real-life version of Wheres Waldo to the delight of patients and parents alike. Click Where’s Waldo for a Q-13 Fox News clip of this heartwarming story.
Posted on 04/13/2011
Nielsen Receives Prestigious Civil Engineering Award
Congratulations to Kris R. Nielsen Ph.D. Chairman and President of AGC-member Pegasus Global Holdings Inc. who received the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) award for construction. OPAL awards recognize outstanding civil engineering leaders whose lifeti...
Posted on 04/13/2011
PSBJ and Seattle Foundation Honor GLY as Corporate Champion
GLY Construction was named a Health Community Corporate Champion Award winner by the Puget Sound Business Journal and The Seattle Foundation. The Corporate Champion Awards are presented to companies “who have made significant positive impact in specific areas vital to our community.” GLY receive...
Posted on 04/13/2011
Support ESB 5566: Bring True Workers' Comp Reform to a Vote
We need to put pressure on members of the House of Representatives Speaker Frank Chopp and Governor Christine Gregoire to get Engrossed Senate Bill 5566 passed out of the State House. Labor is adamantly opposed to the bill and House Labor and Workforce Development Chair (and longtime Snohomish C...
Posted on 04/07/2011
Amtrak Work
Amtrak is in the process of planning for the construction renovation repair and/ or upgrade of its properties and other railroad owners’ properties throughout the United States to make Amtrak stations accessible to all passengers. Requests for bids for the first 30 stations will be sent out in ea...
Posted on 04/04/2011
Oppose ESHB 1701: Misclassification of Contractors as Independent Contractors
Labor unions continue their push to enact legislation which they characterize as needed to stop underground contractors from competing unfairly. However their bill Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1701 wrongly focuses its attention on legitimate contractor practices.
Engrossed Substitute House B...
Posted on 03/29/2011
Life Was an Adventure for Hugh Ferguson
Industry legend and UW Construction Hall of Fame member Hugh Ferguson passed away on March 21. Philanthropist civic leader and proud Seattle native Hugh founded Ferguson Construction Co. in 1948 and pioneered the use of tilt-up concrete construction design. Click Hugh Ferguson to read more abou...
Posted on 03/29/2011
Aon Awards: Advanced American, WPC, Kiewit, General, Flatiron, Turner, Watts
(For photos of all the award-winning projects click here.)
Advanced American Construction Inc.’s Lake Oswego Interceptor Sewer project was the most significant construction project in the U.S. in 2010 the AGC of America announced at the national convention in Las Vegas. As a result Advanced Ame...
Posted on 03/29/2011
President's Message: Funding the Future of Transportation
By Pat McGarry President AGC of Washington
(Editor’s note: The following is a reprint of an article recently published in the Puget Sound Business Journal.)
A nickel just isn’t what it used to be. And that’s a major reason why the state is in a transportation funding bind.
In 2003 Washington...
Posted on 03/29/2011
GLY, Nutter, Tucci, GHP Receive Corporations for Communities Awards
(See photos below)
Secretary of State Sam Reed presented several AGC member firms with Corporations for Communities Awards which honor exceptional Washington businesses that make community a priority.
The top award was presented to GLY. “Although we had many outstanding nominees GLY Constructi...
Posted on 03/29/2011
AGC Welcomes New Members!
The following firms have been approved for membership: All Covered Inc. (information technology services); NRC Environmental Services Inc (24-hour emergency response industrial cleaning remediation operations marine services and waste management); Triad Machinery (machinery sales); Cedar Recyclin...
Posted on 03/29/2011
Save on FICA and FUTA Taxes With AGC's Retirement Plan
Looking for a retirement plan for your employees? One that specializes in the unique needs of construction with options for Davis Bacon and profit-sharing contributions? Come to this free informational event on the AGC Retirement Plan May 6 at the AGC Building in Seattle (free lunch!). Find ou...
Posted on 03/29/2011
Independent Contractor Bill is Unnecessary and Convoluted
AGC is opposing legislation that will needlessly complicate the way general contractors hire subs exposing contractors to potential penalties if they hire in good faith legitimate one-person firms.
The bill EHSB 1701 purports to address the misclassification of construction workers as independen...
Posted on 03/29/2011
Voluntary Settlement Option for Workers' Comp Blocked by Rep. Sells
Last week it was good news bad news for workers’ comp reform particularly the effort to have Washington join 44 other states in allowing volunteer settlements as an alternative to lifetime pensions for certain injured workers.
The good news is that the Department of Labor and Industries released...