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Nearly 800 members attended ABC’s 2017 Legislative Week in Washington, D.C., last week. See highlights of all the events on ABC’s Flickr account, including speakers Vice President of the United States Mike Pence, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel, Sen. Todd Young (R-Inc.) and more.
Visit ABC National’s Flickr page for pictures from ABC Legislative Week events.
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On June 27, President Trump nominated William Emanuel, a shareholder with ABC’s general counsel, Littler Mendelson P.C., to fill the remaining seat on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Emanuel is a member of Littler’s Traditional Labor Practice Group and has extensive experience representing trade associations, hospitals, school districts, manufacturing companies and others in a wide range of labor matters.
When the U.S. senate confirms the nominations of Emanuel and Marvin Kaplan, counsel to the commissioner of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the NLRB will have all five seats filled for the first time since August, 2015.
In April, the U.S. Senate confirmed Trump’s nominee for NLRB Chairman, Philip Miscimarra; however, Obama’s appointees, Lauren McFerran (D) and Mark Pearce (D), control the majority until the U.S. Senate confirms these nominees.
ABC, along with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, submitted a letter in June asking for President Trump to nominate candidates and fill the two vacant seats on the NLRB.
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ABC recently launched a new workforce development website, workforce.abc.org. The site features information on training and education, career paths, safety and diversity programs and workforce development programs ABC manages around the country. Our flexible, affordable craft and safety training leads to industry-recognized, national credentials for today’s leading construction positions. Together, we help individuals train, transform and triumph as they pursue meaningful careers that advance their potential and build strong communities.
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It is with great sadness that ABC announces the death of Rosita Howell on June 23. Known to many ABC’ers as “Z,” Rosita Howell served as executive assistant to ABC national presidents Kirk Pickerel and Dan Bennet. She started her career at ABC in the 1970s and worked for the association for all but a few on the intervening years, when she worked for past National Chair Gary Hess at Hess Mechanical, and retired from ABC in 2011.
“I first met Rosita in 1983 when I went to ABC national headquarters for my new employee orientation. We bonded immediately, and she became one of the best friends that I ever had. Her smile, her indefatigable spirit, and her caring disposition are things that I treasure and shall never forget. Years later, when she agreed to work alongside me in the CEO office, I was in seventh heaven,” said retired ABC President Kirk Pickerel. “She brought immeasurable joy into my life, and her passing leaves a void that can never be filled.”
In 2011, the association paid tribute to Rosita’s hard work and loyalty to the merit shop by creating a book of memories. In announcing to the ABC family her retirement and calling for letters, many past ABC leaders responded.
“She has a permanent soft spot in my heart for all the love and friendship she shared with us over many years,” said John Doherty, retired long-time ABC Western Michigan chapter president. “She was like a house mother, asking about us, our families, health, and welcoming us with her smile to the national office, convention or event. My prayers and sympathy go out to her family and other friends!
In the book of memories and letters from ABC staff and members to whom she meant so much was this very special quote:
Ode to Rosita Howell
I’m not exactly sure what Rosita’s title would be
Because how do you limit someone like ABC’s Z
One thing’s for sure and I know this to be true
She’s one in a million and we’ll miss you!
The viewing is on Wednesday, June 28, 5-8 p.m. at the Raymond Funeral Service, 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, MD 20646
The funeral mass is Thursday, June 29 at 11 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 4590 St. Joseph Way, Pomfret, MD 20675
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It is with great sadness that ABC announces the passing of Rosita Howell last Friday, June 23, 2017. Known to many ABC’ers as “Z”, Rosita Howell served as Executive Assistant to ABC National Presidents, Kirk Pickerel and Dan Bennet. She retired from ABC in 2011 having worked with Kirk Pickerel from 2006 to his retirement in 2011. She started her career at ABC in the 1970s and was with ABC for all but a few years, when she worked for past National Chair Gary Hess at Hess Mechanical.
“I first met Rosita in 1983 when I went to ABC National headquarters for my new employee orientation. We bonded immediately, and she became one of the best friends that I ever had. Her smile, her indefatigable spirit, and her caring disposition are things that I treasure and shall never forget. Years later, when she agreed to work alongside me in the CEO office, I was in seventh heaven,” said retired ABC National President Kirk Pickerel. “She brought immeasurable joy into my life, and her passing leaves a void that can never be filled.”
In 2011, the association paid tribute to Rosita’s hard work and loyalty to the merit shop by creating a book of memories. In announcing to the ABC family her retirement and calling for letters, many past ABC leaders responded with: “Thirty-four years after joining the ABC national staff, Rosita Howell is retiring. She has been the Ms. “Go-To,” ”How-To,” ”Can-Do” for ABC elected officers and staff since ABC’s first Executive Vice President John Trimmer turned over the ABC reins. There was no challenge too large for Rosita to accomplish or too small for her attention. Somehow she is able to know every national officer (past and present) and board member, and even keep track of chapter staff.”
“She has a permanent soft spot in my heart for all the love and friendship she shared with us over many years,” said John Doherty, retired long-time ABC Western Michigan chapter president. “She was like a “House Mother, asking about us, our families, health, and welcoming us with her smile to the National Office, convention or event. My prayers and sympathy go out to her family and other friends!
In the book of memories and letters from ABC staff and members to whom she meant so much was this very special quote:
Ode to Rosita Howell
I’m not exactly sure what Rosita’s title would be
Because how do you limit someone like ABC’s Z
One thing’s for sure and I know this to be true
She’s one in a million and we’ll miss you!
The viewing is on Wednesday, June 28 from 5-8 pm at the Raymond Funeral Service, 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, MD 20646
Funeral mass is Thursday, June 29 at 11am at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 4590 St. Joseph Way, Pomfret, MD 20675
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On June 22, the U.S. Senate issued the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, a substitute to the House-passed American Health Care Act (AHCA), which would repeal and replace several provisions of the Affordable Care Act. The Senate bill was slated for a vote this week; however, on June 27 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delayed the vote until after the July 4 recess due to a lack of support for passage of the bill.
The current draft of the Better Care Reconciliation Act shares several provisions with the AHCA, some of which ABC supported in the House-passed AHCA, including:
On June 26, the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation issued a report that estimates the enactment of the Senate health care bill would reduce the federal deficit by $321 billion over the period of 2017 to 2026 as well as increase by 22 million in 2026 the number of uninsured compared to current law.
ABC will continue to provide updates in Newsline on the status of the Better Care Reconciliation Act and other health care issues that impact ABC members.
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ABC and the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the two organizations to work jointly to ensure that all contractors have a fair and equal opportunity to compete for and win contracts to build federal, state and locally funded construction projects. The agreement was signed by CEOs Mike Bellaman and Susan Allen, respectively, during ABC’s board of directors meeting on June 21.
An initial area of focus for the two organizations is urging congressional action on the Fair and Open Competition Act (H.R. 1552 /S. 622), which would prevent the federal government from requiring or encouraging project labor agreements (PLAs) on taxpayer-funded construction projects. Government-mandated PLAs steer construction contracts to unionized firms and prevents 86 percent of the U.S. private construction workforce that does not belong to a union from working on public works projects, driving up the cost of construction between 12 percent and 18 percent, according to a series of academic studies. Twenty-four states already have similar legislation ensuring fair and open competition in government contracting on the books.
“Associated Builders and Contractors and USPAACC share a commitment to promote political, legal, regulatory and legislative initiatives that foster open competition, create economic opportunities, train a competitive labor force and encourage open competition in construction contracting,” said ABC President and CEO Mike Bellaman. “This will benefit both bodies of memberships and ensure that taxpayers get the best quality product at the best possible price for schools, hospitals, roads and other public construction projects.”
“For America’s construction industry to remain competitive, it must continue to diversify its supplier and workforce by attracting more Asian Americans to the industry,” said Susan Au Allen, National President and CEO of USPAACC. “Our country thrives when our increasingly diverse businesses and workforce operate in a free market environment that is conducive to achieving the highest levels of personal and business performance. Asian American-owned firms bring a large variety of knowledge, skills and perspectives to the marketplace. They are not signatory to unions, and the vast majority of Asian American craft professionals do not belong to a union. Public policies that discourage competition from qualified firms and workers has a disproportionate impact on USPAACC members.”
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Speaking to a sell-out crowd, Vice President of the United States Mike Pence thanked the “Marine Corps of American politics—the first on the beach for freedom in the workplace—the Associated Builders and Contractors of America” for their service to the nation and the communities where they live and work. Pence headlined the association’s annual Legislative Day in Washington, D.C., June 22, addressing more than 400 members before they swarmed Capitol Hill to tell members of Congress the merit shop story.
“The truth is that the members of ABC fight for a stronger and more prosperous America, for coming alongside men and women like me and my family each and every day,” Pence said. “And I’m going to make you a promise: President Donald Trump is fighting every day for all of you and the values of this great organization.
“It’s amazing to think, for more than 65 years, Associated Builders and Contractors have stood without apology for the time-honored principles of open competition and free enterprise,” he said. “This president knows that builders and contractors are the cornerstone of American communities, large and small. And that’s especially true of this group.”
Pence highlighted the central role ABC members will play in rebuilding America’s infrastructure. “Make no mistake about it, President Donald Trump is the best friend American builders and contractors will ever have. This president has promised, simply put, in his words, to rebuild America. And it’s businesses like yours that are going to play such a leading role in doing that. Ahead of schedule and under budget, right? This president and our administration will not rest or relent until America has the best roads, the best bridges, the best airports and the best infrastructure in the world once again. So get ready to get busy.”
Pence also underscored President Trump’s commitment to reform workforce and vocational education, cut regulatory red tape, slash taxes and repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Read the entire speech on whitehouse.gov.
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On May 24, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an interpretation letter in response to a question “would the supervisor’s advice to continue participation in the daily stretching exercises constitute medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes.”
According to the letter, OSHA received a request for clarification from an employer who requires “all of its employees to engage in stretching exercises at the beginning of each shift and hourly during the shift.” At the request of this employer, one of the employees who reported some “minor discomfort…associated with his work tasks” continued the stretching program and never reported back since that instance.
OSHA then responded to this scenario, saying “the supervisor’s advice to continue with the already existing program of stretching does not constitute medical treatment beyond first aid for recordkeeping purposes,” meaning the injury did not meet the requirements that it had to be reported.
However, OSHA did note this interpretation is for existing stretching programs in order to prevent possible injuries, but stretching exercises implemented after an injury are considered “medical treatment,” according to the letter.
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On June 27, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it was proposing to delay the electronic reporting portion of the final rule, “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses” from July 1, 2017 to Dec. 1, 2017.
In the news release, OSHA said that “further delay of the compliance is appropriate for the purpose of additional review into questions of law and policy.” OSHA is inviting the public to submit comment on the proposed extension by July 13.
ABC’s lawsuit against OSHA’s final rule remains pending.
More information on the final rule can be found on OSHA’s website.
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