The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors filed suit against the City of St. Petersburg, Fla., over an ordinance that requires contractors to hire apprentices and disadvantaged workers in order to work on big city projects.
The ABC chapter asserts that the worker mandates for construction contracts worth $1 million or more violate state law, discriminate against certain workers, and raise project costs. The city enacted the ordinance with the goal of addressing a shortage of craft labor skills by giving more people the skills they need for jobs.
One requirement calls for at least 15% of all hours of the work performed on major construction projects to be performed by apprentices employed by prime contractors or subcontractors. The ordinance counts residents of south St. Petersburg, veterans, people who haven’t finished high school, people with a criminal record, and people who have recently received unemployment compensation or other public assistance among disadvantaged workers.
ABC said its members who cannot meet the city’s requirements are at a competitive disadvantage when bidding on public works projects.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2015
Appellate court enacts nationwide stay on controversial expansion of Clean Water Act
New EPA rule suspended until court cases settled.
Codes and Standards | Oct 9, 2015
New California law means commercial building benchmarking program will be implemented
Multifamily housing to be included, a first for a U.S. state.
Codes and Standards | Oct 2, 2015
New ASHRAE guideline for commissioning existing systems and assemblies
Focuses on optimum facility and system operation.
Codes and Standards | Sep 18, 2015
New RELi standard addresses disaster resilience
Based on LEED model, may help lower insurance rates
Building Materials | Aug 28, 2015
Structural steel buildings specification available for second public review
Next year's specification open for comments until Sept. 21
Energy Efficiency | Aug 28, 2015
North American Passive House Network e-book explains Passivhaus, net-zero techniques
Free guide includes spotlight on individual projects
Windows and Doors | Aug 28, 2015
Newly formed group challenges Florida building code
Window, door companies oppose provisions that raise costs
Codes and Standards | Aug 28, 2015
New Orleans becoming a model for climate resilience only 10 years after Katrina
The city has moved ahead with resilience strategies that may become a model for other communities
Codes and Standards | Aug 21, 2015
Illinois governor vetoes bill that would restrict condo owners’ rights
Bill would have made it harder to sue for building flaws
Codes and Standards | Aug 21, 2015
Post-Katrina roofing codes creating more resilient buildings on Gulf Coast
Ten years after storm, notable progress on stronger roofs, IBHS says