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 | Jun 8, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 8, 2020
Frank Lloyd Wright sites set to reopen and construction jobs rise by 464,000.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2020
Reopened offices raise liability risk for businesses and owners
Risks may not be covered by property insurance.
Codes and Standards | Jun 4, 2020
American Wood Council updates report on fire resistance of wood members and assemblies
Provides new examples and background on mass timber calculations.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2020
Virginia makes GCs liable for subs employee wages
New law allows workers to sue GCs for wages in class action.
Codes and Standards | Jun 2, 2020
Designers, owners reinventing restaurants to cope with COVID-19
Options include rearranged seating, mobile ordering, designated flow spaces.
Codes and Standards | Jun 1, 2020
How owners should comply with OSHA roofing safety guidelines
Buildings should have fall protection and restraint provisions for those who go on roofs.
Codes and Standards | May 29, 2020
AIA releases new, updated sustainable project documents
Streamlined sustainable design and construction process included.
Codes and Standards | May 28, 2020
USGBC outlines how it will support pandemic recovery efforts
Includes emergency guidance and upgrades to the LEED green building program.
Codes and Standards | May 27, 2020
Office market could be COVID-19 casualty
As companies get used to work at home, post-pandemic office market could collapse.
Codes and Standards | May 26, 2020
Architectural Reuse Council will step up efforts to reuse construction waste
Cabinets, appliances, lighting, and lumber diverted from landfills to be repurposed.