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 22, 2019
Efficient material design, low-carbon concrete are critical to cutting GHG emissions in construction
Enhancing building utilization and reusing materials also aid carbon reduction.
Codes and Standards | Oct 21, 2019
Historic properties not exempt from Americans With Disabilities Act
Some exceptions do apply.
Codes and Standards | Oct 18, 2019
St. Louis could save $61 million per year in energy costs by improved building performance
GHG gases can be reduced by at least 11% with upgrades to public buildings and large private buildings.
Codes and Standards | Oct 17, 2019
Slow payments cost GCs and subs $64 billion annually
Study finds 51-day average payment turnaround.
Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2019
Cool pavement can make people hotter
Reflective coatings channel sunlight raising temperatures where pedestrians walk.
Codes and Standards | Oct 15, 2019
Utah adopts 2018 International Energy Conservation Code
Provisions include increased building envelope performance and reduced air infiltration.
Codes and Standards | Oct 14, 2019
States continue to beef up energy efficiency codes
ACEEE 50-state scorecard finds latest IECC code gaining adherents.
Codes and Standards | Oct 9, 2019
DOE releases Better Buildings Healthcare Financing Primer
Outlines financial strategies to implement energy-efficiency projects in healthcare.
Codes and Standards | Oct 8, 2019
Zero Carbon Buildings for All aims for ambitious emission reduction targets
Organization makes commitment to net zero carbon for all buildings by 2050.
Codes and Standards | Oct 7, 2019
Tailgating remains a critical building security threat, say security professionals
Few buildings provide beefed up provisions to counteract threat.