The U.S. Senate recently joined the House in voting against the so-called “blacklisting rule.”
The Department of Labor’s Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Act, the rule’s formal name, would require contractors bidding on federal construction projects over $500,000 to submit their history of labor compliance to the department for review. Unions and labor groups backed the Obama-era regulation, while industry trade groups lined up against it. The Senate vote effectively kills the measure.
The Associated General Contractors of America and the Associated Builders and Contractors objected on the grounds that the rule violated their members’ First Amendment rights by requiring them to disclose compliance information. They also said the rule would add implementation costs, making it difficult for smaller contractors to compete on federal projects.
Supporters of the regulation said it would improve accountability for the spending of tax dollars as well as job site safety.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Feb 14, 2019
ISO publishes first global BIM standards
Based on British standard and a publicly available standard.
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2019
Property technology adoption accelerates in commercial real estate industry
New business models create disintermediation.
Codes and Standards | Feb 11, 2019
Investing in downtowns pays off for cities, regions
Benefits include driving tax revenue, business activity, and smart development.
Codes and Standards | Feb 8, 2019
Oslo, Norway’s downtown goes virtually car-free
Parking spots converted to bike lanes, transit is fast and easy.
Codes and Standards | Feb 7, 2019
New North Carolina energy code has extensive lighting control requirements
Includes automatic shut offs for buildings of all sizes.
Codes and Standards | Feb 6, 2019
Solar carports can help with California’s Title 24 mandates
Can be combined with virtual net-metering software and tax-enabled financing.
Codes and Standards | Feb 5, 2019
Milwaukee board approves rezoning for Western Hemisphere’s tallest mass timber building
Mixed-use tower would rise 21 stories high.
Codes and Standards | Feb 1, 2019
Mass. governor proposes real estate transfer fee hike for climate resiliency projects
Opposed by real estate and trade groups, plan could generate $1 billion in next decade.
Codes and Standards | Jan 31, 2019
New York City will reform construction bid process
Streamlined process intended to improve efficiency, reduce hassle for bidders.
Codes and Standards | Jan 30, 2019
New AGC program aims to diversify construction workforce
More diversity needed to keep pace with demand for workers.