NLRB Announces Final Rule Concerning 9(a) Construction Industry Bargaining Relationships

Today, the NLRB announced that it has finalized its regulations proposed last August concerning the regulations at 29 CFR 103 governing the status of labor organizations as exclusive bargaining representatives.  The final rule, which will publish tomorrow, amends three of the NLRB’s processes related to: (1) certain “9(a)” collective bargaining relationships involving employers in the construction industry; (2) the “blocking charge” policy, which pauses elections when unions or employers file interference charges; and (3) the “voluntary recognition bar,” which prohibits challenges to whether a union has majority support for a “reasonable period of time” after a union is voluntarily recognized by an employer.

DOL Inspector General Releases Report Finding OFCCP Did Not Adequately Enforce EEO Requirements on Federal Construction Contracts

SBA Publishes Information for CARES Act COVID-19 Disaster Loan Assistance

Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of the application that allows small businesses to apply for disaster loan assistance funding included in the CARES Act. 

Congress Passes CARES Act Stimulus Bill

Today, Congress passed the Coronavirus Air, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), also referred to as the Coronavirus Phase 3 stimulus bill.  The CARES Act contains provisions designed to aid small businesses, including construction contractors, during the Coronavirus pandemic.  Following is a summary of key provisions that may assist construction contractors.

U.S. Department of Labor Guidance on Paid Leave under the FFCRA

Today the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division issued a press release informing the public of all the Division’s recently issued guidance explaining paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

SWACCA Urges Federal Government to Recognize Construction Industry as Essential Workforce

On March 22, SWACCA joined with its fellow employer associations in the Construction Employers of America to submit a letter to the United States Congress advocating for a uniform construction exemption in any federal legislation addressing the COVID-19 crisis.  Specifically, the CEA urged that, “[a]ny federal legislation binding the states and local governments should require that all mandatory quarantine orders include an exemption for ‘essential infrastructure’ that would allow the construction industry to provide emergency and essential services.”  A copy of the CEA letter is available here.

DOL Releases Q&A regarding FFCRA Paid Leave Provisions

The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has released a new Q&A regarding "paid sick leave" and "expanded family and medical leave" under the Families First Coronavirus Recovery Act (FFCRA).  The Q&A can be found here.

Federal Agencies Announce Plan to Implement Coronavirus-Related Paid Leave and Tax Credits

Yesterday, the Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, and Department of Labor announced their plan to implement the emergency paid leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Recovery Act (FFCRA).

SWACCA Submits Letter to Congress on Coronavirus Response

SWACCA, as part of the Construction Employers of America coalition, has submitted a letter to Congress about issues the industry would like to see addressed in COVID-19 relief legislation. 

President Trump Invokes the Defense Production Act to Aid in Efforts to Combat COVID-19

Congress Passes the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Earlier today, the Senate took up and passed the revised H.R. 6201, the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (FFCRA).  The bill now goes to the White House where President Trump has signaled he will sign it into law.

DOL Announces That Workers Affected by Coronavirus Are Eligible for Unemployment Insurance