On May 9, 2018, the Trump Administration unveiled its Spring 2018 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions mapping out federal agency priorities for the coming months. This bi-annual publication informs the public of regulations under consideration or planned by federal agencies. The present agenda includes several submissions by labor agencies.
The 鶹ƵLabor and Employment Law Council (LELC) held its 34th Annual Construction Labor Law Symposium on May 3 and 4 in Washington, DC. Attorneys and labor relations managers from across the country gathered to learn about labor and employment law developments and government initiatives relevant to construction employers.
Responding to recommendations from a 2016 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report and input gathered from succeeding Compliance Assistance Town Halls and stakeholder meetings, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has released its “Town Hall Action Plan” addressing “three general areas of focus: training, communication and trust.”
Registration and hotel reservations are open for the June 5 tour of the International Union of Operating Engineers’ brand new International Training & Conference Center in Crosby, TX.
On April 18, 鶹Ƶsubmitted a response to the National Labor Relations Board’s Request for Information regarding representation-case procedures. 鶹Ƶalso signed onto a response submitted by the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW). Both responses call on the Board to rescind or modify its 2014 rule that changed the procedures for union representation elections. The rule is often called the “quickie” or “ambush” election rule because it expedites the procedures in a way that can disadvantage employers that oppose a union organizing campaign.
On April 12, 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued 3 new opinion letters addressing compliance under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and other laws. The DOL issued the letters as part of its commitment to protect employees, enforce the law, and ensure employers have the tools for compliance.
On April 11, the Senate confirmed John F. Ring’s appointment to the National Labor Relations Board for a term expiring on December 16, 2022. Once Ring is sworn in, the Board will return to a full complement of five members, with a three-to-two Republican majority. Ring is currently a partner at the law firm of Morgan Lewis & Bockius in Washington, DC, where he co-leads the firm’s Labor-Management Relations Practice representing employers in a variety of labor and employment matters. He has been with the firm his entire legal career, starting in 1988.
International Union of Operating Engineers Pres. Jim Callahan has invited 鶹Ƶmembers and staff to tour the union’s brand new International Training & Conference Center in Crosby, TX, on June 5. 鶹Ƶis in the process of arranging hotel accommodations at a hotel at Bush Intercontinental Airport in nearby Houston for June 4 and will host a breakfast on June 5. Transportation to the Center will also be provided. The tour will begin around 10:00 a.m., followed by lunch hosted by the Operating Engineers.
On March 30, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) hiring benchmark for 2018. Effective March 31, 2018, the hiring benchmark will be 6.4 percent, down from 6.7 percent in 2017. This benchmark is an annual goal for the percentage of hires who are veterans at each affirmative action plan (AAP) establishment.
On April 3, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) began officially accepting applications for the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program and provided supplemental information about participation on the program’s website. The PAID program website includes information for an employer to determine the criteria for participating in the program, a brief description of compliance assistance materials, and the required elements of a self-audit. The site also includes details on how the program works and the process for the payment of wages. WHD will conduct a public webinar on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 1:00 pm Eastern time to provide an overview of the PAID program.