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ABC Members Voice Opposition to Employee Free Choice Act
ABC National recently sent a letter to members of the U.S. Congress, and President Barrack Obama, signed by more than 3,000 ABC member companies and construction-related firms who oppose the Employee Free Choice Act (H.R.1409 and S.560), or “card check” bill. The signatures were gathered during a two-week period in April. The letter states that “…there is no room for compromise on this piece of legislation. Our firms stand together in stating that there is nothing that can be done to make this legislation more palatable and that Congress should vote down this bill in all forms.” 

Over 40 ABC of Georgia companies were among the 3,000 firms that signed this letter. To read the ABC National press release, click here. To read the letter and view the companies who signed in opposition to EFCA, click (PDF). 

Employee Benefits Survey Released
ABC National has released the 2008 Employee Benefits Survey of ABC Contractors, with 795 contractors completing the extensive questionnaire (7.3% of contractor firms with known e-mail addresses).

Some points to note:

• Nationally, 94% of contractors say they offer health insurance to their hourly employees and 96% report they offer it to their salaried employees.

• There was a clear increase in those firms that offered high deductible health insurance and consumer-directed healthcare plans. This is the third year in a row that we have had a strong increase and we expect to see that trend continue in the coming years.

Check out the entire survey results here (PDF).

ABC Announces 2009 Future Leaders
Congratulations to 42 young construction industry professionals who have been selected to join ABC of Georgia's 2009 Future Leaders. This nomination-only program creates opportunities and provides avenues for young "rising stars" to enhance their leadership abilities. Click here to go to the Future Leaders webpage and view the list of participants.
ABC Launches Green Contractor Certification Program
ABC has launched a pilot Green Contractor Certification program for member companies in the Washington, D.C., region. The Green Contractor Certification program is designed to recognize construction companies that implement green practices and principals at their workplace environments, including their headquarters, branch offices and jobsite offices.

The Green Contractor Certification program is expected to be unveiled at the national level in early 2009. At that time onsite audits and certifications will be conducted and validated by an independent third party, not by ABC's National Green Building Committee, as initally implemented.

The Green Contractor Certification process involves a list of 12 prerequisites ranging from distributing documents electronically to establishing an aggressive recycling program. Companies also are required to fulfill 12 of 36 elective items that include conducting a professional energy audit, water conservation efforts, and providing incentives for carpooling or using public transportation. In addition, each company must achieve four education and training benchmarks, such as instructing employees on sustainable issues and requiring at least 50 percent of managers to receive green building awareness education.

Check ABC National's website for more details.

 

Archived Events

A Packed Meet & Greet! 

Thanks to over 500 people who attended our "Meet & Greet the General Contractors" on March 5 at the Retreat of Dunwoody, making it a huge success. Many thanks to the 13 sponsors of this event: Blu-John/Blu-Box, C&C Fence, Digital Printing Solutions, Inc., Enterprise Fleet Management, Fleetmatics, Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP, Large & Gilbert, CPA, McGraw-Hill Construction Publications, Metalite, Inc., Repro Products, Inc., Site Technologies, Inc., The Blue Book and Yates Insurance Agency.

General contractors, sub contractors, industry professionals, and students from Georgia Tech and Southern Polytechnic State University met and mingled for hours, checking out booths, exhibits and information from general contractors such as: Balfour Beatty Construction, BE&K Building Group, Benning Construction Company, Bovis Lend Lease, Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC, Fortune-Johnson General Contractors, Hardin Construction Company, LLC, Hathaway Construction Company, Julian LeCraw & Company, LLC, Juneau Construction Company, LLC, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., Skanska USA Building, Inc., The Winter Construction Company and Turner Construction Company. 

          

January Annual Business Meeting and Dinner


Dr. Roger C. Tutterow
Economics Professor, Mercer University

In front of a packed Maggiano's crowd at the ABC Annual Meeting, Les Juneau, President of Juneau Construction Company, assumed Chairman of the Board responsibilities for the upcoming year.  In his acceptance speech Les thanked 2008 Chairman Jeff George for his tireless efforts and dedication to the organization, and also recognized the 2009 Board members and Committee chairs.

Also during the evening: presentation of the "Builders Cup;" 2008 and 2009 Future Leaders were recognized; Jeff George acknowledged outgoing Board members and Committee chairs, as well gave special "thank yous" to Matt Waddell, Channing Mason, Joseph Deraney and Buck Cannon for their extraordinary community efforts.

The featured speaker, Dr. Roger C. Tutterow, provided a frank discussion on the state of the ecomony for the construction industry across local, national and global markets, followed by an intense Q&A session.      

2008 Chinese Auction a Success! 

Over 200 attendees enjoyed a rousing good time all in the name of charity on November 20.  The event raised more than $21,000 for ABC's Community Involvement Committee, which will assist local non-profits with funds, volunteers and a helping hand throughout the upcoming calendar year.  A special thanks goes out to ABC member The Jordans Group, for sponsoring the dinner, as well as for donating a one-week stay in a Florida beach house for the silent auction.

Hot times at the October 23 Chili Cook-off!

Over 450 ABC of Georgia members attended the 7th annual event on October 23 at Wills Park in Alpharetta. 1st place chili, Cannon Construction Group, 2nd place, Skyline Pest Solutions, 3rd place, Low Country Barbecue. 1st place gumbo, Thomas Concrete, 2nd place, Balfour Beatty Construction, 3rd place, Juneau Construction Company. 1st place theme, CMC Rebar Georgia, 2nd place, Turner Construction, 3rd place, Skyline Pest Solutions. Thirty-six member companies competed/exhibited at the event.  Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to all for making this evening one ABC members look forward to every year!    


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