UCON Upfront: September 2021, by Mark Breslin, UCON CEO

Construction needs a make-over. We are shag rug. We are avocado-colored refrigerators. We are mullets. We are outdated. 

What You Need to Know

The Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (SFWTF) has issued guidance on new COVID-19 safety protocols that apply to all federal contractors and subcontractors.

On September 27, Governor Newsom signed AB 643 (Ramos), which provides the establishment of apprenticeship programs in various trades, working with schools, and mandates trade programs get representation at career fairs. Requires a school district or school to notify each apprenticeship program in the same county as the school district or school of a career or college fair it is planning to hold.

Your Voice Needed for Infrastructure

Contact your Member of Congress to Urge Bipartisan Support of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

New Law Allows CA Contractors to Recoup Attorneys Fees Against Utilities When Found Not at Fault

New Law Fixes Hazardous Management Standards for Treated Wood Waste 

What you need to know about the new vaccination Executive Orders

Member Projects: Supporting Our Success

After months of negotiations, yesterday, the Senate passed the massive, bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which provides $550 billion in new spending over five years for U.S. infrastructure upgrades. Read more here.

Effective August 3rd, new Health Orders requiring face coverings to be worn indoors went into effect for seven Bay Area Counties and the City of Berkeley. The Orders require all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions. Read more here...

By Mark Breslin, UCON CEO

No matter where you fall on the tech spectrum of love vs. hate, rookie vs. expert, or early adopter vs. dragged kicking and screaming, our industry and people are now facing a rapid technology evolution. 

Meet Us at the Midway!

UCON's BBQ is back! Excited to see you all in person at our most loved, most attended event of the year!

Join UCON in supporting or opposing some of the key bills this month.

Make your voice heard as a union contractor and employer. Click on the legislator to send a pre-formulated position letter.

Industry Compliance – Safety and Regulatory Issues Facing Our Industry

Compliance is a significant and worthwhile task for contractors – especially when facing new safety threats related to COVID-19. The virus, pandemic and the resulting evolving safety requirements created a once-in-a-lifetime safety and compliance challenge for the industry.

Construction Industry Vaccine Resources

Find all the credible, unbiased vaccination information and tools for contracting professionals here.

What You Can Do

Over the next 60 days, our industry will have an opportunity to put the pandemic behind us. This can be achieved by getting enough of our workforce and our country vaccinated to reach herd immunity. 

But we face a serious challenge. 

UCON is helping members navigate the latest COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave requirements and options. Find all the resources here.

UCON recognizes the remarkable efforts that these leaders made on behalf of UCON and the industry in 2020.

Read about all of our awardees and how their efforts and advocacy inspire all of us to follow in their path.

New California Supplemental COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law Effective March 29

Despite strong opposition from United Contractors and our members, SB 95 was signed by Governor Newsom late Friday.

Cal/OSHA Standards Board Adopts Revision to the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS)

Vaccinated Workers Can (finally) Go Maskless 

UCON's Construction Outlook: Back in (the) Black

For the year ahead, “Back in the Black” for everyone’s bottom line is a very likely outcome. The road ahead looks like greater opportunities instead of the downturn that we had feared.

Statewide Heat Illness Advisory

The US Weather Service has posted a high heat advisory for regions across California for the remainder of this week. Temperatures will be +/- 100F degrees. To protect yourself and your employees, make sure you have your Heat Illness Prevention Plan in place.

Santa Clara County has issued a new public health order that requires businesses to verify vaccination status of all "personnel" working at facilities or worksites in the county. This includes independent contractors as well as employees.

Contractors June 1 is the deadline to complete vaccination tracking order. Click here for more.

Kurt Kniffin, Stacy and Witbeck, Inc., UCON 2021 President

We have to pass on the commitment to safety to the next generation of construction leaders without making them attend the “school of hard knocks.” 

UCON Upfront: September 2021, by Mark Breslin, UCON CEO

Construction needs a make-over. We are shag rug. We are avocado-colored refrigerators. We are mullets. We are outdated. 

What You Need to Know

The Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (SFWTF) has issued guidance on new COVID-19 safety protocols that apply to all federal contractors and subcontractors.

On September 27, Governor Newsom signed AB 643 (Ramos), which provides the establishment of apprenticeship programs in various trades, working with schools, and mandates trade programs get representation at career fairs. Requires a school district or school to notify each apprenticeship program in the same county as the school district or school of a career or college fair it is planning to hold.

Your Voice Needed for Infrastructure

Contact your Member of Congress to Urge Bipartisan Support of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

New Law Allows CA Contractors to Recoup Attorneys Fees Against Utilities When Found Not at Fault

New Law Fixes Hazardous Management Standards for Treated Wood Waste 

What you need to know about the new vaccination Executive Orders

Member Projects: Supporting Our Success

After months of negotiations, yesterday, the Senate passed the massive, bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which provides $550 billion in new spending over five years for U.S. infrastructure upgrades. Read more here.

Effective August 3rd, new Health Orders requiring face coverings to be worn indoors went into effect for seven Bay Area Counties and the City of Berkeley. The Orders require all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions. Read more here...

By Mark Breslin, UCON CEO

No matter where you fall on the tech spectrum of love vs. hate, rookie vs. expert, or early adopter vs. dragged kicking and screaming, our industry and people are now facing a rapid technology evolution. 

Meet Us at the Midway!

UCON's BBQ is back! Excited to see you all in person at our most loved, most attended event of the year!

Join UCON in supporting or opposing some of the key bills this month.

Make your voice heard as a union contractor and employer. Click on the legislator to send a pre-formulated position letter.

Industry Compliance – Safety and Regulatory Issues Facing Our Industry

Compliance is a significant and worthwhile task for contractors – especially when facing new safety threats related to COVID-19. The virus, pandemic and the resulting evolving safety requirements created a once-in-a-lifetime safety and compliance challenge for the industry.

Construction Industry Vaccine Resources

Find all the credible, unbiased vaccination information and tools for contracting professionals here.

What You Can Do

Over the next 60 days, our industry will have an opportunity to put the pandemic behind us. This can be achieved by getting enough of our workforce and our country vaccinated to reach herd immunity. 

But we face a serious challenge. 

UCON is helping members navigate the latest COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave requirements and options. Find all the resources here.

UCON recognizes the remarkable efforts that these leaders made on behalf of UCON and the industry in 2020.

Read about all of our awardees and how their efforts and advocacy inspire all of us to follow in their path.

New California Supplemental COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law Effective March 29

Despite strong opposition from United Contractors and our members, SB 95 was signed by Governor Newsom late Friday.

Cal/OSHA Standards Board Adopts Revision to the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS)

Vaccinated Workers Can (finally) Go Maskless 

UCON's Construction Outlook: Back in (the) Black

For the year ahead, “Back in the Black” for everyone’s bottom line is a very likely outcome. The road ahead looks like greater opportunities instead of the downturn that we had feared.

Statewide Heat Illness Advisory

The US Weather Service has posted a high heat advisory for regions across California for the remainder of this week. Temperatures will be +/- 100F degrees. To protect yourself and your employees, make sure you have your Heat Illness Prevention Plan in place.

Santa Clara County has issued a new public health order that requires businesses to verify vaccination status of all "personnel" working at facilities or worksites in the county. This includes independent contractors as well as employees.

Contractors June 1 is the deadline to complete vaccination tracking order. Click here for more.

Kurt Kniffin, Stacy and Witbeck, Inc., UCON 2021 President

We have to pass on the commitment to safety to the next generation of construction leaders without making them attend the “school of hard knocks.”