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Elevating California's Union Construction Industry

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600+

Members Throughout California

30M

Man-Hours Statewide

98%

Member Retention

2023 Beach Bash

Join us June 22 for an evening of great food, friends, and music at the beach!

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

On April 24, 2023, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation. This regulation transitions High Priority Fleets, those with 50 or more trucks or companies with $50 million in revenue with one truck, to zero-emission trucks by 2045. This is the end user regulation to CARB’s zero-emission truck strategy, the first of which, the Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation, was directed at truck manufacturers and was issued a waiver by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in March 2023.

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

This is a reminder that the Storm Water Annual Report for industrial facilities for the 2022-2023 reporting period is due July 15, 2023.  This requirement only applies to facilities that are currently enrolled under the General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities.  The Water Board has created the following guide to assist dischargers with the reporting.

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

On September 8, 2022, the California State Water Resources Control Board approved the new Construction General Permit, an NPDES permit regulating stormwater discharges from construction sites.  The new permit will go into effect on September 1, 2023.  However, projects that secure coverage under the current permit prior to September 1, 2023, will be grandfathered to the old permit for two years after the effective date.  

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

On March 31, 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) granted California waivers for two California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations aimed at reducing emissions standards for new heavy-duty vehicles. 

Uniquely as a state, California can pass air quality regulations more stringent than that of federal regulations. For California’s more stringent regulations on motor vehicle however, the US EPA must grant these regulations waivers.

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

In January of 2023, CARB instituted a new regulation called the Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance (HD I/M) Regulation.   This is a new program to test the emissions systems of nearly all diesel and alternative fuel vehicles over 14,000 lbs. GVW operates in California.  This program includes personal vehicles as well.

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

Given the recent SVB failure, UCON’s Associate Members from F&M Bank and Heritage Bank of Commerce provided talking points for you and your banker.

Contact your banker – If they have not already reached out to you.

Questions to ask your financial institution:

United Contractors & ECA Join Forces in Merger

United Contractors (UCON) and Engineering Contractors Association (ECA) have finalized a merger-acquisition that will result in ECA joining UCON. The merger will enhance the voice of union-signatory heavy-civil construction contractors across the state while expanding services, advocacy, and support for all UCON members. 

Permanent Cal/OSHA Covid-19 Regulations Now in Effect

The permanent COVID-19 prevention regulations approved by the Cal/OSHA Standards Board on December 15, 2022, became effective as of February 3, 2023. This new regulation will remain in effect through February 3, 2025. The recordkeeping requirements will remain in effect until February 3, 2026.

Emily Cohen & Sue Dyer: Bringing Women Into Construction

We were excited to help kick off Sue Dyer's Bringing Women into Construction series on her Lead With Trust podcast. During the episode, UCON's EVP, Emily Cohen and Sue discuss the reasons why the number of women in construction, percentage-wise, is abysmal. They discuss the workforce and talent shortage currently being experienced by the industry and the conversations and solutions that they hope will arise from this series. 

Governor's 2023-24 Budget Released

The Governor's January budget was released on January 10, and is just the beginning of a month-long budget process. The following from Kiana Valentine of Transportation California and Politico Group is an analysis of the Governor’s January Budget for 2023-24, and how it relates specifically to transportation and infrastructure related programs and our industry.

AB 1851 & Prevailing Wage Trucking Compliance

As we roll into 2023, we continue to receive questions on what, if any, impact AB 1851 has on the industry and day-to-day operations. The detailed explanation below serves as a primer of what happened and what, if anything, your company needs to do. 

2022 UCON Legislative Scorecard

September 30 marked the official end of the 2022 Legislative Year. Throughout the year, UCON's Advocacy Team -- guided by our Legislative Committee and Board of Directors -- tracked hundreds of bills and worked to actively oppose or support dozens of bills that impact California's union-signatory contractors.  

2023 Union Holiday Schedules Now Available

The 2023 schedules of recognized union holidays are now available - you can download them by clicking on the links below and also from the UCON Contractor Resources Library. The 2022 schedules are also still available.

Governor Signs AB 152

After significant advocacy from United Contractors, Governor Newsom has signed (AB 152) a budget trailer bill which implements the COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Relief Grant Program.  

Southern California Report

Opportunities & Updates for UCON’s Southern California Contractors

Meet Clay O'Neal, UCON's Regional VP - Southern California, and learn more about our bargaining and advocacy efforts, educational programs, and networking events. Read more...

 

Take Action

URGE Owner Agencies to Provide Financial Relief to Contractors for Extraordinary Material Cost Escalations.

Construction materials cost escalations is the number one issue facing our industry. UCON members have seen prices rise by as much as 50% in the last six months, with prices only continuing to increase. This is not sustainable for contractors who operate in a low-bid and fixed-price contract environment. It is especially risky for small businesses and DBE firms who cannot withstand working for low or no profit margins.

R.E.A.L. Safety Awards

Submit your application for UCON's 2022 R.E.A.L. Safety Awards Program. The deadline for all submissions is April 7, 2023.

United We Stand

UCON Up Front: February 2022, by Joe Sostaric, the Conco Companies, UCON President

I’m writing this article as one of my first acts since being elected as the new President of UCON. First, let me say to all that I am deeply honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead this great organization.

The UCON PAC is Our Power

UCON Upfront: October 2021, by Kurt Kniffin, Stacy and Witbeck Inc., UCON 2021 President

The UCON PAC is the one vehicle available to support candidates that support our industry.

R.E.A.L. Safety Awards

Submit your application for UCON's 2022 R.E.A.L. Safety Awards Program. The deadline for all submissions is April 7, 2023.

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

On April 24, 2023, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation. This regulation transitions High Priority Fleets, those with 50 or more trucks or companies with $50 million in revenue with one truck, to zero-emission trucks by 2045. This is the end user regulation to CARB’s zero-emission truck strategy, the first of which, the Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation, was directed at truck manufacturers and was issued a waiver by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in March 2023.

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

This is a reminder that the Storm Water Annual Report for industrial facilities for the 2022-2023 reporting period is due July 15, 2023.  This requirement only applies to facilities that are currently enrolled under the General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities.  The Water Board has created the following guide to assist dischargers with the reporting.

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

On September 8, 2022, the California State Water Resources Control Board approved the new Construction General Permit, an NPDES permit regulating stormwater discharges from construction sites.  The new permit will go into effect on September 1, 2023.  However, projects that secure coverage under the current permit prior to September 1, 2023, will be grandfathered to the old permit for two years after the effective date.  

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

On March 31, 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) granted California waivers for two California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations aimed at reducing emissions standards for new heavy-duty vehicles. 

Uniquely as a state, California can pass air quality regulations more stringent than that of federal regulations. For California’s more stringent regulations on motor vehicle however, the US EPA must grant these regulations waivers.

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

In January of 2023, CARB instituted a new regulation called the Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance (HD I/M) Regulation.   This is a new program to test the emissions systems of nearly all diesel and alternative fuel vehicles over 14,000 lbs. GVW operates in California.  This program includes personal vehicles as well.

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

Given the recent SVB failure, UCON’s Associate Members from F&M Bank and Heritage Bank of Commerce provided talking points for you and your banker.

Contact your banker – If they have not already reached out to you.

Questions to ask your financial institution:

United Contractors & ECA Join Forces in Merger

United Contractors (UCON) and Engineering Contractors Association (ECA) have finalized a merger-acquisition that will result in ECA joining UCON. The merger will enhance the voice of union-signatory heavy-civil construction contractors across the state while expanding services, advocacy, and support for all UCON members. 

Permanent Cal/OSHA Covid-19 Regulations Now in Effect

The permanent COVID-19 prevention regulations approved by the Cal/OSHA Standards Board on December 15, 2022, became effective as of February 3, 2023. This new regulation will remain in effect through February 3, 2025. The recordkeeping requirements will remain in effect until February 3, 2026.

Emily Cohen & Sue Dyer: Bringing Women Into Construction

We were excited to help kick off Sue Dyer's Bringing Women into Construction series on her Lead With Trust podcast. During the episode, UCON's EVP, Emily Cohen and Sue discuss the reasons why the number of women in construction, percentage-wise, is abysmal. They discuss the workforce and talent shortage currently being experienced by the industry and the conversations and solutions that they hope will arise from this series. 

Governor's 2023-24 Budget Released

The Governor's January budget was released on January 10, and is just the beginning of a month-long budget process. The following from Kiana Valentine of Transportation California and Politico Group is an analysis of the Governor’s January Budget for 2023-24, and how it relates specifically to transportation and infrastructure related programs and our industry.

AB 1851 & Prevailing Wage Trucking Compliance

As we roll into 2023, we continue to receive questions on what, if any, impact AB 1851 has on the industry and day-to-day operations. The detailed explanation below serves as a primer of what happened and what, if anything, your company needs to do. 

2022 UCON Legislative Scorecard

September 30 marked the official end of the 2022 Legislative Year. Throughout the year, UCON's Advocacy Team -- guided by our Legislative Committee and Board of Directors -- tracked hundreds of bills and worked to actively oppose or support dozens of bills that impact California's union-signatory contractors.  

2023 Union Holiday Schedules Now Available

The 2023 schedules of recognized union holidays are now available - you can download them by clicking on the links below and also from the UCON Contractor Resources Library. The 2022 schedules are also still available.

Governor Signs AB 152

After significant advocacy from United Contractors, Governor Newsom has signed (AB 152) a budget trailer bill which implements the COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Relief Grant Program.  

Southern California Report

Opportunities & Updates for UCON’s Southern California Contractors

Meet Clay O'Neal, UCON's Regional VP - Southern California, and learn more about our bargaining and advocacy efforts, educational programs, and networking events. Read more...

 

Take Action

URGE Owner Agencies to Provide Financial Relief to Contractors for Extraordinary Material Cost Escalations.

Construction materials cost escalations is the number one issue facing our industry. UCON members have seen prices rise by as much as 50% in the last six months, with prices only continuing to increase. This is not sustainable for contractors who operate in a low-bid and fixed-price contract environment. It is especially risky for small businesses and DBE firms who cannot withstand working for low or no profit margins.

United We Stand

UCON Up Front: February 2022, by Joe Sostaric, the Conco Companies, UCON President

I’m writing this article as one of my first acts since being elected as the new President of UCON. First, let me say to all that I am deeply honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead this great organization.

The UCON PAC is Our Power

UCON Upfront: October 2021, by Kurt Kniffin, Stacy and Witbeck Inc., UCON 2021 President

The UCON PAC is the one vehicle available to support candidates that support our industry.

Why UCON?

Elevate the industry by becoming a part of an association that is run for our members, by our members.

  • Labor Negotiations & HR Solutions
  • Political Advocacy and Industry Funding
  • Connect with top industry leaders
  • Regulatory compliance and safety services
  • Leadership development, virtual education, and relationship building
  • Extensive library of free contractor resources
UCON is an invaluable support system. They are responsive, thorough and offer the peace of mind to move forward.

Karen Silva, Navajo Pipelines, Inc.

UCON is extremely helpful. We always receive accurate and timely guidance. 

Brianna Newton, Veteran Pipeline Construction/Charge EPC

UCON is a platform for Contractors who want to keep this industry thriving. The return to members are tenfold the cost of membership.

Karissa Fox, Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP

Joining United Contractors is one of the most rewarding things I’ve experienced. Come see why.

Trony Fuller, Vulcan Materials Co., Western Division