theCURRENT: Q1 2025

This brief provides key labor relations updates across the state. It's designed to quickly educate you, the contractor, on what's happened, what's current, and what's up ahead. It's about giving contractors perspective on market trends, rising issues, growth opportunities, and how UCON leads and changes the industry to benefit your bottom line.

Industry Spotlight: 2025-2026 Negotiations Cycle

What You Need to Know for Your Business

The next 60 days will launch a series of 18+ union contract negotiations across the state through 2026. This means the unionized construction industry’s economic and competitive conditions for the next three (3) to six (6) years will be determined in the next few months. Since past negotiations provide insight on future bargaining, here’s what to expect:

Core Business: UCON Hosts Multi-Association Bargaining Training

On February 25 and 26, thirty (30) contractors and staff from UCON, AGC, SCCA and other associations attended our third annual multi-association negotiations training.

The purpose of the training was to gather experienced and next-gen negotiators to:

UCON Service Spotlight

Take Advantage of UCON's Labor Essential Training Program

Is your company facing challenges with prevailing wage compliance, subcontracting, PLAs, dispatching and hiring, apprenticeship, Skilled & Trained

Legislative Corner

Support UCON Sponsored Bill to Cap Payment Retention at 5% for Private Works

UCON is taking the lead on a crucial bill that will improve cash flow for contractors working on private construction projects. SB 61 proposes a 5% cap on retention payments for Private Works contracts—aligning with Public Works standards, which UCON championed, and reducing financial strain on contractors, particularly small businesses.

Wildfire Debris Removal

What Contractors Need to Know

In the wake of recent wildfires, many contractors have been asking how they can get involved in debris removal efforts. This bulletin provides key details on the cleanup process, who is spearheading the effort, and how interested contractors can participate.

Key takeaway: Pre-registration is essential to be considered for subcontracting opportunities.

Q: What does the wildfire debris removal process entail?

The wildfire debris removal process in Los Angeles County is structured into two phases:

Legal Corner

Will the Undoing of DEI Programs Impact DBE Programs?

Many UCON members are asking the question: Do recent actions by the new administration in Washington regarding the revocation of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs include the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program? Simply put, DEI revocation by federal Executive Order has no direct impact on DBE programs managed by the state or local entities or agencies.