Commercial vehicle drivers are now prohibited from testing while operating commercial vehicles. Violations could cost you upwards of $2,750. Pennsylvania is working on its own law to ban the use of cell phones while driving. In Harrisburg, the city has already passed an ordinance banning the use of cell phones while driving. That law went into effect on February 1, 2010.
Prevailing Wages Required for Certain On-Site Work
The Pennsylvania Bureau of Labor Law Compliance has determined that Pennsylvania prevailing wages must be paid for any on-site work during construction or when the work is an integral part of the construction that is necessary for its completion including for any worker who takes samples or performs on-site testing related to cement, concrete, fireproofing, masonry, pile driving, soil an steel inspection services. For more information, read this letter.
Effective October 2009, Maryland passed a law requiring all contractors awarded work on Maryland State public works construction projects of $500,000 or more, and all subcontractors with work at $100,000 or more, must either participate in a state-approved apprenticeship program or make payments to the Maryland State Apprenticeship Training Fund or another organization’s training fund. ABC Chapter state-approved apprenticeship programs and/or training funds qualify under this law. Click here to find out what you need to know to be in compliance.
The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is an attempt to eliminate secret ballot elections and replace them with a simple card employees sign out in the open. A signature on a card would be a “vote.”
Learn more and help us protect the secret ballot vote at: www.myprivateballot.com
Contact Steve at the Chapter office, 717.653.8106, for more information.
New Tactic Aimed at Open Shops by Organized Labor
We have heard about new union tactics aimed at acquiring the identity, addresses, and other important and confidential information about your employees. View an explanatory letter detailing why you do NOT have to give up this information, and a copy of the case being used by unions.
If you are asked to provide this information, please utilize the letter and contact the Chapter office, 717.653.8106, immediately.
ABC Launches Website about Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)
ABC officially launched a website and blog devoted to exposing the truth about union-only PLAs at www.thetruthaboutplas.com.
The website features the latest about these discriminatory practices and operates a blog for vital information exchanges.
The new website project hopes to effectively communicate ABC’s perspective on PLAs to the public, media, elected officials and contracting community by raising public awareness about union-only PLAs. You can help make “The Truth About PLAs” successful by doing the following easy and simple things: leaving comments on posts on the site and by passing along news stories you would like ABC to blog about.
ATTN: CONTRACTORS -- Register with the state if you do any residential work Contractors are required to register with the Attorney General's office in order to comply with the new Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act that went into effect on July 1, 2009. The law applies to ALL contractors who perform at least $5,000 worth of home improvements per year.
To register, visit the Pennsylvania Attorney General website. Read the FAQ page for more explanation.
ABC has developed an overview of the three Executives Orders issued by the new administration in January. Each Order impacts ABC members. This document (PDF) explains the orders, specific concerns expressed by ABC for each Order, and details regarding their implementation.