News Releases

ABC of Pennsylvania Elects Board of Directors and Officers

(HARRISBURG, PA.) The Associated Builders and Contractors of Pennsylvania Board of Directors approved a slate of members to the board and elected an executive team for 2021. The actions took place at the board meeting held on January 15, 2021. “I am honored to have been elected to serve as chair and look forward to working with the board, executive committee, and staff,” said Andy Michielli, president, Merit Electrical Group, Inc., and incoming 2021 board chair. “I believe we have a great opportunity to build upon our successes and am excited for what the future holds for our association.” The following individuals were appointed to serve on the board: Roger Brubaker, Meadow Valley Electric, Ephrata, PA Tom Kittredge, Kanawha Stone Company, Inc., Poca, WV Andy Michielli, Merit Electrical Group, Inc., Oakmont, PA Bob Miller, Chronos Construction Staffing, Inc., Hockessin, DE Matt Pincus, Pincus Elevator Company, West Chester, PA Barbra Runyon, Brechbill & Helma ...

ABC Pennsylvania Applauds Passage of House Bill 2400

The Associated Builders and Contractors of Pennsylvania (ABC Pennsylvania) lauded passage of House Bill 2400, introduced by Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) and 103 co-sponsors, which would activate public and private construction projects that have been shut down if they can adhere to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

ABC Pennsylvania Supports Legislation Allowing Construction Activities to Continue

(HARRISBURG, PA.) During these unprecedented times, the wellbeing of our workforce and residents is – and always will be – paramount. The Associated Builders and Contractors of Pennsylvania (ABC Pennsylvania) stands by and supports our government leaders in protecting the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians during this time of emergency.

ABC PA Calls on Governor Wolf to Grant Waiver for the Construction Industry

There is no doubt the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic has disrupted and impacted our daily lives and measures are needed to limit the spread.  The construction industry has been doing our part in sharing information, resources, and best practices.  Many of our members are the supply chain for the very ‘life-sustaining businesses’ that are required to remain open.  

ABC PA Calls on Committee to End Discrimination Against the Merit Shop on Apprenticeship Ratio Rules

Today, ABC PA testified before the House Labor & Industry Committee in support of advancing workforce development and ending discrimination within apprentice ratios for merit shop (non-joint) programs. Pennsylvania’s regulations say non-joint programs are required to have four journeypersons employed per apprentice, after the first apprentice is hired. For example, a business needs to have 20 journeypersons employed if they want to hire just five apprentices.   

ABC PA Advocates for Fairness in Labor Law Enforcement

ABC PA is concerned by a September press release from the Attorney General’s Office publicizing their full investigation of alleged prevailing wage violations. Of concern, we are unaware of any precedent or instance where the Attorney General launched investigations on these matters. The regulations clearly state it is the duty of the Secretary of the Department of Labor & Industry to investigate prevailing wage complaints, hold hearings, and determine if a violation occurred. Subchapter E. Prevailing Regulations § 9.111(a).

ABC PA Applauds Lebanon County Commissioners for Support of Free Enterprise

(HARRISBURG, PA.) Today, the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) of Pennsylvania applauded the efforts of Lebanon County Commissioners Robert Phillips and Bill Ames for their vote to prohibit the use of project labor agreements (PLAs) on public works projects in the county. The ordinance makes Lebanon County the third county in the Commonwealth to prohibit the use of discriminatory PLAs.

ABC PA Announces Support for Workforce Development Efforts

Today, the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) of Pennsylvania applauded the efforts of both Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania legislature to address the Commonwealth’s workforce development needs through a series of resource investments and legislative proposals. The support follows several efforts outlined in Governor Wolf’s FY2020 budget address, as well as a bipartisan package of legislation introduced this week in the House of Representatives.

Members of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Win Legal Battle Against PennDOT

(East Norriton, PA) – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter commends the Commonwealth Court ruling that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation interfered with fair contracting in both Myers v. PennDOT and Eckman v. PennDOT. The two cases, supported by ABC of Pennsylvania, address the Markley Street Project Labor Agreement (PLA) in Norristown PA, which requires that if open shop contractors won the project, they would need to hire a union workforce to complete the work.

ABC PA Announces 2018 Gubernatorial Endorsement

Today, the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) of Pennsylvania announced their endorsement of Republican Scott Wagner for Governor of Pennsylvania. The merit shop construction trade association cited Wagner’s commitment to free enterprise as a critical component to its support of his campaign.

Associated Builders & Contractors of Pennsylvania (ABC PA) Reacts to 2018-2019 Budget Address

(HARRISBURG, PA.) On February 6, 2018, Governor Tom Wolf outlined his proposal for the 2018-2019 Commonwealth budget, detailing his priorities for spending and revenue for the coming year.

ABC PA ENDORSES 2017 JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

The five chapters of the Associated Builders & Contractors throughout Pennsylvania met earlier this month to evaluate candidates for statewide elected office and have endorsed five aspirants for the Commonwealth’s appellate courts in 2017. For Superior Court, ABC PA has endorsed Judge Emil Giordano, Judge Wade Kagarise, and Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman.  For the two open seats on Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court, ABC PA endorsed Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon and Paul Lalley.

ABC PA ENDORSES BARLETTA FOR U.S. SENATE

The five chapters of the Associated Builders & Contractors throughout Pennsylvania met earlier this month to evaluate candidates for statewide elected office and have endorsed United States Congressman Lou Barletta, a four-term Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania’s 11^th Congressional district, for United States Senate in 2018.  Barletta will face incumbent Democrat Bob Casey in November of 2018.

Congressman Scott Perry Jobsite Tour Highlights Need for Skilled Workers

Congressman Scott Perry was in East Manchester Township today to see firsthand the continued need for infrastructure development in central Pennsylvania. Perry toured the Orchard Business Park, a logistics park adjacent to Interstate 83 under construction by Kinsley Construction, Inc. The project will ultimately provide much-needed logistics and warehouse space, serving as a vital distribution point for goods to the more than 51 million households within a day’s drive of the site.