WASHINGTON – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) calling for the two organizations to work jointly to ensure that all contractors have a fair and equal opportunity to compete for and win contracts to build federal, state, and locally funded construction projects. The agreement was signed by Chuck Goodrich, ABC 2017 chair, and CEO’s Mike Bellaman and Susan Au Allen, respectively, during ABC’s board of directors meeting on June 21.

An initial area of focus for the two organizations is urging congressional action on the Fair and Open Competition Act (H.R. 1552/S. 622), which would prevent the federal government from requiring or encouraging project labor agreements (PLAs) on taxpayer-funded construction projects. Government-mandated PLAs steer construction contracts to unionized firms and prevents 86 percent of the U.S. private construction workforce that does not belong to a union from working on public works projects, driving up the cost of construction between 12 percent and 18 percent, according to a series of academic studies. Twenty-four states already have similar legislation ensuring fair and open competition in government contracting on the books.

“Associated Builders and Contractors and USPAACC share a commitment to promote political, legal, regulatory, and legislative initiatives that foster open competition, create economic opportunities, train a competitive labor force, and encourage open competition in construction contracting,” said ABC President and CEO Mike Bellaman. “This will benefit both bodies of memberships and ensure that taxpayers get the best quality product at the best possible price for schools, hospitals, roads and other public construction projects.”

For more information, visit www.abc.org.

Publication date: 8/1/2017

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