Welcome to the eagerly awaited unveiling of the 2023 UCON Scorecard, your comprehensive legislative guide to our organization's achievements and progress over the past year.

Three California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations have upcoming requirements.

The Clean Truck Check, a new program, which applies to all non-gasoline vehicles with GVWR greater than 14,000 lbs. Requirements begin October 2023.

The Legislature returned from its four-week summer break on Monday, August 14 to begin their final month of the 2023 session. By-and-large policy committee deadlines have passed and for virtually all bills that remain alive, they are either awaiting consideration on the floor in the second house or – for measures with fiscal impacts – are awaiting hearing in the Appropriations Committee.

UCON's Scholarship Program will be offering a fall season of awards this year. Up to $12,000 will be distrbuted. Applications will be accepted from Friday, September 15th - Thursday, October 19th. To be added to our mailing list, contact Denise Ramirez. 

Recognizing Excellence, Awareness & Leadership in Safety

The safety awards program has been developed to highlight the importance of safety in our industry, as well as to honor some of the safest contractors in our association. Read more about the winning organizations in the July 2023 issue of the UCON magazine.

After much anticipation, The California Small Business and Nonprofit COVID-19 Relief Grant Program (to pay for COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave) is now taking applications. After significant advocacy from United Contractors, the State of California built and funded the program in the Budget Act of 2022 (AB-178) and authorized it through Assembly Bill 152 in September 2022.

The website for the program has been officially launched and is now taking applications. 

APPLY NOW

United Contractors Scholarship Committee is proud to announce the 2023 UCON Scholarship Awards Program winners. A record of $60,000 total will be distributed to the following sixteen students, who are being recognized not only for their academic achievements but also for their contributions to the communities they plan to serve.

This year has proven to be one of the hottest ones on record. To protect yourself and your employees, make sure you have your Heat Illness Prevention Plan in place. Heat illness can result if precautions are not taken. 

On June 26, California’s State Legislature agreed to advance Governor Newsom’s streamlining package that will accelerate delivery of transportation, water, and energy infrastructure projects, unlocking $180 billion in funds over the next decade. 

In a previous issue, we let you know that the new Construction General Permit will go into effect on September 1, 2023.  Over the next couple of months, we are going to take a more in-depth look at the changes. The revised inspection requirements follow.

Amendments to CARB’s Off-road Diesel Regulation

As mentioned in a previous issue, the California Air Resources Board approved amendments to the Off-road Diesel Regulation. The amendments included new requirements which start on January 1, 2024.

Please visit UCON's Grassroots Advocacy Center to make your voice heard on these three important issues that directly impact union contractors.

❌ OPPOSE Proposed Lead standards revisions, which would present significant costs to contractors and invasive medical and privacy requirements for workers.

❌ OPPOSE SB 365, which would limit the rights of union contractors who collectively bargain.

Click to make your voice heard!

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 (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. 

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

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.  

United Contractors welcomes Mike Buckantz and Drew Delaney of Associates Environmental to our Regulatory consultants' team. They are available to help contractor members with questions related to CARB, fleet compliance, or stormwater regulatory issues. 

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.

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.  

The Trucking News You Need. Hot Topics content contributed to United Contractors by Associate Committee members.

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...

Recognizing Excellence, Awareness & Leadership in Safety

The safety awards program has been developed to highlight the importance of safety in our industry, as well as to honor some of the safest contractors in our association. Read more about the winning organizations in the July 2022 issue of the UCON magazine.

Thirteen exceptional students have been selected by UCON's Scholarship Committee to receive awards totaling $50,000.

Tell Cal/OSHA that you strongly OPPOSE their drastic proposed Lead standards revisions, which would present significant costs to contractors and invasive medical and privacy requirements for workers. Click here to send a pre-formulated letter to the Cal/OSHA Board. Fact Sheet

LEADERSHIP PROFILE: Welcome UCON's 2022 President, Joe Sostaric of The Conco Companies

Your Voice Needed

Tell CA Governor & Legislature to Provide a Dollar-for-Dollar Tax Credit to CA Union-Signatory Contractors

UCON is helping members navigate the latest COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave requirements and options. Find all the resources here.

New Laws to Watch Out for in 2022

On February 9, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 114 into law, which requires businesses with 26 or more employees to provide workers with up to 80 hours of COVID paid leave.

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.

COVID-19 Compliance Update

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.

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

Welcome to the eagerly awaited unveiling of the 2023 UCON Scorecard, your comprehensive legislative guide to our organization's achievements and progress over the past year.

Three California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations have upcoming requirements.

The Clean Truck Check, a new program, which applies to all non-gasoline vehicles with GVWR greater than 14,000 lbs. Requirements begin October 2023.

The Legislature returned from its four-week summer break on Monday, August 14 to begin their final month of the 2023 session. By-and-large policy committee deadlines have passed and for virtually all bills that remain alive, they are either awaiting consideration on the floor in the second house or – for measures with fiscal impacts – are awaiting hearing in the Appropriations Committee.

UCON's Scholarship Program will be offering a fall season of awards this year. Up to $12,000 will be distrbuted. Applications will be accepted from Friday, September 15th - Thursday, October 19th. To be added to our mailing list, contact Denise Ramirez. 

Recognizing Excellence, Awareness & Leadership in Safety

The safety awards program has been developed to highlight the importance of safety in our industry, as well as to honor some of the safest contractors in our association. Read more about the winning organizations in the July 2023 issue of the UCON magazine.

After much anticipation, The California Small Business and Nonprofit COVID-19 Relief Grant Program (to pay for COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave) is now taking applications. After significant advocacy from United Contractors, the State of California built and funded the program in the Budget Act of 2022 (AB-178) and authorized it through Assembly Bill 152 in September 2022.

The website for the program has been officially launched and is now taking applications. 

APPLY NOW

United Contractors Scholarship Committee is proud to announce the 2023 UCON Scholarship Awards Program winners. A record of $60,000 total will be distributed to the following sixteen students, who are being recognized not only for their academic achievements but also for their contributions to the communities they plan to serve.

This year has proven to be one of the hottest ones on record. To protect yourself and your employees, make sure you have your Heat Illness Prevention Plan in place. Heat illness can result if precautions are not taken. 

On June 26, California’s State Legislature agreed to advance Governor Newsom’s streamlining package that will accelerate delivery of transportation, water, and energy infrastructure projects, unlocking $180 billion in funds over the next decade. 

In a previous issue, we let you know that the new Construction General Permit will go into effect on September 1, 2023.  Over the next couple of months, we are going to take a more in-depth look at the changes. The revised inspection requirements follow.

Amendments to CARB’s Off-road Diesel Regulation

As mentioned in a previous issue, the California Air Resources Board approved amendments to the Off-road Diesel Regulation. The amendments included new requirements which start on January 1, 2024.

Please visit UCON's Grassroots Advocacy Center to make your voice heard on these three important issues that directly impact union contractors.

❌ OPPOSE Proposed Lead standards revisions, which would present significant costs to contractors and invasive medical and privacy requirements for workers.

❌ OPPOSE SB 365, which would limit the rights of union contractors who collectively bargain.

Click to make your voice heard!

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 (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. 

In a win for CA employers, on February 15, 2023, the Ninth Circuit issued its opinion regarding California's Assembly Bill 51, legislation which prevented employers from conditioning employment on an employee's acceptance of an arbitration agreement.  

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.  

United Contractors welcomes Mike Buckantz and Drew Delaney of Associates Environmental to our Regulatory consultants' team. They are available to help contractor members with questions related to CARB, fleet compliance, or stormwater regulatory issues. 

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.

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.  

The Trucking News You Need. Hot Topics content contributed to United Contractors by Associate Committee members.

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...

Recognizing Excellence, Awareness & Leadership in Safety

The safety awards program has been developed to highlight the importance of safety in our industry, as well as to honor some of the safest contractors in our association. Read more about the winning organizations in the July 2022 issue of the UCON magazine.

Thirteen exceptional students have been selected by UCON's Scholarship Committee to receive awards totaling $50,000.

Tell Cal/OSHA that you strongly OPPOSE their drastic proposed Lead standards revisions, which would present significant costs to contractors and invasive medical and privacy requirements for workers. Click here to send a pre-formulated letter to the Cal/OSHA Board. Fact Sheet

LEADERSHIP PROFILE: Welcome UCON's 2022 President, Joe Sostaric of The Conco Companies

Your Voice Needed

Tell CA Governor & Legislature to Provide a Dollar-for-Dollar Tax Credit to CA Union-Signatory Contractors

UCON is helping members navigate the latest COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave requirements and options. Find all the resources here.

New Laws to Watch Out for in 2022

On February 9, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 114 into law, which requires businesses with 26 or more employees to provide workers with up to 80 hours of COVID paid leave.

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.

COVID-19 Compliance Update

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.