UCON is building the future of advocacy for California’s union contractors, and announces two leadership additions that strengthen our ability to serve our members and move the industry forward.
Welcome Anna M. Carno and Jennifer Galenti, to key leadership roles that expand our capacity to serve, support, and advocate for union-signatory contractors across California.
Effective advocacy requires more than simply asking for change. It takes clear communication, credible data, and a strong understanding of how the industry actually works. United Contractors recently demonstrated all three through its engagement with the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) during its rate proposal process.
Thanks to the data submitted by contractors signatory to the Laborers (N.
Is Valley Fever a concern in California? Yes! Valley Fever (also called coccidioidomycosis) is a disease caused by a fungus that grows in the soil in endemic areas throughout California. When soil containing the fungus is disturbed by digging, vehicles, or by the wind, the fungal spores disperse into the air. When people breathe in the dust that contains these spores, they may get Valley Fever.
The 2025-2028 OE12 (S. CA) Master Agreement has been ratified by all bargaining parties. The Summary of Modifications highlights the bargained changes, including the economics. The 2025 rate sheet is available on UCON's Union Agreements & Rates page.
In a well-reasoned and compelling decision, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky granted a limited preliminary injunction against USDOT’s DBE program in the case Mid-America Milling Co., LLC v. U.S. Department of Transportation, et al. The court found that the race and gender-based rebuttable presumptions used in the DBE program violate the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment.
UCON is taking action to fix a broken system—and we need your help.
Across California, too many public agencies are withholding 100% of progress payments over minor paperwork issues. It's unfair, unnecessary, and harmful to your business. We're pushing back.
This prestigious program Recognizes Excellence, Awareness, and Leadership in Safety within the construction industry.
United Contractors (UCON), representing nearly 800 union-signatory construction and associated firms across California, is proud to announce the selection of Emily Cohen as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer. She will officially assume the role on January 1, 2026. The leadership transition begins immediately to ensure a seamless and thoughtful handoff.
Visible immigration enforcement by the federal government has been on the rise, and we know that contractors are concerned about workplace raids by Immigration Compliance & Enforcement (ICE).
We want to make sure that our members know about available resources to help prepare for and manage these potential enforcement actions in a rapidly shifting environment. Some key points to keep in mind:
The United Contractors (UCON) Scholarship Committee is proud to award $70,000 in scholarships this year to 15 exceptional students pursuing higher education and careers in construction and related fields. These awards reflect UCON’s ongoing commitment to education, industry support, and workforce development.
Scholarships are made possible through our annual Throw Down Cornhole tournament, annual sponsorships, and special memorial funds honoring industry leaders..
UCON has received most union allocations over the past two months. Separate notices were sent to all contractors who are signatory to the applicable union with UCON.
Access the new rates on the Union Agreements & Rates page. Northern CA agreements and rates are listed on top and Southern CA agreements and rates are listed on the bottom.
At the end of 2025, several key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are set to expire. This landmark legislation, enacted in 2017, brought significant changes to the tax code, many of which were designed to be temporary. Here’s a brief overview of some of the most impactful provisions that will sunset:
1. Standard Deduction
United Contractors Scholarship Awards Program is now open and accepting applications. Since 1994, UCON has been dedicated to assist member and industry affiliated students with the rising costs of higher education & training.
Why Apply?
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.
The wildfire debris removal process in Los Angeles County is structured into two phases:
Except for recordkeeping requirements, the COVID-19 Prevention Regulations, Title 8, California Code of Regulations (8 CCR) sections 3205, 3205.1, 3205.2, and 3205.3, will be sunset on February 3, 2025. This means that, as of February 3, 2025, there will no longer be a specific set of regulatory requirements relating to COVID-19 prevention in the workplace. Employers must still maintain a safe and healthy workplace as required by their Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and 8 CCR section 3203.
We know that our members are concerned about the Executive Orders coming out of the new administration, especially the possibility of workplace raids by Immigration Compliance & Enforcement (ICE). The current focus is on targeting non-citizens with serious criminal convictions and those who have failed to depart the U.S. after being ordered to do so by an Immigration Judge. However, the scope could widen.
This month, UCON sponsored two critical pieces of legislation: One aims to enhance the safety of our workers, and the second will improve vital cash flow for our members performing work in the private sector.
As fires continue to affect the Los Angeles area, we want to ensure that you have the necessary resources to protect your teams and operations. We know worker safety remains a top priority, especially when dealing with wildfire smoke and unhealthy air conditions. Below are essential resources to support you during this challenging time: