News

Dangerous heat is expected to continue through the week, with triple-digit temperatures forecast across parts of Southern California, the Central Valley and the Sacramento Valley. Hotter-than-normal conditions are also expected in interior portions of the Bay Area and Central Coast. (Source: US Weather Service)

AB 1198 (Haney) continues to advance through the Legislature and remains a top UCON priority. 

United Contractors (UCON) announces the recipients of its 2025 R.E.A.L. Safety Awards, honoring the companies, projects, and safety professionals whose leadership continues to raise the standard for jobsite safety across California's union construction industry.

The following union agreements expired on June 30 and new ones became effective July 1, 2026.

The following statement was released from Caltrans following the SR-74 Work Zone Shooting Incident

Industry Partners,

A recent fatal shooting occurred within a Caltrans construction work zone on State Route 74 in Riverside County. Preliminary information indicates that a dispute between a contractor employee and a member of the public escalated into a confrontation involving firearms. 

There are renewed calls at both the state and federal level to suspend the gas tax, with proposals being framed as short-term relief at the pump for consumers. While that message may resonate on the surface, the impact on our industry would be significant.

UCON has consistently fought efforts to suspend or repeal the gas tax. These proposals directly undermine the dedicated funding that supports critical infrastructure investments. A gas tax holiday puts projects at risk, delays critical improvements, and weakens the infrastructure we all rely on.

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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.

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.