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.
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.
Apply Now.
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.
Banking: What Do We Do Now?
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:
What It Means For Our Industry
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.
Podcast: Lead With Trust
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.
New Regulation to Remain in Effect Until February 2025
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.
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 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.
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.
What You Need To Know for 2023
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.
The In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation (Off-road Regulation) was initially adopted in 2007 and applies to essentially all off-road vehicle operation in the state except agricultural, military, and personal use. Despite resistance from Associations representing the construction and mining industries, on November 17, 2022 the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted sweeping amendments to the Off-road Diesel Regulation. These amendments are expected to further reduce emissions from the operation of off-road diesel vehicles mainly by phasing out the oldest and dirtiest vehicles, those that are Tier 0, Tier 1 and Tier 2.
Below is a summary of the bills United Contractors advocated on throughout the 2022 Legislative Year, and the results of our efforts.
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.
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...
United Contractors is fighting to secure tax relief for union signatory contractors (SB 114)
It is unreasonable and unfair to ask our employers, who already pay premium wages, to shoulder the costs of paid leave; especially as the state sits on a historic budget surplus.
Read recent media articles below.
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.
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.
February 10, 2022
This week, the state of California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued new Health Guidance for face coverings effective February 16.