News

Over the weekend, Governor Newsom signed AB 1034 into law. Co-sponsored by UCON, AB 1034 provides vital protections for our union contractors by allowing them to secure an exemption from PAGA lawsuits through their CBAs. AB 1034 was UCON’s top priority bill and will save our contractors millions of dollars in frivolous lawsuits, while strengthening the business environment for union contractors.

Thank you to every member who took action, and to our union partners for their joint advocacy on this important issue.

BACKGROUND:

On July 1, the business community scored an important win when Governor Newsom signed an essential PAGA reform package into law. While the reforms will greatly minimize the shakedown lawsuits that hurt employers, UCON’s top priority remains an extension of the 2016 bill that allows union-signatory contractors to bargain an exemption from PAGA through the CBA agreements. The safe harbor from PAGA has been a vital benefit for union-signatory contractors and our union partners.  

The updated UCON Safety Handbook is here! This valuable industry-tailored resource is available to all UCON contractor members at no cost. It is available to Associate Members and non-members for $750.

Access the Safety Handbook here

The comprehensive Safety Handbook includes Microsoft Word templates for each safety section that are easy to customize and save. 

United Contractors (UCON) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 UCON Scholarship Awards Program. This year, thirteen exceptional students have been selected to receive a combined total of $48,000 to further their educational and career aspirations. These awards honor their outstanding academic performance and dedication to positively impacting the communities they aim to serve.

United Contractors is proud to announce the 2023 Fall Scholarship Awards Program recipients. The following students are being recognized by the Les Weed Memorial Scholarship fund, which recognizes individuals making a difference within our organization and industry:

Thank you to all of our members who responded to our annual membership survey. Your input helps us to continue exceeding your expectations and delivering the highest level of service in the industry.

We are thrilled to report our best results to date. Click images below to see how we did.

2023 CONTRACTOR MEMBER SATISFACTION SURVEY:

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

ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICES (ELD’S)

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.

This year's scorecard is a testament to our dedication to excellence, innovation, and unwavering commitment to our mission.

Explore the 2023 UCON Scorecard, and let's embark on another year of growth, collaboration, and success together.

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.

Fact sheets for the Clean Truck Check are available here: Clean Truck Check Fact Sheets

The Off-road Diesel Regulation, recently amended, has new requirements, which begin January 1, 2024.

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.

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

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:

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.

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 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 ag

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. 

ECA has served underground and heavy construction professionals in Southern California since 1976, providing regionally focused advocacy, education, and labor relations.  

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 Basics: What Happened? 

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.

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.