News

News | March 15, 2023

Hot Topics for the Construction Industry

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:

News | January 12, 2023

United Contractors & ECA Join Forces in Merger

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. 

News | January 12, 2023

Permanent Cal/OSHA Covid-19 Regulations Now in Effect

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.

News | January 12, 2023

Emily Cohen & Sue Dyer: Bringing Women Into Construction

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. 

News | January 12, 2023

Governor's 2023-24 Budget Released

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.

News | January 04, 2023

AB 1851 & Prevailing Wage Trucking Compliance

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. 

News | December 20, 2022

Approved - Proposed Amendments to the In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation

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.

News | October 31, 2022

2022 UCON Legislative Scorecard

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.  

News | September 30, 2022

2023 Union Holiday Schedules Now Available

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.

News | August 03, 2022

Southern California Report

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...

Media Articles

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.

United We Stand

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.