ABC Declares Major Victory as Federal Court Overturns NLRB “Ambush” Elections Rule

by

Washington, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) issued the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia today overturned a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) “ambush” elections rule because it was adopted without the statutorily required quorum of NLRB members. 

“This is a great victory for the merit shop construction industry, and employers and employees across the country,” said ABC Vice President of Federal Affairs Geoffrey Burr. “The new procedures, which went into effect April 30, made it more difficult for employees to make a fully informed decision concerning union representation. 

“We said all along that the “ambush” elections rule was made in haste without regard or consideration to the proper procedures, and that the rule would have a negative impact on the nation’s small businesses,” Burr said. 

The rule was challenged by the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

To view this news release on ABC’s website, click here. 

### 

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association with 74 chapters representing 22,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms. Visit us at www.abc.org.

Energizing Indiana Seminar

by

I attended an Energizing Indiana Seminar on Tuesday in South Bend presented by the Indiana Energy Association.  In our area, the partners that we work with are NIPSCO and AEP.  (Marshall County REMC has programs as well, but opted out of IURC (Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission) due to what they felt were onerous reporting and oversight requirements and the associated costs.)  There are quite a few incentive programs available to businesses and residential customers as well.  Unlike some of the tax incentive programs such as EPAct, these programs provide checks directly from the Utility Companies which means municipalities and other tax exempt entities should be able to take advantage of them as well.

Many of these programs encourage renovations that will pay savings dividends on their own.  (Green That Saves Green!)  The incentives are there to give the extra kick to encourage implementing them now.   I am planning on researching this further and I will include details here, but if you’re interested in pursuing this, please contact us and we can look into your specific situation now!

Election Day!

by

Just a reminder to GET OUT AND VOTE!!!  I was to my polling place just before noon and if the number of signatures I saw in the book are any indication, the turnout is going to be light.  It’s a sad commentary when the news polls show Congress and the President with approval ratings in the basement, but then when citizens have a chance for input in the elections they can’t be bothered.  The majority of seats up for consideration in this primary election are for State and Local positions.  Not as controversial, but still important.  I told you why I was supporting Francis Ellert previously here.  There are many other important candidates to support on the ballot as well.

As a closing note, please make your vote an informed vote.   Even at this late hour it’s not too late to find out about the candidates and vote responsibly.  If you’re not going to do that, then I retract my opening request.  I should have said, Get out and Vote…  RESPONSIBLY!

Chandel-Air

by

Would you like the air movement benefits of a ceiling fan, but you don’t like the look of paddle fans?  An option would be a Chandel-Air from Meyda Custom Lighting.  The Chandel-Air integrates lighting and ceiling fan technology in various new styles and configurations.

The Whispering Pines model to the right is just one of dozens available at their site, ranging in sizes from 36″ to 60″ in diameter.  They can accommodate flat or vaulted ceilings and have both LED and incandescent lighitng options.  They can also customize fixtures to meet the needs of specific applications.

Meyda makes a wide range of other products as well in unique forms.  Check them out!