WASHINGTON, DC — Members of the International Council of Employers of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (ICE-BAC); FCA International (FCA); The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA); The Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA); The Signatory Wall and Ceiling Contractors Alliance (SWACCA); and The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC), collectively Construction Employers of America, visited more than 100 Congressional offices and Members of Congress during their National Issues Conference May 6-8.
CEA (which, in addition to the groups named above, also includes The National Electrical Contractors Association) represents construction firms that are proud to use union craftworkers. The more than 15,000 signatory, quality driven contractor members that compose the associations in the CEA adhere to the highest construction standards, and their approximately 1.4 million highly skilled and trained workers are paid family-sustaining wages, comprehensive health insurance and defined benefit pensions.
Contractors represented by CEA member associations invest millions in sustaining the "Gold Standard" in worker training and safety through jointly trusteed registered apprenticeship training funds and joint labor-management cooperation committees. Contractors within CEA are committed to strengthening the construction industry today and for the future by providing the best value to project owners on complex projects, including the majority of the mega projects under development across the nation, from infrastructure developments to CHIPS and Science projects to record size energy and EV battery plants, while providing good pay and benefits for their workers.
Among the priority issues to be discussed during the Hill visits included: the importance of extending equipment expensing, bonus depreciation, and R&D tax credits; increased enforcement of the new Davis-Bacon Act, independent contractor and project labor agreement (PLA) rules, endorsed by the CEA coalition; and building a high-skill registered apprenticeship workforce.
In addition to the Congressional visits, speakers who have committed to the CEA conference included Julie Su, Acting Secretary of the Department of Labor, Jessica Looman, Administrator Wage and Hour Division, Sean McGarvey, President NABTU, as well as multiple industry champions in members of Congress, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN-6); Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ-1); Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2); Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY-18); and Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-2). Rep Pete Stauber (R-MN-8) will speak about a top priority bill, reforming the federal contract change order payment process. And FAA Deputy Administrator for Airport Infrastructure Kathlyn Thompson also addressed major airport upgrades and future project developments.