ABC’s general counsel will provide an overview of significant legal decisions affecting merit shop contractors and the status of legal challenges against Biden administration final rules, in addition to updating attendees regarding ongoing federal rulemakings.

Following the 2024 elections, a panel of legislative and regulatory policy experts will share insights into potential significant changes to public policy that could have major consequences for merit shop contractors in 2025 and beyond.

An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission official will discuss recent EEOC rulemakings and other activities affecting the construction industry.

Over the course of 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has pursued sweeping new rulemakings that will significantly change employer responsibilities, as well as grant OSHA an unprecedented new role in labor relations. Get insights on the electronic injury and illness recordkeeping and worker walkaround final rules, the proposed heat injury and illness prevention rule and OSHA’s approach to enforcement, and preview what employers can expect from the agency in 2025.

Two experienced practitioners will offer insights on the latest National Labor Relations Board pro-labor decisions reshaping precedent on important issues such as secret ballot elections, employee handbooks, independent contractor status and “captive audience” meetings. Additionally, speakers will provide an analysis of recent NLRB rulemakings and areas of concern for contractors, including the “Fair Choice-Employee Voice” final rule and its specific implications for employers in the construction industry.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor has undertaken an unprecedented, wide-ranging revamp of regulations dealing with government-registered apprenticeship programs. At the same time, access to these apprenticeships has become critical for developers to utilize tax credits for clean energy construction under the Inflation Reduction Act. Learn what these changes to this important aspect of the workforce development system mean for construction contractors.

A National Labor Relations Board official will provide an update on recent NLRB activities, including significant legal decisions and rulemakings of interest to the construction industry, as well as provide thoughts on the overall future direction of the NLRB.