December 15, 2023

Are you registered for AGC Honors?

On January 16, AGC will celebrate and recognize a host of individuals and companies for their achievements in the industry. Join us to honor the recipients of the following:

Lifetime Achievement Award
Skill-Responsibility-Integrity (SRI) Award
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Awards
Jeff Jensen Memorial Construction Safety Excellence Awards
Joint AGC/MnDOT Bridge Awards
AGC's Longest Continuous Member

VIEW AWARD RECIPIENTS

2024 Minnesota Construction Summit

Have you seen the lineup of sessions at the 2024 Minnesota Construction Summit? From transition planning to tech innovations, and underground mapping to mental health, there's something for everyone at the Summit!

See the schedule

See the speakers

Sponsor or Exhibit

Changing Culture and Leading in Times of Crisis - a Conversation with Dr. Thom Mayer

On the latest episode of AGC's podcast, AGC CEO Tim Worke talks to Dr. Thom Mayer, Medical Director of the NFL Players Association, on the topic of leadership and what it means to lead well in and through a crisis, and how we change culture as leaders. Listen in to get a small preview of Dr. Mayer's keynote address at the Minnesota Construction Summit on January 17, and join us at the Summit to hear his message!

LABOR & LEGAL NEWS

Tri-Solar Agreement

The Tri-Solar Agreement is a national agreement divvying solar work among three trades: Laborers, Operators and Electricians. As currently drafted, the Agreement requires downstream subcontractors to sign onto the Agreement, it is nationwide (i.e., one project can commit you to all solar projects in the US), it does not comply with the Inflation Reduction Act requirements, it was negotiated among the three international trades (not with a contractor association), and it excludes Carpenters and Iron Workers from the work. AGC-MN recommends very extreme caution if presented with the Tri-Solar Agreement. We also are trying to monitor industry use of the TSA. Please let Mike know if you have been asked to sign the TSA in any state or area, and your decision.

Earned Sick and Safe Time

AGC has assembled answers to ESST questions including: whose exempt, how to administer the statutory ESST, what does the alternative ESST (union Worker Wellness Program) look like and who’s covered by the statutory ESST and WWP, which is better, is there a demo how to account for ESST, do you have discounts with AGC members to manage ESST or review our employment policies, and do we need a policy for WWP employees (and what would that look like).

These answers and more can be found here.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION (DEI) NEWS

2023 DEI Award Recipients Announced

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 DEI Awards! Each recipient demonstrated effort and achievement in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion over the past year.

The 2023 DEI Awards will be presented at AGC Honors 2024 on January 16. Register to join us!

DEI Impact Champion

Watson-Forsberg

Building Contractor

DEI Impact Champion

Ulland Brothers, Inc.

Highway/Heavy Contractor

DEI Impact Champion

Lockton Companies, LLC

Affiliate/Service Provider

Diverse Business of the Year

Bush Management Company, LLC

Ally of the Year

John O'Phelan (Ramsey County)

GENERAL NEWS

Clean Heavy-Duty Off-Road Equipment Grant

Electric heavy-duty equipment grant applications from MN Pollution Control Agency are open now through December 20, 2023. Learn more

2023-2024 Industry Assessment Released

The annual AGC of Minnesota Construction Industry Assessment provides an in-depth look at the current and future status of Minnesota’s construction industry and construction economy. The assessment surveys all segments of the construction marketplace – architects, engineers, contractors, service providers, and suppliers.

Thank you to the 185 firms that participated in providing rich data for this year's report!

SAFETY NEWS

CHASE Level 3 Project

Congratulations to CHASE participants Mortenson, Veit, and MG McGrath on the new Level 3 project at Fraser Hall on the U of M campus!

The Construction Health And Safety Excellence (CHASE) program began in 2003 as a partnership between Minnesota OSHA and AGC of Minnesota. Twenty years later, it is the longest running partnership with MNOSHA

OSHA Announces Switch from Traditional Hard Hats to Safety Helmets

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced that the agency is replacing traditional hard hats used by its employees with more modern safety helmets to protect them better when they are on inspection sites.

In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports head injuries accounted for nearly 6 percent of non-fatal occupational injuries involving days away from work. Almost half of those injuries occurred when workers came in contact with an object or equipment while about 20 percent were caused by slips, trips and falls.

Dating back to the 1960s, traditional hard hats protect the top of a worker's head but have minimal side impact protection and also lack chin straps. Without the straps, tradition hard hats can fall off a worker's head if they slip or trip, leaving them unprotected. In addition, traditional hard hats lacked vents and trapped heat inside.

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

AGC of Minnesota welcomes the following new members:

Reynolds Crane

4981 Cake Parkway

Deforest, WI 53532

Reynolds is a 6th generation family-owned business that has been focused on respect, hard work, and defining opportunity for 135 years. Over the past few years, we have expanded our portfolio with many dealer partnerships offering sales, rental, parts, and factory-trained service. Our tower crane and hoist division has been in business for 25 years and offers the opportunity for true turn-key support. We focus on offering a wide portfolio of equipment to ensure you successfully perform every job while growing your business with quality equipment and support.

Caterpillar

5025 N O’Connor Blvd

Irving, TX 75039

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.

For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

J&L Jobsite Solutions

12467 Boone Avenue

Savage, MN 55378

We provide a turnkey jobsite trailer and lab that includes furnishings of contractor's choice, internet, hardwiring, cleaning, porta potty, electric hookup, and trash. We also manage all the vendors during the project.

J&L Steel Erectors

12467 Boone Avenue

Savage, MN 55378

We install reinforcing steel, structural steel, precast concrete beams, miscellaneous metals in highway heavy and commercial arenas.

Bush Management Company

4115 26^th Street NW, Ste 101

Rochester, MN 55901

General heavy highway construction support services including - certified flagging, trucking, erosion control and procurement services.

Fagen Inc.

501 West Highway 212

Granite Falls, MN 56241

Industrial general contractor.

Next 150 Construction

10 Channel Center Street

Boston, MA 02210

General conditions, carpentry, and labor focused on jobsite safety and cleanliness. Operating equipment for material loading and waste removal.

LV Builders

900 73^rd Way North

Brooklyn Park, MN 55444

General contractor engaged in design, build, and remodeling commercial spaces.

OECS

1000 Shelard Parkway

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

OECS is a safety consultant company that offers safety services ranging from safety audits, programs, training, certifications, IH to both construction and general industries.

EDUCATION & EVENTS

Congratulations to the newest graduates of AGC's Supervisory Training Program (STP)! These individuals have completed all six units of the program and will receive a certificate through AGC of America.

Pictured (L-R): Instructor Matthew Semerad (AGC), Carolyn Wood (Knutson Construction), Scott Thrower (Frana Companies), and Andy Schafer (Donlar Construction). Not pictured, but also graduated: Tanner Anderson (McGough).

STP classes for January and March are open for registration!

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Lead Better, Build Better:

IUOE Opportunity for Signatory Contractors

IUOE Local 49 invites signatory contractors to a free event on March 4, 2024. Author and speaker Mark Breslin will be presenting on leading more effectively and motivating team members. This training is for: