AGC has learned that the Walz Administration and Minnesota Management & Budget (MMB) are actively considering issuing COVID-19 vaccine and testing mandate guidance that would expressly apply to construction contractors working on state projects or at state facilities.  

This week, AGC reached out to other industry partners and lead an effort to jointly express concerns with the possible guidance. AGC developed and offered a letter asking the state for additional time and requesting more dialogue and thoughtful consideration of these serious issues before applying the mandate to contractors. At this time, we are not aware that a final determination has been made. We will continue to press our concerns with state officials and other public owners to assure that vaccine mandate policies and guidance are practical and that reasonable administrative procedures are defined and applied with limited impact on contractors.  Once guidance is issued on this matter, AGC will provide an email update that links to the document.  

AGC’s letter to the Governor and MMB may serve as a template to alert other owners of the impact of a vaccine or testing mandate. AGC believes that an owner mandate would justify change orders and adjustments to the contract, although you will have to review your contract to determine if this general belief applies to a specific project. In addition, you should:

Contractors are encouraged to keep your legal counsel informed of your specific contractual circumstances and project related impacts. You may have additional rights or limitations under your contract. For instance, certain government mandates may be unenforceable under your construction contract or require rulemaking procedures to enact.  

AGC has received the attached correspondence (here and here) from the Carpenters’ Union detailing an electronic QR code accommodation that compiles and displays worker certifications etc. and can be used to certify if the member is vaccinated. The member needs to present his/her vaccination card to Carpenters, who will record and store the information. This process will make jobsite verification easier. Carpenters are asking contractors to inform and encourage their members to take advantage of this benefit.

AGCA will be hosting a webinar—free for AGC members—on August 26 from 2:00-3:00 pm EDT entitled: Strategies to Improve Workplace Vaccination Rates and Preparing for Various Mandates.

Fischer Philips law firm has a great resource center on these topics where you can find:

AGCA is currently working on updating and packaging its resources to create a COVID vaccine toolkit. The toolkit will be shared with chapters and members when it becomes available. 

A record-setting construction investment bill—the bipartisan infrastructure bill—is on the 50-yard line, and you can bring it into the end zone. But the infrastructure bill is being tied to a $3.5T human infrastructure bill. That could take months or not happen, as Democrats in the House and Senate have a long way to go to reach agreement amongst themselves on what’s in or out of the human infrastructure bill. 

Why it matters: The bipartisan infrastructure bill represents the best chance to significantly invest in building and maintaining a broad range of physical infrastructure without unnecessarily burdening the construction industry with new taxes and workforce mandates. We cannot let this opportunity to enact it pass the construction industry by. 

The new state law expands provisions of the Women's Economic Security Act (WESA), which was passed in 2014 to strengthen workplace protections and flexibility for expectant and new parents, among other priorities.

The changes, which go into effect Jan. 1, 2022, include the following:

The MN Department of Labor and Industry encourages workers and employers to review workplace rights and responsibilities under the Women’s Economic Security Act. Visit www.dli.mn.gov/newparents to review DLI resources for expectant and new parents or contact DLI’s Labor Standards at 651-284-5075 or dli.laborstandards@state.mn.us.

Click here for the Dept. of Labor and Industry’s complete release.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis closely tracks the construction sector, a bellwether for the broader Ninth District economy, which includes Minnesota, the Dakotas, Montana, western Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. They are currently collecting feedback from firms in the construction sector via their regularly released survey. All responses are anonymous.

Please take this 5-minute survey to help the Minneapolis Fed and President Neel Kashkari better understand current business conditions in the industry and for your firm.

Minnesota’s severe drought is forcing the DNR to suspend certain water permits. If you have a project in red on this map, then consumptive water usage either has been suspended or is being reviewed for suspension. Contact the local hydrologist listed on your permit or you can find the contact to your local hydrologist on AGC’s Drought Page.

It’s an intricate, dynamic situation when an owner retires from their construction company. With thoughtful planning, you can successfully address many of the complex challenges of transition. Get familiar with the options, and begin thinking about the resources and strategies you’ll need to collect the value you deserve for your company — and leave the legacy you earned. Learn more

By Mike Utz, Principal, CLA Minneapolis

On October 13, AGC will honor the recipients of our annual safety awards, the Skill, Responsibility & Integrity (SRI) Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award!

Members are invited to nominate individuals for the SRI and Lifetime Achievement Awards here, and for the Jeff Jensen Memorial Construction Safety Excellence Award here.

AGC Minnesota is proud to announce the following roster for the 2021/22 Leadership Blueprint series.

The Leadership Blueprint, now in its seventh year, will begin in November 2021, and end in April 2022. Questions about the Leadership Blueprint series should be directed to Merry Beckmann.

Registration for fall Supervisory Training Program (STP) classes is now open! Click the links below for more information and to register.

Spots are selling quickly, but there is still space for you on September 15 at Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club for our annual fundraiser! Funds raised are used for scholarships for students pursuing degrees in the construction industry.

Get all the details and register here.

Get all the details here!

Join us on October 13 at International Market Square, as we honor the recipients of our annual safety awards, the Skill, Responsibility & Integrity (SRI) Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award!

Register here.

Join us on December 7 at the Metropolitan Ballroom for our annual holiday reception!

Register here.

More details on attending, exhibiting, and sponsoring here!