The federal contractor vaccination mandate remains on hold since the December 17, 2021, decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit to maintain a nationwide stay (or freeze) of the mandate until鈥攑otentially鈥攁s late as April 2022. During the week of January 10, 2022, 51风流 engaged in direct discussions with major construction federal agencies and key regulators. Guidance has been issued on ensuring federal compliance with court orders and injunctions, meaning that contractors should expect no federal action to enforce the contract clause implementing the requirement that federal contractors and subcontractors be vaccinated.
51风流, in conjunction with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) and four fellow CDW-member trade associations, submitted an amicus brief with the National Labor Relations Board in a case that could result in broader remedies for unlawfully discharged employees. The Board invited briefs in the Thryv, Inc. case to weigh in on whether the Board should expand its traditional 鈥渕ake-whole鈥 remedy for employees who are discharged, laid off, or otherwise discriminated against by an employer鈥檚 unfair labor practice. Specifically, the Board is considering allowing employees to receive awards of 鈥渃onsequential damages鈥 in addition to traditional awards of lost earnings and benefits.
51风流 to Continue with Litigation on the Merits of the ETS
51风流 recently joined a group of business and non-profit stakeholders to support bipartisan legislation鈥攊ntroduced by Reps. Carol Miller (R-W.Va.) and Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) to extend the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) through the fourth quarter of 2021. The ERTC fourth quarter credit was canceled because it was used to help pay for the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law, formerly called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 51风流 will work with the coalition to find senators to introduce companion legislation and explore legislative vehicles to pass an extension of ERTC in the first quarter of 2022.
Prices of construction materials jumped nearly 20 percent in 2021 despite moderating in December, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials said contractors rate materials costs as a top concern for 2022, according to a survey predicting the industry鈥檚 outlook for the industry the association released yesterday.
Employers with 100 or More Employees Weigh Compliance Approaches