In his latest labor-friendly move, President Obama signed an executive order this afternoon encouraging the use of union workers for big federal construction projects.

The order instructs federal agencies to have construction contractors make agreements that require contractors to negotiate with unions, recognize union wages and benefits, and follow collective bargaining agreements.

Obama's order restores a Clinton administration rule that was rescinded by President George W. Bush, the Associated Press reports.

In response, Stephen Sandherr, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, issued a statement:

"Today's executive order has the unfortunate potential to limit contractors' ability to compete for projects at a time when the government is reporting that over one million construction workers have lost their jobs. Given that federal agencies have no demonstrated expertise in writing contracts that cover contractors and their employees, we strongly encourage officials to exercise the discretion this order provides and avoid government-mandated labor agreements," he said.

Stefan Gleason, vice president of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, was more critical, calling it a costly payoff to unions by Obama, who benefited from their support during the campaign.

"This executive order encouraging all federal agencies to adopt discriminatory, union-only project labor agreements is a shameless giveaway to Big Labor which spent over a billion dollars to get Obama and pro-forced-unionism Democrats elected last year," he said in a statement. 

"The order ensures that union bosses will collect a huge slice of federal spending in the form of forced union dues paid by workers on federal contracts. With nearly a trillion dollar "stimulus" spending planned, this action not only raises the costs shouldered by the American taxpayers, but it also discriminates against the 92.5 percent of private sector employees who have chosen not to unionize."

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor, Boston Globe’s emagazine Boston.com, February 6, 2009 04:54 PM

Tougher rules to prevent pollution from entering the Chesapeake Bay would be put on hold under a measure endorsed Wednesday (February 10th) by a key House committee.

Come listen as The Virginia Port Authority’s Director of External Affairs Greg Edwards briefs the association on the upcoming 2.2 billion dollar Craney Island expansion project.

It is with great anticipation that HRUHCA announces the launch of HRUHCA’s newest member benefit program, the HRUHCA Safety Training Program.

The association will be offering a number of mandatory safety training programs in 2010. Classes will include VDOT Work Zone Control Training, OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 (competent person training), CPR (Certified Pulmonary Resuscitation) training, and OSHA Confined space training.

In addition, HRUHCA is in the process of developing an on-line class for HRUHCA member firms to train their field personnel and trucking operations personnel on reverse back-up signaling. New Virginia OSHA regulations require that anyone who acts as a spotter be trained in how to properly assist truck drivers or equipment operators in back-up operations. So “be on the lookout” as HRUHCA will soon launch our first web-based training program that your personnel can take to certify that they have been trained in reverse signaling.