of inflation will subside in future years. Labor representatives have been es- pecially focused on the impact that in- flation is having on their members with the increased cost of living (food, rents, and utilities) as well as the cost of fuel to get to and from the jobsite. Management representatives are grappling with infla- tionary concerns as well, including cost escalations and a tight labor market driving up labor costs as contractors compete to staff their jobs and retain qualified labor.


Increased Specificity in Contracts Another common theme at the table raised by labor has been their request for language that clarifies the scope of work covered and wage classifications. A key that seems to be driving this request is the recent focus by the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) placing greater emphasis on contracts that have actual classification language in the labor agreements, apprenticeship standards that reference training in the particular scope of work, and training conducted by the apprenticeship schools that aligns with the scope. Tis increased specificity in the con-


tracts tends to blur the jurisdictional lines among the craft unions. Terefore, it is of great importance that contractors read the agreements carefully for the nuances that the new scope language changes have on work assignments. Te AGC-CA Labor Relations team is here to help with any questions and to provide guidance. Your AGC of California craft commit-


tees worked very hard to secure strong grievance provisions requiring Wage- Hour and Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) claims to be individually arbitrat- ed under the Master Labor Agreements rather than be decided in class action lawsuits in court. (PAGA is a California statute that enables workers to file law- suits against employers for certain labor violations.) Additionally, the language


CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022


9


we obtained in a number of agreements added an arbitration requirement for all discrimination and harassment claims.


Addressing the Impacts of New Technology Another issue that has universally been raised for discussion at all of the bar- gaining tables has been the impact of autonomous equipment and the threat that new technology will have not only on employment opportunities but also the longer-term impact this will create for the sustainability of benefit plans, particularly defined benefit pensions. Management has agreed that these new developments will likely have an impact on the construction industry, but they are not certain just how this will play out and have thus been very resistant to assigning such technology to any one craft


union. AGC of California will continue to engage with the unions throughout the term of the agreements and exchange knowledge from the field as we see new developments on this front. Overall, despite the challenges, it was


a very good negotiating season consider- ing the difficult and uncertain times that contractors are facing. AGC of California contractors have emerged from the nego- tiation rounds with stronger relationships with our bargaining partners, and we are now prepared to continue to forge even stronger relations as we work together on behalf of a robust construction industry with a tremendous amount of work in the pipeline. Te AGC-CA Labor Relations team is


here to help our members as they con- tinue to build the finest projects in the land with the best union craft workers.


Bringing solutions to light.  


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