New NLRB Regulations Go Into Effect April 30th!

Under a new ruling from the National Relations Board, there will be new regulations that go into effect, with the major change on elections for a union vote, now called "quickie elections." The Obama administration and their supporters have attempted to facilitate organizing by unions through the administrative process after failing to win congressional passage of the Employee Free Choice Act ("EFCA"). The final rule, announced by the Board on December 21, constitutes the most successful effort by supporters of Organized Labor in this area to date.  Read More Here.

Cell Phones Banned for Interstate Truck Drives and ALL Vehicles Weighing 10,001 or More
Interstate truck and bus drivers are prohibited from using handheld cell phones while driving as of Jan. 3, under a final rule posted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. 
Drivers will face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification for multiple offenses. States may suspend a driver's commercial license for multiple convictions of state or local cell phone violations.  Read More

IECvotes.com

Keep abreast of the latest legislative and political news at IECvotes.com.  You can find your elected officials, send them a message or find out the latest political maneuverings.  IEC Votes is a one stop site for the best information regarding the affairs that directly effect the merit shop electrical contractor.

Project Labor Agreements (PLA's) Now in Effect

The Obama Administration has published, in the Federal Register, the Final Rule implementing Executive Order 13502, which encourages and authorizes the use of union-only PLAs on federal construction projects.Union-only PLAs restrict competition by requiring that a contract be awarded only to companies who agree to collective bargaining and union hiring.  Union-only PLAs exclude a majority of the workforce from the opportunity to participate in federally-funded projects.   Read the full rule here.

E-VERIFY SYSTEM SET NOW IN EFFECT

Federal contractors will be required to use Department of Homeland Security website to verify employment eligibility of all new hires

On September 8, 2009, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began implementing a rule requiring federal contractors to validate the employment eligibility of employees through the E-Verify system. The rule applies to all contractors and subcontractors on federal contracts over $100,000 in total value and applies to new hires as well as current employees hired in accordance with pre-existing rules and standards who are working on federal contracts.
The E-Verify program is an Internet-based system, run through the DHS's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, that compares employer provided information with the records in the Social Security Administration (SSA) database. The program was originally established by an Executive Order (E.O. 12989, later amended in E.O. 13465) of President George W. Bush but was not mandatory and full implementation has been delayed three times since January 2009. Previously, employers could voluntarily use the E-Verify system.

The DHS also issued a new regulation rescinding the "safe harbor" portion of the Executive Order 12989. The "safe harbor" language was intended to provide employers who received a "no-match" letter from the SSA, meaning information submitted through E-Verify did not match existing records, a process to follow in order to avoid a finding that they have constructive knowledge of a worker's illegal status yet have failed to act properly. In lieu of a similar process being announced, any IEC member who receives a "no-match" letter should follow the letter instructions and contact their attorney.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service has established a toll free number, (888) 464-4218, for employers who have questions about the E-verify system.

You can learn more about E-Verify and how to utilize the program by visiting the E-Verify website. For text of the original Executive Order 12989 click here or to view the amended version in E.O. 13465 click here.

IEC will continue to monitor the status of E-Verify program and the 'no-match' letter process. If you have any questions or comments on this or any issue, please contact IEC's VP of Government & Public Affairs, Brian Worth, at (703) 650-0054, or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Other Federal Legislation that the IEC is following and either supports or opposes is:

Union Only Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)

Green Jobs Act

Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage Reform

Association Healthcare Plans

Mandatory Paid Sick Leave

Repeal of Death Tax

Repeal of 3% Withholding on Government Contractors

RESPECT Act