Washington, Sept. 6—Associated Builders and Contractors released the following statement in response to reports that President Joe Biden will today sign an executive order that favors unions and is likely to undermine competition to build taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects.
“This gift to unions is discouraging for the overwhelming majority of the U.S. construction industry workforce—nearly 90%—that works for nonunion employers,” said Ben Brubeck, ABC vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs. “It also will hurt taxpayers and the overall construction industry, as both benefit from inclusive, win-win policies that welcome all contractors and workers to rebuild America, even if they decide not to affiliate with labor unions.
“The executive order will undermine the efficient and economical delivery of taxpayer-funded infrastructure, clean energy and manufacturing projects and is consistent with the Biden-Harris administration’s politically motivated policy schemes,” said Brubeck. “These policies steer taxpayer-funded infrastructure contracts to unionized businesses and create jobs exclusively for union members at the expense of everyone else and the rule of law. ABC looks forward to reviewing the text of the order when it is made public to determine if it is legal, in contrast to numerous onerous regulations and National Labor Relation Board rulings that pander to unions, which ABC and the business community have successfully challenged in the courts over the last four years.
“ABC opposes exclusionary policies and instead advocates for all construction workers to be welcome to build taxpayer-funded construction projects because that creates the most value for taxpayers,” said Brubeck. “ABC strives to create an environment in which people and companies succeed and flourish based on free-market principles.”
About ABC
Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 that represents more than 23,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 67 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abc.org.