Dodge Momentum Index Remains Strong in November

NEW YORK – December 7, 2017 – The Dodge Momentum Index surged again in November, climbing 13.9% to 149.5 (2000=100) from the revised October reading of 131.3. The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. The November increase was the second month of strong gains after a four-month period of softness. November’s advance was the result of healthy gains in both the commercial and institutional sectors. From October to November, the commercial portion of the Momentum Index advanced 19.6%, while the institutional portion grew 5.5%. On a year-over-year basis, the Momentum Index is now nearly 21% higher, with the commercial portion up 24% and the institutional side up 17%. The turnaround in October and November suggest that building activity should continue to expand in 2018.

In November, 21 projects each with a value of $100 million or more entered planning. For the commercial building sector, the largest projects include a $300 million mixed use facility containing two hotels at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and a $230 million Hayden Ave Life Sciences office campus in Lexington MA. The leading institutional projects were a $200 million UPMC Vision and Rehabilitation Hospital in Pittsburgh PA and a $200 million project that will provide additions and alterations for several schools within the Uniondale (NY) School District.

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Source: Construction.com

Architecture billings upturn shows broad strength

Business conditions continue to reflect healthy construction market

Washington, D.C. – December 20, 2017 – Even with the uncertainty related to pending tax reform legislation that likely will have a mixed effect on the construction industry, design services at architecture firms remains in high demand. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the November ABI score was 55.0, up from a score of 51.7 in the previous month. This score reflects an increase in design services provided by U.S. architecture firms (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 61.1, up from a reading of 60.2 the previous month, while the new design contracts index rose slightly from 52.8 to 53.2.

“Not only are design billings overall seeing their strongest growth of the year, the strength is reflected in all major regions and construction sectors,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD. “The construction industry continues to show surprising momentum heading into 2018.”

Key November ABI highlights:

•           Regional averages: West (54.8), Northeast (52.8), South (52.8), Midwest (50.4)
•           Sector index breakdown: multi-family residential (53.9), mixed practice (53.6), commercial / industrial (53.3), institutional (52.4)
•           Project inquiries index: 61.1
•           Design contracts index: 53.2

The regional and sector categories are calculated as a 3-month moving average, whereas the national index, design contracts and inquiries are monthly numbers.

About the AIA Architecture Billings Index

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI), produced by the AIA Economics & Market Research Group, is a leading economic indicator that provides an approximately nine to twelve month glimpse into the future of nonresidential construction spending activity. The diffusion indexes contained in the full report are derived from a monthly “Work-on-the-Boards” survey that is sent to a panel of AIA member-owned firms. Participants are asked whether their billings increased, decreased, or stayed the same in the month that just ended as compared to the prior month, and the results are then compiled into the ABI.  These monthly results are also seasonally adjusted to allow for comparison to prior months. The monthly ABI index scores are centered around 50, with scores above 50 indicating an aggregate increase in billings, and scores below 50 indicating a decline. The regional and sector data are formulated using a three-month moving average. More information on the ABI and the analysis of its relationship to construction activity can be found in the recently released White Paper, Designing the Construction Future: Reviewing the Performance and Extending the Applications of the AIA’s Architecture Billings Index on the AIA web site.

Source: AIA

Union seeks audit of Eastern Window Specialists per bargaining agreement

PHILADELPHIA – A York company is alleged to have breached a bargaining agreement between it and International Painters and Allied Trades District Council No. 21.

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council No. 21 Health and Welfare Fund, et al. filed a complaint on Nov. 30 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Eastern Window Specialists alleging violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that the defendant is party to a collective bargaining agreement with them. They allege that the defendant has refused to submit to an audit since August as required by the agreement.

The plaintiffs seek all amounts due, amounts found due and owing after an audit, court costs, liquidated damages, and any further relief the court grants. They are represented by Martin W. Milz of Spear, Wilderman P.C. in Philadelphia.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:17-cv-05381-ER 

Want t

Source: Penn Record

Alarcon & Marrone Inc. alleged to owe more than $16,000 to union funds

PHILADELPHIA – A North Wales company is alleged to owe contributions to labor union funds.
International Union of Operating Engineers of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Health and Welfare Fund; International Union of Operating Engineers of Eastern Pennsylvania; and Delaware Annuity Fund and International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542-D, AFL-CIO filed a complaint on Dec. 4 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Alarcon & Marrone Inc. alleging violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that the defendant owes $14,060 to the funds for the period of March to September, plus union dues, penalties and interest. They allege this amount has not been paid.
The plaintiffs hold Alarcon & Marrone Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly breached their bargaining agreement with the plaintiff by failing to remit their contributions.

The plaintiffs seek $16,070 due for the month of March 2017 through October 2017, additional unremitted dues and any further relief the court grants. They are represented by Regina C. Hertzig and Jeremy E. Meyer of Cleary, Josem & Trigiani LLP in Philadelphia.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:17-cv-05428-CMR

Source: Penn Record

Union funds seek to audit Lake Glenn Enterprises Inc. records

PHILADELPHIA – A Swedesboro, New Jersey company is alleged to have failed to submit the information needed by labor union funds to conduct an audit.

Cement Masons' Union Local No. 592 Pension Fund, Cement Masons' Union Local No. 592 Welfare Fund, et al. filed a complaint on Dec. 6 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Lake Glenn Enterprises Inc. alleging violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that per a bargaining agreement between them and the defendant, the plaintiffs are permitted to audit the defendant's records to determine contributions owed. The plaintiffs allege that an audit of the defendant's records from January 2012 to the present has not been completed because the defendant has refused to provide the necessary information.

The plaintiffs seek to enjoin the defendant to permit an audit of its records, interest, liquidated damages, court costs and any further relief the court grants. They are represented by Maureen W. Marra of Jennings Sigmond PC in Philadelphia.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:17-cv-05460-AB

Source: Penn Record

Summary of NLRB Decisions for Week of December 11 - 15, 2017

UPMC and its subsidiary, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, single employer, d/b/a UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and d/b/a UPMC Shadyside Hospital  (06-CA-102465, et al.; 365 NLRB No. 153)  Pittsburgh, PA, December 11, 2017.

A full Board majority consisting of Chairman Miscimarra and Members Kaplan and Emanuel affirmed the Administrative Law Judge’s supplemental decision granting UPMC’s partial motion to dismiss a single-employer allegation against UPMC, based on UPMC’s offer to guarantee the performance by Presbyterian Shadyside of any remedy ultimately ordered against Presbyterian Shadyside.  This case involves a complaint against UPMC and its subsidiary Presbyterian Shadyside, based on unfair labor practices allegedly committed by Presbyterian Shadyside.  The majority found, as did the judge, that UPMC’s offer to act as guarantor of any remedies ultimately awarded against Presbyterian Shadyside effectuates the purposes of the National Labor Relations Act and that the judge properly accepted the proffered terms in settlement of the single-employer allegation against UPMC.  In doing so, the majority overruled United States Postal Service, 364 NLRB No. 116 (2016) (Postal Service), where a divided Board held that the appropriate