Advocacy
Empowering Your Voice in Construction Policy
Advocacy & Action
Advocating for Merit Shop Contractors Across South Texas
The ABC South Texas Government Affairs Team is dedicated to advocating for our members, their employees, apprentices, and the merit shop’s core principles. Through active engagement in legislative sessions, public hearings, and community discussions, the team ensures South Texas contractors’ voices are heard. They help educate the community on key policy issues, upcoming elections, and the impact of government decisions on the construction industry.
Targeted grassroots advocacy is a key component of this work. Through ABC Action, the chapter’s centralized grassroots advocacy platform, members are empowered to take an active role in advancing the merit shop philosophy. A dedicated section of the ABC South Texas website provides direct access to grassroots alerts, information on the ABC Action App, links to the National Action Center, and local and state political resources. These tools support coordinated letter-writing campaigns, phone outreach, legislative visits, and strategic fundraising efforts that amplify member engagement and support pro-construction candidates and policies.
In addition, ABC South Texas takes a comprehensive approach to government affairs by defending the interests of the merit-based construction industry at the local, state, and national levels. This includes monitoring the actions of regulatory agencies and special interest groups, responding when necessary, and safeguarding our members’ ability to operate their businesses freely and competitively.
A central focus of our advocacy efforts is educating Texas lawmakers on the vital role merit shop contractors play in strengthening the state’s economy. By highlighting the industry’s contributions and providing clear, consistent grassroots engagement opportunities, our team helps ensure that public policy supports growth, opportunity, and a strong future for South Texas and all Texans.
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Be the Voice That Drives Change
Your Voice Matters in Shaping South Texas Construction Policy
As a vital part of the South Texas construction community, your engagement plays an essential role in shaping the laws and policies that impact our industry. Whether you write letters, make phone calls, or meet with elected officials, every effort you make has the power to influence outcomes. Your representatives value hearing directly from you, and your input helps guide their understanding of the issues that matter most.
Your firsthand experiences bring a unique perspective that can shift viewpoints and drive meaningful change. By sharing how legislative decisions affect your company, your employees, and your community, you help create a more informed and responsive policymaking process. The ABC Action App makes it easy to tell your story and communicate with lawmakers who can act on your concerns. By using this tool, you ensure your voice is heard, strengthening advocacy efforts and contributing to a future shaped by the needs and values of South Texas contractors.
TAKE ACTION
ABC Action is a centralized, chapter-driven grassroots advocacy platform that empowers members to actively participate in ABC’s advocacy efforts while advancing the merit shop philosophy. Through a dedicated section of the chapter website, members can access grassroots alerts, learn how to use the ABC Action App, connect directly to the National Action Center, and find relevant local and state political resources. This integrated approach ensures members have the tools, information, and opportunities needed to engage consistently and meaningfully in grassroots advocacy at every level.
Uniting for Construction Progress
Championing Fair Policies and a Strong Future for South Texas Construction
ABC South Texas members recognize the many challenges the construction industry encounters, often driven by complex or burdensome government regulations. By working together with industry partners and the local community, we strive to help decision-makers understand how their policies affect the everyday lives of the professionals who build and support South Texas.
Advocating for Fair, Pro-Growth Policies
Our work spans a broad range of advocacy efforts, from supporting increased funding for state apprenticeship programs to opposing policies that unfairly disadvantage merit shop workers. We also champion legislation that empowers local governments to reject biased Project Labor Agreements. The ABC South Texas Government Affairs agenda is focused on strengthening our political influence, advancing the principles of the merit shop, and protecting free enterprise. We strive to create legislative and regulatory environments that reflect these values and promote fairness, opportunity, and sustainable growth for the construction industry.
PLAs: Limiting Fairness and Elevating Costs in Construction
What is a Project Labor Agreement (PLA)?
Project Labor Agreements: Unpacking Fairness, Costs, and Community Impact in Construction
Project Labor Agreements bring to light several critical issues in the construction industry related to fairness, cost, and community involvement. By prioritizing certain labor groups over others, PLAs have the potential to increase project costs, limit local employment opportunities, and impose undue restrictions on contractors and workers alike.
A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is a contentious type of agreement that can prevent contractors and their skilled workforce from participating in and securing construction projects. These agreements often bar workers from non-union, or “merit shop,” backgrounds from engaging in projects for which they are perfectly suited, leading to discrimination claims and unnecessary financial implications.
The Impact of PLAs on Construction Costs and Competition
PLAs are known to inflate the costs of construction projects by eliminating the healthy competition that typically leads to more favorable pricing and quality. By favoring certain labor groups, these agreements can increase project expenses significantly, estimates suggest by 10-30%, due to reduced competition.
Exclusion of Non-Union Workers and Apprenticeships
PLAs often exclude skilled workers, veterans, and those enrolled in state-recognized apprenticeship programs not affiliated with unions, denying them critical on-the-job training opportunities. This exclusion impacts individual career paths and affects family and community stability.
Key Statistics and Considerations
With a significant portion of the construction workforce operating outside of unions, PLAs that require a union-only labor force have many projects to bypass the local workforce entirely. This exclusionary approach disadvantages the majority of local contractors and small businesses, leading to higher costs for public projects funded by taxpayers. It also imposes restrictions on worker choice regarding union membership, benefits, and pensions.
