Contact: David G. Greineder, IOM
Director of Government Affairs
(717) 653-8106 or davidg@abcpa.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 20, 2020
(HARRISBURG, PA.) This statement can be attributed to the five chapters that make up the Associated Builders and Contractors of Pennsylvania (“ABC PA”): Central Pennsylvania Chapter; Cumberland Valley Chapter; Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter; Keystone Chapter; and Western Pennsylvania Chapter.
There is no doubt the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic has disrupted and impacted our daily lives and measures are needed to limit the spread. The construction industry has been doing our part in sharing information, resources, and best practices. Many of our members build the supply chain for the very ‘life-sustaining businesses’ that are required to remain open.
ABC PA calls on Governor Wolf to provide further clarification and grant a waiver for the construction industry at-large. “There is no greater time for our government leaders to provide clear guidance to the business community,” said Joe Perpiglia, ABC Eastern Chapter President & CEO. “The Governor’s order created chaos and confusion at a time when we need the opposite.”
“Shutting down construction work in Pennsylvania is unprecedented and will severely impact our economy,” said Dave Sload, ABC Keystone Chapter President-CEO. “We need to find a reasonable balance between mitigating the health crisis and continue the essential services the construction industry provides to the community.
“The lack of an end date creates such uncertainty among contractors,” said Pete Gum, ABC Western Chapter President. “At a minimum, the Governor needs to amend his order to include an end date.”
“Our members’ main concern is certainly the well-being of their employees,” said Marianne Hazel, ABC Central Chapter President. “The guidelines and communication flowing from the Department of Health have been very clear and helpful. In fact, our association has passed along these resources during this pandemic. We ask the Governor to follow suit and provide us with clarity on the executive order.”
The construction industry provides family sustaining wages that are greatly needed during this time in our history. We again call on the Governor to bring certainty in this uncertain time.
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ABC PA is comprised of five regional chapters. Our mission is to defend free enterprise in the construction industry. ABC PA represents nearly 1,400 member companies and approximately 67,000 employees. We serve as the voice of the merit shop.
