The Merit Shop Spokesman Blog

A Message from the ABC Keystone Chair of the Board

Mid-Year Update on ABC Keystone

Back in February, I wrote about the growing trend for RCOs (Responsible Contractor Ordinances) that are popping up in municipalities throughout the Central PA region. Though potentially damaging to those municipalities, they have been isolated to date. ABC Keystone continues to track these isolated incidents and respond accordingly by attending public meetings and providing suggested modifications to the RCOs to make it fair for local trades to compete on public works projects in their communities. Our voices are being heard and we will continue to push back against the unfair and unjustifiable requirements…

August 14, 2023

Ask an Accountant: The Importance of Monitoring Overhead Rates During Inflation

Over the last couple of years, businesses across all industries – especially contractors – have dealt with rising employee and human capital costs and rapidly increasing input costs. Although inflation data is now below 5% for April 2023 and projected to decrease slightly in May 2023, those figures are still above the norms of the previous two or three decades.

July 10, 2023

Young Professionals Spotlight

Meet Jayne Katherman
Associate Attorney
Barley Snyder: Attorneys At Law

I am an attorney serving York and Lancaster counties in real estate, municipal, construction, and business law industries.

July 10, 2023

The Merit Shop Advocacy Update

Unfortunately, at the time of publication, there is the perfect storm of increased discussion for Responsible Contractor Ordinances (RCOs), little engagement with the construction community, and a rush to adopt them. While this has been happening in all aspects of local government, it is now happening at the state level with House Bill 1449 seeking to apply a less restrictive RCO on state-level projects, coincidentally sponsored by Representative Josh Siegel (D-Lehigh), who most recently was an Allentown City Council member and saw firsthand the problematic nature of RCOs through Allentown’s turbulent ordinance.

July 10, 2023

Message from the President CEO ABC Keystone March 2021

Celebrate Freedom!

This month we celebrate the July 4th holiday, or as the older generation knows it, “Independence Day.” For some, this is just another day off from work. But to many, it truly celebrates our freedom, freedom from oppression and tyranny to create a more perfect government. This day is recognized yearly in honor of the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Four months following that, our Constitution was produced. Both documents set us on a path to becoming the greatest country on earth…

July 10, 2023

RCOS 2.0

July 10, 2023

Meet Greg Goyden

I have been in the construction industry since 2005. Recruiting Caddies was founded to provide the best construction industry recruitment services, as other options are needed to produce desired results.

July 10, 2023

Ask an Attorney: Your Lawyer as a “Trusted Advisor” – A Guide For Construction Companies to Maximize Their Legal Counsel Investment

As construction is truly a team sport, a contractor’s success hinges on the contributions of all team members—the laborers and tradesman, the project managers and office personnel, c-suite executives, and, yes, the company’s lawyer. Too often, however, construction companies turn to counsel as a necessary expense, not an investment. A contractor’s lawyer, however, can improve a project’s bottom line in three key ways: contract review, project advising, and dispute resolution.

June 19, 2023

Young Professionals Perspective

In the last couple of years, almost every company has experienced or is currently struggling to attain and retain talent. Right now, across the United States, there is a labor shortage in which there are about two jobs available for every person looking. Even if you find talent, employees jump from company to company for better pay and benefits. Offering higher wages is a clear first step to finding and keeping talent, but it has limitations to maintaining profit margins attractive and bids competitive. Another solution to this problem is utilizing or starting your company’s retirement plan, especially with the passing of the SECURE Act 2.0.

June 19, 2023

Meet Tricia Paniagua

June 19, 2023

The Merit Shop Advocacy Update

While it looks like the plane is being built while it’s climbing up in the air, legislators in the state capitol are beginning to move their agenda after a slow start. At the time of writing this article, we have seen bills supported by unions move from the House to the Senate – one to enshrine the right to organize in the Pennsylvania Constitution (and bar state legislators from passing future bills related to employer/employee relations) and another that attempts to address misclassification of employees.

June 19, 2023

Take Time to Recharge

On Thursday, May 25, 98 apprentices will graduate from the ABC Keystone Apprenticeship program, marking a milestone in each one of their careers. Graduates will be representing 42 different companies across seven various trade programs (carpentry, construction craft laborer, electrical, heavy equipment operator, HVAC, plumbing, and sheet metal). What an extraordinary achievement for each of these individuals! Reaching this milestone doesn’t happen without hard work, dedication, drive, and commitment to their trade.

June 19, 2023

The Merit Shop Advocacy Update

There is an important election in Pennsylvania coming in May. On May 16, Pennsylvania will have its Primary Elections for municipal offices throughout the Commonwealth, leading to an important General Election in the fall. While this may not get as much hot attention as electing a president or a potential special election for a state House of Representatives seat that could tip the widely known narrow majority in that chamber, it’s crucial.

May 9, 2023

Time to Grow Our Leadership

Get Into Politics or Get Out of Business…
This phrase was coined by an early ABC Freedom Fighter to help members understand the value of being engaged in order to protect your business. As ABC’s history has evolved, at times we believe we are making progress. As a result, we tend to let off the gas and become complacent. If you are not aware you and your businesses are under attack.

May 9, 2023

Message from the Chair: ABC’s Commitment to Training Tomorrow’s Workforce

May 9, 2023

The Latest Chapter News from ABC Keystone