
Associated Builders and Contractors is the largest open shop construction trade association in the United States. The Southern California Chapter was founded on the belief of the free enterprise system and continues to support sound legislation in the areas of workers' compensation, safety and employment.

Glenn Rowden wins National Beam Club Award
ABC congratulates Southern California Chapter member Glenn Rowden of Champion Electric, Inc., for achieving Presidential Level status in ABC National's Beam Club. Presidential status is achieved by a members recruitment of 25 or more new members. The Beam Club was established in 1966 to recognize ABC's top membership recruiters for their commitment to growing the association.
STEP - A Merit-Based Program for the Merit Shop!
Established in 1989 by the ABC National Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) Committee, the Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) program was developed and written by contractors, for contractors. There is no charge for this service (unless you are applying for STEP Platinum), and your responses are strictly confidential. Applications have been mailed to ABC member companies and should be submitted to the local chapter by the end of March.
2009 STEP data shows STEP participants beat BLS national averages in a number of areas, leading to benefits both when bidding for business and negotiating insurance rates.
New for 2010 - apply online -
www.abc.org
ABC on the Move Some good news for ABC leadership in California: this week, the Merit Shop advanced “Operation Permanent Offense” in one city and stopped a union-backed apprenticeship requirement at a community college district.
Read more... The Riverside Community College District's 'Shameful' Vote The board pushed ahead with a sweeping new labor agreement last week, without giving the public -- or even board members -- a chance to understand the issue before the vote.
Read more...
Apprentices Available for New Programs
There are apprentices available in our 3 new programs, HVAC, Sheet Metal and Low Voltage. Stay in compliance and increase your bottom line using apprentices on your Public Works projects. Contact Sue Peterson for more information.
Pfizer Offers Free Prescriptions for Unemployed Americans For a limited time, Pfizer Inc., is offering an innovative patient assistance program to help eligible unemployed Americans and their families who have lost their health insurance maintain access to their Pfizer medicines. Learn more by visiting
Pfizer's website .
2010 Begins with More Nonresidential Construction Job Losses
"Since the recession began, the construction industry has lost nearly a quarter of all jobs, and, if anything, today's report indicates more jobs losses will follow." —ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu Read more...
For a free bidding and project lead tool, click on the link above.