At its annual convention Sept. 16 in Pittsburgh, the AFL-CIO has passed a resolution that urges the carpenters' union to re-affiliate with the organized labor umbrella organization and also sets in motion a process to allow member building trades unions to compete with it in recruiting unaffiliated workers. The carpenters' left the AFL-CIO fold in 2005. Resolution 70, passed unanimously, urges the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, with more than 500,000 members, to end its "go it alone policy," which the document termed "inconsistent with the principles of solidarity" and a "detriment" to union construction. The resolution also urges
Balfour Beatty plc, the U.K.-based global construction giant, announced on Sept. 17 it would acquire U.S. engineering stalwart Parsons Brinckerhoff, New York City, for $626 million. The deal, which officials say would keep 13,000-employee PB intact as a wholly owned subsidiary, is still subject to approval by shareholders of both firms. Photo: Balfour Beatty Ian Tyler of Balfour Beatty Related Links: Balfour Beatty's News Release The Numbers Behind Balfour Beatty's Centex Deal The acquisition, to be financed mainly by Balfour Beatty selling its own shares to existing investors, is due for completion late next month. About 5,000 PB shareholders will
Balfour Beatty plc, the U.K.-based global construction giant, announced Sept. 17 that it would acquire US engineering stalwart Parsons Brinckerhoff, New York City, for $626 million. The deal, which officials say would keep 13,000-employee PB in tact as a wholly-owned subsidiary, is still subject to approval by shareholders of both firms. Ian Tyler, CEO of Balfour Beatty The acquisition, to be financed mainly by Balfour Beatty selling its owns shares to existing investors, is due for completion late next month. PB's 75 shareholders are set to vote on it Oct. 21. The deal fills business gaps for both firms. It
Ralph R. Peterson, who was set to retire next month as chairman of global project manager CH2M Hill Cos. after building the firm into a $6.5-billion, 25,000-person industry force, died late on Sept. 1 from complications of cancer. He had battled the disease for several years. He was set to turn 65 on Oct. 12. Peterson spent 44 years at CH2M Hill. "I will miss his intellect, his ability to deal with complex issues and his desire to help others succeed," company CEO Lee A. McIntire told employees in an internal email. "He was an industry icon." The former Bechtel
Contractor teams vying for the latest round of a long-term National Science Foundation contract—worth at least $2 billion to manage site logistics and science support for its huge polar research program in Antarctica—would like to hear from the agency soon about who the winner will be. But many of the contenders would just like to hear from the agency, period. Photo: National Science Foundation South Pole research facilities have grown since the 1960s, when site construction and logistics contractors were first hired. This photo shows the McMurdo station in Antarctica, but the research facility is on the polar plateau, where
Having employees climb three of New England’s highest mountains in 24 hours may not be how most construction industry firms hone team-building and leadership skills, but a London-based industry software provider is sponsoring just such an event next month. Organizers hope the “three peaks challenge” on Sept. 19-20 will replicate the success of a similar program in the U.K., that, since 2002, has raised a total of $3 million for global charities, not to mention the profile of its sponsor, Construction Industry Solutions Ltd. (COINS). Photo: COINS U.K. construction team celebrates after grueling 24-hour challenge. Photo: COINS Industry firms scale
Putting problem projects, corruption settlements and a bumpy association with Halliburton behind, KBR Inc. is trying to carve a new role as a global engineering and construction player, with a focus on energy and industrial megaprojects, said William P. Utt, chairman, president and CEO, in a wide-ranging interview with ENR editors. But he noted that the Houston-based firm is still committed to military and government support work even as it faces continuing questions related to work in Iraq. Photo: Tom Sawyer/ENR Utt: “ We are really a different KBR.” It has been two years since KBR was spun off from
Elliot G. "Lee" Sander, who ran New York City's huge transportation operation under former state Gov. Elliot Spitzer (D), is rejoining engineering giant AECOM Technology Corp. on Sept. 1, according to an internal company memo. His new position is managing director for global strategic initiatives. To be based in New York City, Sander will "develop and execute an integrated global strategy focused on new growth opportunities for AECOM in the world infrastructure market," says the memo. SANDER Sander resigned in May as CEO of the New York City region's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), reportedly under pressure by Gov. David Paterson
Virtual design and construction is gaining ground in the utilities markets because of its ability to speed large-scale planning and development of energy projects. Though current applications on projects have just begun to touch the full potential of the approach, experienced users are enthusiastic about the financial benefits of debugging a project by building it first on the computer. Photo: Mortenson Mortenson uses VDC to layer environmental data, old-stump locations and grading plans for wind farm-site optimization. Photo: Bentley Bentley’s Substation V8i aids distribution planners with data modeling. Related Links: Digital-Modeling Veterans Want Data for Life Cycles Building Information Modeling
In two months, hordes of would-be craft superintendents and construction CEOs will again descend on a unique training facility in Tempe, Ariz., to perfect skills in backhoe operation, bid preparation and workforce management, among other key industry tasks. These prospective managers may be only 4 ft tall and in elementary school, but they wield hardhats, solar panels, business plans and Palm Pilots like the seasoned professionals program boosters hope they choose to become. Slide Show Photo: Junior Achievement Of Arizona Inc. Unique Phoenix facility simulates craft and business challenges. The program is sponsored by the national Junior Achievement (JA) organization,