ABC of Michigan News Releases

ABC of Michigan Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 11, 2020 CONTACT: Jimmy E. Greene 517.853.2545     [email protected] Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan is excited to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, a nationwide celebration that brings together business leaders, career seekers, labor, educational institutions, and other critical partners to demonstrate their support for apprenticeship. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared the week of November 8-14 Michigan Apprenticeship Week, and we're proud to acknowledge ABC apprentices and celebrate with her.  Statewide, ABC of Michigan is undertaking an aggressive messaging campaign to recruit talent throughout the state for merit shop contractors.  "We believe there are many underemployed citizens in Michigan who simply don't know how to begin the pathway to a career in the skilled trades, and we're determined to change that," said Jimmy Greene, president of ABC of Michigan. "Our local chapters ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC of MICHIGAN PAC ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENTS FOR NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      September 2, 2020                                                                    Contact: Jimmy Greene 517-853-2545 – [email protected]   ABC of MICHIGAN PAC ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENTS FOR NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION LANSING, MI – The Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan Political Action Committee is pleased to announce ... Read the rest of entry »

Jimmy Greene Named President of ABC of Michigan

Jimmy Greene Named President of ABC of Michigan  Breanna George Promoted to Vice President LANSING, MI- The Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan today announced the hiring of Jimmy Greene as the organization’s new President and the promotion of Breanna George to ABC of Michigan Vice President.  Greene previously served as President and CEO of the Greater Michigan Chapter of ABC. George has been with ABC of Michigan for 5 years, serving the last 2 ½ as Deputy Director. “ABC of Michigan is thrilled to welcome Jimmy Greene to this exciting new role fighting for free enterprise and Michigan’s hardworking craft tradespeople,” said Robert Clancy, Chairman of the ABC Michigan Board of Directors, and owner of Robert Clancy Contracting. “Jimmy is a remarkable leader with a long track record of delivering results for Michigan workers. “Breanna George has spent years working on critical reforms that put workers first, and her leadership is ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Michigan Statement on Court Victory: Court of Claims Strikes Down Whitmer E.O.s’ Hijacking of MIOSHA Enforcement Rules

LANSING, MI- The Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan state director Jeff Wiggins provided the following statement today, after the Court of Claims handed Michigan workers a significant legal victory.  Following a lawsuit by ABC Michigan and others, the Court struck down portions of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s recent executive orders hijacking the Michigan Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (MIOHSA) enforcement mechanisms, threatening job sites with unfair punishments and charges for good faith efforts to follow COVID-19 safety requirements: “The Court defended Michigan workers today, striking down Governor Whitmer’s attempt to weaponize MIOHSA and other state departments against safe jobsites that are taking good faith precautions to combat COVID-19.  This Court of Claims decision allows more than 100,000 craft trades professionals to continue operating safely without the threat of multiple, arbitrary, and significant fines or other MIOHSA pena ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Michigan Files Lawsuit to Protect Workers, Businesses from Weaponized State Agencies

New Constitutional Questions Raised About Denying Citizens Input on Workplace Safety Issues in the Administrative Rule-Making Process LANSING, MI- The Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan is among plaintiffs filing suit in Michigan’s Court of Claims to protect Michigan workers and safe construction sites from state departments weaponized by Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s recent executive actions. In the early days of the COVID-19 public health crisis, Michigan’s builders and contractors pioneered and implemented proven work-safe plans to protect the state’s more than 100,000 craft trade professionals and to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Michigan workers on these job sites have followed the rules, they’ve followed the science, they’ve taken the precautions, and they are working safely. They have returned to work safely to provide for their families and build Michigan’s future. Unfortunately, Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders 96 a ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC OF MICHIGAN PAC ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENTS FOR AUGUST PRIMARY ELECTION

LANSING, MI – The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Michigan Political Action Committee (PAC) is pleased to announce the endorsements of several candidates running in the August Primary Election for the Michigan House of Representatives.  “Michigan’s construction workforce, now more than ever, is looking for leaders who will defend freedom in the marketplace, promote fair and open competition, and help foster an environment where our communities can thrive,” said Jeff Wiggins, spokesman for ABC of Michigan PAC. “The candidates endorsed by the ABC of Michigan PAC embody these characteristics, and we stand firmly by our endorsement of them.” The following House candidates have received the endorsement of ABC of Michigan PAC: District 19 – Martha Ptashnik District 20 – John Lacny District 24 – William Revoir District 25 – Adam Wiley District 32 – Representative Pamela Hornberger District 38 – Chase Turner Distr ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Michigan: Senate Right to Stand Up Against Bullies, Unprecedented Mandate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        Contact: Jeff Wiggins, State Director January 22, 2020                                                                     248-255-1052 - [email protected] ABC Michigan: Senate Right to Stand Up Against Bullies, Unprecedented Mandate LANSING, MI- Jeff Wiggins, State Director of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, today, praised members of the state Senate for approving Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, a move to fight back against so-called labor peace agreements. Rules proposed by the Whitmer administration to govern the licensing of marijuana-related businesses would institute the agreeme ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC of Michigan PAC Endorses Shane Hernandez for 10th Congressional District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Contact: Jeff Wiggins 517-853-2545 – [email protected] November 20, 2019 ABC of MICHIGAN PAC ENDORSES SHANE HERNANDEZ FOR 10TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LANSING, MI – Today, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan Political Action Committee announced their endorsement of Shane Hernandez for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District. “Shane Hernandez has a record of fighting for the hardworking people of the construction industry,” said Jeff Wiggins, spokesman for ABC of Michigan PAC. “Free enterprise principles and the idea that everyone should be allowed to compete for work openly and fairly are part of the foundation of this country. Shane Hernandez is the kind of public servant that Michigan families deserve who will stand up and defend these principles in our nation’s capital.” ABC of Michigan PAC is an independent political action committee dedicated to ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC of Michigan PAC Endorses John James for U.S Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  CONTACT: Jeff Wiggins-State Director 517-853-2545 – [email protected] November 19, 2019 ABC of MICHIGAN PAC ENDORSES JOHN JAMES FOR U.S. SENATE LANSING, MI – Today, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan Political Action Committee announced their endorsement of John James for the United States Senate in 2020. “Tried and tested leaders are needed in Washington, D.C. to stand up and defend the free enterprise principles that we, as Americans, hold dear,” said Jeff Wiggins, spokesman for ABC of Michigan PAC. “John James has a proven record of promoting these principles in the business world, as well as defending the foundational freedoms we cherish through his service in the military. James will be an excellent addition to the United States Senate.” ABC of Michigan PAC is an independent political action committee dedicated to supporting candidates that value and promote the benefits of ... Read the rest of entry »

Governor Whitmer Forces Road Workers to Pay for Benefits They Don’t Receive

Governor Whitmer Forces Road Workers to Pay for Benefits They Don’t Receive Whitmer Hits Workers’ Paychecks to the Tune of $29 Per Hour, While Slashing Road Funding FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2019 CONTACT: Jeff Wiggins, State Dicrector 248-255-1052 [email protected] LANSING, MI- Jeff Wiggins, State Director of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan today criticized Governor Gretchen Whitmer for eliminating a common sense provision approved by the House and Senate to prevent contractors doing business with the state from mandating road workers pay into benefit plans in which they do not participate and from which they would not benefit:   “Governor Whitmer late last night launched an absurd attack on Michigan’s road workers, forcing many to pay up to $29 an hour into benefit funds in which they do not participate. Whitmer’s move to hit workers’ paychecks will inflate the price of road projects at the same time she is ... Read the rest of entry »