PRICES FOR CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS DIP AGAIN IN MARCH: Construction materials prices fell for the sixth consecutive month, slipping 0.6 percent in March, according to the April 14 producer price index (PPI) report by the U.S. Department of Labor.  Construction input prices have fallen 1.9 percent since last year.  “Construction input prices have now slipped into negative territory on a year-over-year basis,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.  “This is significant because it provides potential relief to profit margins that continue to be squeezed by the weak economy and fierce pricing competition between firms.  For the first time in recent memory, bids on many publicly financed projects are coming in below budgetary expectations, a reflection of retreating producer prices, as many firms search for revenues in the hope to rebuild their construction backlogs.”

Prices for fabricated structural metal products continue to drop – down 0.8 percent compared to February – but are still 4.6 percent higher than a year ago.  Prices for plumbing fixtures and fittings inched up 0.3 percent in March and are up 1.8 percent from a year ago.  Nonferrous wire and cable prices increased for the first time since July 2008, rising 1.1 percent from last month, but remain 23.5 percent below March 2008.  Softwood lumber prices continue to tumble, down 3.5 percent compared to February and down 11.3 percent on a year-over-year basis.  Prices for asphalt felts and coatings climbed 4.4 percent from February and are 60.3 percent higher than March 2008.  After posting an 8.5 percent decrease compared to February, crude energy prices rose 1.6 percent in March due to a 30 percent increase in crude petroleum prices.

“The implication from today’s data is that the recession remains ongoing and will continue to be reflected in producer prices in the months ahead,” Basu noted. “To many observers, it may be surprising that it required sixteen months of recession to bring construction input prices down on a year-over-year basis.  However, this decline in prices is consistent with widely accepted theories of price behavior.”  Overall, the nation’s wholesale prices fell 1.2 percent in March.  This is the largest year-over-year decline since 1950.

REGISTER NOW FOR ABC’S 2009 LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE: Registration is now open for the 2009 Legislative Conference to be held June 23-25 in Washington, D.C. Click here to register now.

Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with hundreds of construction colleagues in the nation’s capital and get the latest updates on critical issues affecting the construction industry, including the Employee Free Choice Act or “card check” legislation, business tax increases, energy policy, health care costs and union-only project labor agreements.  In addition, participations will hear insights and perspectives from congressional leaders and Washington insiders, including special guest speaker Brit Hume, senior political analyst for FOX News Channel. There will also be opportunities for attendees to go on coordinated visits to Congress and federal agencies to advance merit shop initiatives.

A special education session, “How to Effectively Lobby the Representatives in Your Region,” will provide attendees with tips and best practices for approaching regional legislators, identifying regional issues and analyzing regional representatives’ points of view.

Register by May 27 and take advantage of the early-bird discount! Visit www.abc.org/legcon for more information or to register.

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SPRING/SUMMER TRAINING SCHEDULE

Training Classes

Management & Safety Class Schedule

First Aid/CPR Classes

$50.00 each attendee – Member Price/$60.00 each attendee – Non-Member

Recertification only - $40.00 each attendee – Member Price/$50.00 each attendee – Non-Member Price

¨  May 5, 2009 – 7:00 – 11:00 a.m. – OMAHA

¨  May 27, 2009 – 7:00 – 11:00 a.m. – LINCOLN

¨  June 2, 2009 – 7:00 – 11:00 a.m. – OMAHA

¨  June 25, 2009 – 7:00 – 11:00 a.m. – LINCOLN

OSHA 10 Hour Class

OSHA requires a competent person on all job sites.  This course ensures that your people have the necessary training to comply with OSHA standards CFR 1926.32(f) for a competent person. Training includes OSHA Construction Standards CFR 29 1926, Scaffolds, Ladders and Stairways, Housekeeping, Personal Tools, Electrical Hazards, Fall Protection, Materials Handling, Hazardous Communications and much more!

**CFR 192 OSHA Regulations Book for the Construction Industry with new steel erection standards will be available for $25.00** each for class participants.

$135.00 each attendee – Member Price/$240.00 each attendee – Non-Member Price

¨  May 14, 2009 - 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – OMAHA

¨  May 21, 2009 - 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – LINCOLN

¨  June 17, 2009 - 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – LINCOLN

¨  June 24, 2009 - 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – OMAHA

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Omaha Classes are held at the Education Center, 2602 Harney Street, Omaha

Lincoln Classes are held at the Training Center, 830 Westgate Blvd., Lincoln

PLEASE DUPLICATE THIS FORM FOR MULTIPLE CLASSES

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Return Registration Form and Check Payable to Associated Builders & Contractors

830 Westgate Blvd., Lincoln, NE  68528    FAX 402-477-4522

Email-debh@abcnebraska.org