We believe the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) can help your company pursue its objectives and improve its bottom line. We know the unique issues facing New Mexico contractors and have the strength of the ABC national organization behind us.
Our mission is to advance Merit Construction in New Mexico. Members commit to this mission by pursuing the following goals together:
- Providing quality member benefits, leading to increased involvement in ABC
- Pursuing an aggressive legislative program and political action plan
- Training current and future members of the construction workforce
- Promoting industry strength
- Enjoying special events and business development programs that give Merit Contractors the opportunity to network and have fun at the same time.
ABC is unique among construction associations. It is the only construction association that is philosophically-based and that brings all members of the construction team to the table as equals, be they general contractors, specialty contractors, suppliers, or associated services.
ABC works to anticipate and respond proactively to member needs. As a result, the ABC package of member benefits is constantly evolving and improving.
ABC produces a biweekly newsletter, Matters, that updates members about ABC activities, education and training news, reports on developments in business and government, and other topics that help keep our members informed. We intentionally keep the newsletter short.
ABC organizes regular lunch meetings so members can exchange ideas and learn from experts. Often, the topic of the “learning over lunch” program is prompted by a member expressing a need for industry-specific information.
ABC also offers members the ability to participate in state and national safety agreements and award programs that recognize companies for their commitment to excellence. ABC has its own national safety awards program. Members are also eligible to participate in the national safety awards program run by the Construction Users Roundtable. ABC also has agreements with both the federal and state OSHA, under which qualified companies are exempt from routine OSHA inspections and receive “the benefit of the doubt” in cases where a problem is identified. Additionally, members have the opportunity to participate in ABC’s National Accredited Quality Contractor program.
For information on ABC’s countless other programs and services, we encourage you to visit ABC’s national web site at www.abc.org.
ABC is an outspoken advocate of free enterprise and choice in the construction industry. We are guided by a fundamental belief in the merit philosophy, whereby individuals and companies are rewarded on the basis of what they contribute and achieve, not on the basis of whether they choose to participate in a labor union or similar organization. This philosophy leads some to mis-characterize ABC as “anti-union.” This is regrettable – ABC is not anti-union; ABC is equally committed to defending the rights of union contractors to choose how they wish to operate.
While ABC is not anti-union, we do strongly oppose union-endorsed tactics and policies that reduce choice and free enterprise in the construction industry. For example, we oppose union-only project labor agreements, seek repeal of the Davis-Bacon Act, and fight against salting abuses and frivolous National Labor Relations Board filings. In sum, ABC opposes laws and regulations that mandate employee relations and interfere with a company’s ability to do business.
Construction is the largest private industry in the United States. ABC envisions a future in which the industry receives the respect it justifiably has earned when it is once again recognized as a career of choice, not a job of last resort.
ABC New Mexico sponsors registered apprenticeship training programs in four trades – carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and sheet metal. The classroom portion of these programs is offered at CNM and is open to non-apprentices, including workers who need to advance their skills in just one or two areas. ABC’s training programs have been accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and rely on the nationally-accepted Contren curriculum. Graduates of ABC’s Apprenticeship Program receive an official Certificate of Completion as a trained journeyman from the State of New Mexico. Through an agreement with CNM, graduates are also eligible for significant credit toward their associate’s degree in construction technology.
ABC offers safety training and a highly regarded 16-hour leadership class for foremen and supervisors. ABC supports college level training by annually sponsoring a $3,000 three-year scholarship. ABC is also a partner with Job Corp of New Mexico.
ABC members like to do business with other ABC members. ABC facilitates this through regular events and frequent sponsorship and advertising opportunities. By member request, most ABC member meetings take place over lunch, but we also have four or five special evening functions during the year. The annual Golf Tournament, Trap Shoot, Holiday Party, and PAC Dinner is all part of the networking and fun that ABC members enjoy.
Many ABC members also benefit from national networking activities. With 79 chapters and 24,000 members nationwide, the ABC community is a great source for business leads. If you have not already checked out ABC’s national contractor referral web site, please do so at www.findcontractors.com.