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About ABC

Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association representing more than 23,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 67 Chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. ABC's membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors.

  • ABC is the merit shop construction industry's voice with the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government and with state and local governments, as well as with the news media.
  • ABC's mission is the advancement of the merit shop construction philosophy, which encourages open competition and a free-enterprise approach that awards contracts based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation.
  • Through its national and chapter offices, ABC's objective is to provide its members with an organization to deal with issues on an industry-wide basis.

ABC's activities include government representation, legal advocacy, education, workforce development, communications, technology, recognition through national and chapter awards programs, employee benefits, information on best practices, and business development through an online contractor search directory.

ABC was founded in 1950 when seven contractors gathered in Baltimore, Md., to create an association based on the shared belief that construction projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and responsible low bidders. The courage and dedication of those seven contractors helped to quickly spread the merit shop. Today, ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America's business community and the merit shop construction industry.

Our Mission

Associated Builders and Contractors will provide the best training, government and legal representation, and programs to ensure members a competitive advantage, add value to the industry's clients, promote a safe work place and enhance the lives of the industry's employees.

Our Vision

ABC Alaska will be the voice of the construction industry; championing the ideals of free enterprise, developing training for the workforce and providing contractors the resources required to compete in the ever changing environment.

 

 

Merit Shop Philosophy

Associated Builders and Contractors of Alaska will be the voice of the construction industry, advocating the ideals of the free enterprise, developing training for the workforce and providing contractors the resources required to compete in the ever changing environment.

We believe...

  • In the system of free enterprise.
  • Employees and employers should have the right to determine wages and working conditions, through either individual or collective bargaining, as they choose, within the boundaries of the law.
  • The employer must have concern for the general welfare of the employee and that there must be a fair condensation for work preformed, By the same token, we believe that the employee has an obligation for satisfactory performance of assigned work.
  • Work opportunities in this nation should be made available to all of our people, regardless of race, color, creed, age, sex or national origin, and we support programs toward this end.
  • Monopolies or any kind of price or wage fixing in either the public or private sector are detrimental to our system of free enterprise.
  • The destiny of all Americans can best be served by cooperation, reconciliation and following the tenets of free enterprise and democratic government.
  • We believe business leaders can best preserve these tenets by becoming active in politics and civic affairs.
  • We support sound legislation in the areas of workers compensation, safety and unemployment compensation. We believe legislation that embraces fair play for both employer and employee is essential to the preservation of our free enterprise system. The law should protect the right of employees to work regardless of race, color, creed, age, sex or membership or non-membership in a labor organization.
  • We oppose violence, coercion, intimidation, and the denial of the rights of workers or those in management.
  • The economy is incumbent upon all branches of government and that government should award contracts only to the lowest responsible bidder, We oppose any unjust pressure to violate these principles.
  • Work opportunities in this nation should be made available to all of our people, regardless of race, color, creed, age, sex or national origin, and we support programs toward this end.
  • Monopolies or any kind of price or wage fixing in either the public or private sector are detrimental to our system of free enterprise.
  • The destiny of all Americans can best be served by cooperation, reconciliation and following the tenets of free enterprise and democratic government.
  • We believe business leaders can best preserve these tenets by becoming active in politics and civic affairs.