NLBMDA UPDATE
NLBMDA Radar:
Four industry issues for 2022 By Andy Carlo As 2021 draws to a close, the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) has its eyes on a series of topics that weigh on its dealer members and the industry. The past year has provided pricing volatility in lumber and building materials, a growing labor shortage, and home prices that continue to rise. And that’s just the beginning.
Here’s a look at four issues the NLBMDA is tracking for 2022:
1
Vaccination Requirements: When first announced this past September, the NLBMDA almost immediately opposed the Biden Administration’s plan for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to set an Emergency Temporary Standard that would require COVID vaccinations. According to the plan, workforces with 100 or more employees would be required to be vaccinated with those unvaccinated facing weekly testing.
Company’s not following the plan would face stiff fines. While the policy is not dead, it has since been suspended due to legal challenges. The U.S. Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit ordered the mandate be halted until further notice. The vaccination standard continues to lurk, however.
2
Softwood Lumber Agreement: The NLBMDA has continued to call for renewed talks between the United States and Canada for the sake of implementing a new softwood lumber agreement. In August, the NLBMDA
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER
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