Our History

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The Pelican Chapter, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. was incorporated in April 1980 from the growth of the merit shop in Louisiana and the need to adequately address the needs of the merit shop construction industry throughout the state. The Pelican Chapter, ABC has developed into a diverse, non-profit trade association of contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and industry professionals who have joined together to advance the construction industry by aggressively supporting the merit shop and the free enterprise philosophies. The Pelican Chapter, ABC has more than 300 members and represents 52 parishes in Louisiana.

​In 1980, the compelling desire of several forward thinking Baton Rouge contractors was to work in a construction environment free of interference from excessive governmental regulations and free of the non-productive work rules of organized labor. These gentlemen believed that the Merit Shop Philosophy of operating a business should apply to the construction industry. Simply put, that contractors should be rewarded on the merits of their hard work and in turn their employees should also be awarded on the merits of their effort.

A. Hays Town, Jr., Lane Grigsby, and Richard Gill along with Gary Anderson and E.C. Shaffer joined the New Orleans Chapter of a national group founded in Baltimore in the 1950’s. Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. was started by a like-minded group of persons who also believed in the Merit Shop Philosophy. This relationship grew into what is now a nationwide association of over 21,000 member firms. The Pelican Chapter, ABC is one of 69 chapters that espouse the Merit Shop Philosophy. The same principles that compelled the founding members to take action hold true today and have served the association and its members well.

Gone today are many of the distinct battles that drew these men together; right-to-work, job site violence, prevailing wage, unfair licensing practices and many more. Tomorrow and each day thereafter is a new day that brings new challenges; project labor agreements, insurance reforms, employee training and welfare, safety initiatives and training, the list goes on!

We invite you to join ABC and take an active role in securing the success of your industry.

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Merit Shop

Merit shop is a way of doing business in which companies reward employees based on performance and encourage them to reach their highest level of achievement, and in which contracts are awarded based on safety, quality and value, regardless of labor affiliation.

Mission

To promote and protect the merit shop philosophy and the principles of the free enterprise system in the construction industry. The association will achieve the mission by enhancing the image of the construction industry and by providing craft training, political influence, and business opportunities for all of our members. We will be positioned so that others seek us out for our position on construction-related industry issues and opportunities.

Vision

As an association of diverse businesses that derive their livelihood from the construction industry, ABC will have a proactive focus on being an influential association promoting the merit shop philosophy and the principles of free enterprise.

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The Merit Blueprint

To read more about ABC Pelican's goals for the next 5 years, view the 2017-2022 Strategic Plan.