About Us

Overview

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association representing nearly 23,000 chapter members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 68 Chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and 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 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 philosophy, within time making ABC the fastest growing association in the United States. Today, ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America’s business community and the merit shop construction industry.

Mission

ABC will continually strive to be the leading voice promoting free enterprise within the construction industry. ABC will promote and defend the merit shop philosophy. This philosophy encourages open competition and a free-enterprise approach to construction based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation.

We cover 12 counties in the State of Maryland – Anne Arundel, all of Southern MD, all of MD’s Eastern Shore.

Merit Shop Philosophy

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. is the voice of the merit shop in the construction industry. We accept the responsibility for making that voice heard. We believe the merit shop movement is a movement for the betterment of the individual… the construction industry… and the nation.

WE BELIEVE in the system of free enterprise.
WE BELIEVE 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.
WE BELIEVE the employer must have concern for the general welfare of the employee and that there must be a fair compensation for work performed. At the same time, we believe that the employee has an obligation for satisfactory performance of assigned work.
WE SUPPORT sound legislation in the areas of workers compensation, safety and unemployment compensation.
WE BELIEVE legislation that embraces fair play for employer and employee is essential to the preservation of our free enterprise system.
WE BELIEVE the law should protect the right of employees to work regardless of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin or membership or non-membership in a labor organization. We believe work opportunities should be made available to all legal residents and we support programs toward this end.
WE OPPOSE violence, coercion, intimidation and the denial of the rights of employees and employers.
WE BELIEVE it is incumbent upon all branches of government to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and we believe that government should award contracts only to the lowest responsible bidder. We oppose unjust pressure to violate these principles.
WE BELIEVE monopolies or any kind of price or wage fixing, in either the public or private sector, are detrimental to our system of free enterprise.
WE BELIEVE the destiny of all Americans can be best served by cooperation, reconciliation and following the tenants of free enterprise and a democratic government. We believe business leaders can best preserve these tenets by becoming active in politics and civic affairs.