On April 25th, Ryan Sarna attended the California Apprenticeship Conference in San Diego. Conference attendees included multiple unions, association and elected officials. During the conference, there were multiple sessions that focused on pre-apprenticeship for high schools and middle schools that discussed information on the successes of pre-screening for pre-apprenticeship programs, as well as what type of space and finances are needed for a school to start and maintain a pre-apprenticeship program. The conference also boasted several guest speakers; one of the guest speakers presented on the decreasing number of apprentices in our country and suggested that unions need to organize a “cross party” political movement in order to gain wide support for apprenticeships.
**Note, the picture shows Ryan Sarna volunteering to demonstrate an arch blast suit for NFPA-70E.
With the continuing labor shortage and new worker classifications, many NECA contractors are spending more time in the recruiting/interviewing role than ever before. Additionally, this function is moving down the ladder, away from the HR professionals, with superintendents and supervisors being asked to keep an eye for potential new hires to build up the work force.
The key to making a good hire, to finding the most qualified workers and placing them in the most appropriate position, is to ask questions. But asking questions has become a tricky issue within the hiring process, as the entire hiring process has become extremely complicated and regulated. Those in your company whose duties regularly include interviewing applicants obviously need to be trained to recognize and follow legal requirements. But every employee who could be in the position of representing the employer in the hiring process, such as a foreman approached on a job site by someone looking for a job, needs to have a clear understanding of what to say, what to ask, and what not to ask.
To help guide contractors and chapters through these questions and the entire hiring process, NECA’s attorneys have developed a Recommended Hiring Guide and a Separate Summary Overview that are available on the NECA website. These documents are an outline of issues related to the hiring process. They cannot be considered comprehensive enough to cover every situation and question and we recommend that you seek competent legal counsel to assure that your hiring practices comply with applicable federal, state and local law.
Effective June 1, 2018, increases for many of our Agreements were allocated. To view updated cost data sheets, please visit the Labor Agreements section of the NorCal NECA Website.
NECA, together with the ELECTRICAL TRAINING alliance and representatives from the IBEW, developed a guide to the major changes in the 2018 edition of NFPA 70E The Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. The 2018 Significant Changes to NFPA 70E (Index #5015-18) and the digital resource kit (5015-18RK) is available for purchase at www.necastore.com.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) announces the release of its Vision 2020 Task Force final report. The task force, initiated by former NECA President David Hardt, identified coming opportunities and challenges critical to the association’s success and established a roadmap to position NECA to best serve and support their members’ future success. Click here to download the full report.
NECA National’s newly elected President, David Long has set aside time in his busy schedule to visit our members on June 11, 2018 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the ZNE Center in San Leandro. David Long is the President of Miller Electric in Jacksonville, Florida and was a driving force in implementing the Construction Electrician/Construction Wireman program. Since his election as our national President, he has been busy forming his vision for the future of the union electrical industry. President Long’s mission statement is Sustainable-Viable-Imaginable – Empowering Lives and Communities. Several of you heard President Long speak recently at our District IX Meeting in Maui. His message is worth hearing again, and definitely a must for all of our Chapter members. President Long will discuss pension reform efforts, manpower needs and greater use of sub-classifications, portability, field leadership training and other topics of concern. He will also challenge all of you to grow your businesses.
You won’t want to miss President Long’s unique style of delivery and his message from “one contractor to another.” He in turn wants feedback from NECA members from around the country. Lunch will be served and there will be time for questions and answers as well. Click here to view President Long’s speech at the IBEW Construction Conference.
Legislation authorizing two congestion pricing demonstration projects in Northern California and two in Southern California has been set for hearing. The bill would define “congestion pricing” to mean the assessment of a charge on motor vehicles using local streets and roads in a participating jurisdiction and the change could vary based on the time of day or the day of the week. The potential cost to contractors and the impact on construction vehicles ability to move freely within city areas has made this bill a priority oppose measure. If your company does work in major markets like Los Angeles, Oakland, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose or Stockton, we request you submit an opposition letter on your company letterhead today.
A draft opposition letter is attached for your use. Please fax copies to the numbers listed on the letter next to the addressee and those cc’d. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Politico Office directly at (916) 444-3770.
Negotiations for the Local 684 Inside Construction Agreement concluded with a Joint Recommended Settlement approved by the members of Local Union 684. The three-year agreement will commence on June 1, 2018, with a $1.05 increase allocated as follows:
- $1.00 to the Wage
- $0.05 to the LMCT
Future increases include $1.25 effective December 1, 2018; $2.50 effective June 1, 2019; and $2.50 effective June 1, 2020. Click here to see the updated Cost Data Sheet for IBEW Local Union 684.
Please contact Ryan Sarna should you have any questions.
Protecting workers on the job is not only a moral imperative and a legal obligation; it also makes good business sense. That’s why dozens of NECA contractors are being recognized this week for their understanding work and ongoing dedication to safety in the workplace through NECA’s Safety Achievement programs for Zero-Injury and Safety Excellence.
This honor is given to NECA member companies that consistently have lower than industry standard OSHA recordable injury and fatality rates and have implemented internal company safety practices above and beyond basic compliance.
Congratulations to the following NorCal NECA Chapter Member on being recognized for their Zero-Injury and Safety Excellence in 2017!
- Long Electric Company
- Morrow Meadows
- PDE Total Energy Solutions
Click here to view other winners.
On March 23rd, President Trump signed H.R. 1625, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018. This piece of legislation is commonly referred to as an “omnibus” and provides all discretionary funding for the federal government for the remaining fiscal year. The bill contains the full legislation and funding for all the 12 annual Appropriations bills:
- Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration
- Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies
- Defense
- Energy and Water Development
- Financial Services and General Government
- Homeland Security
- Interior, Environment and Related Agencies
- Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
- Legislative Branch
- Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies
- State, Foreign Operations and Related Agencies
- Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies
In addition to the 12 sections, it includes a number of policy riders, which authorize action unrelated to funding. It totals $1.3 trillion and was 2,330 pages long. Click here to read a NECA-Developed document which provides member-contractors with an overview of the bill and summarizes pertinent information.
