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Plumbers and Pipefitters to the Rescue in Flint, MI

Feb 4, 2016 | Community, Construction News, Member News, Members | 0 |

On Saturday, more than 300 unionized plumbers and pipefitters from across the country donated their time and expertise to residents in Flint, Michigan. The plumbers installed new faucets and water filters in an effort to provide clean drinking water.

Workers gathered at 7 a.m. at the UA Local 370 Union Hall in Flushing, Michigan to begin work. The effort was coordinated by the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry, and the fixtures were donated by the Plumbing Manufacturers International. Many Flint homes needed new faucets because older models were not made to accommodate filters. By the end of the day, the team had serviced 1,100 homes.

West Virginia House Votes to Repeal Prevailing Wage

Feb 1, 2016 | Issues, Member News, Prevailing Wage | 0 |

On January 27, the West Virginia House of Delegates voted 55-44 to repeal the state prevailing wage. Eight House Republicans voted alongside Democrats in opposition of repeal. The bill now moves to the Senate for approval.

Prevailing wage laws require construction workers be paid a certain wage and benefit rate on public construction projects to ensure fair competition and to support a highly skilled and trained workforce. Numerous peer reviewed studies over the past 10 years have concluded that prevailing wage does not drastically raise the cost of public construction and protects workers by employing contractors with better safety standards.

ACT Ohio Executive Director Appointed to State Medical Marijuana Task Force

Jan 27, 2016 | Member News | 0 |

Ohio State Representative Kirk Schuring will lead a bipartisan task force to evaluate if medical marijuana should be legalized in Ohio. ACT Ohio Executive Director, Matt Szollosi, accepted an invitation to be part of this task force. He joins fifteen other task force members, who will meet weekly at the statehouse until late March.

Executive Director Szollosi commented, “My focus will be on reviewing the scientific research and seeing if we can help people in a meaningful way through legislation. Finding a responsible way to assist those in need, and balancing that with a regulatory format that prevents abuse is critical.”

Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Increases in December, Construction Numbers Remain Strong

Jan 25, 2016 | Member News, Members | 0 |

According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio’s unemployment rate slightly increased in December to 4. 7%, compared to 4.5% last month. Last December, Ohio’s unemployment rate was 5.1%.The overall U.S. unemployment rate in December was 5.0%, a decrease from 5.6% in December 2014.

Despite, the overall increase in employment numbers statewide, manufacturing and construction industries saw growth of 3,200 and 500 more jobs respectively during the month of December. From December 2014 to December 2015, construction added 1,000 jobs in Ohio.

ACT Ohio Testifies in Opposition to House Bill 394

Jan 20, 2016 | Member News, Members, Ohio Construction Legislation | 0 |

ACT Ohio Executive Director Matt Szollosi testified again yesterday in the Ohio House of Representatives Insurance Committee, in opposition to House Bill 394 (“HB 394”). Mr. Szollosi’s testimony focused on how this legislation would harm both skilled construction professionals and the contractors they work for.

Background: HB 394 was introduced under the premise that Ohio needs a solvent unemployment compensation fund.

National Labor Relations Board Changes Have Positive Impact on Unions

Jan 12, 2016 | Member News | 0 |

In 2015, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) enacted new rules for representation election procedures. Prior to these changes, there was a lengthy time between when an election was scheduled and when it would occur. During this waiting period, many employers would run anti-union campaigns in an effort to intimidate voters. By shortening this time period, potential employer harassment and undue delay is minimized. These changes also codify best practices, as they create uniformity across regions.

A recent report entitled “Election Speed and the NLRB: How Unions Fare in the Representation Process,” details the results of this new process, and offers a statistical breakdown via industry.

U.S. Department of Labor Budget Includes a $2.2 Billion Apprenticeship Training Fund

Jan 5, 2016 | Apprenticeship, Benefits, Education, Member News, Ohio Training Centers | 0 |

On December 18th, 2015 the House and Senate passed a $ 1.1 trillion government spending package which President Obama signed into law.

The spending package will further fund the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”). The DOL will receive around a $215 million increase from last year, for a total budget of $12.2 billion. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board also secured necessary funding of $364.5 million and $274.2 million respectively.

New Partnership Should Result in Higher Cost to Workplace Safety Violators

Dec 28, 2015 | Issues, Labor-Management Cooperation, Member News | 0 |

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a new partnership earlier this month targeted at increasing the number of criminal prosecutions for workplace safety violations. These violations will be pursued under laws aimed at environmental hazards and fraud.

This partnership will likely result in harsher criminal penalties, because while the DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations result in misdemeanor convictions and minimal prison terms, violating environmental laws or committing fraud can result in felony convictions and multi-year prison terms.

Sheet Metal Workers Local 33 Lawsuit Results in Debarring of Ohio Contractor In 2014

Dec 22, 2015 | Construction News, Issues, Responsible Contracting | 0 |

In 2014, the Stark County Court of Common Pleas (“Court”) ruled that Courtad, Inc. (“Courtad”) intentionally violated Ohio’s Prevailing Wage Laws. Recently, the Ohio Supreme Court declined jurisdiction in the case, effectively affirming this 2014 ruling.

Courtad is an architectural metal specialist company located in Mantua, Ohio. Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 33 (“SMW Local 33”) brought suit against Courtad, claiming they violated state prevailing wage laws.

Hager Appointed to Help Mayoral Transition

Dec 11, 2015 | Ohio Construction Legislation | 0 |

Mayor-elect Andrew Ginther announced the nine members of his Mayoral Transition Advisory Council, including Dorsey Hager from the Central Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council. The Advisory Council will help guide the new administration during the first 100 day period.

When asked about his recent appointment, Hager remarked “I am honored and proud to serve on the Mayoral Transition Advisory Council. I look forward to using my extensive labor background to help guide the new administration in the first 100 days.”