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Michigan Strives to Lower Workplace Injury in Targeted Industries

Oct 20, 2015 | Issues, Member News, Safety, Workplace Safety | 0 |

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) recently launched a Local Emphasis Program (LEP) targeting siding contractors and structural steel and pre-cast concrete contractors. This program is in response to a national increase in workplace injury and illness in these particular industries.

Ohio Apprentice Chase Owens wins International Bricklayer Competition

Oct 20, 2015 | Apprenticeship, Benefits, Conferences, Ohio Training Centers | 0 |

The game plan was simple for Chase Owens (Local 6 Ohio) – treat the competition just like any day on the job site.
Owens’ philosophy paid off as the restoration apprentice from Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 6 won the Pointer, Cleaner, Caulker (PCC) division of the 2015 BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest held at the John J. Flynn BAC/IMI International Training Center in Bowie, Md.

Long-Term Highway Bill Updates and Potential Impacts

Oct 13, 2015 | Issues, Members, Ohio Construction Legislation | 0 |

A short-term highway and transit patch expires on Oct. 29 and Congress is currently under pressure to enact legislation to reconcile a six-year $350 billion Senate-passed highway and transit bill (H.R.22). That bill would allocate $46 billion in general funds to the nearly insolvent Highway Trust Fund. There are currently discussions of a possible tax overhaul that could possibly finance the highway fund, however this overhaul is unlikely.

Investigation alleges fake welding certifications on Cincinnati stadium project

Sep 24, 2015 | Ohio Universities Construction, Safety | 0 |

A Cincinnati television station has uncovered a contractor using fake welding certifications on a major construction project at the University of Cincinnati.
Fox19 in Cincinnati uncovered false welding certifications turned in by Merit Erectors, Inc., a Cincinnati-based non-union subcontractor, who did some ironwork on the $86 million renovation of Nippert Stadium.

ACT Ohio Works to Establish a Building Trades Majority in Ohio’s Houses

Sep 24, 2015 | Member News, Ohio Construction Legislation | 0 |

Based on recent events in Columbus, it should not come as a surprise to many that construction unions and ACT Ohio have been donating money to Republican elected officials.
A Sept. 10 article appearing in the Columbus Dispatch reported that through the first half of 2015, the two largest political action committee donors to Ohio State Representatives and State Senators were the Laborers District Council of Ohio and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).

Marietta UA Apprentice Named International Welding Champion

Sep 22, 2015 | Apprenticeship, Ohio Training Centers | 0 |

Ohio is once again home to a champion.
Chris Miller, a pipefitter apprentice from UA Local 168 Marietta, brought home the title of International Welding Champion at the 2015 UA International Apprentice Contest held in Ann Arbor, Mich. in August.
With his victory, Miller joins a growing list of Ohio apprentices who have earned the title of UA International Champion, but it marked a first for his Local.

Northwest Building Trades Announce of Launch Nationwide Recruitment Campaign

Sep 18, 2015 | Construction News, Energy, Industries, Members, Oil & Gas Projects | 0 |

The Northwest Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council launched the first phase of an aggressive nationwide recruitment campaign.
Visitors to www.greatworkgreatlife.com can learn why Northwest Ohio offers traveling skilled construction workers both a great place to live and work.

ACT Ohio Opposes Issue 3

Sep 17, 2015 | Ohio Construction Legislation | 0 |

Ohio’s construction industry watchdog announced in a press release on Sept. 14 that it opposes Issue 3.
The next day, Matthew A. Szollosi, the Executive Director of ACT Ohio, appeared on the Jasen Sokol Show on 1590 WAKR-FM and discussed ACT Ohio’s decision to oppose Issue 3.
Szollosi discussed how ACT Ohio has spent millions of dollars ensuring their affiliated members are part of a drug-free workforce.

The Beginning of Labor Day

Sep 4, 2015 | Construction News, Education, Member News, Members | 0 |

While many will be celebrating Labor Day, and the extended weekend, with our families and union brothers and sisters, few know of the early history surrounding a day dedicated to the American workforce.

America’s Labor Day traces its roots back to 1872 in Canada. That year, workers disgusted with working conditions marched through the streets in Toronto. The Canadian Prime Minister saw the demonstration and realized the benefits of siding with the marchers. Eventually, the government’s law prohibiting unionization was repealed and the “Nine-Hour Movement” spread to the rest of Canada.

Ten Ohio Bricklayer Apprentices Compete at International Apprentice Contest.

Sep 1, 2015 | Apprenticeship, Members, Ohio Training Centers | 0 |

It is no secret Ohio’s Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers have a great training program.

In September, ten of their apprentices will prove to the rest of the country just how good a training program the Ohio-Kentucky OADC has in place.

Battling their way through local, state and regional competitions, ten apprentices are preparing to show off their skills and education, as they look to earn the title of National Champion at the BAC/IMI 2015 International Apprentice Contest, which will be held from September 11 and 12 at the John J. Flynn Center in Bowie, Maryland.