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Kasich Names IBEW Apprentice Expert to State Workforce Board

Aug 18, 2015 | Apprenticeship, Construction Professionals, Ohio Construction Legislation, Ohio Training Centers | 0 |

Ohio Governor John Kasich recently named one of the state’s top apprentice advocates to the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board, an association of business leaders that forecast the skill needs of employers.

Stephen Lipster, Director of the Electrical Trades Center, received the appointment from Governor Kasich in July. The choice of Lipter to fill the Board’s vacancy is an important step for industries who rely on apprentices such as construction. If there is one person in the state who has the experience to advocate for apprenticeships, it is Lipster, who has been actively involved with apprenticeships since 1984.

Marietta Welding Apprentice Seeks International Title

Aug 6, 2015 | Member News | 0 |

An Ohio welding apprentice will soon get the chance to prove he is the best in the country at his trade during the upcoming UA International Apprentice Competition in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Chris Miller, 24, an apprentice of Marietta’s UA Local 168 and employee of Pioneer Pipe, Inc., is ready to take on the other best welding apprentices in the nation. He took home first place honors at the Ohio State Apprenticeship Contest in Toledo and the UA District 2 Contest in Indianapolis by displaying the best craftsmanship and high score on his written examinations.

Department of Labor Issues Employee Classification Memo

Jul 27, 2015 | Employee Misclassification | 0 |

In light of recent reports on employee misclassification, the Department of Labor issued a memo stating that most workers are considered employees through the broad definition of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA).
On July 15, the DOL released an Administrator’s Interpretation (No. 2015-1) regarding the factors that determine how to classify an employee or independent contractor. The DOL’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) continues to receive numerous complaints from workers who claim they are misclassified, especially as more states are addressing these issues locally with increased investigations and stricter penalties.

Reports Says Toledo Metro Area Leads State in Construction Jobs

Jul 9, 2015 | Construction News | 0 |

The Toledo metropolitan area is the state of Ohio’s hotbed for construction jobs, according to a report released by the Associated General Contractors of America.
The report tracked the number of people working in the construction industry from May 2014 to May 2015. During that time frame, the area added 1,300 new construction jobs, bringing its overall total to 13,600 construction jobs.

Employee Misclassification Costing Taxpayers Billions

Jul 6, 2015 | Employee Misclassification | 0 |

A June report by the Economic Policy Institute sheds much-needed light on a growing economic disturbance: employee misclassification.
Misclassification occurs when an employer deems a worker an independent contractor instead of a direct employee, which marks the worker as self-employed and responsible for paying their own taxes and insurance while ineligible to receive other benefits provided by the company.

Cleveland UA Apprentices Advance to National Competition

Jun 15, 2015 | Apprenticeship | 0 |

Two apprentices from Cleveland’s Pipefitters Local 120 earned first place at the 2015 UA Regional Apprenticeship contest held in Indianapolis earlier this month.
Apprentices Jim Primozic and Brian Price proved to be the region’s best of the best in the Pipefitting and Sprinklerfitting trades, respectively. The two displayed the best craftsmanship to go along with high scores on their written examination.

BAC Apprentices Display Superior Training During Regional Competition

Jun 9, 2015 | Member News | 0 |

The region’s top apprentices in four building and construction trades showed off their skills last weekend at the 2015 Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers/International Masonry Institute North Central Region Apprentice Contest in Batavia, Ohio.
In front of a supportive crowd at the Southern Ohio/Kentucky Regional Training Center, apprentices in the Cement, Marble, Pointer-Cleaner-Caulker (PCC), and Terrazzo fields went head-to-head, displaying their talent and knowledge of their chosen fields. The intense competition highlighted the vital importance of both superior training and an emphasis on safety in the building and construction trades.

Battle Brewing Over Proposed Toledo PLA Legislation

May 29, 2015 | Member News | 0 |

Toledo City Council members are divided over a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) ordinance.

This week, The Toledo Blade reported Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson tried to push through legislation mandating that construction projects that cost at least $100,000 and are funded solely by the city be subject to a PLA through the Northwest Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council.

UA Local 776 Earns National Recognition

May 22, 2015 | Member News | 0 |

A recent UA Journal article recognized the second smallest UA local in Ohio for their exemplary approach to business communication.
Lima UA Local 776 earned national recognition for being a model local for UA General President William P. Hite’s tripartite initiative. Lima Building and Construction Trades Council President and UA Local 766 Business Manager Mike Knisley was also acknowledged in the article for his contributions for his local’s success.

Toledo Construction Trades Donate Talent to Help Open City Pools

May 20, 2015 | Member News | 0 |

Three Northwestern Ohio Building Trades volunteered their services to help get Toledo’s pools ready for use this summer.

Members of Laborers Local 500, UA Local 50, and Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 886 volunteered their time, donated money, and helped obtain needed equipment and materials to get the six pools and splash pad ready for another swimming season.

For the second time in as many years, the three locals were called upon to help the city, which continues to deal with budgetary restrictions.