US Department of Labor Decertifies California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and California Apprenticeship Council (CAC)
By Jim Ryan, AGC Executive Vice President 

The California DIR and CAC oversee the State’s apprenticeship programs which are so important to the construction industry. This is especially true with the expected increase in public construction that will occur during the next 10 years because of the billions of dollars in bonds and initiatives for infrastructure improvement that have recently been approved.  Our industry needs trained craft workers more now than at anytime in our history.

DIR and CAC, as a rule, do a good job of overseeing the programs throughout the State.  However, there is one flaw in the system that is now so apparent that the US DOL has decertified the agencies.  CAC is a large Board of citizens appointed by the governor. Organized labor makes it a priority to have a majority of the appointees on the CAC.  These appointees are “convinced” that the state needs only union sponsored programs providing apprenticeship opportunities for the building trades’ crafts. They consistently oppose any creation or expansion of programs that are not sponsored by the building trades.

In 1978, DOL “subcontracted” the responsibility to oversee federal apprenticeship programs in California to DIR and CAC.  However, beginning in 1999, the Feds became concerned about the blatant discriminatory expansion requirements that the CAC imposed.  So….after a few years of fighting in the courts, the DOL has won all appeals and will cancel their “subcontract” with CAC and DIR.  The DOL was so disgusted with the CAC that they are going to go to the expense and bother to run their own programs in California.  DOL finds it hard to believe that in a large state like California, the agency overseeing the training of craft workers actually allows the appointees on the CAC to continue the archaic “union only” policy.

AGCSD agrees…..the governor’s staff should take the offending appointees out to the woodshed and tell them to cut out this training cartel mentality….if they continue with it….fire them!!!

How all of this will affect the DIR and CAC needs to be analyzed…..AGC will follow up in the next week or two with a detailed summary.

 

AGCSD Board of Directors Approves the Formation of Two New AGCSD Committees

The AGCSD Board of Directors is very careful concerning its responsibility to oversee the AGCSD Committee system.  The Board in general tries to assign new tasks that are needed to serve the industry to our existing Committee system.  During the past 5 years …only 1 new committee (HR Practices Committee) has been formed …until the past two AGCSD Board Meetings.

In January, the Board approved the formation of the AGC Electronic Age Committee.  The job description for this committee is:

ELECTRONIC AGE COMMITTEE

This is a new committee created in 2007. Members are asked to provide the industry leadership and direction in the following areas:

1. Identify, explore, and critique the construction industry’s technology trends and information needs.

The committee is charged with the responsibility to identify, explore and critique the new trends in which technology advancements will help make the construction industry operate on a more efficient and effective basis.  In this capacity, the committee will be charged with researching new and better means and methods that will help the industry now and in the future.

2. Provide the industry technological training and education.

The committee is charged with utilizing the information generated in #1 and developing a training and educational program that will allow members to view new technologies and to be trained in their usage.  The committee should utilize the technological training facilities in the AGC building.

Topics should include, but not limited to: paperless technology, communications, industry software, (i.e. accounting, project management, estimating, takeoff, scheduling, etc.)

The Board is concerned that the industry is not adopting the technology that is available that will allow the industry to operate in a more efficient and effective manner.  AGC’s new classrooms, which include state- of-the-art audio visual teaching equipment, will allow the Committee to conduct programs that will include a focus on a number of topics including… paperless technology in construction….accounting software….online estimating….utilizing electronic takeoff…..project management systems, etc.

We have attached a form for members to volunteer for this committee….so if you are ready to move beyond slide rule and pencil system….have someone in your office join this committee.  It should help the industry and your firm.

Ed Wenz of Reno Contracting has been appointed by AGCSD President Tom Anderson as the first chair of the Electronic Age Committee.

During the Board’s meeting on Thursday of last week, another important committee was approved.  The AGC San Diego’s Foundations for Success Committee.  The Committee’s job description is designed to take advantage of a number of successful efforts that AGC has undertaken during the past several years to help the industry reach out to the entire community in San Diego.

FOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESS COMMITTEE

The AGC Foundations for Success Committee is tasked with the responsibility to ensure AGC makes a long-term effort to proactively reach into all segments of the community to promote our industry as a career choice.

The committee is to develop a program that reaches the citizens of San Diego at an early age, and continue to promote the construction industry by providing opportunities through college years and beyond.

Specific tasks include:

1. Develop a program to reach out to elementary students from all San Diego County areas to give students basic exposure to the industry in a manner that will cast a positive image of the industry and the opportunities it presents.

2. Utilizing Construction Tech Academy as a prime source of high school age recruitment.  This effort should include summer jobs program and an internship program.  The transportation of these students to these opportunities needs to be addressed.  Emphasis needs to be on ensuring that CTA participation reflects the demographics of San Diego, and that opportunities are given to groups that have not historically participated in the industry.

3. Assist the J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program at SDSU, as well as the National University Construction Management Program in exposing the Programs to a wide variety of students from throughout the county.  The committee will also consider expansion of scholarship opportunities, summer jobs, and internships that provide opportunities for students from throughout San Diego.

4. Considering expansion of the AGC Emerging Business classification.  The committee should consider seeking out all firms that are entering the industry, and providing them the opportunities that AGC can provide.

5. Consider a major expansion of the AGC Mentor~Protégé Program.  This includes privatizing this program and possibly connecting it to the AGC Emerging Business classification.  The goal is to give small, newer businesses added expertise and opportunity to succeed through an aggressive AGC Mentoring Program.

The committee will be required to report annually to the Board of Directors concerning progress in all areas detailed above, and to keep statistics concerning the goal of matching participation in the various programs to the demographics of the San Diego area.

We encourage members to join this committee if they are interested in helping the industry reach out to all segments of San Diego’ population to expose our industry’s opportunities to these groups.     

 

AGC Supports Mayor Sanders’ Plan to Fix the City’s Water and Sewer Infrastructure

Mayor Sanders came to AGC’s Annual Meeting on December 13^th, and told the membership that he had a plan to fix the City’s deteriorating infrastructure…get the audits done so the City can obtain the necessary financing to complete the repairs and improvements.  The plan also calls for a series of rate increases in the City’s Water and Wastewater Departments, which will provide a revenue stream to support the bonds.  The City Council is expected to consider this proposal on Monday, February 26.

AGC endorsed the Mayor in 2005 for his commitment to invest in the City’s infrastructure.  His commitment hasn’t wavered, and last Thursday, AGC’s Board of Directors re-affirmed its confidence in the Mayor by overwhelmingly supporting his proposal to raise the water and sewer rates over the next four years. 

Revenues from the new water rates will allow the City to finance projects associated with meeting the water system’s Compliance Order from the California Department of Health Services.  The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act requires the City to rehabilitate/replace deteriorating pipelines. 

The new wastewater rates will allow the City to fund projects related to meeting the conditions of a Final Consent Decree issued by the Federal Court that must be signed no later than June 30, 2007.  That Decree will require the City to initiate a series of improvements at its pump stations and to replace miles of wastewater pipelines.

The costs for these improvements have been accumulating due to the City’s inability to access public finance markets over the past few years. 

The Proposal

Water Revenue Increase of 6.5% per Fiscal Year ’08 to ’11

·         $585 million in capital improvement projects for the water system

Sewer Revenue Increase of 8.75% per Fiscal Year ’08 and ’09; 7% per Fiscal Year ’10 and ’11

·         $648 million in projects for the wastewater system

If approved, the water rates would go into affect on July 1, 2007.  In general, customers can expect to see their bills go up, but by how much depends on usage/size of meter and the classification: single family, multi-family, commercial, industrial, irrigation, and temporary construction (yes, contractors will see higher meter bills!).  Sewer rates would go into affect on May 1, 2007, and they also will increase.

Expect quite a bit of debate from interested stakeholders in the coming weeks, particularly on the issue of ratepayer oversight of the water and wastewater programs.  Past concerns that funds were diverted away from system improvements still remain, so the creation of a committee similar to TransNet’s Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee (AGC’s Executive Vice President is a member) is very likely in order to carefully watch expenditures.   

The threat of fines from the state and federal government is very real if these improvements aren’t made soon.  With that being said, you would think that the San Diego City Council will support these proposals.  However, there is no such thing as a “sure bet” if the last few weeks of bickering between the Mayor and City Council members are any indication.  Stay tuned…

 

Web Link

Interested in having a web link on the AGC’s website? It is only $60 /year to have your company’s website linked directly on AGC’s website and listed under “Member Listings.”  Start off 2007 with an easy and simple way to get more “hits” on your website. – Click here for registration form: http://www.agcsd.org/members/membership.htm

 

First AGC Mixer for 2007- February 27th

The AGC Affiliate Council is proud to announce and host the first AGC mixer of the year! As in previous years, the Mixer will be held at Dave & Buster’s in Mission Valley located at 2931 Camino del Rio North, San Diego, CA  92108 (619) 280-7155, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2007, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

The Platinum Sponsors for this event are: ABD Insurance, Hawthorne Machinery Company, KPS Insurance Services, Marks Golia & Finch, LLP and San Diego Precast.  The attached registration form also lists our additional sponsors. 

As in the past, the Affiliate’s Mixer will be held at Dave & Buster’s in Mission Valley. To ensure we do not exceed the maximum room capacity, members must pre-register by completing the attached form! For additional information, contact Rae Krushensky at 858-731-8175.

 

“Meet Your Owner” – March 15^th

The AGC Specialty Contractor’s Council is proud to present a “Meet Your Owner” event on March 15 at the AGC featuring UCSD and Jim Gillie, Sr. Director of Construction Services, Facilities Design & Construction. 

Like past “Meet Your GC” events, the program will include a forum of representatives that will discuss topics such as:  How to find out about UCSD’s upcoming work; Project Delivery Methods; Pre-Qualification; Bidding – Addendums – Alternates; Basis of Awards; Labor Compliance Program; Construction RFI’s, and more….

Jaynes Corporation and Standard Drywall are the Major Sponsors for this event.  Registration information is attached and is mandatory to attend.  Please contact Rae Krushensky at 858-731-8157 with any questions.

 

AGC Committee Sign-ups

Members may still sign up to join any of the AGC committees (and the 2 new committees) Please click on the following link, which will take you directly to the registration page on our website:  http://www.agcsd.org/aboutagc/committeevolunteer.php. 

If you have any questions or need additional information please contact Brad Barnum at 858-558-7444 (ext 103) or at bbarnum@agcsd.org.

 

“AGC Education & Training….Building a solid Foundation”

Register on Line
For Education classes click on the following link: http://www.agcsd.org/calendar/calendar.htm
For Safety Training classes click on the link: http://www.agcsd.org/calendar/safetytraining.htm

UPCOMING AGC CLASSES

Construction Education Training
Feb. 13/14 – Sure Trak Manager – 7:30 AM
Feb. 15 - STP- 7 AM
Feb. 15 - Project Management – 3:00 PM
Feb. 20 – Intro to Basic Computers – 8 AM
Feb. 21 – CPM Scheduling – 8 AM
Feb. 21 – Fails Management Institute presents: Understanding How to Lead and Develop the Next Generation” by Ron Magnus

Safety Training
Feb 14 – OSHA Record Keeping – 9:00 AM THIS WEEK!
Feb 21 – Trenching & Excavating – 7 AM
Feb. 28 – Storm Water Prevention (SWPPP) – 7:30 AM
Feb. 28 – CPR/First Aid – 8 AM

March 8 or 9^th - AGC of America and OSHA present “Focus Four Hazards in the Construction Industry” (Two Separate Classes with Limited Seating)
Info:  FREE Safety Training Class presented by AGC of America and OSHA (Limited Seating)
Safety Training for the Focus Four Hazards
Two Separate Dates:  March 8 or 9 (Choose One)** March 8^th is almost full!
Time:  8am – 5pm
Place:  AGC office

**Although seating for Thursday, March 8th is almost full, Friday March 9^th still has available seating. Flyer and registration form can be found at http://www.agcsd.org/calendar/safetytraining.htm under “Looking Ahead.”

March 16- OSHA 10 Hour – 7 AM see attached
March 23 - Scaffolding CPT & Hazard Awareness – 6:45 AM – see attached
 

 **** Please Note: AGC Office Closed for President’s Day – Feb. 19th

(for a complete list of the 2007 AGC Holiday schedule, click here): http://www.agcsd.org/calendar/agcholidays.htm

 

February Meetings – Dates subject to change
Feb. 12 – City of San Diego Liaison @ AGC – 1PM
Feb. 14 – Public Building @ AGC – 7 AM
Feb. 15 – Specialty Contractors’ Council @ AGC – 11 AM
Feb. 16 – Builders’ Exchange @ AGC – 7 AM
Feb. 21 – County Liaison @ AGC – 1:00 PM
Feb. 22 – Affiliate Members Council @ AGC – 12PM
Feb. 26 – Airport Authority @ Airport – 11AM

 

UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTED EVENT: February 27 – AGC Mixer at Dave & Busters- 5:00 PM
March 15 – Meet Your Owner