The IBEW’s
Supplement to the Daily Transcript
By Jim Ryan AGCSD Executive Vice President
Ok…I thought we had pretty well worn out our articles
about the IBEW, and then on Monday of last week, I opened the San
Diego Daily Transcript and found the supplement to the
Transcript called “IBEW: Training for a
Better Tomorrow.”
This supplement is one of those eight page sections
that newspapers sell to unions, associations, firms, etc.....and
allow the purchaser to write articles about themselves. The problem
I have with these sections is that it is not really clear that the
purchaser wrote the articles. In this case, I am sure the IBEW was
trying to give the illusion that the articles were written by
reporters, and were not just pieces of IBEW propaganda. I am sure
that Al Shur and his IBEW executive committee were sitting on
the beach in Encinitas this weekend reading the articles to each
other…and actually believing they were true because they were in the
paper. I just want to remind you guys…they
were in the paper because you wrote them and paid to have them
placed there!!! Real reporters did not write those articles!!!
Anyway….the supplement was headlined with an article
entitled…
“Landmark study confirms project labor
agreement benefit developers and don’t drive up costs.”
This “landmark report” came out about a year ago. It
was paid for by an organization called ELECTRI International - The
Foundation for Electrical Construction, Inc. This organization
is made up of individuals, firms, and chapters associated with the
National Electrical Contractors Association….NECA. It does not
appear that the IBEW is part of ELECTRI.
So…this “landmark study” was paid for by a foundation
that is made up of union electrical contractors and their trade
association chapters. The contractors are all signatory to the IBEW
agreement.
Now, I read the report when it came out last year.
It is the typical report written by academics that probably
understand it is important to craft the results of the report to
meet the expectations of those who are paying for the report.
We all assume that if the three academics that wrote the report came
up with a conclusion that was not what those paying for the report
wanted to hear then the report would never see the light of day….and
the three academics would kiss a client good bye!!!
In the late 1990’s, AGC and a number of other local
trade associations commissioned some consultants to write a report
that was supposed to be an objective cost analysis of the effect of
PLA’s on construction projects. Guess what….the consultants
concluded that PLA’s cost more!
My point…..reports like these have no
credibility. After we read the report we commissioned, we filed
it. NECA…you should have done the same!!!
Keep Your Hands on
the Wheel and Off Your Cell Phone!
In 2006 and 2007, Governor
Schwarzenegger signed legislation that will impact you and your
employees beginning July 1, 2008….a ban on using cell phones
in vehicles unless a hands-free device is used! These new laws have
basically gone unnoticed, and we want to make sure you are educated
before you are fined!
AGC’s Specialty
Contractors’ Council is sponsoring a workshop on Friday, April
11, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the AGC (lunch included). Steve
Galliher, President, Handsfree Solutions, Inc., will present
an informative seminar on the new laws, which do include a number of
exemptions that could affect the construction industry. Hands-free
options will be reviewed, as well as usage, device, and
compatibility issues.
This is a
MUST ATTEND
workshop, so please copy the
flyer (click here)
and distribute it to your employees. Simply RSVP by completing the
flyer and fax it to 858-558-8444. If you have any questions, please
call Rae Krushensky at 858-731-8157.
Rescue Task Force
Update
With the recent increase in the fighting in Iraq, we
thought it would be appropriate to update the membership on AGC
participation in the Rescue Task Force Project to provide backpacks
of essential items to our wounded troops when they are “evaced” to a
stateside hospital. AGC San Diego members donated 93
backpacks and our challenge to the other AGC chapters has had
some success. To date, other chapters across the country have
donated 74, and we expect more to come.
We will be contacting the membership to help the
Rescue Task Force assemble more AGC backpacks in the near future.
Thank you!!!
City of San Diego
to Consider Private Financing for Deferred Maintenance and Discuss
Equal Opportunity Contracting
This week, the San Diego
City Council will consider a proposal by Mayor Jerry Sanders to
secure private financing for a number of deferred maintenance
projects, and a City Council Committee will be given an update on
the proposed changes to the Equal Opportunity Contracting Program (EOCP).
On Tuesday, the City
Council will consider a proposal to secure $103 million in private
financing to help pay for the backlog of deferred maintenance
projects throughout the city. This is the second private financing
this year ($150 million was secured in February for repairs to the
water system).
If approved, the $103
million in private financing will help complete a number of street,
storm drains, sidewalks, and facilities projects in fiscal years
2008 and 2009. Over $63 million of the total will be dedicated to
street resurfacing and sidewalk/concrete projects. The city intends
to refinance all the projects under this private financing agreement
once back in the public finance marketplace.
On Wednesday, the Public
Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee will be given a status
report on EOCP and recommended changes to the program. As we
reported to you last week, AGC is opposed to most of the changes
unless an “availability study” is first performed to determine the
number of contractors who are “ready, willing, and able” to complete
city projects. The study will detail
the number of small, minority, and women-owned businesses that have
the capacity to work as a subcontractor, supplier, or as the prime
contractor.
On Wednesday evening, the City’s Citizen’s Equal
Opportunity Commission also will be given a status report on EOCP.
The Commission is tasked with “promoting the City of San Diego as an
Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals and firms desiring to
contract with the City…” Brad Barnum, AGC’s Vice President
Government Relations, serves on the Commission, which he was
appointed to in 2003.
Fundraiser for
Mayor Sanders on April 8
AGC’s choice for San Diego Mayor is once again Jerry
Sanders, and with the
Primary Election fast approaching, we need to help him with his
re-election campaign! We endorsed him (and raised funds) the first
time around, and we have endorsed him for re-election.
The time is now to once again step up to the plate!
On Tuesday,
April 8, from 5-7 PM, we will have a fundraiser
for Mayor Sanders...and we would like for you to attend!
The Mayor will be in attendance, and you will have a chance to visit
with him and hear his plans for the City’s future.
Please open the
flyer (click here),
complete it, and fax it back to 858-558-8444. You can also RSVP by
calling Jean Freelove at 858-481-0300.
·
Up to $320 per person by personal check / $640 per
couple w/ joint checking account
·
Check made payable to “Re-Elect Mayor Sanders”
It is unlawful
for a contributor to be reimbursed by an individual,
organization, business, or similar entity for a contribution
supporting or opposing a City candidate.
We know some of you have
already contributed to the Mayor's Re-election campaign..."Thank
You!"....but we hope you still will stop by.
iSqFt
“Subcontractor” Seminar – April 2nd
iSqFt and the AGC San
Diego Chapter will be holding network information sessions in
support of commercial general contractors in the San Diego area who
utilize the iSqFt Private Construction Office to distribute
their bid invites, host their project documents, and communicate
with bidders about their upcoming projects.
The luncheon, sponsored by the
AGC – San Diego
Chapter and iSqFt,
is scheduled for Wednesday,
April 2nd
from 11:00 am until 12:30 pm at the AGC office,
located at 6212 Ferris Square, San Diego, CA 92121.
An additional session will be held on
Thursday, April 3rd from 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm at
the Pala Casino Spa & Resort, located at 11154 Highway 76,
Pala, CA 92059.
Both sessions are
FREE to attend. To RSVP,
complete the
registration form (click here), or contact
Jessica Kovack, AGC, at 858-874-8560 ext.
11,
jessica@agcsd.org, or call
iSqFt directly at 1-800-364-2059 and select option 3.
Raffle Prizes
Requested for the AGC Spring Golf Tournament- Monday, May 12
Members who would like to contribute a raffle
prize or donate to the raffle prize
fund can complete the
form (click here).
Sponsor names will be announced during the raffle prize
drawing at the dinner banquet after golf. We suggest to those that
are contributing an actual prize to attach your business card to the
item. This will remind the winners of your generosity.
Contact Rae Krushensky at
858-731-8157 or at
raek@agcsd.org with any
questions.
Calendar of Upcoming AGC Safety and Education Classes
Please note:
***** Please register on-line for classes ******
Go to our website at
www.agcsd.org and click onto Calendar for either
Construction Education Classes or
Safety Training.
April
April 8- Microsoft Excel- 8:00 a.m.
April 8 – Standard Form of Agreement-8:30 a.m.
April 9- Mechanics Lien Law- 8:30 a.m.
April 10- PM class- 3:00 p.m.
April 11- Preventing Sexual and Other Unlawful
Harassment- 9:30 a.m.
April 11- Hands Free Seminar- 11:30 a.m.
April 17- Financial Management – 11:00 a.m.
April 18- Scaffolding and Hazard Awareness-
6:45 a.m.
April 22- Microsoft Word Level 2- 8:00 a.m.
April 24- Construction Fundamentals 101- 8:00
a.m.
April 24- PM Class- 3:00 p.m.
April 30- CPR/First Aid- 8:00 a.m.
Upcoming AGC Committee/Council Meetings
All meetings at the
AGC office at 6212 Ferris Square unless indicated otherwise
April
April 2- Safety Committee Meeting- 7:00 a.m.
April 9- Public Building Meeting- 7:00 a.m.
April 9- Affiliate Council Meeting- 12:00 p.m.
April 15- Navy Liaison Meeting
@ AGC - 11:30 a.m.
April 22- Foundation for Success Meeting-
12:00 p.m.
April 23- Government Relations Meeting- 10:00
a.m.
April 23- PAC Committee Meeting- 11:30 a.m.
April 25- Tech Trends in Construction Meeting-
7:00 a.m.
April 25- Caltrans Meeting
@ AGC – 8:00 a.m.
If you are interested in signing up for a committee,
CLICK HERE
Looking Ahead…Upcoming AGC Events
UPCOMING AGC EVENTS
2008 AGC Events
April 17-20- Spring
Conference- Cabo San Lucas
May 12-
Spring Golf
June 10-
Baseball Bash
July 18- Day at the Races
August 4-
Affiliate Day Golf
October 11-
AGC Family Western Day BBQ
