Fundraiser for Mayor Sanders Tomorrow- Please Attend!

 

With the Primary Election just eight weeks away, the time is now to come out and support AGC’s choice for San Diego Mayor…..Jerry Sanders.  Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 8, from 5-7 PM, we are having a fundraiser for him, and we would like you to attend.  This will be a great opportunity for you to visit with the Mayor and hear what his plans are for the City!

 

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.

 

 

SDSU’s First Filanc Lecture in Construction Ethics Coming April 24^th

 

This April 24^th, SDSU’s J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program will host the first Filanc Lecture in Construction Ethics, beginning at 5:30pm at the Prado. This is the only recurring lecture focused on construction ethics in the country, and was conceived as an opportunity for the San Diego construction industry to hold regular forums on this critical topic. All AGC member companies are invited.

 

The first Distinguished Lecturer will be Mr. Oscar Boldt, Chairman of the Boldt Group, Inc. of Appleton, Wisconsin. Mr. Boldt will describe the ethical and financial considerations involved in the Boldt Group decision to provide construction equipment to the rescue and recovery efforts at the Murrah Building after it was devastated in the infamous explosion.

 

The evening will begin with a reception beginning at 5:30pm. The lecture will start at 6:30 p.m. accompanied by dessert, and the event will end by 7:30pm. There is no cost to attend. Please RSVP by April 10, 2008, to Jaime Speregen at speregen@mail.sdsu.edu or call 619-594-3943. More information is available in the invitation (click here).

 

 

Get off the phone and Drive!!!

By Sam Iler, AGC San Diego Safety Director

SafeCon Consulting

 

 

Nearly 50,000 people will be killed in the US this year in auto accidents, that’s about 140 a day – every day. Some other stats that will catch your attention - there are 6.5 million crashes a year (that’s nearly 750 an hour) and 3 million folks hurt as a result. These numbers affect all of us, and it’s time to do something about it.

 

In a step toward reducing these huge numbers, two new laws have been passed and will take effect July 1^st (with no grace period for you procrastinators).  Basically, these laws address actually speaking on a cell phone, but ironically don’t prohibit dialing it. Yes, you can still dial, and use a speaker option or headset to talk; you just can’t hold the phone against your head while doing it. In addition, all you Nextel folks are out of luck, as a  “push to talk” feature IS NOT considered hands free.

 

As most of us who have driven past an exit on the freeway, or missed a turn because we were engaged in a conversation on the cell can attest, this will probably only address part of the problem.

 

The obvious answer is to not talk on the phone while driving at all, and some member firms have adopted that policy. This eliminates the dreaded look down and dial moments (that includes all you “texters”) and the distraction of the conversation itself, not mention the writing of notes and numbers that go along with most calls.

 

For those of you who can’t do without, and don’t deploy some new technology such as hands free or blue tooth, fines start at $76 for a first offense then $190 for subsequent offenses. Having a phone glued to your ear is all the law needs to pull you over, and you can bet they will. Citations will go on your driving record (no points assessed) which means that the insurance folks will be able to charge you more for you car insurance, wow a two-fer!

 

For more info and FAQ’s on the law including the rules for those driving that are under 18, see the “Safety Net” on our AGC web page. We are also offering a Hands Free Solution Seminar on April 11, (see next article below) to see the latest gadgets and gizmos to keep you on the right side of the law. The seminar runs from 11:30 to 1 pm, and only costs 1/5 of your first fine (that’s $15 bucks for you non-estimators) and will detail all of your options with actual hardware and devises for you to see.

 

 

…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 click here for flyer and distribute it to your employees.  Simply RSVP by completing the flyer and faxing it to 858-558-8444.  If you have any questions, please call Ryan Famularo at 858-731-8155 or e-mail rfamularo@agcsd.org.

 

 

 

Flexibility Sought for Meal and Rest Periods – Call to Action

 

On Wednesday, a committee of the California State Legislature will consider one of numerous pieces of legislation pertaining to employee meal and rest periods.  The current interpretation of the law is so rigid that employers are forced to police their workforce in order to ensure that their employees are taking their meal periods. This interpretation does not allow flexibility for the employee to voluntarily skip the meal or take it at a time more convenient to them.

 

SB 1539 will be heard in the Senate Labor and Employment Committee, and AGC has joined with the California Chamber of Commerce and 40 other associations & companies in supporting the legislation, which provides some flexibility in the current meal period regulations.  This is a comprehensive approach, which serves the interests of both employers and employees across all industries.  

 

The construction industry has attempted to comply with Labor Code Section 512, which simply states that employees may not work more than five hours in a workday without being provided a 30 minute meal period.  Various interpretations of this section by enforcement officials have led to confusion and litigation.  In fact, meal period disputes are currently 40% of all California class-action lawsuits and approximately half of all employment-related lawsuits filed in California.

 

Call to Action – We need you help to contact your State Senator and Assemblymember to ask them to support SB 1539.  We have prepared a letter for you to send electronically….simply click here and follow the instructions.  If you have any questions or need some assistance, please contact Brad Barnum at bbarnum@agcsd.org or at 858-731-8158.

 

 

 

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 CLICK HERE for raffle prize form. 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.

 

 

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 - (click on links to register for the following classes)

 

April 10- Mechanics Lien Law- 8:30 a.m.

April 10- Project Management 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. (must register 1-2 weeks prior to class)

April 22- Microsoft Word Level 2- 8:00 a.m.

April 24- Construction Fundamentals 101- 8:00 a.m.

April 24- Project Management Class- 3:00 p.m.

April 30- CPR/First Aid- 8:00 a.m.

 

All meetings at the AGC office at 6212 Ferris Square unless indicated otherwise

 

April

 

April 9- Public Building Meeting- 7:00 a.m.

April 10- Specialty Contractors’ Council Meeting- 11:30 a.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.

April 30- Affiliate Council Meeting- 12:00 p.m. (postponed from April 9)

 

If you are interested in signing up for a committee, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

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