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ABC

The mission of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is the advancement of the merit shop construction philosophy, which encourages open competition and a free-enterprise approach that awards contracts based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation. Nation- wide, ABC represents 23,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms in 79 chapters across the U.S.

Website: www.abc.org

Top Priorities At ABC
An interview with M. Kirk Pickerel, President and CEO, Associated Builders and Contractors

Q: What legislative issues before Congress are important to ABC?

A: “ABC’s top priority on Capitol Hill has been working with the Senate to secure passage of legislation that would allow small businesses to band together with similar small businesses to create association health plans. AHPs would enable small companies to pool their risk and buy their insurance together to create larger economies of scale, helping provide affordable, high-quality health care to industry employees and their families. On July 26, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted in favor of the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005 and the enactment of this priority legislation now lies in the hands of the U.S. Senate. President Bush has indicated he will sign this measure.

“In addition, other legislative issues of importance to our members are the repeal of the estate or “death” tax and working with the U.S. Senate on passage of four Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reform bills.”

Q: What programs does ABC have in place to bring young people into the field?

A: “ABC’s chapters and members are passionate about the construction industry and the numerous education, training and career opportunities available to young people today. We reach out to a variety of age groups, with a focus on high school and college students. ABC’s www.TryTools.org provides an excellent industry overview, as well as detailed information on specific career tracks. We have student chapters at colleges and universities nationwide, and ABC and its chapters host hands-on career awareness events where students can try various crafts. ABC’s Trimmer Education Foundation awards more than 40 scholarships to ABC student chapter members enrolled in construction management programs, with ABC’s chapters providing additional scholarship awards to deserving students.”

Q: What is the most important program ABC has in place to promote safety?

A: “ABC’s Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) program was designed to help contractors establish an organized approach for developing their safety and loss-prevention programs, including objective methods to measure safety improvements. Companies that achieve STEP Platinum status are eligible to compete for top honors in ABC’s National Safety Excellence Awards.”

AWWA

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is an international nonprofit scientific and educational society dedicated to the improvement of water quality and supply. AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond.

Website: www.awwa.org

Meeting The Infrastructure Challenge
Jack Hoffbuhr, Executive Director, AWWA:

“Over the next three years, meeting infrastructure needs will be a primary concern of water utilities throughout the U.S.

“Drinking water and wastewater systems could each require investments of $10-15 billion a year. That’s about double what is being spent right now. And it does not include new treatment facilities to meet growing demand in many areas.

“Since 9/11, roughly $2 billion has been invested in security systems to protect water facilities. Now the focus is on monitoring systems that provide real-time, early warning information instead of waiting for water samples to be tested in the lab. Right now, the systems are still in the developmental stage, so it is impossible to put a price tag on them. The one thing we do know is that they won’t be inexpensive.

“Over the next 3-5 years, new major regulations will phase in, requiring upgrading of existing treatment facilities and in some cases, completely new facilities. Many small systems will be making investments to meet the requirements of the new arsenic regulation. The next stage of the disinfection byproducts rule will also have cost implications, as utilities seek to reduce the levels of potentially harmful chemicals created when naturally occurring organic matter reacts with disinfectants like chlorine. Utilities may invest in new disinfection practices or upgrade treatment to remove the chemicals with which chlorine can react.

“AWWA’s role is to keep water professionals informed on rule changes and technological developments. We also work closely with EPA and other agencies to ensure that demands placed on utilities are within the scope of what they can achieve.

“There is very little in the way of government funding to cover the cost of the demands faced by water providers. AWWA is working on helping utilities make the case for responsible rates in the communities they serve. The challenge is to keep the public informed and create understanding of the value of the service delivered. In addition, utilities need to manage expenditures so that rate increases can be phased in at a moderate pace.

“In the end, there are no silver bullets that will make the problems go away. We need safe drinking water and we need proper wastewater treatment. AWWA is dedicated to helping its members deliver on these challenges to the communities they serve.”

IMPACT

The Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) brings ironworkers and signatory contractors together to develop programs that ensure safety, help deliver projects on time, and support the highest standards of work. The goal is increased competitiveness leading to greater market share, more jobs, and a stronger industry.

Website: www.impact-net.org

Flexible Programs That Build Market Share
Joe Hunt, General President,
Iron Workers International Union:

“The needs of both our contractor partners and our unions vary greatly from one area of the country to another. Through regional IMPACT meetings, we’re working on programs that are custom tailored to these special needs.

“Ironworkers in New York City, for example, are over 95% unionized. In Jacksonville, FL, only about 20% of the work force is unionized. In markets such as these, new answers are needed to help union contractors compete aggressively with open shops.

“In one 20-state region, including Wyoming, Texas and Colorado, less than 200 rebar workers were organized. IMPACT created a completely new rebar local with 1,000 workers. We met with contractors to work on issues ranging from pay scales to flexible rules such as 100% portability. We enabled unionized contractors to compete successfully and open up thousands of union jobs where formerly there had been none.

“This is just one example of how IMPACT can create a win/win environment for union contractors and workers. Another is an IMPACT state-by-state initiative to develop alternate dispute resolution (ADR) programs. These ensure excellent workers’ compensation benefits while at the same time reducing rates and eliminating costly litigation.

“In the end, our goal is to create an environment in which unionized contractors benefit from having the highest skilled, most motivated workers in the industry, while at the same time working within contract terms that give them the flexibility they need to compete successfully.”

William W. Brown, President,
Ben Hur Construction Co.:

“The common thread that runs through all IMPACT initiatives is to create a profitable business environment for our contractors, while at the same time opening up thousands of additional jobs for union workers.

“The number one priority in 2005 is a joint labor-management program that has already shown tremendous success in creating a drug and substance abuse-free work force. Our cooperative efforts and testing programs have had great success in creating a safer workplace.

“Feedback from the field show that ironworkers support the program and want a safe workplace. For contractors, the program is paying dividends in the form of lower insurance premiums and reduced downtime.

“On other fronts, we are working closely with our union partners on better training programs that are delivered across the country through 10 regions. We’re also working closely on alternate dispute resolution programs and handling issues before they grow into problems. In addition, we are working to improve the health of our pension funds and have an ongoing program designed to educate architects and engineers on the best ways to use our capabilities and expertise to help them achieve their project goals.”

NECA and IBEW

National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) members are among the 17,000 union electrical contracting firms that rely on the skills of the highly trained members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Together, they provide top quality services to customers in both the public and private sector of the $100 billion industry—bringing lighting, power and communications to buildings and communities across the U.S.

Joint website: http://thequalityconnection.info/

On the Front Burner at NECA and IBEW
Mark H. Ayers, Director of the
Construction and Maintenance Department, IBEW:

“IBEW and the 340,000 members associated with the Construction and Maintenance Branch are dedicated to delivering the best value in the industry. That means the best trained workers with the highest skills levels and a commitment to do their part to help deliver projects on time and on budgets.

“During 2005, IBEW’s priority is to raise the bar even higher. In cooperation with our NECA partner contractors, we are running an intensive, innovative program designed to sharpen attitude, work ethic and appearance. The kick off of the program was the mailing by NECA of a 26-minute DVD to 17,000 NECA and signatory contractors, including a special message from IBEW International president, Edwin D. Hill.

“The measure of the success of this effort is the overwhelming feedback we are receiving from the field. In addition to praise from contractors, we are hearing overwhelming approval from rank and file members across the country. Like many other IBEW programs, the focus is on pride in a job well done and delivering the best value in the industry.”

Geary M. Higgins, Vice President
Labor Relations, NECA:

“NECA contractors and their IBEW workers have a well-earned reputation for high skill and performance that add up to superior value for proj-ect owners.

“Our current effort focuses on improved safety through training at over 300 training locations nationwide. The concentration is not just at the apprentice level, but also upgrading the awareness and skills of journeymen in the importance of best safety practices and changes in technologies.

“Safety is a win-win program that is paying dividends for everyone involved. It means faster project delivery because of decreased downtime and lower insurance rates for NECA contractors. For our workers, it means returning to their families uninjured after each day on the job.

“Also in the works in 2005 are intensive discussions through the NECA - IBEW National Labor Management Co-operation Committee to improve contract terms and conditions in ways that add flexibility and open up opportunities for even more competitive project bidding.”

Listening Comes First For Joint Sheet Metal Effort

While Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association and Sheet Metal Workers International Association have worked together for more than 75 years, they crystallized a program of exciting new joint marketing activities—under the HVAC Expertise banner—just three years ago.

They began the process by listening to current and potential customers.

SMACNA—www.smacna.org and SMWIA—www.smwia.org formed a national labor-management cooperative late in 2001.

Meeting under the banner of the national LMCC’s Market Expansion Task Force, they together have:

• Created a quarterly magazine for union contractors and their employees, Partners In Progress.
  
• Populated a Website www.pinp.org, with information on markets, marketing, and more.
  
• Sponsored focus groups featuring the opinions of customers.
  
• Learned from market research projects—some quite detailed.
  
• Created several customer-focused Web sites (information below).
  
• Conducted in-depth market recovery efforts.
  
• Held a first-ever Industry Week event (spring 2004), which will be repeated early in 2006.

Segmented Efforts

SMWIA and SMACNA base their efforts on listening to customers. Even the slogan, “HVAC Expertise,” was created as the result of feedback from present and potential customers.

Segmenting customers and their input is important. Beyond commercial HVAC, markets served by the SMACNA-SMWIA team include architectural sheet metal, industrial and residential work.

One result: The partners have created targeted Websites that focus on specific customer interests, including:

www.hvacexpertise.com—a two-sided side, helping homeowners and owners of commercial buildings locate contractors with HVAC Expertise.

www.asm-expertise.com—a site about expertise in architectural sheet metal.

www.industrialexpertise.com—a site with details of what sheet metal contractors are doing and can do for industrial customers.

Beyond Promotion

Is the “expertise” focus merely an external label? No! SMACNA, which segments members by pursuit, renamed the newsletter serving the bulk of its members as HVAC Systems Expertise.

Additionally, HVAC Expertise is permeating the industry. At least one member uses it on blueprints and another uses HVAC Expertise on the firm’s letterhead in place of the company’s own logo.

Pursuing deep and broad expertise, the SMWIA-SMACNA team has remade its training program. The standard five-year apprenticeship now consists of a two-year “core curriculum.” Afterwards, the apprentice gets to choose one or more modules (specialties) for further study including industrial work, architectural, service work, and other disciplines and specialties.

Going forward, SMWIA journeymen will share a two-year backbone of “standard” training. From there, each apprentice will pursue special knowledge, skills and abilities to meet personal strengths or interests, marketplace needs, and future industry directions.

What’s more, the modular training approach allows the SMACNA-SMWIA team to offer additional learning opportunities for journeymen, who can now go “back to school” to add additional special knowledge to their toolbelts.

Association Position Statement

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. Founded in 1881, AWWA will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2006.

AWWA is an international nonprofit scientific and educational society and the largest organization of water professionals in the world. Its more than 57,000 members represent the full spectrum of the drinking water community—treatment plant operators and managers, scientists, environmentalists, manufacturers, academicians, regulators and others who hold genuine interest in water supply and public health. Membership includes more than 4,700 utilities that supply water to roughly 180 million people in North America. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the entire water community.

AWWA provides professional training through conferences, seminars and Internet offerings and publishes standards, manuals, handbooks, videos and other tools for the water industry. AWWA also produces educational materials and water quality information for consumers. Through the collective voice of its membership, AWWA provides input and guidance on legislative and regulatory matters that affect water policy.

While headquartered in Denver, CO, AWWA has a government affairs office in Washington, D.C., and 43 sections across North America and Mexico.

Association programs

Advocacy: AWWA is a powerful advocate for meeting public health needs of water quality and supply. AWWA serves as the voice of the water community, building bridges with regulators, legislators, special interest groups, and the general public.

Communications: AWWA is the authoritative resource for the water profession, providing a constant flow of reliable information on technology, trends, and news through its periodicals, Web site, standards, books, manuals, videos, electronic databases and reports.

Conferences: AWWA offers numerous opportunities for members to meet, learn, and network at the international, national and section levels. AWWA’s 2006 Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE06), June 11-15 in San Antonio, is expected to draw close to 13,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors.

Education and Training: AWWA is the water professional’s resource for continuing education and professional development. Instruction is available through a variety of media, from traditional seminars to online courses, teleconferences and Webcasts.

Science and Technology: AWWA develops and distributes authoritative scientific and technological knowledge. Through its members, AWWA develops industry standards for products and processes that advance public health and safety and quality improvement programs for water and wastewater utilities.

Sections: AWWA’s 43 Sections allow water professionals to take advantage of local educational programs, network with peers, influence state or provincial legislation and regulations, and participate in the local and international organization.