The Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego Chapter, Inc. June 15, 2020 The VOICE of Construction In This Issue NBCA and AGC Sign Historic MOU Split Decision for Fair and Open Competition AGC Blood Drive - Schedule an Appointment! Classes Committee Meetings Get Social With Us: More about AGC San Diego www.agcsd.org JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST National Black Contractors Association and AGC San Diego Sign Historic Memorandum of Agreement Eddie Sprecco, CEO On June 9, 2020, the National Black Contractors Association (NBCA) and the Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego Chapter (AGC), signed a first of its kind Memorandum of Agreement designed to expand and strengthen training programs within both organizations, and affect systemic change within the construction industry locally. This MOA unites the two Associations around a common goal - to build the regions infrastructure with a workforce that is locally hired, locally trained, and representative of San Diego's diverse community. While this agreement was a long time in the making, many of the details were solidified over the past three months. It was important to get the details right - this MOA is a legally enforceable pact with substantive actions to affect actual progress. Past Memorandum of Understandings, Resolutions, and "hand-shake deals" made with the NBCA and various associations and labor unions were either not honored, or were never going to move the needle in the first place - this MOA was drafted specifically to avoid repeating that history of broken promises. "NBCA members consist of small start-up minority contractors seeking to do business with the broader San Diego building community who partner with larger contractors that land substantial government projects region wide," said Abdur-Rahim Hameed, Founder and President of the NBCA. "This partnership with the AGC will open the doors for our apprentices to have even more resources to succeed in the field of construction, and that's something we've strived for over the past 37 years. This is a huge step in the right direction."
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The Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego Chapter, Inc.
June 15, 2020 The VOICE of Construction
In This Issue
NBCA and AGC Sign Historic MOU
Split Decision for Fair and Open Competition
AGC Blood Drive - Schedule an Appointment!
Classes
Committee Meetings
Get Social With Us:
More about AGC San Diego
www.agcsd.org
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
National Black Contractors Association and AGC San Diego Sign Historic Memorandum of Agreement Eddie Sprecco, CEO On June 9, 2020, the National Black Contractors Association (NBCA) and the Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego Chapter (AGC), signed a first of its kind Memorandum of Agreement designed to expand and strengthen training programs within both organizations, and affect systemic change within the construction industry locally. This MOA unites the two Associations around a common goal - to build the regions infrastructure with a workforce that is locally hired, locally trained, and representative of San Diego's diverse community. While this agreement was a long time in the making, many of the details were solidified over the past three months. It was important to get the details right - this MOA is a legally enforceable pact with substantive actions to affect actual progress. Past Memorandum of Understandings, Resolutions, and "hand-shake deals" made with the NBCA and various associations and labor unions were either not honored, or were never going to move the needle in the first place - this MOA was drafted specifically to avoid repeating that history of broken promises. "NBCA members consist of small start-up minority contractors seeking to do business with the broader San Diego building community who partner with larger contractors that land substantial government projects region wide," said Abdur-Rahim Hameed, Founder and President of the NBCA. "This partnership with the AGC will open the doors for our apprentices to have even more resources to succeed in the field of construction, and that's something we've strived for over the past 37 years. This is a huge step in the right direction."
To start, the NBCA and AGC will have a number of their members sign up with the partnering association so that those members can participate in the offerings of each association, including Apprenticeship Training, Education, Safety and Plan Room. This initial group of joint members will serve as a steering committee to implement each initiative included in the MOA, and promote these efforts to the broader construction community. These initiatives include:
• AGC San Diego promote and participate in national "Culture of Care" program to foster a diverse, safe, welcoming and inclusive construction industry.
• NBCA and AGC participate in joint outreach and local hiring program.
• Guest Lecturer program to foster collaboration between apprentices from each program while in the classroom and on job sites.
• Mentor-Protégé Program for emerging contractors to help meet the goals of the City of San Diego's SLBE program, and similar programs.
• Shared Online Plan Room services to expand opportunities to collaborate.
This agreement did not just come from thin air, but was the product of years of discussions to gain trust and understanding between the two organizations leading to this mutually beneficial collaboration.
Signing the agreement on Tuesday were NBCA President, Abdur-Rahim Hameed; AGC President Bill Haithcock, Casper Company; Jess Hames, Co-Chairman of the Inner-City Community Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee; and Thomas L. Brown, Sierra Pacific West, Chairman of the Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego Chapter Inc. Apprenticeship Training Trust. Attending the signing ceremony were various community leaders and elected officials - of note, San Diego Councilmembers Barbara Bry and Chris Cate were on hand to comment on this historic agreement and offer support in achieving its goals.
While there was much fanfare and press coverage of Tuesday's signing, this agreement has just brought us all to the starting line - if you are interested in making this partnership a success and achieving the goals of the MOA, please contact me at [email protected]. Press Coverage: San Diego Union Tribune CBS 8 Voice and Viewpoint (1st article on left)
Split Decision Once Again for Fair and Open Competition Brad Barnum, Executive Vice President The City of San Diego Rules Committee again has voted narrowly to advance a ballot measure proposal to repeal fair and open competition in the City of San Diego, despite bi-partisan opposition. Last Wednesday, by a 3-2 vote (same as May 13), the committee agreed to move the item to the full City Council for consideration on November 3 General Election. If approved for the ballot and passed by a majority of voters, the measure would repeal Proposition A, which would undercut 58% of the voters in 2012 that believed in fair and open competition and opposed government-mandated Project Labor Agreements (PLA). The proposal opens the door for PLAs, which will shut out AGC's 246 apprentices living in the City of San Diego. Apprentices from other open-shop programs, including the National Black Contractors Association, also would be shut out of work. In addition, local, small, emerging, and minority-owned businesses will find it difficult to bid city work. The Rules Committee met virtually, but that didn't stop nearly 40 concerned citizens to call in to the meeting to express concerns about the proposal. Over 20 were contractors and citizens from Council District 4, home of the Black Contractors Association
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(BCA). The committee also heard from over 80 AGC members by way of direct emails. Although we are disappointed by the Rules Committee vote, we do plan to address some of the comments and concerns raised by Council Member Monica Montgomery at the end of the meeting. For example, she asked about the possibility of requiring a council vote on a PLA and "reconstructing that PLA" to rectify those issues. She also asked the proponents of the measure about how non-union apprenticeship programs would be affected by PLAs, and whether or not a PLA could be written in a way to include those programs. Prior to the vote, Council Member Montgomery expressed the need for a substantive commitment going forward from the Building Trades. She then commented that she "reserved the right to not support the measure when it comes before the full City Council." We appreciate her straightforward approach, and we look forward to working with her in the coming weeks.
AGC Construction Industry Drive Blood Drive - July 13-24 BLOOD SUPPLY CRITICALLY LOW! Appointments Required! Walk-ins will be able to donate ONLY if if there is an available time slot.
This year, the San Diego Blood Bank's reserve is critically low, and they count on AGC's Blood Drive more than ever this year to help ensure they have an adequate blood supply. The San Diego Blood Bank is following the highest standards of safety protocols during this time. In times of crisis, the Blood Bank is fortunate to witness the best of humanity as people roll up a sleeve to help those in need. Please donate blood so patients may continue to receive the lifesaving care they need!
Please notify AGC if your company has relocated, or if there are updates to your company's listing (i.e. contacts, phone/fax, job titles, CSI codes, & certified business listings). Email Marcy Knopman
The following AGC Members are hosting blood drives at various locations around the county.
Please find a location convenient for you and schedule an
appointment!
July 13 - Monday Sherwood Mechanical - Sorrento Mesa
July 14 - Tuesday
Dynalectric - Kearny Mesa Erickson-Hall - Garden Grove
Oldcastle Infrastructure - Lakeside Sundt - Mission Valley
- Donors and staff are required to wear face masks or face coverings.
- Temperature checks are required for staff and donors - Hand sanitizers will be available
- Blood Mobile beds will be spaced out to follow social distancing practices
- Staff will disinfect surfaces and materials after each use.
June Classes In Person Classroom June 17 - Scaffold Frame CPT June 22-24 - Fall Protection June 24 - CPR, First Aid & AED Training Online LIVE Instructor-Led Training June 10 - Blueprint Reading June 11 - Construction Scheduling June 16 - Estimating June 17-18 - CQM-C June 11 - Trenching & Excavating CPT June 18 - Foreman & Superintendent Boot Camp June 23 - MS Project Software Training June 23 - Project Engineering Boot Camp June 25 - Project Management Boot Camp For more information on classes, contact: Becca Schaffer 858-731-8155
June Meetings June 17 - 1:00 p.m. - County Liaison via Go-To-Meeting June 18 - 4:00 p.m. - CLC via Go-To-Meeting June 24 - 12:00 p.m. - Specialty Contractors Council @ AGC East County Building Site (10140 Riverford Road, Lakeside)
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About Monday Morning Quarterback AGC San Diego Chapter's Monday Morning Quarterback is a "hot off the press" and to the point Monday morning briefing on the important issues facing San Diego's construction industry. It is prepared by AGC Chief Executive Officer, Eddie Sprecco, and Executive Vice President, Brad Barnum. Please contact Eddie Sprecco or Brad Barnum with your comments, or with information that should be conveyed to the industry through this service. Well over 3,000 individuals employed by AGC member firms are part of this system.
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The Associated General Contractors of America San Diego Chapter, Inc.
6212 Ferris Square, San Diego, CA 92121 | Phone (858) 558-7444 | Fax (858) 558-8444 www.agcsd.org
