THE VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES PUBLISHED BY THE NORTHWESTERN OHIO BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL VOL. 93 NO. 2 SINGLE COPY 50 CENTS MARCH-APRIL 2018 (Continued on Page 4) Just days before the U.S. Supreme Court heard a landmark labor case on Feb. 26, union members rallied in cities throughout the country. In Columbus, an esti- mated 3,000 union mem- bers, including roughly 100 members of the build- ing trades, gathered in the rain outside the Ohio Statehouse for the Working People’s Day of Action. Event speakers, Photo credit: Ohio AFL-CIO Recently, Representative Ron Hood (R-Ashville) sent a co-sponsor request seeking support for his up- coming bill to repeal Ohio’s prevailing wage law. In his request, he promises significant savings if his bill was to pass. However, new research from the Midwest Economic Policy Institute (“MEPI”) found that Indiana’s 2015 repeal of prevailing wage law (known as the Common Construction Wage) has failed to produce any taxpayer savings on school construction projects and has had a negative effect on wages, job growth, productivity, and other economic and industry indicators. Prevailing wage rates are market-based construc- tion rates that apply to taxpayer-funded projects on a county by county basis in Ohio. Ohio’s prevailing wage statute is absolutely essential to the state’s continuing workforce development success in the construction industry. Researchers analyzed publicly available datasets from the U.S. Departments of La- bor and Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau to compare Indiana’s post-repeal economic and industry outcomes with three neighboring Midwestern states – including Ohio – that have not repealed prevailing wage laws. Overall, the study highlights ten specific impacts Not much to like about prevailing wage repeal which included labor lead- ers and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Niles), told the crowd they must unite and defend one of the last institutions in the U.S. that advocate for the working and middle class people. Held two days before the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Janus vs. ASFCME, the rallies were a way to fight for the freedom to come together in strong unions, equita- ble pay, affordable health care, quality schools, vi- brant communities and a secure future. The rally was a warn- ing to special interests that the unions are not going to roll over and give away rights they have earned through collective bar- gaining. Unions rally ahead of Janus hearing (Continued on Page 4) (Continued on Page 5) Right-to-work protestors in Columbus demonstrate. WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new “com- posite” option is in the works to address the growing fiscal shortcomings in the nation’s multiem- ployer pension plans. It’s called the Give Retirement Options to Workers (GROW) Act, and it was introduced in April in Congress. Sponsored by Congressmen Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) and Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), House Resolution 4997 is “designed to modernize and strengthen the multiem- ployer pension system for the future,” they said. “The bipartisan GROW Act will safeguard the multiemployer pension plan system by authorizing the creation of a new type of retirement option that com- bines the key features of defined benefit and defined contribution plans.” Leaders in the building trades and those among union contractors and their associations ‘Composite’ pension option may have some traction in Congress News from Washington are on board with the legislation. The measure is intended to ease the financial strain on the nation’s multiemployer benefit programs, of which building trades unions are a large component. (Although, most failing “red zone” pension plans are in the transportation, services and manufacturing industries). According to Benefits Pro, more than 1,400 multiemployer pension plans insured by the PBGC have ag- gregate funding of about 50 percent – an abysmal level. All told, the mul- tiemployer plans have a $553 billion hole of unfunded liabilities. And the PBGC’s fund for backstopping failed pension plans is woefully inadequate, it’s facing a $65 billion shortfall and is likely to go insolvent by 2023. If the legislation is adopted into law, participation in such a composite plan would be voluntary and up to indi- vidual union pension plan trustees. Ac- cording to Pensions and Investments,
Transcript
THE VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES
PUBLISHED BY THE NORTHWESTERN OHIO BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL
VOL. 93 NO. 2 SINGLE COPY 50 CENTS MARCH-APRIL 2018
(Continued on Page 4)
Just days before theU.S.SupremeCourtheardalandmarklaborcaseonFeb. 26, unionmembersralliedincitiesthroughoutthecountry. InColumbus,anesti-mated 3,000unionmem-bers, including roughly100membersofthebuild-ing trades, gathered inthe rain outside theOhioStatehousefortheWorkingPeople’sDayofAction. Even t s p e ake r s , Photo credit: Ohio AFL-CIO
Recently,RepresentativeRonHood(R-Ashville)sentaco-sponsorrequestseekingsupportforhisup-comingbilltorepealOhio’sprevailingwagelaw. Inhisrequest,hepromisessignificantsavingsifhisbillwastopass.However,newresearchfromtheMidwestEconomicPolicyInstitute(“MEPI”)foundthat Indiana’s 2015 repeal of prevailingwage law(knownastheCommonConstructionWage)hasfailedtoproduceanytaxpayersavingsonschoolconstructionprojectsandhashadanegativeeffectonwages,jobgrowth,productivity,andothereconomicandindustryindicators. Prevailingwageratesaremarket-basedconstruc-tion rates thatapply to taxpayer-fundedprojectsonacountybycountybasisinOhio.Ohio’sprevailingwage statute is absolutely essential to the state’scontinuingworkforce development success in theconstructionindustry.ResearchersanalyzedpubliclyavailabledatasetsfromtheU.S.DepartmentsofLa-bor andCommerceand theU.S.CensusBureau tocompareIndiana’spost-repealeconomicandindustryoutcomeswiththreeneighboringMidwesternstates–includingOhio–thathavenotrepealedprevailingwagelaws. Overall,thestudyhighlightstenspecificimpacts
Not much to like about prevailing wage repeal
whichincludedlaborlead-ers and U.S. Rep. TimRyan (D-Niles), told thecrowd they must uniteanddefendoneofthelastinstitutionsintheU.S.thatadvocatefortheworkingandmiddleclasspeople. HeldtwodaysbeforetheSupremeCourtheardoral arguments in Janusvs.ASFCME, the rallieswereawaytofightforthefreedomtocometogetherin strong unions, equita-
blepay,affordablehealthcare, quality schools, vi-brant communities and asecurefuture. Therallywasawarn-ingtospecialintereststhattheunionsarenotgoingtoroll over and give awayrights they have earnedthrough collective bar-gaining.
Unions rally ahead of Janus hearing(Continued on Page 4) (Continued on Page 5)
Right-to-work protestors in Columbus demonstrate.
WASHINGTON,D.C.–Anew“com-posite” option is intheworkstoaddressthe growing fiscalshortcomings in thenation’s multiem-ployerpensionplans.It’s called theGiveRetirementOptionstoWorkers(GROW)
Act, and itwas introduced inApril inCongress. SponsoredbyCongressmenPhilRoe(R-Tenn.)andDonaldNorcross(D-N.J.),HouseResolution 4997 is “designed tomodernize and strengthen themultiem-ployer pension system for the future,”they said. “The bipartisanGROWActwillsafeguardthemultiemployerpensionplansystembyauthorizingthecreationofanewtypeofretirementoptionthatcom-binesthekeyfeaturesofdefinedbenefitanddefinedcontributionplans.”Leadersin the building trades and those amongunion contractors and their associations
‘Composite’ pension option may have some traction in Congress
News fromWashington
areonboardwiththelegislation. Themeasureisintendedtoeasethe financial strain on the nation’smultiemployer benefit programs, ofwhich building trades unions are alarge component. (Although,mostfailing“redzone”pensionplans arein the transportation, services andmanufacturingindustries). AccordingtoBenefitsPro,morethan 1,400multiemployer pensionplansinsuredbythePBGChaveag-gregate fundingof about 50percent–anabysmallevel.Alltold,themul-tiemployerplanshavea$553billionholeofunfunded liabilities.And thePBGC’sfundforbackstoppingfailedpensionplansiswoefullyinadequate,it’sfacinga$65billionshortfallandislikelytogoinsolventby2023. If the legislation is adopted intolaw,participationinsuchacompositeplanwouldbevoluntaryanduptoindi-vidualunionpensionplantrustees.Ac-cordingtoPensionsandInvestments,
June 7, 2018. The deadline for all news copy shall be on the first Thursday of each “even-numbered” month of the year.
THE VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES
PAGE 2 VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES MARCH-APRIL 2018
ON THE LEVEL...CEMENT MASONS & PLASTERERS LOCAL 886
N E W T I M E F O R UNION MEETINGS. Pleasedo not forget that all UnionMeetingsarenowheldat7:00P.M.asopposedtotheold8:00P.M. time at the Local #886UnionHall, 4652LewisAve,Toledo,Ohio. DEEPEST SYMPATHY. TheOfficers andMembers ofLocal#886wishtoextendourdeepestsympathiesandsincerecondolencestothefollowing: To the family of brotherCecilHendrickson.CecilwasaCementMasonfor51years.Hewas81yearsold. To the family of brotherRalph Shirkey. Ralph was aCementMasonfor65years.Hewas92yearsold. To the family of brotherArnoldBeverlySr.ArnoldwasaCementMasonfor61years.Hewas82yearsold. To the family of brotherRogerWehner. Roger was aPlasterer for48years.Hewas86yearsold. TothefamilyofCarl (Da-vid)Kurth.CarlwasaPlastererfor48years.Hewas70yearsold. TothefamilyofbrothersJeffandSteveLowellonthepassingoftheirfatherThomasLowell. To the family of brotherJasonHiner on the passing ofhisfatherJackHiner. CONGRATULATIONS. To JeffOsterhout andwife onthebirthoftheirgrandsonMa-sonGregorySwiczkoski bornFebruary9th,2018,8lbs,14oz,22½“long.Babyandmotheraredoingfine. UPCOMING EVENTS: MEMBERSHIP RECOG-NITION MEETING. Member-shipRecognitionMeetingwillbeheldMay3rd,2018at7:00P.M.Followingtheunionmeet-ingwewillrecognizethosewhohave25,30,40,50,60and70yearsifservice.FoodandBever-ageswillbeprovided. ANNUAL PICNIC. TheAnnualLocal 886Picnicwill
beSunday,Aug.19,2018attheElectriciansLocal#8,727LimeCityRd,Rossford,OH.Thetimewillbefrom12p.m.to5p.m. ANNUAL GOLF OUT-ING. TheAnnualGolfOutingwillbeheldonSept.9,2018attheLegacyGolfClub.8A.M.ShotgunStart.Getyourgroupsin now.Youmust be in goodstandingtoplay. KEEP US INFORMED. Remember to call the Local#886Office and keep us up-to-date on any change in youraddress and/or phone number.Weneedtohaveyourmostre-centtelephonenumberonfiletocontactyouwhenworkbecomesavailable.Alsoletusknowwhenyouare laidoff sowecanputyournameonthebooksandputyou toworkwhen somethingbreaks.Alsopleasemakesurethatyourbeneficiariesareuptodate. Reminder – Duesare$10permonth andwe now takecreditcards. FACEBOOK. Be sure tocheck us out on Facebook ateither:OPCMIALocal 886orOPCMIALocal886Apprentice-ship. Have a Happy and Safe Spring! –Ken,Jeff,Garrett,Robert&Kristin
Springishere.Don’tforgetyourmom’sonMother’sDay. Enjoy Memorial Day.ThankaVeteran! Our April Union Meeting: OurAprilunionmeetingwillbeonThursdayApril19,2018at:4904N.SummitToledo,Ohio,43611,Local45at7:30. Our May Union Meeting: OurMayunionmeetingwillbeonThursday,May24,2018at:4904N. SummitToledo,OH43611Local45at7:30. Work Status: TRC shutdowncomingup.Workisgood.Someareonthebench. Newest Apprentices:Wehave been taking applicationsforanewtestinMay2018. Per Capita Dues: Ourpercapitaduesarebeingpaid.Wehavesomeofuswhoneedalittlereminder. It is easy to forget.Post cardshavebeen sentout.Thank you all for thosewhohavemailedorstoppedintopaythepercapitadues.Ithelpsusstay current.Thank you againforyourhelp! FYI: Wewould like themembershiptoknowthatsomedocs includingVEBA forms,andApprenticeshipBluecardsare available on theLocal 45websiteunder themembershipsection.Thepasswordisavail-able at the union hall. www.insulatorslocal45.com. Retirements: CongratsonyourretirementonFeb.1,2018,JohnWorthington. Past Events:WehopeyouallhadagreatValentine’sDay&Easter.. Upcoming Events: 1.)DinnerDance 2018 isMay19th,2018atMaumeeBaywithagolfoutingonthesameday.DiscountedRoomratesforFri&Satareavailable. New Births: Deaths: ZenaidoSegura’spassing. He passed away onMarch13th,2018.Hewilltrulybemissed.
The Mud BoxHeat & Frost Insulators Local 45
MARCH-APRIL 2018 VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES PAGE 3
THE HOT LINE...ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL 8
HappySpring,everyone!LatelastmonthLocal8heldour54thAnnualDinnerDancewithsome425peopleinattendance.Asinpreviousyears,BusinessManagerRoyGrosswilerledamomentofsilenceforourrecentlypassedmembers.ThenheandPresidentEricGrosswilerrecognizedmembersfortheirrespectiveyears-of-serviceandpassedouttheirservicepins.Thosemembersdeservementioninghere. Membersreachingtheir50yearmilestonewereGlenn“Buck”Crosser,LeeCutchall,RobertDusseau,HowardFoughtJr.,GregGumbanJr,JackHageman,JerryJacobs,KenKreuchauf,RichardLong,DennisMyers,LouisRockwood,RonSteele,AlVansickle,ClydeWentling,GeraldWilhelm,andMikeWittenmyer.Membersaccumulating 55 years of servicewereCaeronCrook,LeonardMientkiewicz,RobertMiller,DennisMurphy,andJerryRogers. Memberswith60yearsofservice includeRogerBugaj,EdIsaacson,NormMulligan,GeorgeRedmondJr,RobertStephen-son,NormStreichert,WilliamStuckey,RaySzymanskiandTomThomas. BrothersJamesPudlickiandRonStreicherthavereached65yearsofservice. Andmostnotably,70-yearpinswenttoCliftonLinscott,CarlMauss,JohnSaunders,andConradShoup.Congratulationstoall! ThemidtermprimaryelectionswillbeheldonMay8.TheExecutiveBoardhasbeenscreeningcandidatesandhasmadeafewendorsementsthatareworthsharing:forOhioGovernor,RichardCordrayandBettySuttonaretheteamtohaveourbacks.MichaelAshfordforOhioSenateDistrict11;andforStateRepresentatives,MichaelSheehy(District46)andBarbaraLang(District47)getourthumbs-up.PleaseremembertovoteonMay8. TheLocal8SistersgroupareplanningtheirnextmeetingforMay6.Womenfromallclassificationsareinvitedtojoinintomeet,shareideasaboutvariousLocalfunctions,volunteerpossibilities,andget toknowfellowSisters.Timeandlocationof theMay6meetingisyettobedetermined,socalltheofficefordetails. It iswithgreatsadnesstoreport thepassingofSisterGretaBeck,whopassedtooearlyonMarch4.Also,wemournthelossofRetireeThomasAuxter,whodiedJanuary26andRetireeWilliamBoddy,wholeftusonFebruary11.OursincerecondolencesandprayersgotothefamiliesofallourfallenSistersandBrothers. RemembertoworksafeandattendyourUnionMeetings. –Mike Brubaker, Press Secretary
PAINTER’S POTPainters & Decorators
Local 7 Ihopethisfindsyouwell. ThismonthwemournthelossofBrotherCameronNovak,hewasanactivememberwhowillbegreatlymissed.Wesendprayersforhissurvivingfamilyandhopethattheymayfindpeace. PleasenotethattheMay9,2018meetingwillbespecialcalledforDistrictCouncilNominations.TheJune13,2018meetingwillalsobeaspecialcalledmeetingforraiseallocations.Allmeetingswillbeat909FrontSt.Toledo,OH43605andstartat6:00p.m.TheUnionofficeswillremainat1308W.SylvaniaAve.untilfurthernotice. Pleasecheck theDistrictCouncil6websiteand theCitizenforupdatedtrainingschedules.Wehaveunfortunatelyhadseveralclassescanceledbecausenoonehaschosentoshowup.Rememberthatthismayimpactyourearningsinthefutureifyoudon’tmeetthehoursrequiredinthecontract.Wehavehadsomelengthydis-cussionsatrecentmeetingsabouttraining.IwanttoletyouknowthatifyouneedorhaveanysuggestionsforclassespleasecontactmyselforGeorgeBoots. WearealsodistributingimportantinformationliketheJour-neymanupgradeclassremindersandcancelingnoticesthroughtextalerts.PleasesignupbytextingIUPATDC6to797979.Youwillreceiveimportantalertsanduptodateinformation.Bysigningupyouwillalsobeenteredforachancetowina$50giftcard. AsworkbeginstorampuppleasemakesurethatRenataisawareofyouravailabilityandthatwehaveupdatedphonenumberstonotifyyouofwork.Ihavetriedrecentlytogetaholdofseveralmemberstoonlyfindthat thephonenumberswerenolongerinservice.Idon’twantanyonetomissanyopportunities.Respectfully in brotherhood,Jamie Peppers
TheDodgeMomentumIndexforU.S.constructionactivitymoved6.1percenthigherinMarch,risingto155.0(2000=100)fromtherevisedFebruaryreadingof146.0,DodgereportedApril6. TheMomentumIndex,compiledbyDodgeDataandAnalytics,isamonthlymeasureofthefirst(orinitial)reportfornonresidentialbuildingprojectsinplanning,whichhavebeenshowntoleadconstruc-tionspendingfornonresidentialbuildingsbyafullyear. March’sgainwastheresultofa9.6percentincreaseinthecom-mercialcomponent–morethanerasingthe5.1percentdeclineithadseenthepreviousmonth. During thefirst ninemonths of 2017, the overallMomentumIndexmadelittleprogress.However,planningactivityshotupinthefourthquarter,withthatimpetuscontinuingintothefirstthreemonthsof2018.InthelatestquartertheMomentumIndexgained5.1percent.
Dodge Momentum Index climbs in March
PAGE 4 VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES MARCH-APRIL 2018
Not much to like about prevailing wage repeal(Continued from Page 1)
DearBrothers&Sisters, Wehope this article findsyouwell. Spring is upon usandworkwill be ramping up.ManyprojectsarenowrequiringOSHA30refresherswithinthepast12-24months. TheJATCisgivingarefreshercoursethisMay,ifithasbeenmorethan2yearssincetakingOSHA30,youmightwanttosignup. April24,2018wewillbehavingaspecial-calledmeetingtoallocatethisyear’s increase.Pleasemakeeveryefforttoat-tend.Itisyourmoney;donotletsomeoneelsedecidehowitisdistributed. We have been remindingthemembers at everyUnionmeetingthat thereisnolongerahitlistformembersgoing60days lateonpayingtheirdues.Ourofficecannolongerwarnamemberthattheyareabouttogosuspended. Duesmustalsobepaidbythelastdayofthemonth;
AtstakeintheJanuscaseispublicsectorSo-Called“RighttoWork” laws,whichwill ul-timatelybedecidedbyacourtwith a conservativemajorityfollowingthe2017appointmentof JusticeNeilGorsuch to thebench. The courtwill determinewhether non-unionmembersshould pay “fair share” feesfor union representation at thebargainingtable. IfthecourtrulesinfavorofJanus, itwilloverturnits1977
rulingAboodv.DetroitBoardofEducationandopenthedoorforSo-Called“Right toWork”tobeenactednationwideinthepublicsector. Publicsectorunionswouldtake amajor financial hit, asnon-unionrepresentedindividu-alswouldnolongerberequiredto pay fees to the unionswhorepresentthematthebargainingtable. The elimination of “fairshare” feeswould likely leadto additional court cases inan attempt to enact So-Called
“RighttoWork”nationwideintheprivatesector. TheNorthwestOhioBuild-ing and ConstructionTradesCouncil opposes So-Called
Unions rally ahead of Janus hearing(Continued from Page 1)
anyduespaidin thefollowingmonthwillresultinasuspensionifamemberisalready2monthsbehind. If you are not signedupfortextmessagingoremailalerts, go to www.smwlu33.organdclickthegogreenlinktosignup.Thiswillwarnyouthroughatextoremailthatyouareabout togosuspendedandneedtopayyourdues. AreminderthatJulyisrightaround the corner, so dust offthoseclubs,cleanupyourgolfshoes andpurchase somenewballs,becausetheAnnualSheetMetalWorkers’Local 33GolfOutingwillbeherebeforeyouknow.Asign-upsheetwillsoonbeavailableattheHall. ThisAugust10-12 isJeepFestDowntown.Wehavespon-sored several of the events atthefestivalandnowhavespotsavailableintheparadeifyou’dlike to showcase your Jeep.Pleaseletusknowearlyonsowe can get you a spot in theparade.Aquickreminderthatwenowhave twomeetingspermonth:ThesecondTuesdayandfourthTuesdayofthemonthat6pm. Haveasafeandenjoyablespring!Fraternally,Chris, Matt & Corey
“RighttoWork”legislation. GotoToledoConstruction.com to learnwhy So-Called“Right toWork” iswrong forOhioandwrongforthenation.
Toledo Northwest Ohio Building Trades
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MARCH-APRIL 2018 VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES PAGE 5
(Continued from Page 1)
(Continued from Page 1)
underthelegislation: •Participantsinexistingmultiemployerpensionfundscouldjointhenewplansaspartoftheirusualcollectivebargainingpro-cess,whichwouldalsorequirethemtocontributetolegacyplansthatwouldbeclosedtofurtheraccruals. •Fundassetswouldbeprofessionallymanaged,andthecom-positecomponentofplanswouldhavetobe120percentfundedtoprotectagainstmarketvolatility. •Employerswouldnegotiateafixedcontributionamountandberesponsibleonlyfortheirshare,asopposedtounfundedliabilitiesthatmanymultiemployerplansface. “SaidCongressmanNorcross.“I’manelectricianbytrade(Fol-som,N.J.,IBEWLocal351)whoparticipatedinthemultiemployerpensionsystemfor37years,asbotharank-and-fileworkerandanegotiator.TheGROWActoffersanothertoolinthetoolboxforworkerstogrowtheirretirementsavingsandemployerstogrowtheirbusinesses.” In2014,Congresshadgivenmultiemployerfundstoolstotrytodefusepensiontimebombs,includingtheabilitytocutbenefitstoretirees.TheGROWActwouldworkbeside those tools,andaccordingtothelegislation,workerswouldstillreceivelifetimeincome,andthebenefitsthatworkersearnedunderatraditionalmultiemployerplanwouldbeprotectedevenaftertheyareshiftedintoa“composite”plan. NorthAmerica’sBuildingTradesUnions,theumbrellagroupfor internationalunioncrafts, applauded theplan, andurged itspassage.“Thisbipartisanbillisdesignedtoensureboththeretire-mentsecurityofAmericanworkersandthefinancialhealthofthejobcreatingemployersofAmericabystrengtheningandmodern-izingthemultiemployerpensionplansystem,”NABTUsaid.“TheGROWActallowsplansthatarehealthytodaytomakestructuralchanges,sotheycancontinuetoprovideretirementsecurityforAmericanworkersandtheirfamiliesintheyearstocome.” TheAssociationofUnionConstructors,anationaltradeas-sociationformorethan2,000membercompaniesandcontractorassociations,isalsoonboardwiththeplan.“TheGROWActisthe right legislation at the right time,” saidTAUCCEOSteveLindauer.“Compositeplansarestrongyetflexible,andprovidelocallabor-managementtrusteesatooltoensuretheirplanscanconfronttoday’sfinancialrealities.Theseplansprovidereliable,lifetime retirement security forplanparticipants throughanan-nuitizedlife-timebenefit,muchlikedefinedbenefitpensionplans.Atthesametime,theyprovideemployerswiththecostcertaintytypicallyassociatedwithdefinedcontributionplans.” TheTAUCsaidtheGROWActwouldalsoeliminatewithdrawalliabilityforemployersgoingforward.Suchliabilityisahugefinan-cialconcernforconstructioncontractors,asitamountstoapenaltythat’s imposedon contractors that stay in business but end theirrelationshipwiththemultiemployerplan.Thatuncertaintyisseenasadisincentivefornewcontractorstojoinmultiemployerplans. “ThisnewCongressionalproposalprovidesattractivenewoptionsformanyfirmsthatarelookingtooffergoodretirementbenefitswithoutincurringtheliabilitythatcomeswithtraditionaldefinedbenefitplans,”saidAssociatedGeneralContractorsCEOStephenSandherr. TheTrump administration has not taken a position on theplan,butitmayhavelegseveninaRepublicanCongressthathaslittleuseforlaborunions.Theplanisrevenueneutralforthefed-eralgovernmentanddoesnotaskforataxpayerbailout,andfewlawmakershaveanappetiteforlettingpensionplansfail,withtheresultingbenefitcutsmakingmillionsofretireesdestitute.
‘Composite’ pension option may have some traction in Congress
U.S. construction employment increased by 61,000 jobs inFebruary to thehighest level innearlyadecade.Andrisingpayratesenabledtheindustrytoattractmoreworkers,accordingtoananalysisofnewgovernmentdatareleasedinMarchbytheAssoci-atedGeneralContractorsofAmerica. ThenumbersshowedthatOhio’sconstructionindustryemploy-menthasstayedinthemiddleofthepackamongthestates,up2.9percentduringthefrigidmonthsofJanuaryandFebruaryvs.12monthsprior.OhiorankedNo.24amongthestatesinpercentagejobgains vs. February2017, a period inwhich its constructionworkforcejumpedby6,100workers. ThenumbersalsoshowedthatMichigan’sconstructionindustryemploymentenjoyedanevenstrongerstartin2018.Michiganem-ployed170,600constructionindustryworkersattheendofFebruary,arobust6.9percentincreasecomparedto12monthsprior,placingitNo.11amongthestatesinjobgainspercentageduringthattime. Overall,35statesgainedconstructionjobsduringthat12monthperiod,accordingtoareport issuedMarch23bytheAssociatedGeneralContractorsofAmerica. “The construction industry continues to add employees inmostofthenation,despiteashortageofworkerswithconstructionexperience,”saidAGCchiefeconomistKenSimonson.“Butjobopeningsaregrowing,ascontractorsencounterashrinkingpoolofexperiencedjobseekers.” WestVirginia (+14.3 percent),Nevada (+10.9 percent) andCalifornia (+9.5percent)havebeen themajorU.S.hotspots forconstructionjobsoverthepast12months.AtthebottomofthelistintermsoflosingjobspercentageareNorthDakota(-16.3percent),Iowa(-8.5percent)andKansas(-5.3percent). TheAGCsaidconstructionemploymenttotaled7.17millioninFebruary,againof61,000for themonthand254,000,or3.7percent,over12months.Constructionemploymentismorethandoublethe1.6percentriseinnonfarmpayrollemploymentduringthat12-monthperiod. Theindustryaddedmorethanaquarter-millionjobsduringthepastyear.TheunemploymentrateinU.S.constructiondroppedto7.8percentlastmonthfrom8.8percentayearearlier.
Construction in good shape entering the 2018 building season
ROAD WORK is always a major component of construction ac-tivity in Northwest Ohio. In Findlay along I-75, the interchanges of US 68 and SR 15 and Lima Avenue are being reconstructed in work undertaken by ODOT. A lane is being added in both directions to enhance traffic capacity and safety. ODOT photo
Union Bulletin BoardNOTICES OF UNION SPECIAL MEETINGS, ELECTIONS, ETC.
PAGE 6 VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES MARCH-APRIL 2018
ELECTRICAL APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES~
INSIDE/COMMERCIAL, TELECOMMUNICATIONS and RESIDENTIAL
(Men & Women)
TheToledoElectricalJointApprenticeshipandTrainingCommitteeacceptsapplicationsMondaythroughFridayfrom8:30amuntil4:00pm.Andonthe1stMondayofeachmonthuntil6:00pm(pleasearriveby5:30).YOU MUST APPLY IN PERSON AND SUBMIT A $20.00 APPLICATION FEE(nocash,please)Applicationsareacceptedat:803 LIME CITY RD. ROSSFORD, OH 43460Thefollowingdocumentationmustbeprovidedwithin60daystoqualifyfortheapprenticeship: •Copy of Birth Certificate(mustbe17toapply,18tobegin) •Official copy of High School Transcript(cannot handdeliver) •Copy of GED, ifapplicable •Proofofsuccessfulcompletionofone (1) credit of Algebra.
MARCH-APRIL 2018 VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES PAGE 7
Ohio Carpenters JATC – Local #351
NOTICE OF APPLICATIONThere are two way to apply to our program.
We take applications every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am. Applicants should bring with them:1. Drivers license or State ID2. Birth certificate3. High School diploma or GEDUpon completion of the application, the applicant will be given a list of contractors along with an “Intent to Hire” packet and instructions as to the next step in the process.
The second way to apply is to go to our website at www.ohcap.org and click on the “Northwest” tab. From there anyone may submit an application at any time.
The Voice of the Building Trades Newspaper is going green.Starting in August 2014 the newspaper is able to be viewed on our website at toledoconstruction.com. If any members would still like to receive a hard copy, please cut out this form and mail it into the Northwestern Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, 909 Front St., Toledo, OH 43605.or e-mail to [email protected]
THE VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES
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Let’s permanently delay the ‘Cadillac Tax’By Matthew Brown
“CadillacTax,”changingtheef-fectivedatefrom2020to2022. The Cadillac tax is a 40percentexcisetaxonemployer-sponsoredhealthbenefitsvaluedannuallyatmore than$10,200
per employee (or $27,500 perfamily).However,ifthemajor-ity of covered employees in agivenplanareengaged incer-tainhigh-riskprofessions,suchas construction, the thresholdsare adjusted to $11,850 and$30,950,respectively. The thresholds are also ad-justed for some eligible retireesandmaybeadjustedforemployerswhoseageandgenderworkforcecharacteristics differ from thenationalaverage.Thevalueabovethese thresholds is the amountsubjecttothe40percenttax.Thisnumber includes employer andemployee-paidpremiums. Forexample,alaborerwhoismarried, has two childrenand receives health insurancethrough her employer valuedat$35,950wouldcostherem-ployer $2,000 in taxes. Thebreakdownlookslikethis:$35,950(valueofcoverage)-$30,950(familycoveragelimit)=$5,000(excessvalue)x40percent(Cadillactax)=$2,000(billtotheemployerforjustthisoneemployee) The thresholds are fixedamounts and do not take intoaccount the varying costs ofhealthcareindifferentpartsofthe country.More health careplansinhighcoststatessuchasCaliforniaandNewYorkwouldbe subject to theCadillac tax
than thosehealthcareplans inlowercoststates. “Ifimplemented,theCadil-lac taxwould force employerstoeitherpay largepenaltiesorreduce thehealth carebenefitsoftheiremployees,”saysLabor-ersHealth andSafetyFundofNorthAmerica ManagementCo-ChairmanNoelC.Borck.“This could include increasingout-of-pocketcostsforworkersthroughhigherco-paysorhigherco-insurance, effectively serv-ingasapaycut.TheLaborersInternationalUnion ofNorthAmericaandtheLHSFNAwillcontinue to fight this flawedprovision,whichputs thecov-erage of thousands ofLIUNAmembersatrisk.” Originally included in the2010AffordableCareAct, theCadillacTaxhasnowbeende-layedtwice;itwasalsodelayedfor two years (from 2018 to2020)throughtheConsolidatedAppropriationsActof2016. ”When theAffordableCareActwentintoeffectin2010,thegoalwas tomake it easier forAmericanstogetquality,cost-ef-fectivehealthcarecoverage,”saysLIUNAGeneralPresidentTerryO’Sullivan.“Nowaflawedpro-visionoftheActisthreateningthecoverageofmillions,includ-ing thousandsofhard-workingLIUNAmembers.”
Slow start for infrastructure plan WASHINGTOND.C.–TheTrumpAdministration’sroll-outof its highly touted $1 trillionplantoinvestinU.S.infrastruc-turewasmet cordially by theconstructionindustry,butseemedtoreceiveamostlyunder-whelm-ingreactionelsewhere. Thatless-than-effusiveenthu-siasmfortheplancenteredon,ofcourse,money:theTrumpAdmin-istration’sinfrastructureplanwouldonly spend $200 billion in newfederalfunds,whiletherestwouldcome fromalready cash-strappedstate and local governments, andpossiblyprivatesources. “Just like the previous ver-sion, theplanamounts toemptytalk,” saidHunter Blair of theEconomicPolicyInstitute.“Whilethe administration trumpets aninfrastructure plan, their budgetradicallycutsfederalinvestments.Instead of the $1 trillion beingclaimed by the administration(alreadyparedbackfromthe$1.5trilliontheyclaimedthey’dbein-vestingininfrastructureinearlierdiscussions), the planonly callsfor$200billioninfederalfunds.Findingtherestofthe$1trillionwill be left overwhelmingly tostatesandlocalities.” Trumpmadethelong-await-edroll-outofhisinfrastructureplan in February. He offeredonly generalities,without anyspecificfundingmechanismlikeanincreasedgasolinetaxtopayforthework.Hepledged“newinvestments in ruralAmerica,a “streamlined and shortened”processforpermittingprojects,the return of decisionmakingauthority to state and localgovernments,andanAmericanworkforce that will be “sup-ported and strengthened.”Theplanwouldalsoleveragetheuseofprivateinvestment,whichisoften proposed in the formofincreaseduseoftollroads. TheAFL-CIO acknowl-edgedTrump“hasrightlynotedtheurgencyandscaleofAmer-
ica’sinfrastructurecrisis.” “Unfortunately,”saidAFL-CIO President RichTrumka,“today’sproposalreliesmoreonaccountinggimmicksandWallStreet investors thanonanewfederalcommitment.” Both NorthAmerican’sBuildingTradesUnionsandtheAssociatedGeneralContractorswelcomedthenewspotlightasaconversationstarteronpublicworksconstruction–whichfewwouldarguehasbeensorelyandevendangerouslyunder-fundedfordecades.
