WINTER 2021 ADVANCING THE MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION … · 2020. 12. 18. · Charlie Usher President,...

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PIPELINEnewsWINTER 2021 ADVANCING THE MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE INDUSTRY

Finding the Pandemic Positives

HIRE INTERNS

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

WELCOME JESSIE SPANGLER JOIN CEI ONLINE

1 n PIPELINEnews WINTER 2021 | WWW.MCA.ORG

Greetings, MCA of Chicago members

Congratulations! We survived 2020.

We know hours were softer than 2019, but not as low as many anticipated. We were probably down about 15 percent.

The wild part? There were big bright spots:

• Membership went up. We actually made triple digit membership numbers.

• There weren’t any mechanical contractor casualties. Some may have shifted their focus or their location, but all of our members are still in business!

• Contractors and owners alike are prioritizing the reimagination of their businesses, including their technology and marketing plans.

For me, the best part of 2020 was finally leaving my aol email address!

As you work your way through the end of this pandemic, please let us know what you need from MCA of Chicago to help you and your employees keep your chin up. It has been a long path but we can see the finish line and can get through it more strongly together!

Reach out anytime: to me personally at my shiny new email address ([email protected]) or to the staff ([email protected]). We’d love to hear not only how you are doing and what parts of your business you’ve reimagined, but also your ideas on what would make a difference to you, to this industry, to our work product. We want to be part of your solution!

Charlie UsherPresident, MCA of Chicago

A LETTER FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

7065 Veterans Blvd.Burr Ridge, Illinois [email protected] | www.mca.org

Pipeline News is published by the Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago

Executive Vice President Jill McCall, CAE, MBA, JD

Vice President of External Affairs Daniel C. Day, CAE

Director of Communications and Marketing Jessie Spangler

Senior Vice President Daniel Bulley

Director of FinanceSusan Rocque

Senior Director of Engagement Rebecca Lintow

©2021 Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago

Designer iDrewstudio

Printing Cardinal Color Group

Administrative Assistant Judie Prophete

WWW.MCA.ORG | WINTER 2021 PIPELINEnews n 2

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

New Laws for Illinois in 2021By Bridget Dougherty & Dan Day

Minimum Wage IncreaseUnder the new law, the minimum wage increased to $11 per hour on January 1, 2021. That amount will increase annually until it reaches $15 per hour on January 1, 2025.

Employers and Discrimination ClaimsOn July 1, 2020, the Illinois Human Rights Act reduced the number of employees, from 15 to one, that an employer must have to be subject to state discrimination laws. Under this change, employers will be required to file any final adverse judgments or administrative rulings entered against them in discrimination or sexual harassment matters to the Illinois Department of Human Rights. Employers must file these disclosure reports for the preceding calendar year before July 1 of each subsequent year.

Potential Tax IncreaseIn the November 2020 election, voters were asked whether to approve a constitutional amendment that would shift the state from a flat to a graduated income tax. The proposed constitutional amendment failed. It is possible that there will be a hike in the flat income tax in the lame duck session of the 101st General Assembly or early in the new 102nd General Assembly, which will be sworn in on January 13, 2021. A 20 percent increase would bring Illinois’ current income tax rate up from 4.95% to 5.94% across the board. There are also discussions underway to use other mechanisms to raise needed revenue, such as adjusting deductions and credits without raising rates.

FICA Cap IncreaseEmployers are seeing a modest increase in their share of payroll taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) as of January 1, 2021. The cap on earnings subject to the Social Security (SS) tax increased from the current $137,700 to $142,800 in 2021.

PBGC Premium IncreaseThe Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. (PBGC) recently released its per participant premium rates for 2021. The multiemployer plan premium increased by $1.00 from $30.00 per participant to $31.00 per participant.

Sign Up for MCA eNewsletters To sign up, contact [email protected]

• MCA of Chicago (Local Angle)• Emerging Leaders• Women of MCA of Chicago• Education Update


MCA of Chicago Awards Student Scholarships In October, the MCA and its member companies awarded $18,000 to 17 college students from a pool of over 100 applicants. Winners were announced at the virtual October Membership Meeting. Congratulations to all of the recipients!

MCA of Chicago Scholarships Recipients • Brian Barbour – Illinois State University• Parker Filius – Purdue University• Drew Hendrix – Purdue University• Cory Huffman – Ball State University• Tanner King – Indiana State University• Sean Paul – Indiana State University• Elijah Pierre-Toussaint – Bradley University • Calvin Schelfhout – Milwaukee School of Engineering• Logan Stone – Milwaukee School of Engineering• Michael Teeter – Milwaukee School of Engineering• Joe Waltz – Illinois State University

James McCauley Scholarship Recipients • Annie Jansen – Purdue University• Richard Kostro – Indiana State University

Owen Moran Scholarship Recipients • Max Walsh – Milwaukee School of Engineering• Jake Ridgeway – Indiana State University

Craft Mechanical Scholarship Recipient • Chicoyah Hunt – Purdue University

Service Mechanical Scholarship Recipient • Katie Cross – Michigan State University

THANK YOU TO THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP SUBCOMMITTEE

• Andrew Palcan, Helm Mechanical, subcommittee chair• Charlotte Flesher, FE Moran• Tami Farber, The Hill Group• Patrick Cesario, Service Mechanical Industries

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Building Industry Awareness…

Check out our YouTube Channelyoutube.com/user/MCAofChicago There, you’ll:

• Learn how to update your LinkedIn profile with CEI & MCA achievements via the “How To” series

• Understand how the MCA works by watching the “Virtual Leadership Orientation”

• Appreciate our planning progress with the “Strategic Planning” series


CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Looking for a 2021 Summer Intern? Hire a Scholarship Recipient!

OPTION 1: Tanner King Construction Management, May 2022

As president of the ISU MCAA Student Chapter, he enjoys leading and teaching new members.

With previous work experience as an asphalt paving laborer, he enjoys the aspects of being part of a job from start to finish.”I like knowing what goes into the project and being a part of the design and build process,” he said. “I have worked in many different fields from

general construction, paving, finishing, and a little bit of electric. I want to see if mechanical construction is what I want to do as my future career.”

TAKEN! MCA Scholarship winner Parker Filius to Intern with Member Company BMWC

MCA congratulates Parker Filius on his 2021 internship with BMWC Constructors, Inc.

“My time with MCAA has given me an interest in the process piping industry,” Filius, secretary of Purdue’s MCAA Student Chapter, explains. “Last Fall, a representative of BMWC gave a presentation on how they fabricate piping in their shop and install it on job sites that require great detail and cleanliness.”

“I have really enjoyed the technical nature of the mechanical sector,” he said.

Tanner King

Parker Filius

OPTION 2: Jake Ridgeway Construction Management, December 2021

“Mechanical contracting is a business that will be there for years to come,” Jake says. “I think it would be very interesting to see the changes as the world advances in technology.”

Jake has previous experience as a shop laborer for Amex Nooter and a Jr. Project Manager for Schneider Electric, where he worked with project managers to complete material purchases and PO

closeouts for subcontractors.

In his internship search, Jake is looking for a company that values its employees by developing them.

Jake Ridgeway

Find your Next Hire through the MCAContact our career development committee @ [email protected] if you are open to hiring Tanner, Jake or someone from our list of 100+ scholarship applicants.


CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Career Path Video Released for Virtual S.T.E.A.M. WeekThank you to the seven MCA member employees who helped Mr. Energy showcase industry careers in honor of S.T.E.A.M. Week:

• Shannon Coomes The Hill Group• Carnell Dodd Environment Mechanical• Tom Kelleher AMS Mechanical • Manny Reynoso Craft Mechanical• Jimmy Rio AMS Mechanical• Oliver Robinson Service Mechanical Industries• Blen Teferi F.E. Moran

To see their interviews, visit NRGed.org:

• Click on “Go To Adventures” • Scroll to the button “Go To Adventures 22-26” • Start Episode 23, “The History of HVAC&R - HVAC&R

Careers”• Forward to the 13-minute mark in the video

As for feedback on the full Mr. Energy curriculum MCA helped underwrite, “Students really are enjoying the program,” said teacher Elaine Cloney from Cassell Elementary School in the Chicago Public School network. She has students work in google classroom breakout groups on the questions together and pre-read for homework. “I watch most of it with them and do the activities with them,” she explained. She likes that the program gets students using math and science in practical ways (through tasks like recording data and graphing observations).

Please continue sharing the curriculum with science teachers you know!

Girls Learning to Weld (GLoW) ScholarsMCA provided two scholarships for the Girls Learning to Weld (GLoW) program. Kudos to Proviso West High School students Daiona Anderson and Mia Villanueva! GLoW, now in its second year, is run by MCA career development committee liaison Antigone Sharris of Triton College.

Sharris, GLoW Scholars, and MCA EVP Jill McCall

Outreach to Construction Program Advisors ContinuesWe’re starting to build our following with relevant advisors at two- and four- year colleges and recently sent “swag” bags. Share ideas for how to better connect them to our industry: [email protected].

Interested in joining the Career Development Committee or another leadership group? Email [email protected] and tell us which one you’d like to join and why. To learn more about our 22 leadership groups, go to mca.org/about/committees.


EMERGING LEADERS/WOMEN

WOMEN

Mentoring Unplugged• In September, MCA of Chicago

donated 3 steampunk lamp building kits to Polished Pebbles Pink Hard Hat project as part of the She Builds… A Brighter Future event (which was spearheaded in part by MCA of Chicago Member Catherine Tojaga).

• In December, we delivered success bags to the 14 new graduates of the Chicago Women in Trades’ Technical Opportunities Program.

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR MANAGER BEFORE YOU LOSE YOUR MINDMarch 10 | 11:30am - 1pmThis workshop is packed with tips on how to effectively communicate and collaborate with your manager. Topics will include: how to uncover your manager’s expectations and facilitate difficult conversations with your manager and other leaders.

A Look Back In November the Emerging Leader Steering Committee held an informative lunch conversation about how to better connect with each other and the MCA.

EMERGING LEADERS

A Look Ahead January 13 | Noon - 1pmIn 2021, the Emerging Leaders will be hosting a quarterly discussion on personal financial management. The topic will be financial goal setting: Setting financial goals will become the foundation of everything you will accomplish going forward, and you’ll refer to them often to keep you on track.

A Look BackMCA of Chicago + Crain’s Notable Women in Construction and Design Event

Thank you to the 60 attendees who engaged in October by listening to a panel and then “sat” at virtual tables, where they mingled and enjoyed one-by-one visits with the presenters.

One participant wrote: When I finished work on Wednesday I went to my husband and said “You’re not going to believe this, but I went to a fun online networking event today!” (We do a lot of these lately. They are not usually fun.) Hats off to you folks!

If you have ideas on people we should feature at a future event, please email [email protected].

A Look AheadSTRATEGIES FOR LEADING IN YOUR CAREER AND LIFETuesday, February 9 @ NoonWork and life aren’t a zero-sum game. In this talk, Alyssa Westring combines research insights and personal stories to help individuals develop strategies for success both in and outside of work. Many employees believe that career success can only be achieved by sacrificing personal wellness and non-work relationships. Attendees will learn to rethink this “trade-off” mentality and how to define career success on their own terms. Register at mca.org/event/women2021.


EDUCATION

CEI Online Class Calendar (January - May)Register online now by going to mca.org/calendar and selecting the class you’re interested in. All classes will be taught via Zoom.

JANUARY 14

14Change Order BootcampJanuary 14 | 10-11:30 AM Instructor: Troy Aichele

This session will cover all things related to change orders including the different types of changes that occur on a project, management methods, SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) and documentation, change order pricing methods (Lump Sum, T&M, and Forward Pricing) and best practices in identifying, pricing and selling change orders.

JANUARY 28

28How Leaders Use Stories to Influence, Persuade, and InspireJanuary 28 | 10 AM - Noon Instructor: Ira Koretsky

Before a single word is spoken – in a split second – the decision to engage, trust, and buy is made. Every person who interacts with the client – sales, service technicians, estimators, installers, finance, or the CEO – all share one common and powerful selling and customer service tool – Presence.

JANUARY 20

20Bluebeam Tips for BeginnersJanuary 20| 9-10 AM Instructor: Ginnie Florday

This course will focus on a few of the key timesavers built into Bluebeam that new users might not know about. Like always, Ginnie will work with the class on any specific topics that the participants would find value in.

February 4

4How to Deal with OSHA February 4 | 9:00 - 10:30 AM Instructor: Aaron Dean

Do you know how to respond when OSHA shows up to do an inspection on a job site? Or what to do if OSHA issues a safety citation? Attorney Aaron Dead has defended general contractors and subcontractors in more than 100 OSHA cases, including multiple fatality cases, multiple injury cases, and scores of non-injury cases. Aaron’s 20-year legal career spans all facets of the construction industry. Aaron will take you through best practices and scenarios on how to deal with OSHA.

February 10

10Project Manager and Foreman Partnership

February 10 |8- 10 AM Instructor: John Koontz

A highly effective and inseparable partnership must be forged between the project manager and the foreman before the project begins. This session will place a special emphasis on why the following critical project activities must be jointly created/developed by the Project Manager and Foreman. This seminar will identify and explain the top 10 components that define a great partnership and demonstrate how these components specifically apply to critical project management topics such as planning, scheduling, cost control, productivity, fabrication, contract management, documentation, change order management, customer management, and servant leadership.


EDUCATION

4February 24

24Bluebeam Tips for Advanced Users February 24| 9-10 AM Instructor: Ginnie Florday

If you want to take markups and measurements to a new level, join this seminar. We will use an estimating example to teach the following tools: finding objects that need to be priced out, creating a column in the markup list to establish the price of items found and creating a calculated column that will multiply the price * the measurement of the item. Plus, anything else that the participants are looking to figure out about Bluebeam.

February 18

18Remember Names to Build Better Professional Relationships February 18 | 9:00 - 10:30 AM Instructor: Katie Lane

Remembering names of customers, prospects, networking contacts, and colleagues is critical to your ongoing professional success. It is essential in forming and strengthening relationships as well as establishing rapport with individuals. In this program, you will learn techniques to help you remember names when you need them. Find out which tools and formulas you can use that will help you remember the name of just about any person you will ever meet!

DEI SERIESDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) SeriesPresented by Alex Willis

Break Down the Barriers to Become Diverse and InclusiveFebruary 19 | 10-11:30 AM

Managing Discrimination March 19 | 10-11:30 AM

March 4

4Mitigating Risk: Understanding the Construction Claims ProcessMarch 4 | 9 - 10:00 AM Instructor: Tim Wentz

Claims have long been identified as one of the most significant issues that face contractors, owners and architect/engineers. Invariably, claims create an adverse environment that often prevents long-term relationships, the foundation of a strong company. This presentation investigates the common causes of claims and then builds on that knowledge to generate common sense strategies to avoid claims and manage risk.

Available

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EDUCATION

HACIA Partnership offers new certificate optionCEI is partnering with the Hispanic American Construction

Industry Association (HACIA) to offer Online Business Essentials for Construction, an online training program that covers four core competencies: Operations Management, Marketing & Communications, Finance & Budgeting and Entrepreneurship. Each competency will cover four topical areas and run eight weeks. Check out tinyurl.com/y5b2w2x4 for dates and how to register for this complimentary, self-paced program.

Online Safety TrainingPlease take advantage of FREE OSHA training through MCA of Chicago.It’s hard to set aside 10 or 30 hours to get your OSHA card. Now you can do it conveniently through this online offering! Complete these courses and you will receive your OSHA 10 or 30-hour card from the Department of Labor. This course is available for MCA of Chicago members only and provided through a partnership with ClickSafety.

Mandatory Anti-Harassment Training Remains Available and FREE for Your EmployeesThis 15-minute program meets the minimum requirements as outlined in the IL Dept. of Human Rights PA 101-0221 of the Illinois General Assembly. The best part? Your administrator can track attendance through the Construction Education Institute’s learning management system. In order for Illinois employers to comply, all employees must review the training annually.

lms.mca.org/products/illinois-sexual-harassment-training

Kudos to the 2020 Graduates of MCAA’s Pre-IPM program John Schulz, Premier Mechanical, Inc.Carlos Montemayor, National Heat & Power Corporation

For more information, go to: mcaa.org/preparatory-institute-for-project-management/

HACIA visits MCA

ON-DEMAND PROGRAMMING4 Lenses The 4 Lenses Training Session will give you the tools to motivate reluctant people, communicate with power, strengthen your leadership abilities, and reduce stress and conflict. Access on lms.mca.org

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Annual Planning

Encouraging members to find COVID-19 related remediation business was one item suggested during our Service Section planning meeting in October. Our innovation committee suggests reviewing a Taylor Engineering white paper online for ideas. Suggestions for mitigating transmission in existing buildings related to mechanical systems include:

• Ensuring HVAC systems are meeting ASHRAE 62.1 and code mandated ventilation rates,

• installing upper-room UV-C in public waiting rooms, • installing UV-C in restrooms,• upgrading to MERV-13 filters, • disabling demand-controlled ventilation

and occupied standby, • recommissioning of HVAC systems and

upgrading control sequences,• disabling zonal fans such as ceiling fans

Things which were listed as not recommended because of financial and/or environmental costs were: installing portable HEPA air filters in workstations, increasing ventilation rates, increasing outdoor air rates, operating ventilation systems 24/7, installing UV-C in air handlers, and adding humidification.

A Look Ahead: In this new year, the board will stay focused on finding ways to help all members see MCA as a strategic business partner, providing each of you with identifiable business benefits. Specifically, we are looking for ways to help members improve their bottom line by:

• Elevating buying power/discounts, especially for mid-sized contractors.

• Helping members and their employees adapt to technology.

• Offering contractors a group healthcare plan option.

• Continuing to provide online class opportunities.

• Mentoring MBEs in mutually beneficial ways.

• Keeping market share.• Reviewing work rules.• Improving labor relations. • Bringing us together with other relevant

organizations.• Teaching us resilience. • Raising industry awareness among

prospective future employees.

• Giving us a platform to address mental health.

What else should make the list? Email [email protected] and we’ll explore!

AROUND THE ASSOCIATION

Review the Taylor Engineering White Paper:• Go to taylorengineers.com.• Click on “COVID-19 White Paper”

A Look Back:During the weeks leading up to MCA’s Annual Planning Meeting in November, our Emerging Leaders dropped six videos explaining what was accomplished by the committees in 2020 that help us achieve our association’s strategic objectives. Thanks to Ben Campbell, Niko Capodice, Dan Giera, Brandon Hubner, Sam Johnson, Dan Krekel, Pete Ortiz, CJ Williams, and John Young for bringing the information to life!

A Look Back:

C-SuiteVisit our YouTube channel (youtube.com/user/MCAofChicago) to review recent power hour topics: MCAA member features and 2020 bottom line tips for your company.

A Look Ahead:



January 21

21CEO Power Hour: Executive PresenceJanuary 21, 2021 @ 9am

Major economic shifts, lack of in-office contact, and a changing playing field can lead to uncertainty and strain for any team. This program will provide a focused, pragmatic, and customized approach that will ensure that MCA owners and leadership will be confident working with your diverse teams and able to adapt to changing norms in order for them to succeed.

Virtual Route 66 Race Jan. 4 - Mar. 5

Members join FREE! mca.org/health

M-Tech 20 Podcast Launch

Jan. 26 @ 2pm Mega giveaways!

mca.org/tech

MCAAA Look Back:In December, the virtual Industry Funds Conference featured two local leaders: Immediate Past President Brian Helm and Current President Charlie Usher. Helm provided a state of the state for MCAA as its president and Usher stepped up to facilitate the meeting overall due to a last-minute illness of the chair. Thanks to both for representing Chicago strongly!

Also in December, MCA of Chicago staffer Rebecca Lintow was named to the MCAA’s Association Executive Conference Education Committee. She will serve a three-year term with the group as it elevates the assistance it provides to MCAA members and affiliates like MCA of Chicago. Kudos Rebecca!

And finally, please send a shout out to the MSCA 2020 Extraordinary Everyday Heroes! The list includes a few from our members’ shops:

• American Combustion Service, Inc. (ACSI): Chuck Cholke, Debbie Sells, & Matt Stortz

• Atomatic Mechanical Services, Inc.: Shaun McCann

• CT Mechanical: Tom Skowronski

A Look Ahead:Upcoming Virtual MCAA MeetingsReview mcaa.org/events regularly for all program details and how to register.

Highlighted programs:

• The SDC (Safety Directors Conference) is January 19-20. The program features three keynote presentations from renown world-wide disaster response physician Dr. Dan Diamond, space shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane, and safety communications expert Dale Lesinski. The ten topic-specific breakout sessions include subjects such as NFPA70E-2021, Opioids & Reasonable Suspicion, ANSI A92 (Aerial Platform) Standards, Legionella, Microlearning, Safety Culture Change, and much more.

• The annual Convention has been renamed the “Virtual Education Conference” and will take place March 22-25. It will feature similar business advice and inspirational content as it has in the past. MCA of Chicago will provide a partial reimbursement for one registration per member company, so register, attend, submit! For details, email [email protected].

Membership MeetingFeb. 23 @ noonLunch provided!

mca.org/event/membership



Welcome New Member Glade Plumbing & Piping Co.

Welcome Jessie SpanglerMCA of Chicago and Pipeline News wish a warm welcome to Jessie Spangler, our new Director of Communications and Marketing! Jessie comes to us from Meredith Corporation where she worked primarily in email marketing. She graduated from Drake University with a degree in journalism in 2019 and spent a few years in Des Moines, Iowa before returning home to the Chicagoland area. In her free time, she loves to write (for fun!), get outside or read with a hot cup of coffee close by.

Kudos John CurranJohn Curran of Meccon Industries in Lansing, IL, was honored by President Charlie Usher and Executive Vice President Jill McCall with MCA of Chicago’s most prestigious award, the Lawinger Lifetime Service Award. This award is given to those who have given exceptional long-term service to the association over and above what is normally expected. In addition to serving on the MCA Board of Directors, John also served as Chair of both the Arbitration Committee and the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. Please thank John for his extraordinary contributions to the industry!

WelcomeBrian Helm & Anthony Camasta

With the “retirement” of John Curran from his leadership responsibilities at MCA of Chicago, we welcome past President Brian Helm as a Taft-Hartley Trustee and Anthony Camasta as a JATC trustee.

2020 Lawinger Lifetime Service Award Presentation

Brian Helm Anthony Camasta

Jessie Spangler


LABOR RELATIONS

Training Facility RenovationsWhile the three training facilities were shut down during the start of the pandemic, they were not idle. The facilities have evolved during the pandemic thanks to the following goals:

1. Re-tool classroom and shop settings where classes will be able to operate safely, and 2. Upgrade and reorganize the Mokena facility with contemporary equipment capable of meeting the demands of

teaching the next generation of pipefitters.

Below is the current status of these goals:

• There are new, specialized training labs for a variety of industry technologies including, but not limited to, med gas, DDC and pneumatic controls, small fuel burning equipment, large scale boilers, supermarket refrigeration, Liebert units and VRF.

med gas DDC and pneumatic controls

classrooms

small fuel burning equipment

large scale boilers supermarket refrigeration Liebert units

• All classrooms are now set-up for single, standing desk operation w/stools. All desks are at least 6 feet apart.

• Even the lunch room is set up for distancing and separation, but the current plan is to have apprentices eat in their cars.

• Numerous new classrooms have been created by repurposing both mezzanines.

• All of the new HVAC labs in the upper, north section of the building are now completed. lunch room


LABOR RELATIONS

welding areas

digital platform

4 large fume extractors

practical lab

rain water capture systemVFD

• The biggest project completed was the installation of a state of the art fume extraction system for all welding areas. This consists of 4 large fume extractors with each having two VFD drives all controlled by a digital platform which also monitors when welding operations are taking place. Fume hoods are now also available in the practical lab.

• Most of the installation work was performed by 597 instructors working with a few tradespersons from other trades such as electricians and 265 sheet metal workers. While at one point 25% of the staff was furloughed, all but the two clerical workers at the front and back entrances helped upgrade the facility.

• The new rainwater capture system is substantially complete.

In-person apprentice training classes resume the week of January 18, 2021Enhanced safety and mitigation measures will remain in effect at all LU 597 training facilities until reasonable levels of community spread are reported by State and Local Public Health Departments. Safety protocols will include but not be limited to:

• Strict adherence to PFTF Local Union 597 Coronavirus (Covid-19) Preparedness Plan.

• Weekly Apprentice and Staff surveillance Covid-19 testing.

• All class activities will be limited to workshop environments with recommended distance and HEPA ventilation controls.

• Temperature checks, symptom/contact surveys and face coverings will be required.

• Modified training schedules designed to eliminate any potential communal gatherings.

• School closure decision matrix will be closely monitored.

• Apprentices will report to the Mokena Training Center on their designated School Day:

All classes will be tested for Covid-19 on a rotating basis to help identify potential asymptomatic individuals. Classes will be scheduled at the Aurora Training Center to help accommodate Covid-19 Viral Testing. Rotating Covid-19 test schedules will be provided to all students upon return to class.

Night training courses will remain limited to job specific certification classes during the first quarter of 2021. Additional night class offerings will be posted on the Local Union 597 Training website as they become available.

For evolving information, please visit pftf597.org/covid-19.

7065 Veterans Blvd.Burr Ridge, Illinois [email protected] | www.mca.org

Presort First ClassU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCarol Stream, IL

Permit #272

SAVE THE DATESn 1/4/21-3/5/21: Virtual Route 66 Race,

mca.org/health

n 1/13/21: Emerging Leaders Program: Financial Wellness, mca.org/calendar

n 1/18/21: Apprentice School Resumes, pftf597.org/covid-19

n 1/19-20/21: MCAA Safety Directors Conference, mcaa.org/events

n 1/21/21: CEO Power Hour: Executive Presence, mca.org/calendar

n 1/26/21: M-Tech 20 Podcast *Live* Launch Event, mca.org/tech

n 2/9/21: MCA of Chicago Women’s Lunch & Learn, mca.org/calendar

n 2/23/21: February Membership Meeting: Safety Edition, mca.org/calendar

n 3/22-25/21: MCAA’s Virtual Education Conference, mcaa.org/events

Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .eps

WWW.MCA.ORG

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WINTER 2021 ADVANCING THE MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION … · 2020. 12. 18. · Charlie Usher President,...

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