The National MCAA Update

Volume 4, Number 16 - April 19, 1999

MID-YEAR EDUCATION CONFERENCE TARGETS SOME HOT INDUSTRY TRENDS – Some of the hottest subjects in the industry will be presented at MCAA's 4^th Annual Mid-Year Education Conference (June 23-26 in Toronto). For in-stance, the important subject of project controls, presented by scheduling expert Alan McGinty, will offer a look at an uncomplicated and affordable project controls system that can be maintained by project personnel. Another timely topic is sequencing guidelines for mechanical crews, of particular interest to mechanical project teams because they are most often affected by the problems of trade stacking and interference. Project managers and other members of project teams are sure to profit from these and other pertinent issues featured in this year's conference. The Royal York Hotel is hosting many other groups at this time, so we recommend that you sign up soon. To register, contact Shawn (shawn@mcaa.org) or visit MCAA's web site.

STUDENT INTERNSHIPS MADE EASIER – As MCAA members begin taking advantage of the internship posting service now available on MCAA’s web site, contractors with questions about just what constitutes an appropriate internship or how to structure an internship for maximum mutual benefit can find the answers to these and other questions in the "Model Internship" section under "Tools & Resources" at www.mcaa.org/careers. Developed in conjunction with Virginia Tech, the document provides information ranging from basic "how-to" material to sophisticated concepts for administering an internship program.

UTILITY DEREGULATION – Barriers against ratepayer cross-subsidization of affiliate companies by parent utilities will be maintained in a model cost allocation guideline, under a decision by the Staff Auditing Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). MCAA and NAFC filed comments with the committee against lowering cross-subsidy barriers, countering a proposal to decrease ratepayer protections. You can read more about NARUC in the April Reporter's "Around the States" column…This week, MCA of New England Executive V.P. Leo Reed will join United Association and other NAFC groups in a Washington, D.C. meeting with Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) to discuss ways in which federal utility deregulation can incorporate national rules that encourage fair competition.

INDUSTRY RELATIONS …MCAA endorsements -- MCAA, along with the Design Build Institute, has endorsed a Design-Build Teaming Checklist to be published by The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Associated General Contractors (AGC). It sets out a flexible checklist for forming design-build teams…MCAA trustees on the Associated Specialty Contractors (ASC) are recommending ASC endorsement of the latest design-build subcontracts published by AGC: subcontract #450 (fixed-price, no subcontractor design) and #460 (guaranteed maximum price, subcontractor provides design). Both documents contain the unconditional payment provisions that MCAA and ASC endorsed in AGC's standard design-bid-build subcontract #650. The endorsement decision is on the agenda for the June ASC/AGC/ASA meeting…This week, ASC Chairman Fred Oyer will meet with AIA's Documents Committee in regard to its new five-year cycle for revision of AIA contract documents.

HEAT’S ON IN THE SUMMER? – Warm weather signals planning time for your local MSCA Project Heat’s On program in the fall. Each year, volunteer service technicians take time to help the less fortunate by inspecting home heating systems and making needed repairs. Contact your local exec for information about how you can participate in a program or call Adrienne Breedlove (abreedlove@mcaa.org) at the national office for information on setting up a program in your area.

LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY NEWS– Davis-Bacon Act administration - -The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a helper regulations proposal to permit the semi-skilled classification on prevailing wage projects under certain conditions. Comments are due on the proposal by June 9th. A digest of the proposed regulations will appear in the April Reporter…Senate Small Business Committee Chairman Christopher Bond (R-MO) continues to press DOL for improvements in the wage survey process. In correspondence last week, a DOL official reiterated that DOL is considering whether to reengineer the Wage & Hour Administration survey process, or substitute use of existing Bureau of labor Statistics surveys. The MCAA/ NECA/SMACNA Alliance continues to press for updated procedures. (See Alliance comments at www.constructionalliance.org)… Workforce Investment Act (WIA) draft regulations – Interim final rules on WIA—the job training act replacing the Job Training Partnership Act—were released by the Department of Labor on April 16. These regulations provide guidance to state and local workforce boards on many issues. A complete digest of the interim final regulations will appear in the April Reporter, and will be posted at MCAA's web site…Project labor agreements -- A restated Transportation Department memorandum encourages DOT contracting officials to consider PLAs on projects over $5 million on a case-by-case basis and to encourage DOT grantees to consider PLAs on the same basis. The MCAA/NECA/SMACNA Alliance filed comments in support of the Administration's policy of considering PLAs on a case-by-case basis and encouraging fair-share payments of all local workforce and industry development funds. (See constructionalliance.org)

REGION II EXECS HOLD MEETING IN NEW ORLEANS – MCA affiliated association executives from the southeast U.S., along with guests from other parts of the country, met April 8 and 9 in New Orleans to discuss a number of topics, including local area bargaining information, training, utility deregulation, student chapter development and activities at the national level. Attending were Steve Belk (MCA of Mobile); Dan Bulley (MCA of Chicago); Clark Davis (New Orleans NECA representative); Judith Gober (MCA of Chattanooga); Henry Heier (New Orleans); Jack Housworth (MCA of Georgia); Rudy Klein III (MCA of San Antonio); Herb Millard (MCA of Greater Kansas City); Tony Ponticelli (National Alliance for Fair Competition); Glen Rex (MCA of Houston); David Sink (MCA of Tennessee); and MCAA Director of Affiliate Support Services Pat Fink.