Anne Newcombe, Editor, Ph: 1-800-556-3653, Fax: 301-990-9690
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Volume 4, Number 37, September 13, 1999
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF "EARLY-BIRD" CONVENTION RATES BY REGISTERING SOON! – Get a jump on everyone else by taking advantage of our "Early Bird" registration (available through November 1, 1999) for the 111th Annual MCAA Convention in San Diego, California. We'll be taking a comprehensive look ahead to the new millennium by while also taking a look back at MCAA's wonderful history. All that and the exciting social events and educational programs and seminars you have come to expect. (More complete information will be sent in early October, but you can read through the preliminary schedule and register right now online at www.mcaa.org/SanDiego2000. A registration form and preliminary convention schedule will also be included in the September MCAA monthly mailing.) In the meantime, you can learn more about the wonderful sights and sounds of this beautiful city by visiting the San Diego Convention Bureau web site at http://www.sandiego.org.
THE MCAA STAT SURVEY IS BACK! – We're pleased to announce that 1999 MCAA Statistical Survey report forms will be sent to all mechanical, plumbing and service contractor members this week. We strongly encourage every member to participate in this year's survey, which has been significantly improved to make it a more valuable management tool. Members who do return the survey form will receive a copy of the 1999 Statistical Survey final report at no charge. The report will be made available to non-participating members for $345.
LABOR RELATIONS CONFERENCE UPDATE – This Wednesday – September 14th – is the last day to register for a hotel room and be assured of receiving a guaranteed rate for the upcoming MCAA/UA Labor Relations Conference. Conference highlights include client evaluations, targeted market initiatives, national agreements and innovations and industry-leading MCAA/UA programs. Register online at www.mcaa.org/conference/laborrelations/ or contact Shawn Durand (shawn@mcaa.org).
INTERESTED IN IMPROVING YOUR SALES SKILLS? – The Mechanical Service Contractors Sales Institute – "Effective Selling Skills for the Millennium" will be held October 17-21 in Baltimore and November 7-11 in Chicago. This four-day session is an in-depth presentation of the effective selling skills you'll need to make your business succeed. A few openings are available in each class. Contact Adrienne Breedlove (abreedlove@mcaa.org) or see http://www.mcaa.org/meetings for details and registration.
NEW EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR MCA OF GEORGIA – Congratulations to Gary P. Fowler who has been named executive vice president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia (MCAG). Fowler, formerly CEO for the Atlanta Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), succeeds Jack Housworth who is retiring as MCAG executive. Fowler brings labor contract negotiations and administration experience to the job. He has also served as a trustee of several labor-management employee benefit plans and has developed educational, membership development and apprenticeship programs.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY UPDATE – The MCAA, NECA and SMACNA Alliance met with House Small Business Committee September 8th to follow up on Chairman Jim Talent's proposal to allow a $15,000 per year tax credit to small businesses for expenses relating to on-the-job training for skilled craft workers. The Alliance is preparing detailed comments on the necessity of including collectively bargained multiemployer apprenticeship and training in any tax advantaged program that may eventually be considered by the House. The measure is in the very early stages, and is not specific enough to gain an assessment of its budget impact. Still, it is gaining widespread publicity among some industry groups. Prevailing Wage Administration – Labor Department sources report that comprehensive Davis-Bacon wage survey and administration reforms will gain further attention in the second quarter of FY 2001 (next winter). The Alliance continues to monitor and push for a proposed rulemaking to simplify the paperwork administration, using total hours for project reporting rather than the confusing "peak weak" system, and using internet and automated survey responses. Miller Act Reform – MCAA, NECA and SMACNA were among the industry groups sponsoring a reception for lawmakers who were instrumental in gaining Miller Act reform. Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) addressed the groups on September 8th, lauding the industry consensus process that brought the long-needed reform through the legislature. MCAA and the Alliance will be monitoring the regulatory process to ensure full implementation of the measure. Next Big Issue – Federal regulations putting greater emphasis on contractor business systems, expertise, and ethics in Federal contract pre-award responsibility determinations. MCAA, NECA and SMACNA are preparing detailed comments on the measure, and gaining practical and realistic input from business principals who compete in that market to make sure the eventual regulations are both practical and fair, and reflect the realities of contracting officer scope of activity and expertise. This proposal has been the target of a strong political challenge by open shop groups.
