The National MCAA Update

Volume 4, Number 20 - May 24, 1999

MCAA EYE INJURY SURVEY – Thanks to all of you who participated in MCAA’s eye injury survey. We are still analyzing the data. However, it is clear that the Safety Excellence Initiative needs to focus even more on eye injury prevention. A more detailed summary of the results and a new Eye Injury Prevention Tool Box Safety Talk will reach you later this summer. The preliminary results of the survey for 1998 eye injuries are:

Companies that responded to the survey 174

Total eye injuries reported 959

Total number of first aid only cases 454

Total number of medical cases 505

MCAA REPRESENTED AT DEDICATION OF U.A. WESTERN REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER – MCAA President Bill McClure and Executive Vice President John Gentille represented MCAA at the dedication of the new United Association Western Regional Training Center in Colton, California on May 20. Members of the California Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association (CPMCA) and the Northern California MCA also attended the dedication in force. Guests at the dedication were able to observe both traditional and technology-driven training methods offered by the new center.

MILLER ACT REFORM – The Miller Act reform bill (H.R. 1219) raising subcontractor payment bond protections on federal construction projects gained unanimous approval by the House Government Reform & Oversight Committee last week. Because of its broad bipartisan and industry support, the measure may be waived through the House Judiciary Committee and reach the House floor on the consent calendar. MCAA continues to work in the broad construction industry coalition seeking passage of the badly needed update to the 1935 Miller Act.

ALLIANCE ISSUES GAIN MOMENTUM – The MCAA/NECA/SMACNA Alliance-supported worker classification bill, H.R. 1525 continues to pick up supporters in the House, with 25 Democrats and 10 Republicans now backing the Independent Contractor Clarification Act of 1999. Last week, the Alliance continued to press for sponsorship of a companion bill in the Senate in meetings with Senate Labor Committee Chairman Jim Jeffords (R-VT) who also is a member of the Finance Committee. See MCAA's online Legislative Action Center for draft letters in support of both bills for MCAA members to send to their congressional representatives…School rebuilding markets – School rebuilding needs remain high on the congressional action list, with Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) introducing H.R. 1660, the Public School Modernization Act, that would provide direct federal tax credits (not merely tax-exempt income) instead of interest payments to investors in state and local school construction bonds. The Rangel measure also would make sure that federal prevailing wage measures are maintained on construction projects funded under the tax credit program. There is a letter of support on this bill in the Legislative Action Center, as well…Private markets – The MCAA/NECA/SMACNA Alliance also is supporting another tax code change that would accelerate allowable depreciation on leasehold improvements from 39 years to 10 years. In a letter of support on the bill, S. 879, introduced by Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), the Alliance emphasizes the strong incentive in the measure for investment in energy-efficient systems in commercial buildings.

PROPOSED FEDERAL SUBSIDY FOR TRAINING – The Alliance is considering a House bill (H.R. 1824), the Skilled Workforce Enhancement Act of 1999, that would allow small businesses (with 250 or fewer workers) a federal income tax credit of up to $15,000 per worker a year for expenses of 2,000 hours of training as an "apprentice" in a highly skilled trade. The measure specifically includes "heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration, and roofing contractors," and defers to the Secretary of Labor to set out other highly skilled trades. The bill sets a minimum of two and a maximum of four years of training; it does not define the term "apprenticeship"; and neither does it defer to the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training or state apprenticeship council approvals or certifications. The bill was introduced by Rep. James Talent (R-MO) on May 14 and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

DAVIS-BACON ACT – Last week, the Alliance worked on two Davis Bacon Act related measures. The first was a position statement in opposition to the bill (H.R. 1012) that would add "helpers" to the "laborers" and "mechanics" covered by the Act, and thereby grant helpers coverage irrespective of whether helper use is the prevailing practice in an area. The bill, introduced by Rep. Norwood (R-GA), also would permit helper duties to overlap with those of skilled journey workers. The Alliance also is sending comments in support of recent Labor Department proposed regulations to permit helper use if that is prevailing local practice and only when the helpers’ duties do not overlap with those of journey workers or bona fide apprentices. Both positions are in line with the Alliance’s comprehensive Davis-Bacon Act reform proposal to permit helpers only if that is prevailing practice and only where helper duties do not overlap with skilled journey workers or apprentices.

CONTRACT SETTLEMENTS – The MCA of Greater Kansas City and UA Local 533 announced a three-year settlement running from June 1, 1999 through May 31, 2002. The pact includes a $6.00 increase over its term; $2.45 the first year (with $.05 to the International Training Fund; $1.75 the second year, and $1.80 the third year. The contract also includes drug testing, along with a memorandum of understanding on employer certification that signatory employers are implementing drug testing among non-bargaining unit employees, as well.