Masonry Magazine September 2006 Page. 19
and non-productivity, in a certain sense, because it's always on your mind. It wears on you. You burn bridges because people are not honest, because certain things have happened out of their control, because bonding companies don't do what they're supposed to do.
We need laws and the MCAA legislative committee to lobby for laws that have some teeth. Unless there's a problem, the owner should not be allowed to occupy his building until all his or her debts are free and clear. That doesn't seem unreasonable. We're held to the fire every day that we sign a contract. We have schedules and commitments and we have to work, probably, as one of the hardest trades out there and usually make up for everyone's lost schedule time.... If you're performing how you're supposed to perform, and you're accountable for what you do, then they should be accountable to pay. There shouldn't be all these gray areas and loopholes.
Finally, I think the market share, in our case [union], is diminishing more and more with other materials, non-union contractors and "double-breasted union" contractors. I've seen a lot of tilt-up buildings in our area, as well as poured foundation and basement walls, partly due to a lack of qualified manpower and partly because of scheduling. It seems they can't find enough qualified masons-union or non-union-to construct housing in our area. Although we are not currently involved in the residential market, it is my understanding those contractors face the same issues.
So, we lose market on the tilt-up, on the steel studs/drywall fire systems and interior partitions. We lose market on exterior curtain-wall systems, panelized masonry and EIFS applications. We also lose market because architects and owners seem to have this premise, when they value engineer a building, so to speak, the first thing they start "whacking" is masonry. And that may be good for the budget and for the school board, or owner to approve it short term, but is it really good for the lifecycle building? You just cut a 50- to 100-year lifecycle lease down to 15 years. And then there's the possibility of lawsuits from mold, along with higher lifecycle maintenance costs.
I think our industry has to do a better job promoting the longevity, the beauty and the endurance of masonry.
Masonry: What do you feel is the industry's biggest challenge in the near future?
Stevens: Qualified personnel and a qualified workforce. Once, masons and trade schools were proud to teach young men a trade. Now it seems that most masons want their sons and daughters to go to college. Most high school career offices push college. Few guidance counselors and student Stevens Masonry continued on page 19
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September 2006
Masonry
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