MCAA Regional Report, Region D

Words: Larry VacalaIllinois - Larry Vacala
Indiana - Dan Kwiatkowski
Wisconsin - No State Chair

Workforce Development

No work means problems for Apprentices. Union trying hard to enforce a ration of 1-5 but in this difficult time it is impossible to ask a contractor to take one. There have been some informal conversations about relaxing the ratio due to the lack of work and the low margins allowed on the work that we do have. DCTC (District Council Training Center), is the Bricklayer Apprenticeship School for the area. IUBAC still uses the facility for nationwide training sessions and more are scheduled. There website is www.bac2school.org. A labor management group called CISCO (www.cisco.org) has picked up the slack visiting trade schools and making presentations when ever needed.

The IUBAC has searched out and promoted other areas of construction that Bricklayers and their Union is claiming. It is a new category at the National Union level and at the International Masonry Institute they have titled it “NEW WORK OPPORTUNITIES” (www.imiweb.org).

IUBAC Apprenticeship Program Director is John Flynn (no relation to former IUBAC President) who really hasn’t missed a beat. Chicago remains thrilled with the DCTC and the quality of the instruction awarded our Union Bricklayers.

Nationally many people have commented that we will need 40,000 bricklayers — nationwide in the next couple of years. We don’t believe the majority of those are for the Region D Masons? We are slow and don’t anticipate a huge masonry demand. However our recent assumption that
“of the bricklayers who left for other work many will jump back in for the $42+ an hour plus benefits.” That does not seem to be the case. It is rather alarming…. We were pretty confident they can be lured back into the industry with the Wages and Benefits but that is not the case.

Economic Climate

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2819.30

2064.44

2348.70

1952.09

1537.56

1056.76

1035.83

JAN

2693.63

1974.97

1951.77

1332.84

1111.80

1062.1

754.67

FEB

2851.98

2066.28

1443.67

973.20

1267.94

967.38

709.96

MAR

3530.64

2175.40

1354.54

1384.97

921.01

1194.99

1446.03

APR

3841.26

2559.95

1628.06

1311.49

1123.75

1422.14

1645.13

MAY

3265.36

2370.71

1836.63

1459.18

1433.32

1552.25

1643.18

JUN

3690.80

1828.66

1683.89

1133.58

1479.88

1943.28

2269.65

JUL

3947.67

2616.24

1857.53

2316.78

1908.58

1413.13

1923.37

AUG

3498.12

2628.25

1756.00

2281.51

1901.73

1627.95

1665.88

SEP

3729.06

2606.00

2036.10

1797.42

1782.75

1681.02

OCT

2075.28

2405.03

1866.89

1833.30

1877.51

1438.97

NOV

2097.20

2475.95

2067.54

1071.69

1426.39

1036.01

DEC

38040.30

27771.88

21831.32

18848.04

17772.22

16395.98

11427.82
These figures are based on Safety Money ($0.01) per hour ie 2008 = 3.8 Million hours.

A list of Union Bricklayer hours worked and reported for each month in the past 8 years. As you can see, hours worked are declining considerably from the 2003’s “banner” year (6 million Hours). It is even worse than this example shows because during 2004 through today in these hours Plasters and Marble Setters (estimated at 450 workers) have been added due to the merger of the “trowel trades”. Work has got a shot in the arm this summer when many schools needed work done: additions, remodeling, tuck-pointing and restoration work. Restoration of commercial buildings has helped too. Many of our contractors have jumped into that market to keep guys working and to stay alive. The Bricklayers Union merged with Marble Setters, Tile Setters, and Tuck pointers and taken in a number of Plasterers. This merger has been in effect for over 6 years now.

Membership Growth & Chapter Activities

Membership is stagnant in the greater Chicago chapter. —We are losing more members due to failures than ever before. We have had some surprising former members completely leaving the industry and most likely for good. Unfunded Liability issues restrict these contractors from alternative construction contracting. “Supporting Members” have been very active and generous, allowing the chapter’s social activities to continue but they are not growing for now. The downturn in hours has hit the association luckily we had saved for these times.

OSHA & Safety

Locally the MCA of Greater Chicago continues to support the Chicagoland Construction Safety Council (CCSC). Our donations and (1 cent) contributions from the CBA, the Laborers, Bricklayers and Operating Engineers along with others should give the CCSC the needed funds to operate. But with hours down everyone is suffering. Search the web @ www.buildsafe.org they can help you too!

Employers can expect to see OSHA continue its aggressive enforcement including an increase in penalties. OSHA is continuing to place employers in the Severe Violators Enforcement Program (SVEP) when they are found to disregard safety and health, and issued repeat or willful violations. Other items we can expect are increased enforcement in programs such as violence in the workplace, Whistleblower Protection Program, recordkeeping and fall protection — now SILICA issues have returned.

We all need to be very vocal about any SILICA Program that could hurt our industry.

Lobby Efforts

MCA of Greater Chicago is very pleased with the efforts put forth by MCAA It remains a bright spot, one of many that keep Chicago enthused with the MCAA. Jeff and MCAA’s efforts continue show our chapter why we should support the MCAA. We are too small to fight this alone a strong national organization and grass roots are the only way we can effect change. Local and National policy has been affective. The willingness of our MCAA to help in all aspects has made it easy to stay involved. Concrete Masonry Industry and Pension Reform are our largest issues. Go MCAA Legislative Committee!

Bruce Rauner a Republican Governor may give the state new hope? We are very active in the state with our membership in Illinois Construction Industry Committee membership. It is tough in Illinois’ with the present leadership, but we will keep the fight on. The ICIC is a consortium of contractor groups formed to monitor statewide legislation. Recently we had an unlikely victory, which is awaiting the Governor’s signature a law change to protect our Contractors. Just amazing what you can do when you work with Labor and lobby for a common cause.
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