MCAA Regional Report, Region D

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

Workforce Development

Industry and Union has a call for Apprentices. Union has tried hard to enforce a ratio of 1-5 but in this difficult time it is tough to ask a contractor to take an apprentice.

The AGC and other industry groups have been screaming about the lack of trained workers. Our DCTC (District Council Training Center), is the Bricklayer Apprenticeship School for the area. IUBAC still uses the facility for nationwide training sessions and future sessions are scheduled. Their 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 needed.

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

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

We are somewhat slow and do not anticipate a huge masonry demand. However our recent assumption that “of the bricklayers who left our industry for other work opportunities, will jump back in for the $42+ an hour plus benefits”, 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 just is not the case. Restoration Contractors (which many of our contractors have morphed into doing this work now) have had consistent hours but the Non-Union element has taken leaps and bounds in this arena as well.

Economic Climate

Bricklayer hours reported monthly (report shows annual totals):

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

4254.98

2819.30

2064.44

2348.70

1952.09

1537.56

1056.76

1035.83

1183.79

4814.27

2693.63

1974.97

1951.77

1332.84

1111.80

1062.1

754.67

951.7

2785.62

2851.98

2066.28

1443.67

973.20

1267.94

967.38

709.96

1088.09

2406.05

3530.64

2175.40

1354.54

1384.97

921.01

1194.99

946.03

1433.9

3618.92

3841.26

2559.95

1628.06

1311.49

1123.75

1422.14

1444.94

1488.45

5512.01

3265.36

2370.71

1836.63

1459.18

1433.32

1552.25

1645.13

1653.96

4345.21

3690.80

1828.66

1683.89

1133.58

1479.88

1943.28

1537.74

1835.28

4968.15

3947.67

2616.24

1857.53

2316.78

1908.58

1413.13

2269.65

1904.52

4783.98

3498.12

2628.25

1756.00

2281.51

1901.73

1627.95

1939.08

4563.36

3729.06

2606.00

2036.10

1797.42

1782.75

1681.02

1665.88

4783.98

2075.28

2405.03

1866.89

1833.30

1877.51

1438.97

1907.99

3447.51

2097.20

2475.95

2067.54

1071.69

1426.39

1036.01

1355.71
                 

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

50284.04

38040

27772

21831

18848

17772

16396

17213

11540
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 have declined 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”. Restoration of commercial buildings continues to be a market some have found work. Many of our contractors have jumped into that market to keep guys working and to stay alive. The Bricklayers Union merged with Tuckpointers in regards to training and working together in the future. This should be a very positive merger and contractors are encouraging the sharing of information.

A list of Union Bricklayer hours worked and reported for each month in the past 8+ years. As you can see, hours worked have declined 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”. Restoration of commercial buildings continues to be a market some have found work. Many of our contractors have jumped into that market to keep guys working and to stay alive. The Bricklayers Union merged with Tuckpointers in regards to training and working together in the future. This should be a very positive merger and contractors are encouraging the sharing of information.

Membership Growth & Chapter Activities

Not much different to report: 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. Also, the MCA of Greater Chicago leaders were able to negotiate additional industry Advancement Funds to increase the collective bargained contributions.

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.

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!

CMU Check-Off Program, Prevailing Wage & Silica Reforms remain our biggest legislative issues. With the help of MCAA Legislative and Contractors we can’t lose. Get Involved!
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