MCAA Regional Report, Region H

CALIFORNIA

Economic Climate & Market Expansion
The California Governor's attempt to control spending has had some positive affects and the State's economy is improving. The worker's compo rates have dropped 7% this year and are scheduled to drop another 15% January 1, 2006. There is now some movement to get the liability insurance under control with some tort reform. The economic climate however, is holding with work still bidding at a good pace. The larger schools and prisons are still in a positive building program and the small commercial and residential jobs are holding steady throughout the state.

There is however at this writing, an impasse in the Northern California Bricklayer Union Wage Negotiations concerning health benefits for retired workers. This could lead to work stoppages in the Northern California area.

OSHA & Safety
On August 12,2005 Cal-OSHA implemented the first heat stress safety standard in the country. The key provisions include:

Adequate cool water, shade for workers, training on heat illness prevention, extra breaks in shaded cooled areas for workers showing signs of heat illness.

Basically, employers are now responsible for keeping workers safe from heat related injuries and illness. This new standard takes affect when temperatures reach 90 degrees.

Workforce Development
There are a number of union and open shop programs available for workforce development in California. Recruitment is still the most significant obstacle relating to the workforce development. State high schools have returned to vocational education programs whereby these schools are now accepting bricklayer classes, as well as other vocational trades in their curriculum. The Union and non-Union groups are trying to fill these needs.

Membership Development
As with any membership organization, membership is always a struggle. The average age of members is increasing and many contractors prefer not to become involved with the association. The California CCMCA is trying to be pro-active by making our insurance programs available to other trades that would increase our income to provide other services for our members. We are also trying to provide more benefits and expanded newsletters to keep our members informed of industry news, thus providing more reasons to become a member of the organization.

As this is always an uphill battle, we are constantly reminded that unless we fight the battle, we automatically lose the war.

NEVADA No report.

HAWAII No report.