MCAA Regional Report, Region D
Words: Mark KempIllinois - Luis Puig
Indiana - Tom Williamson
Wisconsin - Mark Kemp
Economic Conditions/Forecasts
Illinois
No report as of this writing.
Indiana
No report as of this writing.
Wisconsin
We have had a great spring, summer and fall for construction. Manufacturing and Industrial work was starting to come back, but with the present economic turmoil this could be at risk. Health Care, Financial and Retail, particularly Retail are where the work seems to be. The hours for bricklayers were up this past year 3 1/2%. The outlook for this next year looks very questionable. This past January 2007 bricklayer's hours were down 17.11% in comparison to last January. The bidding of new projects is also down significantly. The precast industry, as before, is a significant concern particularly decorative brick panels.
Membership Development
Illinois
No report as of this writing.
Indiana
No report as of this writing.
Wisconsin
We have lost two more members this past year. Both just decided they could not afford to belong anymore. We added one new member this past year. We hold both social and educational meetings.
The bricklayer's contract is up this June and we are in the process of starting negotiations. We are going to add money to the contract for the purpose of strengthening our chapter. Any contractor, whether he is a member of our chapter or not, will pay into this fund because we have been assigned their bargaining rights. We hope in time these contractors who are not members will join.
OSHA & Safety
Illinois
No report as of this writing.
Indiana
No report as of this writing.
Wisconsin
OSHA has been pushing their partnership program thru AGC. To date only two mason contractors have partnered. We finally have letters from various forklift manufacturers permitting the use of man baskets with their forklifts. OSHA is starting to pay more attention to the residential market. Fall protection seems to be the major area OSHA is pushing. There is a growing need for the education of OSHA inspectors in the masonry industry. We are looking forward to MCAA involvement with this education process with OSHA. The Milwaukee chapter is working with the unions on doing more safety training. So far they have been will and are trying to do a better job on the safety training area.
Legislative Issues
Illinois
No report as of this writing.
Indiana
No report as of this writing.
Wisconsin
Contract language for sub-contractors.
- Insurance clauses and prompt payment to name a few things
- Schedules
Maybe a stronger partnership with AGC would help.