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“Chicago Deep Dish: The Construction Labor Shortage – What Can Be Done About Skilled Labor Shortages and Rising Construction Costs?”
CISCO Webinar - 7/30/2020
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BISNOW Chicago and PowerForward DuPage will present
“Chicago Deep Dish: The Construction Labor Shortage – What Can Be Done About Skilled Labor Shortages and Rising Construction Costs?”
at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 30. CISCO, Powering Chicago and Structures Chicago are sponsoring the webinar. Many developers cite either a shortage of labor or high labor costs as the main reason why their projects won’t pencil out and can’t get off the ground. As baby boomers are retiring, there is a growing concern among the skilled labor unions about the low number of new tradesmen and women. Speakers will be Giuseppe Muzzupappa, assistant director of NECA – Northeastern IL Chapter, Dan Allen, executive director of CISCO, and Elbert Walters, Director of Powering Chicago.
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Young Professionals of ECA:
--TRIVIA NIGHT -- Join all the construction trades for an online trivia night - 7/30/2020
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JOIN THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF ECA FOR A SUMMER TRIVIA NIGHT!
JULY 30TH - 7:00-8:00p.m.
Log on solo or with the whole family as our MC asks the questions live from Zoom. Don’t miss your chance to engage with an exciting group of emerging industry leaders and network with your peers across the MEP+ trades.
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NECA Convention & Trade Show -
VIRTUAL Event
October 5 - 8, 2020
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) announced the 2020 Convention and Trade Show will take place entirely online October 5 – 8, featuring brand-new virtual experiences. This virtual event will maintain its traditional dynamic speakers and educational opportunities, but has been adjusted to meet the evolving requirements demanded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Convention Stipend
The ECA Executive Committee approved a stipend for the virtual Convention. The ECA will cover the cost of Registration for NECA 2020 Live ($200 per individual) for up to ten individuals per ECA member firm.
Please register for NECA 2020 Live through the ECA website.
Again, the cost of the virtual Convention will be covered by the Association. However, the ECA will invoice your firm for any registrants above the initial ten. Registration will begin August 3, 2020. We hope that you take advantage of this educational opportunity!
We are proud to announce that NECA 2020 LIVE, is sponsored by Powering Chicago, which promotes the IBEW 134 and NECA Chicago workforce as the only choice for electrical construction.
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City of Chicago Disparity Study
-- Assistance Requested --
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The City of Chicago is conducting a Disparity Study of its construction program for Minority-and Women-owned Business Enterprises ("M/WBEs"). The City is conducting this research to ensure that M/WBEs have equal access to construction contracting opportunities and that the City's current construction program remains legally defensible and administratively successful. We invite you to participate in the study through an online small group interview of business owners. These important sessions will provide an opportunity to relate your experiences with doing business with the City as a prime or subcontractor on City construction projects, or your attempts to do so, and any barriers that you have encountered. Your insights and experiences will help identify potential improvements in our M/WBE construction program and encourage increased collaboration while promoting economic growth for all segments of our community.
Meetings will be held:
August 6 through August 12, 2020. Please
click here to register
for an online meeting. You will be taken to a three-question survey to allow us to direct you to the appropriate meeting. All persons requiring special accommodations, including language assistance, should directly contact Colette Holt & Associates, the firm facilitating the sessions, no later than one week prior to the selected session.
For questions and general information about the Disparity Study, visit the study website
chicago.disparity-study.com
or contact Colette Holt & Associates at
chicago-study@mwbelaw.com
or (855) 692-3529, or the Department of Procurement Services at (312) 744-9757.
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"Strategic Planning Basics: Where are We Now & Where are We Headed?" - MEP Program
August 27, 2020
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The ECA in conjunction with a number of industry area trade associations, is pleased to present a webinar called, "Strategic Planning Basics: Where are We Now & Where are We Headed?" The session is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am. Please click on the link below for webinar information. The Registration link is also below.
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"
Renewable Energy for Electrical Contractors"
Training Program -
Friday, August 28, 2020 and Saturday, August 29, 2020 at
INTECH
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The Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund (IBEW REF), which has received funding for renewable energy training throughout Illinois, is pleased to present a complimentary two-day training program regarding work in the solar industry in Illinois. The coursework has been developed to inform the union electrical contractor to become an effective union solar contractor.
The "
Renewable Energy for Electrical Contractors"
training is scheduled as follows:
DATES:
Friday, August 28, 2020 and Saturday, August 29, 2020.
TIME:
Each session will begin at 8:00
am and will conclude at 2:00 pm.
Both sessions are six hours in duration. Breaks / lunches are included.
LOCATION:
IBEW – NECA Technical Institute (INTECH)
6201 W. 115
th
Street
Alsip, Illinois 60803
(708) 389-1340
Friday, August 28, 2020 session topics include:
·
Overview of Renewable Energy industry in Illinois
·
Qualified Persons Requirements for Renewable Energy Systems
·
Renewable Energy markets
·
Training resources
·
Common components and system configurations
·
Distributors and other Services
·
Q & A
·
Tour of IBEW REF Solar Roadshow truck
Saturday, August 29, 2020 session topics include:
·
Financial incentives for Renewable Energy
·
System Design Basics
·
Credentialing and Certifications
·
Inspections and Quality Control
·
Worker Safety
·
Q & A
·
Tour of INTECH and the Renewable Energy Training Field
The program will be presented by
Harry Ohde, Executive Director, Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund and Robert Hattier, Master Trainer, Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund.
Please visit the Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) website at:
www.ecachicago.com
-- Use Comp Code
SOLAR
when registering. If any questions, please contact the ECA at: (708) 531-0022.
INTECH will be following all current COVID-19 safety precautions. All attendees are required to wear a face mask upon entering the school.
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Stand-Down to Save Lives -
2020 National Safety Stand-Down September 14-18,
2020
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Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 320 of the 1,008 construction fatalities recorded in 2018 (BLS data). Those deaths were preventable. The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.
Addressing falls in construction is the reason why each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) holds a National Safety Stand-Down to prevent Falls in the Construction industry. OSHA encourages employers to take a break to focus on safety concerns surrounding falls from elevation. Stand-down events provide employers and workers the opportunity to talk about hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety and health programs, goals, and expectations.
Last year, thousands of worksites participated in the campaign and the Stand-Down event reached over
a million workers. OSHA invites employers to dedicate themselves yet again to the safety of their most valuable resource: their workers.
OSHA’s Stand-Down
webpage
offers information on conducting a successful event, and educational resources. Employers are encouraged to provide feedback after their events, and to obtain a personalized certificate of participation.
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POWERING CHICAGO to be featured in upcoming Building Congress webinar -
The Future of Work: Leveraging Technology for Safer Built Environments in the COVID-19 Era
9/16/2020 (New Date)
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While it remains to be seen what the ultimate impact of COVID-19 will be on Chicagoland’s commercial real estate market, it is undeniable that the pandemic has brought about rapid changes in the way we work.
With remote work far more prevalent than it was at the beginning of the year, encouraging a return to offices in urban centers like Chicago and bolstering the construction and real estate industries in the process depends on creating safe built environments for people to congregate and collaborate in person.
Technology can play a vital role in this process, helping mitigate risk and allay concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
Powering Chicago's expert panel will explain how technology can be deployed to power a safe return to the workplace in the weeks and months ahead.
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Joint Safety Forum - "Excavation Hazards in Construction" - 9/24/2020
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The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) / Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA and the Northeastern Illinois Chapter, NECA are proud to present the next
Safety Forum featuring the seminar, "Excavation Hazards in Construction."
"Excavation Hazards in Construction" is a FREE 4-hour safety training program designed to educate workers about the risks and liabilities associated with trench-related work. Participants will learn to identify potential hazards and avoid unsafe conditions when operating in and near an excavation site. The session is to be conducted by Construction Safety Council instructor(s).
Training topics include:
·
OSHA trenching and excavation safety standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P)
·
Definition and responsibilities of a Competent Person
·
Material and equipment inspections
·
Installation and removal of shoring systems
·
Soil testing in the field
The program is scheduled as follows:
DATE:
Thursday, September 24, 2020
TIME:
7:30 am - 11:30 am
LOCATION:
IBEW Local 701 Hall
Main Auditorium
28600 Bella Vista Parkway - Suite 1000
Warrenville, IL 60555
COST:
The program is complimentary for Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA members and Northeastern Illinois Chapter, NECA members.
To register, you need to use the Comp Code:
NECA MEMBER
(NECA MEMBER is all uppercase).
We do hope that you will be able to attend the Safety Forum!
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As the country and our NECA contractors get back to work in stops and starts (or continue along as essential), there are a number of novel issues that need to be addressed by employers. A few areas of concern are the sick leave and testing issues associated with the pandemic.
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"Resilience, Recovery & Renewal" Podcasts Available /
US 50 State Reopening Tracker
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Baker McKenzie has launched a podcast series called, 'Resilience, Recovery & Renewal,' which aims to offer you key insights as you continue to navigate the business and legal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The series features Baker McKenzie's legal experts and other thought leaders discussing the topics at the top of mind for businesses right now, ranging from immediate crisis management to the stabilization of operations and business model transformation. Please click on the link below for the podcast information.
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We are pleased to make available the Baker McKenzie
US 50 State Shelter-in-Place / Reopening Tracker
, which identifies the relevant state-wide shelter-in-place orders and their related expiration dates as well as the state-wide reopening plans, and whether local (county/municipal) orders also apply, in each of the 50 United States. Please click on the link below for the State Re-opening Tracker.
Towards the end of July, 2020, the tracker reflects these latest developments:
- Starting with this week's update, the Tracker now includes links to the applicable quarantine requirements or recommendations for incoming travelers in each state plus Washington, D.C. The following states have in place such travel restrictions or recommendations as of July 24, 2020: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts (requirements take effect August 1, 2020), Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.
- The Governor of Iowa and the Mayor of Washington, D.C. extended their shelter-in-place/emergency declaration orders.
- The Governors of Arkansas, Minnesota and Oregon issued new orders requiring face masks to be worn in certain public and/or indoor spaces.
- Idaho and North Carolina delayed moving to the next phase of their reopening plans while New York proceeded to the next phase of its plan.
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2023 NEC Edition Open for Input /
NEIS Updates Available
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Please click on the link below for various updates from NECA regarding the National Electrical Code (NEC) and National Electrical Industry Standards (NEIS) publications, among other areas.
Topic sections include the following:
-Revolutionizing Testing One Classification at a
Time
-
Where is the National Electrical Code in Effect?
·-
Strategies for Protecting Electrical Equipment
-2023 Edition of National Electrical Code Open for
Input
-It’s all About Workmanship
-NECA Publishes Two NEIS Standards Revisions
-Join Our Canvass Group!
-NEIS Subscription Service
Electrical Codes & Standards Resources
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Safety Update
-- COVID-19 Resources--
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OSHA provided an update to their COVID-19 resources as of July 6, 2020. The link below is for a PDF file that digest
s
the information that has been shared over the last several weeks about the resources on OSHA’s webpage, and those of several other agencies and organizations. It is a list of general COVID-19 resources grouped by agency, a section with resources on reopening workplaces, and additional industry-specific COVID-19 resources grouped by industry. To help navigate the growing list a table of contents is included. It is intended as a resource and is not comprehensive.
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IMSCA's Summer 2020 Issue of SubStance Magazine
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Below is a link to the Summer 2020 Issue of SubStance Magazine brought to you by the Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA).
In this issue you will find a message from Giuseppe Muzzupappa,
IMSCA President,
and a global history lesson on pandemics provided by IMSCA's General Counsel, Jim Rohlfing. Also included in this issue is an article on the responsibilities and duties of a Pension Fund Trustee. We hope you find this issue useful and informative.
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NECA's Legal Webinar 3 Update -
PPP Loan Forgiveness Rules & Procedures (Q & A)
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Please click on the link below for an update to the third NECA Legal Webinar: PPP Loan Forgiveness Rules & Procedures -- Question and Answers.
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NECA's Legal Webinar 2 Update -
PPP Loan Forgiveness
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Please click on the link below for an update to a NECA Coronavirus Legal Webinar Q&A update, effective 6/8/20. Question # 40, pertaining to the SBA Interim Final Rule regarding the rehire exception in the PPP loan forgiveness process has been updated.
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NDERA Update / Recall Letter
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In accordance with the National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (
NDERA
), enacted by the national organizations of IBEW and NECA dated March 16, 2020, an employer who has a job halted/delayed due to the COVID-19 has the right to Lay-Off or Furlough his IBEW employees, and recall them back upon the restart of the project in which the member was laid off/furloughed from.
A number of contractors have exercised that right and are now starting to recall employees per the NDERA. When recalling employees and returning them to work it is critical that it is done properly. The contractor must notify the #134 referral office that employees are being recalled and returning to work, prior to the individual returning to work.
Please click the link below for a sample letter that could be used to inform the #134 referral office of the recall / return to work. This letter or a similar letter should be emailed to the #134 referral office at
Referral@local134.org
, prior to returning the recalled employees to work.
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Stay up to date on the latest changes for our Industry including news releases, legislation and Government mandates, workplace safety and preparation guidelines, OSHA alerts, and more that affect electrical contractors in Chicago and Cook County.
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ECA Educational Programming Available Through Remainder of 2020
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Please click on the link below for a listing of ECA educational programs that are available through the remainder of 2020. Registration is available from the ECA website at: www.ecachicago.com. (Please visit the Event Calendar section.)
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IMSCA PAC Raffle Drawing -
September 11, 2020
Tickets Now Available!
IMSCA is excited to announce the IMSCA-PAC 2020 fundraiser has resumed!
The winning tickets will now be drawn at IMSCA’s Board and Membership meeting on September 11, 2020
. Please click on the link below for a copy of the Raffle Ticket Order Form. THANKS to the generosity of our IMSCA members for prize donations,
SEVEN RAFFLE WINNERS
will be drawn this year! Tickets are $50 each. The winners do not need to be present to win. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Jessica Newbold Hoselton, Executive Director, Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA) at: (217) 523-4361.
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NECA 2020 LIVE! Check out the live broadcasts on Facebook and LinkedIn each Monday to learn more about NECA's first ever virtual convention.
You can view previous and all future events each Monday at 1pm, by searching @NECANET on Facebook or LinkedIn.
If you miss them, you can find the link's to the videos on Linkedin and FaceBook
here on our website
.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO
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MEP Young Professionals Trivia Night via Zoom Meeting.
July 30, 2020 - 7-8pm
ECA SUMMER SOCIAL EVENT
August 14, 2020
Air and Water Show Rehearsal
Lakeside Theater
Chicago, IL
RE-SCHEDULED for August 13, 2021!
Additional "MANAGING FIELD PRODUCTIVITY" Session
Arranged For August 27, 2020
(Registration is now Open!)
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL
"ADVANCED ESTIMATING OF ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION" -
SESSION IS FULL!
September 16 & 17, 2020
(A few spots are open!)
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL
"SUCCESSION PLANNING" SEMINAR
October 21, 2020
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL
"THE TOP HABITS OF HIGH-PERFORMING FOREMEN" SEMINAR
November 18, 2020
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL
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