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OSHA Expands Submission Requirements for Injury and Illness Data - OSHA amended its occupational injury and illness recordkeeping regulation to require certain employers to electronically submit information that they are already required to keep. Specifically, OSHA is amending its regulation to require establishments with 100 or more employees in certain designated high-hazard industries, like construction, to electronically submit information from their OSHA Forms 300 and 301 once a year.
The rule went into effect January 1, 2024. Employers are now required to make electronic submissions to OSHA by March 2nd of the year after the calendar year covered by each Form. Therefore, 2023 calendar year information would need to be submitted by March 2, 2024. Click here for OSHA’s News Release.
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Governor Murphy Signs Legislation to Maintain Structural Integrity of Certain Residential Housing - On January 8, 2024, Murphy signed S2760/A4384 which puts additional procedures in place for inspecting, evaluating, and maintaining the structural integrity of certain residential housing structures. These procedures will help ensure the safety and stability of New Jersey’s condominiums and coops by tightening procedures and requiring inspections and reviews on a regimented schedule.
“Today we underscore that we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure no New Jersey community has to endure the tragedy that befell Surfside, FL just a few years ago,” said Governor Murphy.
More details can be found at Office of the Governor’s Press Release and Committee Statement to S2760. For the bill text click here.
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NJDOL Launched Digital Portal for Prevailing Wage Payrolls and Public Works Contractor Registration - Governor Murphy signed S1442/A5345 on August 16, 2023, which requires public works contractor registration and payroll certification for public works projects to be completed online. The law takes effect 365 days after enactment, August 15, 2024.
The Portal will streamline submissions of public works contractors’ certified payrolls, make it more transparent, improve enforcement and compliance, and would be available to the public for inspection. “Better tools, data, and analytics help us enforce labor laws and make playing by the rules easy and cost effective for employers,” said DOL Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. NJDOL Enhances Digital Portal for Certified Payroll Records
Contractors would have to submit payroll online at The New Jersey Wage Hub and would no longer submit paper certified payroll once the law takes effect. The Hub has already been launched and weekly payroll records can be submitted online now.
To file or renew your registration online go to Public Works Contractor Registration.
| NJDOL Issues Stop-Work Order to East Windsor Contractor - Stop-work orders are issued by NDOL to halt work being performed in a way that exploits workers in efforts to combat wage and hour and prevailing wage violations. The most recent stop-work order was issued to Windsor Builders LLC of East Windsor, NJ for the construction of a building addition at the East Windsor Municipal Utilities Treatment Plant. NJDOL Press Release. NJDOL has issued 147 stop-work orders since these powers were expanded in July 2019. | |
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MASONRY CONTRACTORS OF NEW JERSEY
CELEBRATES JOHN CAPO AND TONY GAMBINO
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It was our honor to celebrate John and Tony at our Christmas Dinner Dance on December 1, 2023 at the Borgata for their dedication, achievements, and contributions to the industry during their many years of service, 110 years combined.
We applaud Tony’s seventy-four years of committed service to educate designers about the advantages and benefits of designing and building with brick. Michael Schmerbeck presented Tony with a “Tony Gambino Day” Proclamation from IMI for his “World Record” of longevity within the masonry industry.
John is widely admired in the union masonry industry for his leadership, accomplishments, and integrity. We look forward to his future contributions while he continues to lead the charge to advance union masonry construction throughout the State of New Jersey.
Michael presented each honoree with a “Joint Legislative Resolution” from the NJ Senate and General Assembly signed by Nicholas Scutari and Craig Coughlin, congratulating them, and paying tribute to their meritorious commitment and success.
All were surprised and entertained by a special guest, accompanied by his own Secret Service agent, and an incredibly talented glitter speed painter before dancing to Central Park ten-piece band! Click here to see the enjoyable time had by all! Many thanks to everyone there for cheering on John and Tony and to the many sponsors for congratulating them in the Tribute Journal.
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Our 2024 Membership Directory is going to print soon.
Be sure to check your company profile here and if you haven’t already done so, please let the Association Office know by January 12, 2024, of any changes.
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Project Stress Index Sets New Highs in Final Weeks of 2023 - The Project Stress Index measures project stress conditions for projects still in pre-construction phase. The main factors underlying these results are elevated levels of abandoned projects and an increase in on hold projects. Click here for the ConstructConnect article for more information.
New Jersey’s Rising Unemployment - New Jersey’s rising unemployment rate is outpacing the national average by increasing at one of the fastest rates. Yet, the state added more than 90,000 jobs in 2023. Click New Jersey’s Rising Unemployment Makes Economic Future Uncertain to read more.
New Jersey’s Construction Employment - New Jersey’s monthly construction employment statistics for the past ten years can be found here U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2024 Should Show Stronger Growth for Construction - Year-to-date through November 2023 total construction starts lagged 4% compared to the previous year. Residential and nonresidential starts were down 14% and 7%, respectively, but nonbuilding starts were up 19%. “Construction starts are deeply feeling the impact of higher rates” said Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Construction Network. “While the Federal Reserve seems poised to start cutting rates in the New Year, the impact on starts will lag. As a result, starts are expected to be weak through the mid-point of 2024 before growth resumes."
The Dodge Construction Network Outlook 2024 reports the coming year should provide a transition to stronger growth for construction with total construction starts expected to gain 7% to $1.2 trillion, after growth slowed 2% (after adjusting down for inflation) in 2023. Access the Outlook 2024 EBook here.
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ICE AWARDS DINNER AND ANNUAL MEETING | |
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On November 1, 2023 at the Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport Hotel industry colleagues from across the country gathered at the ICE 2023 Eugene George Awards Dinner to honor Robert Hoover and New Jersey’s very own Gerard Scarano.
Jerry, who began his Apprenticeship with NJ Local #35 in 1969, retired as Executive Vice President of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers in 2020 and was honored as the “Industry Person of The Year”.
Bob is one of the most impactful labor management relations representatives for management that the Union construction industry has ever had. Bob received the “Dedication” Award.
President Caryn Halifax from IMI, President Tim Driscoll from the Bricklayers International, and representatives from the International’s Pension and Health Funds spoke at ICE’s Annual Meeting on November 2, 2023. President Robert Thomas of the Concrete and Hardscape Association provided us with a CMU Check-off report and others discussed investment trends, market analyses, carbon recaptured block, legislative affairs, and more.
Pictures from ICE’s Awards dinner and Annual Meeting can be found here.
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IMI Upcoming LU/HSW Webinars:
Stabilizing Masonry Construction: How to Recognize Issues & What to Do - January 16th
Mastering Masonry Design: Essential Software, Codes, and Tools - January 17th
Masonry Movement Joints - January 23rd
Unlock the Possibilities of the Hive IMI Masonry Library - February 7th
Visit IMI's website for more AIA Accredited Programs.
Exclusively for BAC Signatory Contractors - Get On-Demand Webinars & Resources: Sign Up for the IMI Portal - The IMI Portal is an exclusive website available to BAC signatory contractors, connecting you and your team with resources to support your day-to-day activities. In the Portal, you can get access to live and on-demand webinars from IMI, which cover a range of topics, from new work opportunities, to building science information and research, the latest materials and tools, and best practices for bidding, estimating, and project management.
Contact IMI or Elizabeth Kekeris ekekeris@imiweb.org today to set up your Portal account. Be sure to include in your message that you’re a Masonry Contractors of New Jersey member!
IMTEF - Contractor Members click here for Winter/Spring 2024 craftworker training opportunities at the John J. Flynn BAC/IMI International Training Center in Bowie, MD.
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3242 Route 206, Suite 10 | Bordentown, NJ 08505 | tel (609) 324-1140 | fax (609) 324-1138 | | |
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Dedicated to promoting Masonry Design and
Union Construction throughout the State of New Jersey
| Visit our website www.mcofnj.org for more information. | | | | |
