Dear Colleague,
These past months have presented many challenges both personally and professionally. We hope that you, your families, and colleagues are safe and well and we send sincere condolences to those that have lost someone to COVID-19.
We have been focused on providing important COVID-19 information to keep you abreast of the latest happenings and better equip you during this pandemic. Additionally, because we believe that life is so much easier with a sense of humor,
we tried to bring smiles to your faces with funny memes. Many members have been so kind in commending our efforts in providing timely, pertinent information as well as bringing them much needed smiles and laughs. Special thanks to Greg Waga for his accolades and letter to our members in this issue and to each and every one of you for letting us know we’re doing a great job. We truly appreciate it.
In this issue, as the new Director of the BAC ADC of New Jersey, John Capo writes about their approach moving forward to accomplish their goals to better improve the unionized masonry industry, provide good health benefits and stable pension funds. We congratulate John, Kevin Duncan and the new BAC ADC of NJ Officers; Leon Jones, Lynn Canfield, Mario Cerrito and Nick D’Orazio in their new roles and wish them all continued success. The Association looks forward to working together to promote our industry and increase work opportunities for members and contractors.
Be sure to read Dan Siteman’s IMI update on services for Contractors and the A/E Community shifting to more online offerings as a result of restricted activities due to the pandemic.
We thank our partners for contributing to our newsletter and their continuing support and participation. To our members – your compliments are greatly appreciated, we stand strong because of you. We’ll be sure to keep you updated and know that we always value your questions, ideas and feedback.
We hope that you are finding ways to make the best of these unprecedented times.
Take care and stay well.
Sincerely,
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Carol Ciesielski
Executive Director
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OSHA
OSHA recently issued “Guidance on Returning to Work” for employers about safely returning employees to the work location. Employers are already taking many of these steps, but you may still find this a helpful resource:
OSHA: Guidance On Returning To Work
“OSHA COVID-19 Control and Prevention for Construction Work” recommendations pertaining to construction tasks associated with exposure risk levels in addition to engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, PPE and more can be found here:
DOL: OSHA & Construction
Note that these OSHA recommendations are not standards or regulations and create no legal obligations, they are advisory and intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthy work environment.
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PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS
Nationally, the PPP loan program supplied about $520 billion in loans to 4.8 million businesses in the 2 rounds of funding. There was still close to $134.5 billion in funds available for loans as of June 27, 2020. On July 2, 2020 Congress unanimously extended the PPP loan application deadline through August 8, 2020. The President signed it into law on Saturday, July 4, 2020.
As a reminder there are now less stringent requirements and extended time to spend the monies. PPP FAQs updated on June 25, 2020 can be found here:
SBA: FAQs for Lenders and Borrowers
The SBA released a PPP Approvals Report through June 27, 2020 which can be found here:
SBA: PPP Report
- The overall average loan size is $108,000
- The construction industry had 458,166 loans netting $64,295,009,595 representing 12.39% of total loans
- In New Jersey there were 144,523 loans totaling $17,099,289,297.
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CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT DATA
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics released the June 2020 “The Employment Situation” and reports that “Construction employment increased by 158,000 in June, following a gain of 453,000 in May. These gains accounted for more than half of the decline in March and April (-1.1 million combined). Over-the-month gains occurred in specialty trade contractors (+135,000), with growth about equally split between the residential and nonresidential components. Job gains also occurred in construction of buildings (+32,000).”
U.S. DOL: The Employment Situation - June 2020
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CONSTRUCTION OUTLOOK
FMI, a leading consulting firm with decades of industry focused expertise dedicated exclusively to the built environment, recently released their “North American Engineering and Construction Outlook: Second Quarter 2020 Report”.
The various recent disruptions and their impacts were considered in the forecast. The depth and reach of these disruptions will be under watch. To access the FMI “North American Engineering and Construction Outlook”, click here:
FMI: Second Quarter 2020 Report
- Construction Industry Roundtable Current Issues and Survey Results
- How to Manage and Mitigate Subcontractor Default Risks During the COVID-19 Crisis
- Looking Beyond the Storm: How to Remain Competitive in the New Era of Construction
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ARCHITECTURE BILLINGS INDEX (ABI)
The American Institute of Architects’ Architectural Billings Index (ABI) is a leading economic indicator for non-residential construction activity with a lead time of about 9-12 months.
The ABI May 2020 (issued June 24, 2020) reports that while the ABI score of 32.0 for May was somewhat higher than in April, it indicates that there is hesitation to sign on the dotted line for new work at this time. See the full report here:
AIA: May 2020 ABI
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RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Richard Tolson,
Director of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Administrative Council (BAC ADC) of New Jersey Locals 4 & 5 retired June 1,2020.
Read More
Gerard "Gerry" Scarano,
Executive Vice President of the Int'l Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, a position in which he was appointed in 2005, retired earlier this year.
Read More
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SPEC MIX IN ACTION ON NEW CBS SERIES
On Wednesday, July 8, 2020 @ 8pm ET, the new CBS Competition Series “TOUGH AS NAILS” premiers it's first episode with a Masonry challenge using actual SPEC MIX Competition products and guidelines.
Read More.
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HOT WEATHER MASONRY CONSTRUCTION
Hot weather masonry can encounter obstacles that may affect the quality of masonry construction. When temperatures rise and the materials and equipment heat up moisture can evaporate quicker from mortar, causing there to be less water for cement hydration and rapid drying, especially in areas where the mortar surfaces are exposed. Keeping adequate water maintenance during construction increases hydrating and helps with masonry strength. For more information on Holt Weather Masonry Construction visit:
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MESSAGES FROM OUR PARTNERS
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JOHN CAPO - NEW BAC ADC DIRECTOR
On June 1
st, 2020, after running unopposed, I was sworn in as Director of the District Council and Kevin Duncan was sworn in as Secretary Treasurer, replacing me. The following were appointed to Officer positions in Local 5: Leon Jones President, Lynn Canfield Recording Secretary, Mario Cerrito 1
st V.P., and Nick D’Orazio 2
nd V.P.. Local 4 Officers remain the same.
Read More from John
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DAN SITEMAN - IMI NJ DIRECTOR
IMI's shift towards more online offerings has been a positive consequence of the COVID-19 era and will continue as we emerge from restricted activities.
Read More From Dan
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Over the past several months, we’ve been forced to experience a change in our day to day, affecting us locally, as well as, globally. The disruptive COVID-19 has created a mindset, that has at times caused an agitating, distressful, and worrisome environment, which we’ve all had to battle, in various ways. Though this subject matter has affected us all, we still had to endure the day to day functionality of our work-place, our home, and social lives. With this writing, I’m hoping that everyone has been able to come through unscathed. The life and business models that we structure for ourselves, allow us to live our day to day, but should also prepare us for the worst possible scenario….and not necessarily a pandemic, but….
That being said, since 13 March 2020, there have been (2) two shining stars that have kept us continually apprised of the C-19 pandemic protocol, allowing us to become, and stay more aware of what to anticipate, along with guidelines/expectations of the criteria set forth by the powers that be in Trenton and Washington, D.C. They also became very creative, and more importantly, uplifting, by providing us with their Monday morning comedic relief. Carol Ciesielski, Executive Director, and her very efficient “Accomplice” CarrieAnn Bajkowsky-Nilsen, of Masonry Contractors of New Jersey have been at the forefront of providing continuous, effective updates, regarding Executive Orders, PPP, CARE, etc. A tremendous “THANK YOU” should be offered.
As we should be reminded and made aware, the importance of the Masonry Contractors of New Jersey, as taken directly from their Mission Statement, “is to establish a high standard of business ethics, to promote the advantages of masonry design and union construction, to foster communication and collaboration with labor, owners and designers, and to provide for the exchange of ideas among our members and the industry at large.” As a proud member of the Organization for many years, I can say that the representation by Carol and CarrieAnn, are truly indicative of what Masonry Contractors of New Jersey represents, as they have followed their Mission Statement to the tee!
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