ECA News & Events Update | | National Latino Education Institute’s (NLEI’s)
54th Annual Fundraiser & Awards Event
June 9, 2026 -- University Club | |
Powering Chicago was a Gold Sponsor of the National Latino Education Institute’s (NLEI’s) 54th Annual Fundraiser & Awards Event that was held on June 9, 2026 at the University Club in Chicago. ECA member firms: Rocha Electric Company and Staylitt Electric, LLC were acknowledged during the program. Rebeca and Alberto Rocha, Rocha Electric Company received the NEIL’s “Emerging Leader” Award. Each spoke at the session. Edgar Alsonso, Shop Manager for Staylitt Electric, LLC, spoke as an Alumni of the NLEI educational program. Chris and Kristina Garza, Staylitt Electric, LLC were on hand, as well.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
| | "AI in Electrical Construction" - 3rd Session! -
June 11, 2026 | |
The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee was proud to sponsor the "AI in Electrical Construction" seminar on Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Maggiano's Banquets in Oak Brook, IL. The session was facilitated by Carl Britton, Iron Thread Consulting. This was the third session.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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ECA Young Professionals 8th Annual Leadership Conference
Thursday, August 20, 2026 - Friday, August 21, 2026
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Registration is open for the ECA Young Professionals 8th Annual Leadership Conference! You won't want to miss this event! The Conference is being held at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel - Milwaukee, WI
Kimpton Journeyman Hotel 310 E Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The tentative schedule is as follows:
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Rehlko Facility Tour
12:00 PM Departure from Kimpton Journeyman Hotel
1:00– 2:30 PM Tour
3:30 PM Return to Hotel
Join us on a faculty tour that will include an educational session that will cover a high-level view of Rehlko as a business, including their history, product offerings, the different spaces they work in, and future outlook.
3:00 PM Guaranteed Hotel Check-in Time
6:00 – 10:00 PM Reception & Dinner
Friday, August 21, 2026
8:00-9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00-10:00 AM Shane Yount – Chairman, Competitive Solutions, Inc – Process Based Leadership
10:00-11:00 AM Jessica Cardenas – ELECTRI International update and overview
11:00 AM -12:00 PM Carl Britton – Iron Thread Consulting – AI for Project Managers
12:00-12:45 PM Hotel Check-out/Lunch Break
12:45-4:00 PM Continued: Carl Britton – Iron Thread Consulting – AI for Project Managers
When registering, please indicate if you're staying at the hotel, as well as indicate if you're participating in the Rehlko Tour. Registration ends on July 14, 2026. However, please contact Taylor Kershaw at the ECA office to check on availability. Tkershaw@ecachicago.com (618) 975-0833.
We look forward to seeing you in Milwaukee!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
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ECA 54th Annual Spring Conference
June 3 - 4, 2026
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The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) held its 54th Annual Spring Conference on June 3 - 4, 2026 at the Abbey Resort & Avani Spa in Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, WI. Nearly 100 individuals registered for the Conference and 78 of those participants were able to experience a beautiful day at the Abbey Springs Golf Course with the Membership Golf Outing.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.
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NECA ROSTER VERIFICATION PROCESS
Please review / Make any Changes by June 18, 2026!
Once a year, National NECA requests that all members perform membership verification to ensure that their company information is accurate and up-to-date on the national website, www.necanet.org. In addition, information regarding average project size to company description(s) / specialties should be reviewed and updated as this information is utilized in the NECA website Search which is used by people seeking electrical contractors.
NECA is doing this early this year to have the information printed in time for the NECA Convention, as NECA celebrates its 125th year!
NECA is requesting this information verification completed in a short time-frame –no later than June 18, 2026. Please visit the NECA website at: www.necanet.org to review / update your firm's listing.
Please click the link below for verification instructions.
CLICK HERE FOR NECA ROSTER VERIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS.
| | NECA Convention Registration is Open!
Mandalay Bay - Las Vegas - October 4 - 7, 2026 | | |
Celebrate 125 Years of NECA!
The NECA Convention & Trade Show is coming to Las Vegas!
Visit www.necaconvention.org for more details and to register.
Convention Stipend
The ECA Executive Committee approved the stipend of the Registration Fee for up to two representatives and their guests from each ECA member firm that registers for the Convention. The registrations will be reimbursed to the applicable companies after the Convention.
Registration
Registration is open; please visit www.necaconvention.org to register for the NECA Convention/Accommodations. Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino is located at 3950 South Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV.
The regular "in-person" NECA Convention registration fee is $2,300 per NECA member, and $1,460 for the member’s spouse / guest. However, those who register early (cut-off dated August 12) will receive the “early bird” price of $1,925 for members and $1,240 for the member’s spouse / guest.
The Chicago Chapter Hotel is the Four Seasons Mandalay Bay.
Chicago Chapter Events
For those Chapter members that attend the NECA Convention, the Chicago and Cook County Chapter functions are listed below.
Saturday, October 3, 2026
“Welcome to Las Vegas” Event
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Reception (cocktails and heavy hors de oeuvres)
Four Seasons Mandalay Bay
Upper Deck-Pool area
Monday, October 5, 2026
Chapter Reception / Dinner
7:00 pm start: Reception / Dinner
House of Blues Mandalay Bay
Vinyl Room Lower Lounge and Terrace
Wednesday October 7, 2026
Pre-Closing Event Reception
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Reception (cocktails and heavy hors de oeuvres)
Four Seasons Mandalay Bay
Fountain Terrace
After you have registered, please e-mail a copy of your completed registration transaction to the Association office at registration@ecachicago.com. This will allow us to have a record of your registration information, should you need any assistance after registering.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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IMSCA Legislative Updates
June 8, 2026 Update:
IMSCA is sharing important information from Jason Keller, Assistant Director at the Illinois Department of Labor.
As we enter June, the Department of Labor is now accepting inquiries regarding the filing of agreements and rates for the prevailing wage survey. To ensure timely processing and to allow sufficient time for resolving any potential issues, the Department encourages early filing.
To better assist with your survey questions, the Department has updated their contact procedures. Please direct your questions to the following labor conciliators:
Matthew Gillock: (217) 361-9742
Mitch Cosgrove: (217) 299-7439
June 1, 2026 Update: Session Adjourned
The 2026 Spring Session of the Illinois General Assembly has now adjourned. The House and Senate are not scheduled to reconvene until after the November general elections. This weekend was, as expected, very hectic with the chambers holding various committee hearings, caucuses, filing a high volume of amendments and extensive floor action. Extensive discussions and negotiations were held on a variety of issues such as AI, Gaming, Bears Stadium, Revenue Proposals, Social Media Regulation, Data Centers and the FY 27 State Budget.
A brief description and status of several major legislative proposals are listed below:
HB 111 - FY 27 Appropriations - PASSED
HB 2949 - Budget Implementation - PASSED
SB 3255 - Bond Authorization - PASSED
HB 1700 - Energy “Trailer” - PASSED
HB 1832 - Elections “Omnibus” - DID NOT PASS
SB 3645 - Regulatory Sunset Extensions - PASSED
SB 3019 - Revenue Package - PASSED
HB 958 - Bears Stadium Proposal - DID NOT PASS
SB 3393 - Labor Omnibus - DID NOT PASS
HB 2371 and HB 4327 - 340B Proposals - PASSED
SB 3229 - Cannabis - PASSED
SB 3365 - Medicaid Omnibus - PASSED
Fall Veto Session
Late last night, the General Assembly released its dates for the 2026 Fall Veto Session. Those dates are November 17-19 and December 1-3, 2026, and the respective calendars can be found HERE and HERE.
Labor Omnibus Package : SB 3393 (Evans + Hoffman) : DID NOT PASS
This legislation was a major point of concern because it included language from HB 3005 which amends the Prevailing Wage Act regarding the transportation of materials and supplies to a covered job site– a proposal that IMSCA and others strongly opposed. We are happy to share that, upon the conclusion of the session earlier this morning, this measure failed to receive approval from both chambers.
Prevailing Wage Matter (HB 4751 - Hoffman) Campaign for Another Delayed Effective Date : EFFORT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL
As the 2026 Spring Session neared its conclusion, IMSCA continued to work towards a further postponement of the effective date for HB 2488. However, those efforts were not successful.
Please reach out to IMSCA at: dflynn@neilflynnlaw.com if you have any questions regarding this or any other specific legislation. IMSCA will soon be providing a more detailed list of the bills that IMSCA tracked this Spring session and will share that for everyone’s general awareness and information.
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Virtual Overview of Assistance Program Services
This complimentary, informative session introduces the Assistance Program, highlights the services and resources available, and provides a demonstration of our new member portal/app. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet their dedicated account manager and learn how to make the most out of Assistance Program support for themselves and their families.
CLICK HERE for the promotional flyer and meeting links - so members can register for a session that works best for them.
The first session took place on Wednesday, May 6th at 11 am CST.
This informational session is being offered on a monthly basis. Please see the schedule and meeting links below:
Wednesday, July 1st - 11:00 am CST
Kaitlin DeBlasio is available if you have any questions. If you are interested in coordinating a custom Assistance Program overview specifically for your organization, please reach out to her directly a:t Kaitlin DeBlasio, LCPC, Client Relations Manager - direct: 847-273-3273,
kaitlin.deblasio@allonehealth.com.
Check out the new AOH App!
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REMINDER
Membership Discount in the Illinois Solar Energy and
Storage Association (ISEA)
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As a reminder, the Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) is offering a discount to member firms that are interested in joining the Illinois Solar Energy and Storage Association (ISEA) as an ISEA Charter Business Member.
We hope that you will take advantage of this membership benefit opportunity.
ILLINOIS SOLAR ENERGY AND STORAGE ASSOCIATION DISCOUNT MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Illinois Solar Energy and Storage Association (ISEA) Discount Opportunity for ISEA Charter Membership category.
ISEA business members receive benefits meant to expand understanding and opportunity in renewable energy development in the state. These benefits include: a public profile on the ISEA website, invitations to webinars on topics related to renewable energy development in Illinois, RFP announcements, as well as the opportunity to participate in membership calls.
The ECA has maintained its ISEA Sponsor Organization membership which now confers a membership discount of $200 off of the $1,000 ISEA Charter Membership category to all interested ECA member firms. All ECA members are invited to join the Illinois Solar Energy Association at a discount. Again, ECA member firms can take $200 off of the $1,000 ISEA Individual Charter membership category.
Please email ISEA Executive Director, Lesley McCain at lesley.mccain@illinoissolar.org for help facilitating this member discount.
ISEA Charter Membership Benefits:
- Voting rights in ISEA Board of Directors elections
- A public profile on the ISEA Find a Professional page
- ISEA industry-focused newsletter and timely information on policy updates, funding opportunities, and other information relevant to the industry delivered to your email
- Access to business-only content, such as policy webinars, RFP notifications, and more.
- Opportunities to sponsor ISEA events
- Opportunities to promote your business through a profile in ISEA's community-focused newsletter and social media
- Member discounts to events and training
- Discounts for partner organizations' classes and events
- ISEA logo available for your website and communications
Please contact the ECA at: (708) 531-0022, if you have any questions regarding the ECA promotion with the ISEA.
ISEA Special Raffle
The Illinois Solar Education Association is currently running an electric vehicle raffle as its major fundraiser. This year, they are raffling off a Rivian. You do not need to be an ISEA member to participate in the raffle.
CLICK HERE FOR RAFFLE OPPORTUNITY!
| | NECA Premier Partner Update - 3M | | |
3M 35 kV Deadbreak Kit Availability and 2026 Pricing
3M has updated the lead time for its 35kV Separable Connectors, with deadbreak kit availability now set at 2–3 weeks. In addition, 3M has confirmed that there will be no pricing increases for these products in 2026. This update is intended to support improved planning and project scheduling for NECA members nationwide.
| | Don't Miss Your "Power of Better" Opportunity
- A message from Powering Chicago - | | |
Powering Chicago was built on partnership, and that includes you. As a signatory contractor, you’re part of a network that’s setting the standard for better construction across Chicago and Cook County. We’re continuing to spotlight the people and companies behind that standard through blogs, videos, social media, and the "The Power of Better" video series.
This is your opportunity to take full advantage of being part of Powering Chicago by promoting your work, your team, and the projects that make you stand out.
Here’s how it benefits you:
- Professional Credibility
- Reach future clients online
- Marketing content you can share
- Build trust with real examples
Your story has the power to inspire trust, attract new opportunities, and strengthen the entire Powering Chicago network.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Learn more about showcasing your work.
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EA Women's Division Electri-Flex Tour
and Pollyanna Brewery Happy Hour
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Electric Association – Women’s Division
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Join EA for a tour of Electri-Flex in Roselle, IL, followed by a networking event!
Event Schedule
- 3:30 PM – Check-in at Electri-Flex, 222 W Central Ave, Roselle, IL 60172
- 4:00 PM – Tour begins
- 5:30 PM – Happy Hour at Pollyanna, 245 E Main St, Roselle, IL 60172
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Please note: Closed-toe shoes are required to participate in the Electri-Flex tour.
Event Options
- Register for the Tour
- Pre-register for Drinks – $28 includes:
- 2 drink tickets
- Event giveaway
If you plan to attend only Happy Hour and want to opt out of the drink tickets, join us at Pollyanna at 5:30 PM — no registration required. Walk-ins are welcome!
JUNE 24 EVENT REGISTRATION
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Special Olympics Construction Team Picnic
July 25, 2026
| | Electric Association Centennial Celebration
August 13, 2026 | |
Join the Electric Association (EA) on Thursday, August 13, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm on the Spirit of Chicago at Navy Pier! Celebrate a century of power, progress, and partnership.
The Electrical Association’s Centennial Celebration will honor 100 years of innovation and impact in Chicago’s electrical industry. This is more than just a milestone—it’s a chance to celebrate the accomplishments, relationships, and people who have shaped our industry and will continue to drive it forward for the next 100 years. Reconnect with colleagues, make new connections, and share the experience—spouses and guests are encouraged to attend! Dress attire is festive and formal. Don’t miss this once-in-a-generation event—get your tickets today! Exclusive event includes dinner, premium bar and two hours of touring Lake Michigan with the fellow leaders of the electrical industry to celebrate 100 years of the Electric Association.
Early Discount for EA Members $275 per person (Available through June 15, 2026)
EA Members $300
Non-members $325 per person
Please RSVP by July 31, 2026.
Changes and refunds for cancellations are not guaranteed after July 31. This is event is expected to sell out!
REGISTER NOW
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ECA Educational and Conference Stipends for 2026
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Executive Committee has approved a number of educational stipends for many special programs / conferences throughout 2026. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) and applicable receipts forwarded to ECA.
CLICK HERE FOR LISTING
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ECA Educational Programming for 2026
The 2026 Education Programming Schedule is confirmed for 2026. Please click the link below for a full listing with links for registration!
CLICK HERE FOR LISTING
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DOCUMENT CRUNCH
ECA Has Renewed for 2026
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The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) has renewed the Document Crunch service for the membership for 2026. Please review the information below and register for this unique service!
Document Crunch’s mission is to empower construction teams to confidently make informed decisions that reduce risk and deliver better project outcomes. Their AI Risk Reduction Platform is built specifically for construction and gives teams the power to review documents in seconds, guide decisions with best practices, and assist with on-the-job questions and tasks. Document Crunch and NECA/ELECTRI have partnered to offer an exclusive solution that enables those better project outcomes for your business.
Faster Reviews
CrunchAI greatly reduces contract review times, typically done in just a few minutes!
Unmatched Insight
Deep and thorough AI-driven analysis of your contract gives a holistic view, benchmarked against 12 common areas of risk for electrical contractors.
Top 12 Contract Issues for Trade Contractors:
1. Pay if Paid
2. Right to Stop Work
3. Consequential Damages
4. Liquidated Damages
5. Liability Caps
6. Indemnity
7. Delays
8. Subsurface Conditions
9. Hazardous Materials
10. Design Responsibility
11. Payment Terms
12. Material Price Escalation
Understand Major Issues
Generative AI summaries provide easy consumption and understanding. Quickly learn if the contract language meets NECA best practices.
Suggested Redlines
For issues that fall short of best practice, CrunchAI creates and suggests language alternatives to bring the contract up to standard.
ECA members, who sign up for the service have exclusive access to an ELECTRI-specific solution of Document Crunch that will assess your contracts and quickly identify these top 12 critical risk provisions within your contracts. As part of the ELECTRI Document Crunch partnership, the platform’s enhanced benchmarking service is available to you to understand your levels of risk related to your peers.
Document Crunch
Click Here for Demo Video
Sign Up for Access
Click Here for recent Update.
If any questions, please contact Miah Veselinovic, Document Crunch at: mveselinovic@documentcrunch.com.
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FREE Safety Training - 2026
CSC is offering a series of complimentary programs!
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The Construction Safety Council (CSC) been awarded an OSHA grant to support local delivery of five high-demand training topics:
- Workzone Hazards
- Excavation Dangers
- Harmful Silica
- Fall Protection
- Electrical Safety
Each session includes four hours of in-person instruction, which requires a 4.5 timeline for delivery (e.g., 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.). This Awareness-Level training is available to employers and employees, locally or nationwide. Their trainers are subject matter experts, who will engage participants in interactive lectures, demonstrations, and discussions about construction workplace hazards and risk-prevention strategies.
The ECA is proud to join the CSC in sponsoring these training opportunities. Due to the availability of federal grant funding, all materials and instruction are available AT NO COST. The training is FREE OF CHARGE for all ECA members.
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OPEN ENROLLMENT courses hosted by CSC in Hillside, Illinois – 2026 training dates will be available at www.buildsafe.org after December 15.
- PRIVATE courses hosted by ECA members – at any time, on any day, at any location.
If any questions, please contact the CSC at: (708) 449-8604.
We hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity to participate with these sessions!
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Culture of Collaboration Workshop
Transforming Our Industry Together: Introducing the DEI Program for ECA of Chicago
The ECA is continuing its exciting journey to shape our future with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at its core. We've partnered with Leadership Surge to bring a specially designed DEI program to the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) of Chicago, and you’re invited to be a part of this transformative experience.
Please use the scheduling form below to secure a date and register your companies for the live 2-hr DEI Training session:
Scheduling Form
The goal is to have each company choose their preferred training and capture their contact information and preferred training location.
Here’s what's in store for us:
- Tailored Training Sessions: From senior leadership to our valued front-line employees, there’s something for everyone. Get ready to dive into interactive sessions that will empower us to lead and participate in a more inclusive workplace.
- Engaging Learning Formats: Whether it's live workshops or on-the-go learning through a mobile app, this program offers flexible ways to engage with DEI principles. Plus, Toolbox Talks will bring DEI conversations right into our daily routines.
- A United Effort: This isn't just training; it's a movement towards building a workplace where every voice is heard and every contribution valued. We're not just aiming for compliance; we're striving for commitment and change.
Program Intro
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IMSCA PAC Funding Drive
Your voice matters in Illinois!
By contributing to the IMSCA Political Action Committee (PAC), you help support candidates and initiatives that align with the values and goals of IMSCA. Any contribution, no matter the level of support, is incredibly helpful. We hope that you will consider a contribution.
Click Here for further information.
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With Mental Health Awareness Month coming up in May, I wanted to personally share some resources to help you raise awareness, drive engagement, and ensure your team knows about the support available through AllOne Health. We’re here to partner with you every step of the way to make this month meaningful for your organization.
To make it easy, we’ve put together a Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit you can use right away. It includes:
- A kick-off announcement message + video
- Weekly outreach communications (copy/paste ready)
- Links to resource guides and upcoming webinars
- Clear instructions for use
All materials are on an easy-to-access, easy-to-share landing page, designed to help you highlight mental health support across your organization.
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
ECA's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) partner, AllOne Health, has launched a new Member Portal on March 2, 2026. The updated portal is easier to use and aligned with the AllOne Health App, making it simple to access counseling, mental health resources, and well-being support.
What’s new:
- A refreshed, user-friendly portal
- Easier access to EAP and well-being services
- One login for both the app and the portal
Starting March 2, you can access services at AllOneHealth.com/portal.
You may notice that new materials reference updated landing pages. If employees use an existing or bookmarked link, it will automatically redirect to AllOneHealth.com/portal beginning March 2—no action needed.
If you already use the AllOne Health App, log in with the same credentials. If not, create an account—your login will work for both the app and the portal.
Please review the attached flyer for sign-up instructions and watch the short orientation video here:
👉 Orientation Video
Confidential support remains available 24/7 for employees and their household members.
Check out the new AOH App!
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EP 21: Inside Mission-Critical Electrical Work at O’Hare Terminal 3
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is undergoing a major transformation through the ongoing Terminal 3 renovation project, a complex infrastructure effort requiring phased construction, continuous electrical reliability, and coordinated work within one of the world’s busiest airports.
Powering Chicago member contractor Maron Electric Company is helping support critical airport infrastructure upgrades while maintaining daily airport operations throughout construction.
Watch Now
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Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention
It is an unfortunate fact that construction has the highest rate of suicide of any industry in America. We lose about 53 out of every 100,000 members of our industry EVERY YEAR to suicide. We are four times the average of other industries. We have a crisis in construction and we need to do something about it. You can visit the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention website and learn more. We urge all to take the pledge to STAND UP for suicide prevention and address it as a health and safety priority.
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