|
President's Message,
If you missed the 2009 NUCA EXPO in Phoenix last week then you missed the largest utility industry focused show of the year. The Big Show had an impressive display of heavy construction equipment, as well as the latest technologies, products and services being offered by the leading manufacturers and suppliers in the utility construction industry.
Along with regular NUCA Committee meetings there was a plethora of Education Sessions throughout the Expo. One of the sessions was titled, "The Business of Political Involvement" in which Eben Wyman and Ben Gann stressed the importance and relativity of the member's participation in the legislative process. Lobbyists can deliver the message, but they can't drive it home and make it relevant like a constituent can. Your voice really does matter! When you make contact with your legislator whether it be over the phone, email or in person, they listen especially when there is a lot of contact. If they are not listening, then you must make the decision to vote them out of office during elections.
With that being said, we are still working on SB33 and HB 329. Thanks to your calls and correspondence on these bills with your legislators, they are taking a closer look at the impact on NM and on the Construction Industry. Watch your email box for alerts on these and other bills. The Equipment bill has been tabled and will not be addressed again during this session.
Thank you for your continued commitment and support,
Boyd
|
|
Next Step - Roswell, NM
This program was designed by the National Utility Contractors Association of New Mexico (NUCA of NM) Safety Committee to teach Damage Prevention techniques. The NEXT STEP is a comprehensive damage prevention program
specific for underground contracting work. The program includes:
It's the Law
Pot Holing -Why and How
Introduction to Trenchless Technology
Damage Utility Guidelines
Excavation/Confined Space
The program will be presented on Friday, March 20th, 2009 in Roswell, NM from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon. Location: ENMU-Roswell, Occupational Technology Center, Seminar Room 124 - 20 West Mathis, Roswell, NM.
There is NO CHARGE for the class but a RSVP is required.
(Please provide an email or phone number when registering online so that we may notify of changes to schedule)
|
|
March Dates
- March 11 - Safety Committee 8am
- March 12 - Planning Committee 8am
- March 12 - Education Committee 3pm
- March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
- March 18 - Storm Water Qualified Person
- March 19 - Storm Water Inspector Cert.
- March 19 - NMRCGA Planning 9am
- March 20 - Next Step - Roswell
- March 20 - NMRCGA General Meeting 9am
- March 23 - Board Meeting 8am
- March 24 - MSHA Annual Refresher 8 Hour
- *April 4 - CPR/First Aid Training
Register online at www.nucanm.org/event.html | |
|
Associate Showcase
 Do you wish you had a little more time at NUCA of NM Meetings to talk to members? Well, on April 16, 2009 you will have that opportunity at the Associate Showcase. As an Associate member of the NUCA of NM you may participate in this event at no charge.(only NUCA of NM Associate members can participate as a vendor) We'll start early at the regularly scheduled membership meeting so that our members, guests, and potential members can browse around a display area where you may set up a booth or just have a place to talk. Interested?
CLICK HERE - Associate Brochure and to Register for a booth.
CLICK HERE - Participants to view the flyer and registration information.
or call the Association office at 505 888 0752.
|
|
EFCA
The Employee Free Choice Act may become law within the first 100 days of the new 2009 Congress. Do you know what this means to your company? On February 19, 2009, the NUCA of NM Membership meeting's guest speaker, George Cherpelis, Jackson Lewis Attorneys at Law, presented the facts on the potential impact that could face the construction industries and your company if this legislation is voted into law by Congress.
If EFCA becomes law.... Would you know what to do if:
- A union announces a majority of your employees have signed union authorization cards and insists you "abide by the new EFCA law" and grant recognition without an NLRB election?
- Dozens of Unfair Labor Practice Charges (ULPs) are filed against your company with hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential damages as the remedy?
- Your biggest customer - as part of its own deal with the union - demands you sign a "neutrality" agreement that would prevent you from expressing your opposition to the union organizing your own employees?
- Busloads of picketers, from four different unions, hold a lunch time rally outside your facility - joined by many politicians with full press coverage?
- Your employees starts using blogs, podcasts and YouTube to broadcast messages in support of a union and its organizing efforts - using your organization's own computers?
- You are hit with simultaneous union-driven lawsuits, government investigations and consumer boycotts?
- You must prepare for an EFCA arbitration where an arbitrator is going to dictate what wages, benefits and conditions employment you must give your employees?
The Jackson Lewis law firm compiled an informative package that is filled with information that you can use to educate yourselves on this legislation. If you were unable to attend the Membership Meeting and would like to have a prepared package, please call the Association office at 505 888 0752.
|
|
ZIA Partnership
It's official!! The NUCA of NM/NM OSHA Zia Partnership was signed on February 19, 2009 at the NUCA of NM Membership Meeting. Thank you to all who worked so tirelessly on this partnership to ensure that is was a perfect fit for the utility construction industry.
THANK YOU!
- Boyd Dunham, Western Summit of NM
- Steve Moore, RMCI Inc.
- L.D. Alexander, RMCI Inc.
- Alan Wharton, AUI Inc.
- Rick Montano, AUI Inc.
- Robert Green, TLC Plumbing and Utility
- Bill Devinney, AON Risk Services
- Howard Gentry, NM OSHA
- Ray Singer, NM OSHA
- Butch Tongate, NM OSHA | |
|
|
|
Safety Library
- CHAPTER 2: EXCAVATIONS, TRENCHING, MANHOLES AND BACKFILLING - This interactive, 60-90 minute, computer-based training CD is divided into sections--Safety, Trenching, Bedding, Backfilling, Manholes, Dewatering, and Tie-ins
- CONFINED SPACE IN CONSTRUCTION - Shot on actual jobsites across the country, this 19-minute DVD can be used as a toolbox talk or as a complement to confined space training. In addition to a description of what constitutes a "confined space," the topics covered include: Regulations and permits, Training, Atmospheric testing, PPE (including respirators), Ventilation methods, Physical hazards, Lockout/blockout/tagout, Emergency plans and much more
- TRANSPORTING CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT - To help you determine the answer to that question, the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) has released a new 34-minute DVD that visually illustrates the Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulation 49 CFR, Part 393 as it applies to the transport of construction equipment.
The information has been segmented by major topic to facilitate review and/or clarification:
Introduction
The Trailer Loading
Equipment Securement Points
Understanding Tie-down Equipment
Tie-down Procedures
On the Road
Conclusion
You can check-out and use these DVDs at no charge from the NUCA of NM Safety Library. |
| Next Newsletter - March 24, 2009 | |
|
|
Volvo Rents
Construction Equipment
2009 Gold Sponsors
AUI INC
NEW CONCEPTS
2009 Silver Sponsor
HD SUPPLY Waterworks |
|
