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| January 20, 2011- Volume 3 - 2 |
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 2011 STATE LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE AND LOBBYING DAY |
Be sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 22, 2011. ABC of Michigan will be holding the 2011 State Legislative Conference and Lobbying Day at the Radisson in downtown Lansing. Save the date postcards should arrive in your office this week!
Click here for full story.
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ABC of MICHIGAN ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRMAN |
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ABC of Michigan would like to announce the appointment ofJim Cripps, President of Cripps Fontaine Excavating in Kalamazoo, as their 2011 Board Chairman. Cripps has been a dedicated member of the ABC Western Michigan Chapter and previously held the position of Vice-Chairman ofthe board.
Click here for full story.
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REDUCE YOUR WORKERS COMPENSATION COSTS
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The economic downturn of the past couple years has been rough on all construction businesses. To compensate for some of their lost revenue owners are working to get a better handle on their expenses, especially their workers' compensation costs.
To control their workers' compensation expenses, construction companies need to make on-the-job safety their top priority. Insurance rates for the construction industry are very high because of the increased risk of injury relative to other industries. Safety improvements made now will help reduce the number of injury claims, which could lead to lower future premiums.
Click here for full story.
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| 2011 ABC MEMBER STICKERS NOW AVAILABLE |
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ABC members can start the new year off right and demonstrate their commitment to ABC's long-standing reputation for construction excellence and safety by branding their jobsites and company mailings with "ABC Member" logo stickers. These stickers are now available at the ABC e-store.
Click here for full story.
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seen in Merit Minute!
Call ABC MI today to learn how you can advertise your company statewide using Merit Minute.
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120 N. Washington Square
Suite 805
Lansing, MI 48933
Ph. (517) 853-2545 Fax: (517) 853-2546 |
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About ABC of Michigan
Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan is a statewide trade association, working in partnership with four local chapters, dedicated to providing Michigan with high-quality, affordable, safe and on-time construction. ABC of Michigan is an equal opportunity organization that opposes all discrimination in the construction industry including discrimination based on union affiliation. A leading construction industry voice with state government, ABC provides many member services including legislative advocacy, networking opportunities, member benefits, legal updates, business development and educational opportunities.
| 2011 STATE LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE AND LOBBYING DAY
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Be sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 22, 2011. ABC of Michigan will be holding the 2011 State Legislative Conference and Lobbying Day at the Radisson in downtown Lansing. Save the date postcards should arrive in your office this week!
With many new faces in the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives, now is your chance to meet with lawmakers to discuss the issues that are important to your business and industry as a whole. This year we have a new format for the conference to give you more one-on-one time with your legislators.
It is important that we keep our issues in front of our newly elected Merit Shop friendly lawmakers. This is the year to make the much needed changes in our state that will allow open competition and help businesses thrive to improve our state's economy. Getting you, your colleagues, and employees in front of our legislators to reiterate the importance of our issues is crucial. The State Legislative Conference is the place to make that happen.
Our priority issues for 2011include: putting a stop to union-only project labor agreements, repealing the prevailing wage law, and eliminating the Michigan Business Tax. Most of the new legislators were elected based on their support of these and other issues and now it's our responsibility to hold their feet to the fire and make sure the needed changes happen.
Watch for more information including the announcement of our confirmed speakers, registration materials and sponsorship opportunities.
Click here to return to top of Merit Minute.
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| ABC of MICHIGAN ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRMAN |
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ABC of Michigan would like to announce the appointment ofJim Cripps, President of Cripps Fontaine Excavating in Kalamazoo, as their 2011 Board Chairman. Cripps has been a dedicated member of the ABC Western Michigan Chapter and previously held the position of Vice-Chairman ofthe board. In addition to being a devoted member of ABC, Cripps is also a member of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, a statewide construction trade association representing construction disciplines such as road and bridge, sewer and water, utility, railroad, excavation and specialty construction.
Jim Cripps is a long term resident of Kalamazoo and a very active member in his community. He currently serves asChair ofthe Kalamazoo Board of Public Works and Vice-Chair ofthe Kalamazoo Township Zoning Board of Appeals. Whenever he has free time, Cripps enjoys deer hunting, riding motorcycles, and traveling with his wife. If you see Jim, please take the time to congratulate him on his appointment!
Click here to return to top of Merit Minute.
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| REDUCE YOUR WORKERS COMPENSATION COSTS |
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To control their workers' compensation expenses, construction companies need to make on-the-job safety their top priority. Insurance rates for the construction industry are very high because of the increased risk of injury relative to other industries. Safety improvements made now will help reduce the number of injury claims, which could lead to lower future premiums.
To identify where the most accidents are occurring, companies need to track accident rates and claims from crew to crew and site to site. They should inform their site managers and supervisors that they too share the responsibility of reducing accidents and workers' compensation claims.
Another thing for them to consider: Workers' compensation costs are based in part on payroll size. All overtime pay and employee benefit costs should be reviewed regularly to make sure they are necessary and accurate.
And no one says companies have to stay with their current carrier. Every business owner should shop around and compare quotes to see if they are getting the best deal. Low insurance premiums shouldn't be the only factor that is considered. The carrier should provide dependable service as well as reasonable premiums.
Workers' compensation costs can have a big impact on your bottom line. Review your policy and current safety procedures to see if changes are warranted. ABC members have a great option for Workers Compensation insurance in the ABC of Michigan Self-Insured Workers Compensation Fund.
The plan is owned by ABC of Michigan members and administered by Regency Group. This plan is like no other in that it returns profits to the fund's members annually.
The ABC Self-Insured Workers Compensation Fund is owned by its members and operates similar to an insurance company -- providing the same employer protection and paying claims to employees injured on the job.
You actually get money back from your premiums paid!
Current fund participants will be receiving the largest return in fund history this year - over $2.5 million! Prior to this year, over $14.7 Million has been returned to participating members since 1995 with members averaging a 35% Return of Premium.
The potential for a significant return of profit back to its members is reason enough to insure with the ABC Fund, but there's more! ABC Fund members also receive:
- Competitive Rates - due to better risk selection. Only those with a proven record of low losses qualify!
- Better Claims Service - Settlement authority rests with the Fund. The decision making board is comprised of members, just like you!
- Safety & Loss Control Services - specifically designed for the construction industry.
Click here for more information or call Regency Group at 800.686.6640.
Click here to return to top of Merit Minute.
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| 2011 ABC MEMBERS STICKERS NOW AVAILABLE |
ABC members can start the new year off right and demonstrate their commitment to ABC's long-standing reputation for construction excellence and safety by branding their jobsites and company mailings with "ABC Member" logo stickers. These stickers are now available at the ABC e-store.
The stickers come in a variety of sizes; ranging from 1-inch stickers, ideal for letters or envelopes, through 20-inch stickers which can be placed on large jobsite equipment, such as trucks, backhoes, cranes and mixers. Also available in 2-inch, 6-inch and 11-inch sizes, logo stickers can be placed on a wide range of construction equipment including hard hats, toolboxes, jobsite signs and small vehicles.
All logo stickers are currently available for purchase through ABC's online store, www.abc.org/estore.aspx, or by contacting Caletha Ellerbe at ABC, ellerbe@abc.org.
Click here to return to top of Merit Minute.
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