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| June 17, 2011- Volume 3 - 12 |
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BREAKING NEWS: HUGE VICTORY TO END PLAs
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This week the Senate passed SB 165, which will forbid what are typically called union-only project labor agreements (PLAs) on taxpayer-funded construction projects. The House is expected to take up the legislation before the end of the month. More
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ABC FUND RETURNS $2,480,000 TO MEMBERS |
Members of the highly successful ABC self-insured workers' compensation program will be receiving the largest returns of profit. Again, this year the Fund was approved to distribute $2,480,000 of profit back to its members, making this the largest return in ABC Fund history. This return brings the total profits returned to over $17.2 million since the Fund's inception in 1995. More
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ABC MEMBER SIGNS PARTNERSHIP WITH LARA AND MIOSHA |
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Pioneer Construction, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) signed a formal partnership on Friday, June 10, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., at the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Kirkhof Center. More
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ABC NATIONAL: SAFETY WEBINAR |
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ABC National is pleased to offer "What to do When OSHA Comes Calling: A Guide to OSHA Inspections" Wednesday, June 29th from 2-3:15 PM EDT. This free webinar is open to all ABC members and chapter staff. More
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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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230 N. Washington Square
Suite 202
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.
| BREAKING NEWS: HUGE VICTORY TO END PLAs
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This week the Senate passed SB 165, which will forbid what are typically called union-only project labor agreements (PLAs) on taxpayer-funded construction projects. The House is expected to take up the legislation before the end of the month.
"Members of the Senate are sending a clear message that they realize that it's wrong to pick winners and losers based on status instead of merit," says ABC of Michigan President Chris Fisher. "Anti-competitive, government-mandated PLAs are special interest kickback schemes that prevent open, fair and competitive bidding on construction projects. It's time to end this unfair and costly practice once and for all.
Under PLAs, only firms and workers that are subject to union agreements are allowed to perform work on a public construction project. The restriction greatly limits the pool of contractors eligible to seek the work, and the decreased competition tends to drive up the costs of projects - wasting tax dollars. The policy also discriminates against the 75 percent of Michigan construction workers who choose not to belong to a union by denying them the opportunity to work on projects funded by their own tax dollars. The legislation passed by the Senate would prohibit such practices by ensuring a level playing field for public contracting.
"PLAs limit competition by exclusively awarding construction work to contractors that subject themselves and their employees to the terms of union collective bargaining agreements in order to work on agovernment-funded construction project. Instead of deals that either mandate or forbid union agreements, all workers and contractors, union and nonunion alike, should be treated equally, and all taxpayers deserve the accountability that results from competitive bidding that is open to all qualified contractors."
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ABC FUND RETURNS $2,480,000 TO MEMBERS |
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Members of the highly successful ABC self-insured workers' compensation program will be receiving the largest returns of profit. Again, this year the Fund was approved to distribute $2,480,000 of profit back to its members, making this the largest return in ABC Fund history. This return brings the total profits returned to over $17.2 million since the Fund's inception in 1995.
The ABC Fund, a member owned self-insured workers' compensation program, has several distinct advantages over most standard insurance carriers. The ABC Fund's excellent performance has insulated its members from the turbulence of the traditional insurance marketplace. From substantial profit returns to aggressive claims handling, the Fund is the most cost-effective workers' compensation option for its members year after year. Most importantly, fund members receive stable yet competitive upfront pricing. This competitive pricing, along with the ABC Fund's selective approach to underwriting new members, is designed to save members money on the total cost of workers' compensation over the long term.
Additionally, The ABC Fund takes the responsibility for the costs associated with workplace safety very seriously, and the Fund's board of trustees feels that the best way to insure a successful fund is to work with members regarding safety and loss prevention. ABC Fund Chairman, Ed Tanzini of The Tancor Corporation, states that "the fund will finish the current year with an exceptional claims record. We attribute the low claims to the members' demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and involvement once a claim occurs."
By focusing on accident prevention and proper claims management, fund members continue to keep their costs down as low as possible. The Fund offers its members numerous safety resources and loss control programs that are specific to the construction industry. Some of the Fund's educational training focuses on creating a safety culture in the workplace, by working with owners/supervisors on proper claims handling, accident investigation, return-to-work programs and making every employee accountable for safety on the job. The Fund works with loss control specialists who provide sound guidance and cost-saving solutions on safety and loss prevention for its members.
In addition to safety, workers' compensation claims are treated with great diligence in the way they are handled. The Fund is very loss sensitive and sees every claim dollar being spent as their money. The Fund controls these costs by fighting fraudulent claims and by requiring claim settlements to be authorized by a board of trustees, comprised of Fund members.
Keeping the total cost of workers' compensation down means more profit to go back to the fund members. With an average profit return of 35%, the ABC Fund proves to be a true benefit offered exclusively to members of ABC! For most members, the cost savings is the primary reason they insure with the ABC Fund. It has proven to dramatically reduce the overall costs of their workers' compensation insurance. Each member can further reduce their costs with the help of the fund's loss control resources available to assist in preventing claims and reducing the frequency and severity should claims occur. Over time, fund members receive credits of over 35 percent of premiums paid.
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ABC MEMBER SIGNS PARTNERSHIP WITH LARA AND MIOSHA |
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Pioneer Construction, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) signed a formal partnership on Friday, June 10, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., at the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Kirkhof Center. Supporting partners include: Grand Valley State University, the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Michigan, and the ABC West Michigan Chapter.
The partnership goal is enhanced safety and health protection and zero injuries for workers. Pioneer Construction is the general contractor for the $47.5 million GVSU Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons project. The technology and learning design of the new library will serve as an incubator for 21st century skills, preparing students to compete globally in the information age. The facility will be built to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Platinum specifications - the highest possible standard in that sustainability rating system.
Signing partners will include: Tim Schowalter, Pioneer President & CEO; Scott Veine, Pioneer Director of Sustainability & Project Manager; Brian Blocher, Pioneer Director of Safety; Chris Fisher, ABC of Michigan President & CEO; Steve Arwood, LARA Deputy Director; and Doug Kalinowski, MIOSHA Director. Also signing will be all of the subcontractors and supporting partners.
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ABC NATIONAL: SAFETY WEBINAR |
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ABC National is pleased to offer "What to do When OSHA Comes Calling: A Guide to OSHA Inspections" Wednesday, June 29th from 2-3:15 PM EDT. This free webinar is open to all ABC members and chapter staff. Please click the link below if you are interested in participating.
http://www.abc.org/Hot_Links/Meetings_and_Events/Webinars/3.aspx
"What to do When OSHA Comes Calling: A Guide to OSHA Inspections" will cover the process of an actual OSHA jobsite inspection and define the employer's rights during the inspection. We are pleased to have Ed Foulke, Partner at Fisher & Phillips LLP and former Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, presenting this topic for us; Ed's background at OSHA and as an employer representative during the inspection and citation/hearing process gives him the unique perspective of having experienced how the process works from both sides of the table. Ed has graciously volunteered his time and services for ABC members and chapter staff for this, and the follow-up webinar on the OSHA informal/formal hearing process (tentatively scheduled for July 14th).
If you have any questions about the webinar or registration process, please feel free to contact Chris Williams from ABC National.
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