Monday, November 23, 2015


Thank you for being part of our family of dedicated contractors, electricians, and professionals that contribute to the future of our industry. The NorCal NECA Staff wishes you and your family a plentiful and festive Thanksgiving Holiday!  
 




"If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share. "
 
 
W. Clement Stone
This Week

MON
23rd
1:00 PM
595 Partnering Session, Chapter Office, Dublin


4:00 PM
Alameda LMCC, Chapter Office, Dublin


4:30 PM
Safety Committee, Chapter Office, Dublin




TUE
24th
6:00 PM
Board of Directors, Massimo Ristorante, Walnut Creek




WED
25th






THU
26th
All Day
Thanksgiving Day Holiday All Agreements




FRI
27th
All Day
Day After Thanksgiving Holiday All Agreements Except 595 Maint.


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Stockton City Council To Enter
Into City-Wide PLA 
Unanimous Vote On November 17th
The Stockton City Council last week voted unanimously to enter into negotiations on a PLA to cover San Joaquin, Calaveras, and Alpine Counties for all City projects valued at $1 million or more. Congratulations and thanks to Sam Kharufeh (IBEW 595E) for his tireless efforts and tenacity to ensure a positive outcome. Special thanks to Nick Woody, Bockmon & Woody, and Brian Gini, Collins Electric, for attending to address the Council on the benefits of PLA from the contractor's perspective. We were pleased also that Senator Cathleen Galgiani made an appearance to encourage the Council to adopt a PLA.
  
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Politico Alert      
DIR Electronic Certified Payroll Reporting Update 
Public Works reform (SB 854) was signed into law on June 20, 2014. The reform made several significant changes to the administration and enforcement of prevailing wage requirements by the DIR. Among other things, SB 854 established a public works contractor registration program to replace prior Compliance Monitoring Unit (CMU) and Labor Compliance Program (LCP) requirements for bond-funded and other specified public works projects. The fees collected through the registration program established by SB 854 are used to fund the DIR's public works activities. All contractor registration fees go into the State Public Works Enforcement Fund and are used to fund:
  • Administration of contractor registration requirement;
  • DIR costs for administering and enforcing public works laws;
  • Labor Commissioner's enforcement of other Labor Code violations on monitored public works projects.
An additional requirement of SB 854 stated that DIR establish an Electronic Certified Payroll Reporting (eCPR) system and that all contractors and subcontractors must furnish electronic certified payroll records directly to the Labor Commissioner (also known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement).
 
The phase-in timetable for this requirement is as follows:
  • June 20, 2014: Any project that was being monitored by the CMU/Labor Commissioner prior to the adoption of SB 854 will continue to be monitored by the Labor Commissioner afterward; and the contractors on those projects must continue to furnish certified payroll records to the Labor Commissioner until the project is complete.
  • April 1, 2015: For all new projects awarded on or after this date, the contractors and subcontractors must furnish electronic certified payroll records to the Labor Commissioner.
  • January 1, 2016: All contractors (except those listed as exemptions just below) must furnish electronic certified payroll records to the Labor Commissioner through the eCPR data system.
Exemptions
Projects exempt from the requirement to have contractors and subcontractors furnish certified payroll records (CPRs) to the Labor Commissioner include any projects monitored and enforced by CalTrans, City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District, County of Sacramento, as well as projects covered under a PLA, at the labor commissioner's discretion.
 
SB 854 also requires that awarding bodies submit a PWC-100 notice (contract award notice) for all public works projects to DIR. An awarding body must submit a PWC 100 in order for contractors to submit their eCPR. Awarding bodies are required to provide notice to DIR on all projects within five days of project award and must register in the PWC-100 project registration system in order to notify DIR of their public works projects.
 
The Politico office has fielded numerous calls and e-mails from contractors who are frustrated with the new eCPR system. The most common complaint is that previously existing payroll systems used by contracting agencies are more user friendly than the XML format DIR chose. Our Politico office personnel have expressed these concerns to the Department and they are working on expanding the XML software interface. To this, DIR recently invited payroll software developers to have their products tested in order to join a list of vendors that public works contractors can use to submit certified payroll records electronically. A number of vendors have developed their own software and transmission methods for submitting certified payroll records in XML format, and are listed on DIR's website under "Optional Vendor Software."
 
The Politico Group will continue to work with DIR to help address these issues.
 

a3
Tell Congress To Authorize Composite Plan Design For Multiemployer Pension Plans     
Take Action
The NECA-supported Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014 (MPRA) included several major reforms and brought about a joint effort between management and labor. Unfortunately, the law did not include the important recommendation of creating "composite" benefit plans, which are a hybrid between a defined contribution and a defined benefit plan. Allowing plans to transition to composite plan designs is necessary to provide a secure retirement benefit for the electrical construction industry's workers and to protect the fiscal viability of employers that contribute to NECA multiemployer pension plans. TAKE ACTION.

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CALCTP-AT Certification Class     
Become Acceptance Testing Certified
A CALCTP-AT Certification class is scheduled at the Zero Net Energy Center in San Leandro on two Saturdays, December 12th & 19th. This two-day training is open to all IBEW & NECA members, and is required under new Title 24 regulations for acceptance testing. See attached for details.

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Statewide LMCC Meeting     
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
A Statewide LMCC meeting to update participating NECA chapters and IBEW locals on statewide activities will be held on December 2nd. There has been considerable activity and progress on various industry initiatives to generate work for our industry. Updates will be given on Title 24 changes, EPRI certification for energy storage installations, as well as regulatory and legislative activities as it pertains to our industry. After the conclusion of the meeting, there will be discussion on countermeasures to the tactics being utilized by the laborers in their attempt to encroach on the work of NECA contractors and the IBEW. John O'Rouke, Vice-President IBEW Ninth District, and Bill Orgill, Executive Director NECA Western Region, will attend to participate in these discussions. Meeting details:
 
Date:  Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Time:  9:30AM - 2PM
Location:  IBEW Local 11 (District 3 Airport office) | 8333 Airport Boulevard, Los Angeles
 
Lunch will be provided. Please confirm your attendance with Michelle Vasquez at NECA Los Angeles to ensure an accurate count for the meeting and lunch. Michelle can also help with transportation from the airport to the meeting if needed. Contact Darlene Besst with any questions.
 
a6
Develop Your Leadership Team     
Future Leaders Group Looking To Expand
Are you building talent within your organization to help grow your company? The Northern California Chapter, NECA Future Leaders group offers peer-to-peer networking and works towards solutions to positively affect business profitability and professional growth. Recommend someone to this dynamic group by contacting Julie Russell at the Chapter office.
 
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Education Fund Credits For 2015  
Deadline To Submit: January 31, 2016
As the end of 2015 approaches, remember to submit your reimbursement request for meetings and events attended in 2015. The deadline to submit for your 2015 education fund reimbursement is January 31st. An accounting of remaining education fund credits was sent to each Chapter member last week. Take advantage of this member-only benefit and submit for your reimbursement before the deadline. Questions? Contact Janet Siemens at the Chapter office.

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2015-16 NECA Tool & Equipment Rental Schedule Is Here 
Now Available
Construction tools and equipment are an essential part of an electrical contractor's business and can  represent a significant investment. NECA is here to help you determine the return you should get on that investment. Learn more and purchase today!

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