Monday, December 14, 2015


Count down to the end of the year! Read up on deadlines, updates, and new wage changes in this week's edition. 

Enjoy your week!








"In every conceivable manner, 
the family is link to our past, 
bridge to our future." 
 
Alex Haley
This Week

MON
14th
9:00 AMAlameda Building Trades Development Committee, Oakland


4:30 PMAlameda JATC, ZNEC, San Leandro


5:00 PMFairfield-Suisun Chamber Holiday Mixer, Courtyard Fairfield




TUE
15th
9:00 AMBASA Board, Teleconference


11:00 AM595 Retirees Holiday Luncheon, Fremont


4:00 PMStockton Apprenticeship Party, Training Center, Stockton



WED
16th
7:30 AMSolano/Napa ECT, Eagle Vine, Napa



THU17th





FRI
18th

 
a1
Training Director Wanted
San Joaquin Calaveras Counties Electrical JATC
The San Joaquin & Calaveras Counties Electrical JATC located in Stockton is accepting resumes for the Training Director position. All resumes should be forwarded to the Stockton JATC as indicated in the announcement. The deadline for submission is January 29, 2016. For additional information or questions, please contact Pete Halver.

a2
Contractors Urged To Make Sure They Increase Bond Coverage To $15,000 Before End Of Year
Applies To All Licenses
California law (Business and Professions Code Section 7071.6) requires all contractors to have either a contractor's bond or cash deposit filed with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The bond or cash deposit is filed for the benefit of consumers who may be damaged as a result of defective construction or other license law violations, and for the benefit of employees who have not been paid wages that are due to them.
 
On January 1, 2016, the amount of the bond is increasing from $12,500 to $15,000. CSLB urges all contractors to make sure they've got their new bond or cash deposit in-place by that date. Contractors who don't meet the deadline risk having their license suspended.
 
If your bond company has not informed you about the new $15,000 limit, it is important that you contact them immediately to ensure that you comply with the new law. Please note that the bond of qualifying individuals will remain at $12,500.
 
Recently passed legislation (Senate Bill 467) raised the contractor bond required of all licensees from $12,500 to $15,000 at the beginning of the new year. The legislation also eliminated the requirement that contractor applicants prove they have $2,500 in working capital as a condition of obtaining a CSLB license.

a3
DIR Reminds Public Works Contractors To Renew Registration Before January 1st
Avoid Hefty Penalty
The DIR announced that a mandatory renewal deadline is approaching for contractors who bid or work on public works projects in California. Contractors whose public works contractor registration expired June 30, 2015, and have ongoing public works projects or plan to bid on new ones, must pay the $300 renewal fee before January 1, 2016, or face an additional $2,000 late penalty after that date.
 
As a result of Senate Bill 854, all contractors who bid or work on public works projects in California have been required to register with the DIR since April 1, 2015. If you believe that your public works registration with DIR is still active, check the active contractor registration search tool to locate and confirm your registration. If your registration does not appear, it may have expired or you were not registered. For more information, visit the DIR's Frequently Asked Questions pageIf you were registered last year and have not bid or worked on any public works projects on or after July 1, 2015, you can renew for this fiscal year without incurring a penalty. For more information, visit the DIR Public Works page.

a4
CE/CW Health & Welfare / 684 Inside 
Rate Updates
Bay Area, Northern Nevada, Sacramento, Central Valley Agreements
Effective January 1, 2016, the Health & Welfare rate for the Construction Electrician/Construction Wireman (CE/CW) Agreement will increase from $5.01 to $5.21. 

The membership of Local Union 684 has allocated it's $0.60 increase effective December 1, 2015, under the Local Union 684 Inside Agreement as follows: $0.32 to Health & Welfare, $0.03 to Pension Part A, and $0.25 to the wages. The membership also approved moving $0.50 from the Pension Part A into the Pension Part B. The new Pension Part A amount is now $7.06, and the new Pension Part B amount is now $1.05. Click on links below for updated cost sheets: 
Please contact Scot VanBuskirk if you have any questions.

a5
Annual EBUCC Holiday Social Held Last Week
At Golden Gate Fields
 
On Sunday, December 6, the Chapter's Codes & Standards Committee hosted its annual East Bay Uniform Code Committee Holiday Social, a "Day at the Races" at Golden Gate Fields. Building inspectors/officials, NECA contractors, local union reps, Chapter staff, and guests enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon of socializing, cheering, and dining. 

As is customary, over the last several years, the jurisdiction with the best attendance participation was presented once again to the City of Oakland's Building Department. The Alameda County Building Department was presented with certificate of participation to recognize their commitment to the EBUCC. Congratulations to both jurisdictions for their continuous support! In keeping with tradition, attendees generously donated food and money to the Alameda County Food Bank. The afternoon concluded with raffle prize giveaways and Christmas and New Year well-wishes by all in attendance. 
View more photos or download on NorCal NECA's photo gallery site. 
View our photos on flickr
a6
HR & Safety/Risk Management Webinar    
Wednesday, December 16
Join NECA on Wednesday, December 16 at 10 AM (PST) for a 60-minute webinar presented by Keith Wheeler, VP HR Services, and Wesley Wheeler, Director of Safety, NECA. The NECA-member registration fee is $29.95. 

a7
Local 595E & 595W Streamlined Reporting  
Effective January 1, 2016
We are excited to announce our efforts to streamline and simplify the payroll reporting process. Effective January 1, 2016, employers reporting in Locals 595E and 595W will be able to submit all benefits and contributions owed using a single check. Details will be emailed to the payroll contact mid-December for January payments. Contact Julie Russell if you have any questions.

a8
Tell Your Congress To Repeal The Cadillac Tax Before The End Of The Year   
Take Action
In 2018, plans that provide generous benefits (aka "Cadillac plans") will be unjustly subject to an excise tax of 40% of the value of the excess benefits (effective January 1, 2018). A "Cadillac plan" is one whose benefits are valued at $10,200 per year per individual, or $27,500 per family. This tax will penalize employers who do the right thing by hitting them with extraordinarily high taxes on employer-provided insurance plans that offer quality coverage to their employees.
 
a9
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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