Monday, January 4, 2016
Greetings!

 




 
 
"Make New Year's goals. Dig within, and discover what you would like to have happen in your life this year. This helps you do your part. It is an affirmation that you're interested in fully living life in the year to come."
 
 
Melody Beattie
This Week

MON
4th

 




TUE
5th
10:00 AMSan Joaquin Building Trades, Stockton


5:30 PM
Alameda Division Meeting, Bocanova, Oakland




WED
6th11:00 AM
San Joaquin WIB, Stockton




THU7th





FRI
8thAll DayNorthern California Chapter, NECA's 72nd Anniversary


12:00 PM
Modesto & Stockton Division Meeting, Surla's, Modesto




SAT
9th6:30 PMNapa & Solano Counties Building Trades Crab Feed, Vallejo

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Executive Director's Recap of 2015: A Look Ahead to 2016
On behalf of all of us at the Northern California Chapter, NECA, thank you for your continuous and valued membership. Your support and participation has enabled us to further our mission to benefit our membership and the electrical construction industry as a whole.

2015 was an eventful and productive year as we made a concerted effort to meet our various goals and objectives established by the Chapter's Board of Directors. In March, we hired Scot VanBuskirk as our Labor Relations Specialist. We have been focused on educating him in labor relations specific to our area, and he recently assumed duties covering Solano/Napa Counties.

We participated with many of our member contractors in negotiating new collective bargaining agreements in Napa, Modesto and NorCal Sound & Communications. We were unrelenting in having our collective voice heard regarding legislative issues that influence the electrical construction industry at the federal, state, and local levels. We held successful partnering sessions with the IBEW in Alameda County, concentrating on areas where we can collaborate to improve our market share. We have also been busy streamlining internal office procedures, as well as finding ways to reduce cost and save time. In December, we sold our office building in Dublin. We will remain at our present location through most of 2016, but we are actively searching for a new "home."

Also, in December, we said good-bye to Christine Navarro. Christine joined the Chapter in 2008, and after seven years of dedicated service, she has accepted a position with an outside firm as its Marketing Specialist. We are all sorry to see her go, but extend our best wishes as she embarks on this new chapter in her life.

In 2016, the Chapter, under the guidance of our Board of Directors, will continue to simplify and focus on our goals to better serve all of our members. Whether it's labor relations, negotiations, market development, government affairs, or relevant management training, we strive to promote and support our membership with efforts to improve market share and profitability.

In 2015, man-hours were up 11% Chapter-wide, and we anticipate that construction will continue trending upward in 2016. We have spoken to many of our contractors who have mentioned the word "backlog," a word not widely used for quite some time. In early 2016, we will begin the negotiations process in Alameda, Solano/Napa, and San Joaquin and Calaveras Counties.

As we reflect back on 2015, we have much to be thankful for. As we celebrate accomplishments, we also remain mindful that there is still much to do for the betterment of the electrical contracting industry. Expectations, opportunities and challenges all motivate us to work even harder for all of you, and with that in mind, we look forward to serving you in 2016.

From all of us at the Northern California Chapter, we extend our very best wishes for a bright and prosperous New Year!

Greg E. Armstrong

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California's Minimum Wage Increases to $10 per hour
Effective January 1, 2016
In September 2013, Governor Brown enacted legislation which incrementally raised California's minimum wage to $10 per hour effective January 1, 2016. Such legislation marked the first increase in California's hourly minimum wage since 2008. Employers should be aware that almost all employees in California must be paid the newly increased minimum wage.

Pursuant to California law, employers are required to post information on wages, hours and working conditions at a worksite area accessible to their employees. Various postings, including notices for wage orders and the aforementioned increase in the minimum wage, can be downloaded directly from the Department of Industrial Relations.
a3
ELECTRI International Will Consider Researchers
Meeting Scheduled January 20-22, 2016
ELECTRI International has invited five researchers to attend the January 2016 ELECTRI Council Meeting to present a summary of their proposed project for the Council's discussion and vote. The field was narrowed by ELECTRI's Program Review Committee from a total of 31 project concepts submitted. The five projects are:
  • Collective Bargaining and Collective Business Development; A Strategic Initiative for the Electrical Industry: Richard Barnes, C. Richard Barnes and Associates, LLC
  • Opportunities in the Emerging Energy Storage Market: Richard Baxter, Mustang Praire Energy
  • Identifying BIM Related Costs Due to Changes: Hisham Said and Justin Reginato, Santa Clara University
  • Applications for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's) in Electric Utility Construction: Lonny Simonian, California Polytechnic State University
  • A Guide for Knowledge Management: Todd L. Sirotiak, Diversified Construction Services
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Future Forecast Seminar 
Friday, January 22, 2016
Is your company looking for long-term changers in technology to impact efficiency on projects? NECA is offering a seminar titled "Future Forecast: How Drones, Sensors and Integrated Apps are Re-Writing all the Rules." Facilitated by James Benham with JB Knowledge, this seminar is open to all Future Leaders and NorCal NECA Members. The two-hour seminar will be held at the NECA Office in Dublin beginning at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 22nd, followed by lunch.  After lunch, we will host a Future Leaders Breakout Session beginning at 12:30 PM until approximately 2:00 PM. 

Date:  Friday, January 22, 2016  
Time:  10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 
Location:  NECA Chapter Office - 6300 Village Parkway, Suite 200, Dublin, CA 94568 
 
Contact  Julie Russell to register for this free seminar. 

a5
Prompt Pay Workshop 
Thursday, January 28, 2016, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
The Solano & Napa Counties Electrical Contractors Trust will host a Prompt Pay Workshop at the Napa Training Center. Attorney Dan McLennon will shed light on laws and proactive approaches to help with prompt payment issues. No charge for contributors in Local 180's jurisdiction; all others $50. Northern California Chapter members may use education fund credits to attend. 

Date:  Thursday, January 28, 2016  
Time:  11:30 AM - 1:30 PM 
Location:  720 Technology Way, Napa, CA 94558 
Cost:  S/N ECT Contributors - Free, Non-Contributors - $50 
 
Contact Darlene Besst to register your attendance. 

a6
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 31, 2016. 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.

a7
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.

a8
Educational Opportunities  
Register Now For NECA's 2016 Workshops

 
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