With Uber and other big tech giants making the move or expanding into Oakland, the city is poised for growth in 2016. Developers are ramping up for big things; plans for mixed-use, multi-family and transit-oriented projects are popping up everywhere, while repositioning and rehabbing of Oakland's existing historic buildings are also taking place. Oakland real estate is on fire.

An Oakland State of the Market event will be held on Tuesday, February 23rd, at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland. Click here for details and registration information. 

NECA's Magazine, Electrical Contractor, recently published its 2016 Construction Outlook, an article that reviews the different areas of the construction industry and evaluates trend and growth. These past few years have represented an era of tempered economic anticipations for construction. Expect 2016 to continue a sustained recovery strong enough to ward off uncertainty with greater contributions from housing, commercial and institutional. Read the full article here.  

Our 5th Annual Day at the Capitol is just a few weeks away. We hope that you will join us as we meet with our elected officials. Contractors' personal stories and interactions are impactful and have had a favorable result on legislation to protect the union electrical contractor's interest. If you have not yet confirmed your attendance, please complete and return the attached registration form and plan to join us in Sacramento. Questions? Contact Julie Russell. 

The IBEW 595/NorCal NECA Joint Safety Committee is pleased to announce the 2016 Marv Jensen Safety Award program, established to recognize excellence in safety demonstrated by NorCal NECA member contractors and IBEW Local 595 electricians/technicians. Marvin Jensen was an impassioned advocate of safety and demonstrated his dedication to safety awareness throughout his career. He was a safety pioneer and his leadership, presence and dedication will always be remembered. As in years past, individual recognition and awards will be presented at the Chapter's Fall General Member meeting in September.

Please refer to the attached program guidelines and submit your entry form no later than April 29, 2016. Please contact Juanita Mitchell at the Chapter office if you have any questions.  

 

Remember...Safety First = Family First! 

Don't forget to submit your project for the Chapter's 10th Annual Project Excellence Awards competition. This program was developed to recognize excellence in electrical/technology installations and the NECA contractors responsible for their outstanding achievements.

Projects completed between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2015, in Alameda, Napa, Solano, San Joaquin, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties are eligible for entry. Projects outside of the Chapter's jurisdiction may be considered depending on circumstances, location and complexity.

View the program rules and enter your projects for our 2016 competition by March 31, 2016. Questions? Contact Juanita Mitchell.

The Chapter's annual Golf Classic is coming soon. Save the date and plan to join us for a great day of sun, fun and golf! Registration information will be mailed soon. 

On May 1, 2015, the NEW Confined Spaces in Construction standard was issued by OSHA (OSHA Subpart AA, 1926, 1200). This standard specifies the responsibilities of electrical contractors including to evaluate, identify and post permit required confined spaces at the work-site. The Alameda JATC will provide training at the ZNE Center on Saturday, February 20th. This class is eligible for six continuing education units.