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2015 PLATINUM SPONSORS
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 2015 Gold Sponsors
2015 Silver Sponsor
All America Precast
Highway Supply LLC
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From the Executive Director's Desk
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Hello Members!!
Boy it has been a busy month in September. I'm happy to report that the New Mexico Regional Common Ground Alliance Conference and EXPO and our own Last Ditch Open Golf Tournament were two wonderfully successful events! Thank you to everyone that participated, sponsored and donated to the Last Ditch Open; our scholarships will be fully funded thanks to your participation and generosity. To check out pictures from the tournament, Click Here.
As we move closer to the holidays and the end of the year, time will pass quickly but take some time to take advantage of your membership and come out to the Membership Meeting on October 15th with Jerry Lovato, AMAFCA, and Robert Dunnington, NMOSHB who will give a quick overview on the new Confined Space Ruling.
Our last event of the year is the End of Year Social on December 4th at Hotel Albuquerque. Don't miss this wonderful event where we will celebrate our 35th Anniversary with dinner and dancing!! Mark those calendars!!
You have seen the newly released prevailing wages post as official only to be taken down a few days later. This has resulted in a lot of confusion and backtracking. The case against the prevailing wages as conducted by the Department of Workforce Solutions has ended and the new wages are now official and will not be rescinded. NMUCA has been part of this case since the passage of Senate Bill 33 (SB33) which changed the law in New Mexico to use collective bargaining agreements to set prevailing wages. Out of fairness to our entire industry, NMUCA stood firm to include all contractors who perform prevailing wage projects to have viable input into setting the wages, but that will not be the case. There is a possibility of amending SB33 to again include a survey, but the process is just now being discussed. As always, I'll keep you updated of any changes.
As you know, the Fair Workweek Act was pulled from the Albuquerque City Council by the sponsors, but the groups that are pushing the content of the bill are not giving up as easy! NMUCA is now part of an educational campaign coalition because the initiative may become a ballot issue.
As a member, I welcome your input, feedback and ideas. Give me a call or send of an email!
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NEWSLETTER CONTENTS
Upcoming Dates - October & November
Federal Legislation
Membership Meeting
Going On Lately
Zia Partnerships
Fair Workweek Act - Update
ES&H Industry Safety Meeting
NMUCA Members Wins Prestigious Award
Estate Planning Lunch and Learn
Last Ditch Open Post Report
NMRCGA & DRETS
NMUCA Golf Shirts
Jane Jernigan, Executive Director
New Mexico Utility Contractors Association
505 888 0752 Phone
505 362 8950 Cell
nmuca@nmuca.org Email
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| Upcoming Dates | |
October
- 8th Planning Committee
- 8th Education Committee
- 13th Construction Industry Crime Alliance
- 14th Membership Committee
- 14th Safety Committee
- 14th Human Resources Committee
- 15th Board of Director's Meeting
- 15th Membership Meeting
- 30th Lunch and Learn Series Topic Estate Planning
November
- 10th Construction Industry Crime Alliance
- 10th Membership Committee
- 11th Safety Committee
- 11th Human Resources Committee
- 12th Planning Committee
- 12th Education Committee
- 19th Board of Directors Meeting
- 20th Training - Topic TBD
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Federal Legislation to watch
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NMUCA is committed to being the voice of the our industry in New Mexico and that includes letting our representatives on the federal level know about our industry and how we stand on proposed legislation in Congress. The following is a list of topics that we are watching and have an interest in. Feel free to also contact your representative in Washington and let them know your stand on legislation.
The IRS to Penalize Small Businesses who Reimburse Employee Healthcare Costs:
The IRS initiated a new rule effective July 1, 2015 that could crush many small businesses. The 'excise tax' affects employers who do not offer a group health plan (which is not required for companies with less than 50 employees), but give their workers additional pay to compensate for the purchase of health insurance or direct medical expenses. Based on guidance contained in IRS Notice 2015-17, beginning July 1, the IRS can fine companies who reimburse employee healthcare expenses $100 per day, per employee. Over the course of a year that's $36,500 per employee, up to a max per company of $500,000 per year.
SB 1697 -- Support
HB 2911 -- Support
As Congress returns from its August recess, join us in urging lawmakers to change a law that is stemming the flow of critical funding to desperately needed water infrastructure projects all over the country. Urge Congress to repeal the ban on co-financing Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) projects with tax-exempt bonds.
Amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act -- to expand E-Verify
H.R. 1147 Introduced 02/27/2015 -expand E-Verify to all employers and eliminate the current paper based I-9 system. Requires employer to attest under penalty of perjust that employer has verified that the individual is not an unauthorized alian by 1. Obtaining and recoding the individual's SS# and 2. Examining specified documents that establish such individual's identity and employment authorization. Requires individual to attest that he/she is a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident or an alien authorized to work in the US.
S. 1032 Amends the illegal immigration reform and immigrant responsibility act of 1996 to make the E-Verify permanent.
All U.S. employers to participate in E-Verify. Increases civil and criminal penalties for specified hiring-related violations and authorizes debarment from federal contract, grant, etc. for specified hiring related violations. Provides for elimination of the current paper I-9 process.
President Obama signed an executive order Monday September 7, 2015 that gives people working on federal contracts the ability to earn up to seven (7) days of paid sick leave each year.
Employees will earn an hour of paid leave per every 30 hours of work when the policy begins with 2017 federal contracts. They can use that time to care for themselves as well as family members.
It will allow workers to use paid sick leave to care for themselves, a family members, such as a child, parent, spouse, or domestic partner, or another loved one, as well as for absences resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
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Going on lately.....
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Zia Partnerships Awarded
At the August Membership Meeting, the Zia Partnership levels were presented to participating members.From left to right: Steve Moore, RMCI INC. Platinum Level
Kenya Chavez, E2RC Silver Level
Brian Baughman, TLC Plumbing & Utility Gold Level
Steve Clark, Highway Supply LLC, Silver Level
Darrin Howells, AUI INC Platinum Level
(not pictured) Desert Utility & Paving, Silver Level
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 On August 24, NMUCA co-sponsored a Candidate Forum for the upcoming Albuquerque City Council Election. All of the candidates participated in the forum and the event was well attended by guests and media. Obviously, there were some stark differences in the candidates' ideas and views for the future of Albuquerque. Friday October 2nd is the last day for early voting and the official Election Day is on October 6th. If you are able to vote in the City of Albuquerque Elections, CLICK HERE for more details about voting, candidates, and ballot issues.
This election's importance has recently been reiterated with the introduction and subsequent withdrawal of the "Fair Workweek Act." Although this proposed legislation was withdrawn by the sponsors from the Albuquerque City Council's consideration, the groups that are pushing the bill are not so easily defeated. Groups are working to gain public support of the legislation and will attempt to introduce it as a ballot initiative. NMUCA has joined and is working with an industry coalition that intends to be proactive in regards to public education on the issue. More updates as thing progress!
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 ES&H Industry Wide Safety Meeting
The ES&H Industry Wide Safety Meetings are open to all members and free to attend. The meetings are scheduled every quarter and bring together those concerned with safety in the construction industry through the collaboration between eight associations including New Mexico Utility Contractors Association. In September, the topic was Confined Space presented by ROCO and also included an update on Global Harmonization System (GHS). The next meeting is scheduled for November 5th, 7:30am - 10am. More details will be coming soon on the topic and location. You're invited to attend. It's a great event to get to know other safety professionals in our industry and also keep up-to-date on what's happening, changing and coming up that you need to know to keep your company in compliance.
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NMUCA Member Wins Prestigious Award!
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The Cooper Award is to acknowledge exceptional work performed by an excavator and their commitment to damage prevention. The award is presented by the Public Regulation Commission Pipeline Safety Bureau at the New Mexico Regional Common Ground Alliance Conference & EXPO. The 2015 Excavator of the Year and recipient of the Cooper Award is RMCI INC.
Congratulations RMCI INC
From left to right -- Jason Montoya P.E. Pipeline Safety Bureau Chief; Steve Moore, RMCI Inc.; Leana Martinez, RMCI Inc.; and Sefie Anaya Pipeline Safety Bureau.
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| Lunch and Learn |
Register Online
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Last Ditch Open
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The Last Ditch Open Golf Tournament took place on September 18th at Paako Ridge Golf Course and was a very successful tournament that everyone enjoyed and the proceeds will fund our Scholarship Program for the upcoming year.
Thank you to all of the participants and sponsors of the event. This is NMUCA biggest fundraiser of the year and we could not offer four of our scholarships without the success of this event.
Thank you Corporate Sponsor!!
Highway Supply LLC also provided the signage for the tournament!
Thank You Investment Corporate Sponsors!
AUI INC
RMCI INC -- Also On-Course Beverage Sponsor
Reception Sponsor Desert Utility & Paving
Golf Ball Sponsor Golden Equipment Co.
Shirt Sponsors 4Rivers Equipment & AMEC Foster Wheeler
Vermeer Sales Southwest
Sponsored a contest hole and gave all proceeds to NMUCA and held a drawing for a Go-Pro won by Kole McKamey
Hole Sponsors
4Rivers Equipment, AUI Inc.; Baker Utility and Supply; Contech Engineered Solutions; Desert Utility and Paving; Golden Equipment Co.; Groundhog Construction; Hub International; New Concepts Inc.; Rinker Materials; RMCI Inc.; Road Machinery; TLC Plumbing & Utility; Vermeer Sales Southwest; Wagner Equipment; World Wide Rental Services.
Door Prizes Donated by:
SWARCO; Frank's Supply; Fastenal; NAPA; Whitecap; Mesa Equipment; TLC Plumbing & Utility; Cecil Harding; 3M; Xcesseries Squared; ENNIS, Duke City; Essential Safety; Sundance Mechanical and Utility; Keers Remediation; Construction Rental; Wagner Equipment.
Thank You Volunteers and Planning Committee
Leana Martinez
Jenice Gallegos
Shana Quick
Veronica Reeves
Vicky Gower
Joe Menicucci
Steve Clark
Ron Fernandez
Cecil Harding
Danny Jernigan
Jack Toland
Thank You Ron Fernandez for adding some Scottish Flair!
So, who won?
Longest Drive Men -- Tristen Botcher, RMCI Inc.
Closest to the Pin Men -- John Lakeman, New Concepts, Inc.
Closest to the Pin Women -- Wendy DeGraaf, Albuquerque Asphalt
13th Place: AUI Inc. Team "Rocco"
7th Place: Golden Equipment Co.
Last Place: Advanced Environmental
1st Place: Rinker Materials
Thanks to All for Another Great Tournament!
See you next year -- September 16, 2016
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New Mexico Regional Common Ground Alliance
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The New Mexico Regional Common Ground Alliance three day EXPO wrapped up on September 17th and was a great conference. A combination of vendors, classes, and networking, this conference is the only local program dedicated to damage prevention.
NMUCA was proud to be a part of the planning for the conference as well as the Damage Reporting Enforcement Tracking System (DRETS) report that was published and distributed at the conference.
The DRETS report was complied using only reported damage reports that occurred in New Mexico and thus gives our state a focused look at where and how damages are occurring and subsequently where our efforts towards damage prevention should be focused. You can view the DRETS Report by Clicking Here.
The 811 Viper was on display and up for grabs in a raffle. You can still purchase a ticket for a chance to win. Click here!
See you in 2017!
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NMUCA Golf Shirts
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If you would like to order a NMUCA Golf Shirt, please email me the quantity, size, and preference as described below to jane.nmuca@gmail.com
DEADLINE for order is October 9th 2015. The shirts take a couple of weeks to come in.
Shirt with all 3 logos - $30.00 S-XL, $32.00 2XL, $35.00 3XL (NMUCA, AMEC & 4RIVERS)
Shirts with 2 logos - $25.00 S-XL, 27.00 2XL, $30.00 3XL (AMEC or 4RIVERS or Your logo*)
Shirts with 1 logo - $22.00 S-XL, $25.00 2XL, $28.00 3XL (NMUCA Only)
* If you would like your logo on a sleeve with NMUCA on the chest, there is a one-time $25 set-up fee.
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New Mexico Utility Contractors Association |
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