Merit Minute Header
 March 27, 2014 | Volume 6, Issue 6
In This Issue
ABC Blasts MSU for Union Organizing Program
Governor Headlines at ABC Event
MIOSHA Training Schedule
Construction Confidence Index Improves
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ABC Blasts MSU for Union Organizing Program

Michigan State University's management of a union training program previously administered by the AFL-CIO is not the role of a public university and should be ended, says Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, a statewide construction trade group. 

 

In a letter to MSU president Lou Anna K. Simon, ABC of Michigan notes the program's "lack of academic merit," which was created by the building trades division of the AFL-CIO and recently absorbed by MSU.

 

"Such activities lack legitimacy when performed by an academic institution," explains Chris Fisher, president of ABC of Michigan.  "Would the university support a similar program geared toward union busting?  Neither activity should be tolerated by the university staff, the Board of Trustees or the state Legislature, which controls a significant portion of MSU's budget.  There may be a place for union organizing but it is through the union halls, not the halls of a public land-grant university.  Michigan taxpayers, both individual and business, need to be aware how their tax dollars are being spent."

 

Called the "Building Trades Academy," the program is conducted in four to five day residential seminars "in an atmosphere of solidarity."  The program website notes that the seminars are "tailor made for union officers and staff members." 
 

"The MSU School of Human Resources and Labor Relations has not merely crossed out of bounds, but leaped over them and kept going," Fisher notes.  "MSU and AFL-CIO websites and online material admit that the university is sanctioning the use of facilities, faculty members, support staff, webpage hosting, providing curriculum development, providing assessment support, processing applications and more.  The MSU Spartan logo is plastered on the union organizing class materials."  

 

The course names and descriptions, also available on MSU webpages, include classes like Organizational and Membership Development (OMD) in the Construction Industry 1, which "...offers concrete strategies aimed at promoting organizing throughout the industry."  Another course description, titled Organizational and Membership Development (OMD) in the Construction Industry 2, proclaims that it is "Intended to help union locals and building trades councils maximize the effectiveness of their organizing activities..."

Governor Headlines at ABC Event

More than 100 Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) members, representing each chapter from across the state of Michigan, gathered in Lansing on March 19 to attend ABC of Michigan's annual State Legislative Day. 

 

This year's event featured an early breakfast and a shortened day, designed to help directly connect the more than 30 state legislators that attended with their busy constituent members. While enjoying breakfast, attendees and legislators were briefed on a top ABC legislative priority - the repeal of prevailing wage requirements. Members had a chance to interact with legislators and talk about prevailing wage and other ABC priorities such as Career and Technical Education, continued tax reform, and regulatory reform while acting as a personal advocate for the Merit Shop.

 

Also during breakfast, U.S. Senate Candidate Terri Lynn Land addressed members, touching on her background, her campaign and her viewpoint on strengthening Michigan businesses. The keynote speaker, Governor Rick Snyder, was able to greet and speak directly to many ABC members in attendance, and received a welcoming standing ovation as partial recognition of his strong leadership in Michigan's "comeback."  

 

One topic that the Governor addressed extensively was what he called a true opportunity to start addressing the skills gap that America is beginning to see. ABC members face this issue daily as they see backload increasing and their pipeline of skilled workers slowing down. Gov. Snyder noted that a key component to solving this issue is the encouragement of students entering the workforce to review all their options for a rewarding career - including career training outside of the four-year university system. 

 

A Labor and Employment Law panel rounded out the morning. ABC member attorneys Jeff Theuer, Frank Mamat, Keith Eastland, and David Masud fielded questions ranging from the importance of employee handbooks to the upcoming OSHA, DOL, and NLRB rulemaking agendas.

 

The success of the event this year was due in great part to our generous sponsors. ABC of Michigan wishes to thank them, once again, for their part in making this event possible. 

  • The ABC of Michigan Self-Insured Workers Compensation Fund
  • AIS Construction Equipment Corporation
  • Robert Clancy Contracting, Inc.
  • Valley Electrical Contractors, Inc.
  • Enterprise Fleet Management

Did you attend and wish to offer feedback? Fill out our survey, here.

MIOSHA Training Schedule

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has published a schedule of upcoming safety courses and seminars. 

 

Courses include: "When MIOSHA Enforcement Visits," "Respiratory Protection," and "MIOSHA Recordkeeping and the Cost of Injuries," among many others.

 

ABC members should review whether their safety programs meet standards and take advantage of the training offered through their own Michigan chapter, as well as ABC National. MIOSHA options for training should also be a part of your company's safety program, if applicable.

 

MIOSHA programs are designed for anyone concerned about health and safety on the job including:

  • Managers concerned about liability and workers' compensation costs.
  • Employees who want to learn proper techniques for protecting their safety and health at work.
  • Business owners who want to learn about compliance with MIOSHA.
Construction Confidence Index Improves in 2013
Gains in the Associated Builders and Contractors' (ABC) Construction Confidence Index (CCI) indicate that contractor confidence expanded as 2013 wound to a close, particularly with respect to near-term industry profit margins and staffing levels. The CCI measures construction prospects along three dimensions - revenues, profit margins and hiring. All three indices remained above the threshold value of 50, which indicates growth, and each is up on a year-over-year basis.

During last year's second half:
  • Sales expectations rose from 63 to 63.2
  • Profit margin expectations surged from 55.3 to 57.5
  • Staffing level intentions grew from 60 to 62.2
"[The] brutal winter has wrought havoc upon many major markets and has made recent economic data difficult to interpret," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. "Data regarding retail sales, auto sales, housing starts, and nonresidential construction spending has been largely disappointing of late and the last 3 months have been the worst for job creation since the summer of 2012. Economists have been forced to consider whether recent economic weakness is temporary and attributable to the weather, or whether it points to yet another disappointing year.

"The CCI survey results, most of which were gathered when temperatures had already fallen, suggest that much of the near-term weakness observed in nonresidential construction spending is merely temporary," said Basu. "Contractors continue to report lengthening backlog, enhanced pricing power and greater sales momentum. The cold weather, which has persisted into March, has likely substantially suppressed first quarter spending data; however, CCI survey results show that construction spending probably will snap back with the temperatures this spring.  

"Contractors will be busier in 2014 but with the economy still expanding at less than 3 percent, the pace of improvement remains gradual and constrained. Despite steady improvement in CCI readings over the past 18 months, sales expectations are below where they were during the first half of 2012. Still, roughly three in five contractors expect some level of sales expansion this year," concluded Basu.
 
*CCI is a diffusion index. Readings above 50 indicate growth, while readings below 50 are unfavorable. 
Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan is a statewide trade association, working in partnership with three local chapters, dedicated to providing Michigan with high-quality, affordable, safe and on-time construction.  ABC of Michigan is an equal opportunity organization that opposes all discrimination in the construction industry including discrimination based on union affiliation. A leading construction industry voice with state government, ABC provides many member services including legislative advocacy, networking opportunities, member benefits, legal updates, business development and educational opportunities.