Angry Commissioner turns down Union’s offer of free inspection

ACT Ohio has been assisting the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers deal with the Scioto County Commissioners and some questionable bidding practices on a project to repair the local County Courthouse roof.

It’s just one example of ACT Ohio’s promise to serve as a watch dog for the construction industry throughout Ohio.

Here’s a little background on this case: After the roofing project was declared an emergency, it was awarded to an out-of-state contractor who submitted a 2^nd bid of $99,990 – just under the county’s threshold to be considered an emergency award and skip competitive bidding. Just days later, however, the contract was amended and increased $23,000, allegedly due to unforeseen complications.

ACT Ohio considered seeking an injunction and a legal battle, but when it was determined the roofing project would be nearly complete before we could appear before a judge, some alternative steps were proposed.

ACT Ohio worked with the local union to hold the county commissioners responsible for engaging in suspect bidding practices and hiring, and not supporting local contractors. The first step in this campaign was to assist the local union in sharing their concerns through a letter to the county commissioners. The union offered free services of a highly skilled union professional roofer to inspect the out-of-state contractor’s work.

 “I believe having a skilled roofer that is a member of our community be a part of that inspection could help alleviate concerns of local residents. I hope you take advantage of our offer,” said Fred Gee, market development representative, in his letter.

According to a Sunday article in the Portsmouth Daily Times, County Commissioner Mike Crabtree called the union’s offer of free roofing inspection assistance, “incompetent and ridiculous.” (Read the entire article here.)

ACT Ohio will continue to advise Fred Gee and the local union with options for follow-up actions. Stay tuned.

Senate leaders quickly halt latest So-Called Right to Work effort

Two House Republicans on Wednesday unveiled proposed legislation to make Ohio a So-Called Right to Work State, but GOP leaders in the Senate killed the idea in a matter of hours.

Reps. Ron Maag, R-Lebanon, and Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson, proposed separate bills that together would make it optional for public and private-sector workers protected by a union contract to help pay the expenses that a union incurs while fighting to guarantee the rights of all employees.

Their actions came roughly 16 months after the voters of Ohio overwhelmingly rejected efforts to institute collective bargaining limits on government workers via Senate Bill 5.

But by Wednesday evening, Senate President Keith Faber, R-Celina, issued a statement essentially halting the efforts of Maag and Roegner, at least for now.

“We have an ambitious agenda focused on job creation and economic recovery, and Right to Work legislation is not on that list. After discussions with other leaders and my caucus, I don’t believe there is current support for this issue in the General Assembly,” Faber’s statement read

ACT Ohio Secretary Treasurer Dennis Duffey commended Faber for taking quick and decisive action halting a “needless attack on Ohio’s working families.”

“These type of laws have been shown over and over again to do nothing to support economic development,” Duffey added. “ACT Ohio and Ohio State Building Construction Trades Council look forward to working with both parties on real efforts to create meaningful jobs in Ohio that help boost the economy.” 

Twenty-four states, including neighboring Michigan and Indiana, have passed so-called right-to-work laws. Supporters often claim the intent is to create a business-friendly environment, but economic studies have struggled to document such benefits.

But data does exist showing salaries are lower, benefits cost more and worker safety decreases in current states where So Called Right to Work laws are in place.

So vigilance must be maintained. There is no doubt the So Called Right to Work efforts will pop up again in the Buckeye State.

While struggling, a petition drive continues to gather signatures to put a so-called right-to-work constitutional amendment on the ballot. Organizers have said if they can’t gather the necessary signatures by this year’s deadline, they will shift focus to 2014.

Nationwide construction spending down during March

Construction spending during March 2013 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $856.7 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, a slight decrease (1.7%) below the $871.2 billion estimate released in February. 

Overall, construction spending during the first three months of 2013 is up from last year at $181.7 billion, as compared to $173.6 billion for the same period in 2012.

The biggest losses in construction spending were in the public sector; the March 2013 seasonally adjusted rate for spending by local, state and the federal government was $258.3 billion, 4.1% below the revised February estimate. 

Spending on private construction also decreased by 0.6% since February. 

For more information on construction spending data and statistics please visit the U.S. Census Bureau. April 2013 data will be available June 3.

Ed FitzGerald announces run for Ohio Governor

The 2014 Ohio gubernatorial race is already heating up as Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald (D) officially kicked off his campaign against Governor John Kasich (R) last Wednesday.

A former FBI Special Agent and Mayor of Lakewood, FitzGerald lists job creation, the protection of the middle class, and a fight against political corruption as some of the primary issues on his statewide platform. As displayed on his campaign’s website – edfitzgeraldforohio.com - “From our factory floors to our school rooms, Ed stands firm with Ohio’s workers.”

Gov. Kasich’s term, on the other hand, has been largely anti-labor from the very beginning. He signed the controversial Senate Bill 5 meant to limit collective bargaining rights of Ohio’s 400,000 public workers less than three months after he assumed office; SB 5 was then overwhelmingly repealed by Ohio voters in the 2011 general election.

During his campaign announcement speech in Cleveland, FitzGerald said he looked forward to an economy “based on local businesses that pay real wages that you can raise a family on, instead of big corporate giveaways.

“We can be a state that respects all its workers, public sector and private sector, union and non-union alike, instead of demonizing them,” FitzGerald continued. “We can be that kind of state.”

ACT Ohio is looking forward to hearing FitzGerald’s plans for revitalizing Ohio’s economy through the utilization of the qualified contractors and skilled craftsmen that make up the state’s construction trades.

UA Local 776 hosts state apprenticeship contest

The United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Service Technicians held its state apprenticeship contest in Lima from April 23-25, at the office of UA Local 776 in Allen County, Ohio.

Apprentices from 15 different locals across Ohio competed for top honors in pipefitting, plumbing, welding, sprinkler fitting and HVAC service.

Reports indicate the event was a tremendous success, including some positive media coverage by the local newspaper, The Lima News: http://www.limaohio.com/news/local_news/article_d7b16a30-ac69-11e2-af89-0019bb30f31a.html

The winning apprentices received a small cash prize but also go on to compete in the District 2 Regional Contest in Louisville, Ky. in June. Winners there compete in the national contest in Ann Arbor, Mich. in August.