Inside this Issue: Bonding Bill to Create Needed Construction Jobs. September 2011

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1 September 2011 Bonding Bill to Create Needed Construction Jobs Something good came out of the 2011 legislative session for Union Contractors and Laborers Union Members as Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton proposed and negotiated with Legislative leaders an important $531 million Capital Investment Bonding bill that should help Minnesota s ailing construction industry in the very near future. The bill was the result of final budget negotiations during the two week state shutdown, ending in July, and will create an estimated 14,000 construction jobs at a time when they are needed most. Inside this Issue: Safety Driven Recognition 3 Fair Contracting Foundation 4 Scholarship Winners 5 Health Care Corner 6 Training Calendar 7 Bonding Bill Investment Highlights The Capital Investment Bonding bill helps Minnesota s economy by investing in people through job creation in building and maintaining important infrastructure and asset investments owned by the state. Nearly $200 million is invested in asset preservation and projects at Minnesota state colleges and universities. Over $65 million has been slated in asset preservation for state owned buildings, offices and other property. All together, over $100 million is aimed at crucial improvements to include road and bridge projects, transit and water resources and other infrastructure. Investments in natural resources will be made to the tune of $130 million and another $55 million is planned for flood protection. Public Dollars Leveraging Economic Development An effective way to create future economic development projects and jobs, can involve utilization of public investment in sensible infrastructure systems as a liaison in creating other future private sector construction investments. Minnesota LECET and the Laborers District Council actively support these investment planning decisions. Lindau Lane Project: A major improvement project on Lindau Lane in the Bloomington, MN South Loop district is moving forward because the State of Minnesota included its $15.45 million share in the bonding bill. This street construction project will maximize jobs, improve safety, and leverage private retail, office, hotel, restaurant and residential developments in an area just north of Mall of America between TH-77 (Cedar Avenue) and 24th Avenue. In the short term, this investment would leverage $70 million in Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton shared his thoughts on how the $531 million Capital Investment Bonding bill will help the construction industry at the annual Minnesota State Building Trades Convention in Duluth, MN on July 22, private sector investment for a Bass Pro Shop and Hotel, and an additional $50 million in private investment for a future expansion of the Mayo clinic. Estimates suggest that it could eventually leverage a total of $500 million in private investment in the long run with future expansions at or near the Mall of America property site. Employment and Economic Development: A total appropriation of $25.45 million was earmarked for employment and economic development including the Lindau Lane improvements. According to the Capital Bonding bill details, an appropriation of $4 million will go for Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grants and another $5 million is set aside for the Innovative Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program. Bonding Bill (continued on Page 2)

2 2 Bonding Bill (continued from page 1) Unemployment Woes in Construction Continue Construction employment started its decline in the latter part of 2005 and continued to drop through 2007, reaching an estimated low of around 17% in some areas of the country according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Overall job growth today remains sluggish and construction unemployment is estimated at around 14% in Minnesota, despite recent modest improvements in commercial development activity comparable to recent years. Unemployment By the Numbers: National Unemployment Rate: 9.1% Construction Industry Unemployment Rate: 14.0% Capital Investment Bonding Bill for Next Year The 2012 Minnesota legislative session should yield a new Capital Investment Bonding bill, which the Laborers District Council and Minnesota LECET will advocate for because of its relative immediate impact on construction project and job creation. It is reported that the Governor s office recognizes the important need for both infrastructure investment and job creation and will advocate for a major bonding bill investment to meet this purpose. Capital Investment Bonding Bill Job Creation AGENCY INVESTMENT JOBS DOT-Ports $3.0 million 86 DOT-Airport $6.0 million 171 DNR-Roads/Bridges $4.8 million 137 MnSCU-Asset Pres. $30.0 million 855 U of M $35.0 million 998 Met Council $12.5 million 356 Note: Not all Jobs Created may pertain to the construction industry. For more detail on the bonding bill, visit Minnesota LECET Board of Trustees Laborer Trustees Employer Trustees Dan Olson, Chair Chris Born, Co Chair Laborers Local 1091 PCL Construction Services Duluth Dave Borst Laborers Local 405 Rochester Tom Haugh Laborers Local 132 St. Paul Tim McCauley Laborers Local 1097 Virginia Dave Saunders Laborers Local 563 Minneapolis Mike Cairl Ryan Companies US, Inc. John Kittleson Bituminous Roadways, Inc. Martha Henrickson A.G.C. of Minnesota Mark Ryan Carl Bolander and Sons Dwight Engen LECET Construction Marketing Director Contact Minnesota LECET: P: , F: E: info@mnndlecet.org, Search Minnesota Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust on Facebook Welcome New Contractors AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTAL LLC FRATTALONE SERVICES M 3 RESTORATION MIDWEST SERVICE GROUP H C DIRECTIONAL DRILLING MIDWEST WALL CONSTRUCTION INC Minnesota LECET Mission Statement The Minnesota Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET) is a non-profit joint Labor/Management organization created to facilitate and promote the positive relationships between Construction Craft Laborers and their Construction Contractor Employers. Recognizing that there are areas of mutual concern that can best be addressed with cooperative efforts by labor and management, LECET s goals are: to increase market share for union construction firms by tracking employment and business opportunities; to create positive relationships between labor and management; to stimulate productivity and safety; to engage more workers in the Construction Craft Laborer training program; to market and promote union construction; and to conduct and sponsor educational programs for and about issues of mutual concern to both Construction Craft Laborers and Contractors.

3 Safety Driven Quarterly Award Winners Second Quarter 2011 Name Contractor Name Local Years* Mike Welle Adolfson & Peterson Alan Kalal Bituminous Roadways Inc Scott Johnson Carl Bolander & Sons Tony Opatz Donlar Construction Company Mark Mense Gridor Constr Inc James Zellman Hardrives, Inc Kenneth Maher Industrial Contractors Inc Louis Counter Landwehr Construction Inc Brent Albertson Lloyd's Construction Services, Inc Joe Olson Michels Pipeline Construction Zach Sedarski Minnesota Limited Inc Shane Heller Minnowa Construction Inc Don Flom Northland Constructors Peter Dockendorf NPL Construction Company Jason Schermerhorn Ryan Companies US Inc *denotes years of Membership in the Laborers Union Annual Contractor Open House Set for September 30 The Minnesota Laborers Union event of the year is fast approaching as the Laborers Training Center and LECET make final plans for the 2011 Annual Contractor Appreciation BBQ and Open House event on Friday Sept. 30, The event is intended for Signatory Contractors, Laborers Union officials and invited guests and includes an OSHA/ MSHA/ MPCA open forum presentation, tours of the facility, vendor trade show, free catered lunch and the annual Minnesota LECET Safety Driven awards ceremony, where both contractors and Laborers will receive safety recognition as part of the LECET Safety Driven program contest rules. To cap off the safety recognition part of the event, one Laborers Union member, as nominated by their enrolled Safety Driven participating contractor, will win the 2010 Arctic Cat 550E All-Terrain Vehicle during a random drawing process held at the event. We are greatly looking forward to this annual open house designed to bring Labor and Management together, said Dan Olson, Minnesota LECET Chairman and Laborers Local 1091 Business Manager. And, we can t wait to see who wins the Arctic Cat All-Terrain Vehicle. It will be an exciting day at the Laborers Training Center and we extend a widespread invitation to Signatory Contractors and encourage them not to miss this great event! To register for the event or learn more, please call or visit. Safety Driven win this 2010 Arctic cat Model 550 efi All terrain Vehicle By random draw, one Minnesota Laborers Union member will win this 2010 Arctic cat Model 550 efi All terrain Vehicle in 2011 for their dedication and commitment to construction safety. To win this Laborers Annual Award, eligible members must be nominated by their Signatory Union Contractor Employer participating in the Minnesota LECET Safety Driven Program. The LECET Safety Driven Program also includes Laborers Quarterly Award recognition and Signatory Union Contractor recognition. Consult with your Signatory Contractor Employer or Call Minnesota LECET today at for additional program information. Drawing Sept. 30, 2011 Safety Driven Program PrizeS 3

4 4 The Choice for Congress: Creating Jobs vs. Destroying Jobs America s roads and bridges once the envy of the world are congested, aging and desperately in need of repair. Meanwhile, the construction industry faces Depression-era unemployment, with more than 1.3 million men and women jobless. Congress can address these problems by passing legislation to invest in our transportation and create jobs, but a proposal in the U.S. House of Representatives known as the Mica Proposal would actually make things worse with over a 34% cut in highway infrastructure investment and a 37% reduction in public transportation cuts. Our economy depends on a safe and efficient transportation system. Ten percent of America s gross domestic product is tied to moving goods and people. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, our roads and bridges are in a state of crisis. Roads in poor condition -66 million miles Wasted dollars due to traffic congestion -$170 billion per year Average bridge age -43 years As our congressional leaders review these important infrastructure investments and consider possible reductions to these critical investments, the construction industry including workers, contractors, suppliers and vendors should speak up! Laborers Union members can join LIUNA General President Terence M. O Sullivan s call to contact their congress members and demand they pass a transportation reauthorization bill that increases investments in America s critical infrastructure system. To start taking action or learn more please visit Estimated State by State Impact of Cuts to Highway Infrastructure Investment 2011 Actual* 2012 MICA P roposal** Reduction Jobs Lost*** Minnesota $604 Million $383 Million $221 Million 7,675 North Dakota $236 Million $149 Million $87 Million 3,030 Fair Contracting Foundation of Minnesota Created By Mike Wilde, Executive Director, Fair Contracting Foundation of Minnesota Total Job Losses 10,705 Note: The information in this table was prepared by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). * Based on FHWA Notice N issued June 30, ** Based on Highway Trust Fund parameters included in the House-passed budget resolution (H.Con. Res.34), the CBO estimates the FY 2012 Federal aid Highway program at $27 billion. Above is a state by state distribution based on current FHWA factors. ***Jobs Lost based on 2007 FHWA model based on $1 billion of investment. F FFair Contracting Foundation of Minnesota As the construction industry has suffered and members have struggled over the past few years, everyone watches to see who is getting the work. Many realize that some of the contractors getting the public construction contracts are cheating on the contracts by paying workers far below what is required under prevailing wage laws. But who monitors these projects and pursues cheaters when honest contractors are unable to compete and their workers remain unemployed? Well, the Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council decided to answer this question by creating an industry group called the Fair Contracting Foundation of Minnesota (FCF). FCF opened its operations in June of The FCF is created primarily to promote compliance, enforcement, understanding and adoption of prevailing wage policies We are a small, efficient, investigative office made up of two full-time attorneys and one part-time attorney along with a research staff. We investigate legal violations on Minnesota s public construction projects. This emphasis results from years of research across the country proving that when no one is watching the projects then some contractors will cheat until they are caught. We look forward to investigating serious complaints filed by workers, contractors or Minnesota taxpayers. We are an industry group that serves a broad spectrum of interests. We are not your private attorneys, nor are you charged any money for our work. The purpose is to help public agencies and governmental entities enforce their laws and contracts so the rest of us don t end up footing the bill. Call us at if you have information about substandard wages or cash payments on public projects.

5 Jobsite Promotional Banner Program Announced Minnesota LECET is utilizing a new Thank You jobsite banner program that recognizes Signatory Union Contractors and Union construction jobsites in the Minnesota and North Dakota region at no cost to the Union Contractor. The vinyl banners are approximately 3 X 8 in size and are produced by Union printers. They are designed for fence or pole mounting options. Interested construction firms should contact Minnesota LECET today at to learn more about this new advertising program. The jobsite banner program, like the one shown here at the Mozaic project in Minneapolis for Ryan Companies U.S., is an effective way for contractors to advertise their company and the project they are working. LECET ANNOUNCES FOUR SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS Minnesota Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust (LECET), has announced the winners of the 2011/12 Minnesota LECET Academic Scholarship / Leadership Grant program. The four individuals selected will receive up to $1,000 each in financial assistance to be used toward higher education and training to further their career in the construction industry. All candidates must meet the program eligibility requirement of either Minnesota Laborers Union membership, or employment with Signatory Union Contractors of the Minnesota Laborers Union Minnesota LECET Scholarship/Grant Award Recipients Include: Lauren Colbeth, Employee of PCL Construction, attending the University of Minnesota, majoring in Construction Management. Sandra Davey, Laborers Local 1091 Union member, attending Lake Superior College to receive Associates in Applied Science (AAS) degree as a Civil Engineer Technician. Don deleon, Laborers Local 563 Union member, attending Dakota County Technical College to receive AAS in Construction Management. Chris Hauck, Employee of PCL Construction, attending the University of Minnesota, majoring in Construction Management. Minnesota LECET is pleased to once again offer financial assistance to individuals who have committed themselves to careers in the construction industry, said Mike Cairl, Vice President of Ryan Companies, US, Inc. and Minnesota LECET Board of Trustees member. These individuals hold a bright future in this great industry. Minnesota LECET is a Labor-Management Cooperation organization that was founded in 1992 to facilitate the positive relationship between Labor & Management, promote Union Construction and opportunities for training and advancement within the construction industry. 5

6 Laborers Health & Welfare Fund HEALTH CARE CORNER Welcoming the Transitions of Fall by Chris Erickson, MA, LP, CEAP, Clinical Director, Sand Creek Group, Ltd. Fall in the Upper Midwest is a time of outdoor beauty. As colors change and temperatures cool off, it doesn t seem to take long before we find ourselves planning for fall and winter. In the midst of these obvious changes going on outdoors, we can sometimes lose sight of personal and family transitions that may be occurring at the same time. For many of us, fall is the time where work and family routines tend to follow the patterns of the school year. For families with children attending school for the first time, making a leap to a new school, or perhaps leaving home for the first time to attend college or technical school, this fall may seem especially significant. As we go through the changing season, take time to slow down and enjoy both the beauty of the fall colors outside and the changes that may be occurring in our lives. It may be appropriate to consciously reserve some time with those we love to celebrate past successes, to plan for upcoming challenges, and to discuss how best to support each other in what lies ahead. These conversations provide the glue that holds families together and give special meaning to the family history that is building. Grab the opportunity to make these conversations happen before everyone is off and running into the routines of fall and the year ahead. If you re finding it difficult to either slow down to enjoy the beauty of the fall season or to strategize how best to deal with individual or family challenges up ahead, please don t hesitate to reach out to your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Contact The Sand Creek Group for confidential and professional counseling assistance. This program is available to all eligible Minnesota Laborers Union members and their immediate family members. Remember, there is no cost to you for this service and we have many service locations across Minnesota and North Dakota. Contact us at (651) or toll-free at U SHOT CLINICS FLU SHOT CLINICS FLU SHOT AAACHOOOOO CLINICS FLU SHOT CLINICS FLU SH U 2011 SHOT Seasonal CLINICS Flu Shot ClinicsFLU SHOT CLINICS FLU The Minnesota Laborers Health and Welfare Fund and Minnesota LECET SHOT are making seasonal CLINICS Flu Shots available for current Minnesota FLU and North Dakota SHOT CLINICS FLU SH Laborers Union members and their eligible family members. Listed below are the U SHOT CLINICS FLU SHOT CLINICS FLU dates and clinic times: Date Location Time Phone Mon., Oct. 10, 2011 Local St. Paul 3:30-6:30 PM SHOT CLINICS FLU SHOT CLINICS FLU SH Tues., Oct. 11, 2011 Local Rochester 2:30-5:30 PM Thurs., Oct. 13, 2011 Local Virginia 5:00-7:00 PM U Thurs., SHOT Oct. 13, 2011 Local CLINICS Mankato 5:00-6:30 PM FLU SHOT CLINICS FLU Thurs., Oct. 20, 2011 Local Duluth 3:30-7:00 PM Thurs., Nov. 3, 2011 Local St. Cloud 4:30-6:30 PM SHOT CLINICS FLU SHOT CLINICS FLU SH Mon., Nov. 7, 2011 Local Minneapolis 4:00-6:30 PM Thurs., Nov. 10, 2011 Local Grand Rapids 5:00-7:00 PM U SHOT CLINICS FLU SHOT CLINICS FLU All Clinic Locations are at each Laborers Local Union Meeting Hall. All Clinic Dates coincide with monthly Union meetings. SHOT Always consult your Health CLINICS Care Professional for flu shot vaccination FLU and other medical information. SHOT CLINICS FLU SH U SHOT CLINICS FLU SHOT CLINICS FLU All Flu Shots Administered by Health Care Service Professionals. 6

7 TRAINING CALENDAR (651) Week of October 10, 2011 Concrete Practices & Procedures Oct Hazardous Waste Initial Oct Pipelaying I Oct Rigging, Hoisting & Signaling Qualified Oct Safety Week Oct 10 Confined Space Oct 14 CPR/First Aid Oct 14 Pipe Fusion Oct 14 Asbestos Supervisor Refresher Oct 15 Rochester Asbestos Worker Refresher Oct 15 Week of October 17, 2011 Concrete Insulated Forms Oct General Construction Oct Pipelaying II Oct Plaster Tending Oct Scaffold Erecting Oct Excavation Confined Space Oct 19 OSHA 10 Oct Plumbing Code Initial Oct 20 Flagging Safety/MNDOT Oct 21 Hazardous Waste Refresher Oct 21 Storm Water Pollution Prev Plan Installer Oct 21 Mine Safety & Health (MSHA) Oct 22 Virginia Week of October 24, 2011 Highway Heavy Skills Oct Instruments Oct Mason Tending Oct Safety Week Oct Torch Cutting/Demo Safety Oct Asbestos Supervisor Refresher Oct 28 T r a i n i n g & L I U N A t E d u c a F u n d LABORERS TRAINING CENTER MN & ND Laborers Union Continues Outreach at Minnesota State Fair The AFL-CIO Labor Pavilion building location on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds was buzzing as thousands of Union members, families and fair goers enjoyed a respectful line up of presentations and free entertainment during the 12 days that typically signify the end of summer in Minnesota. Minnesota Laborers Union representatives worked the entire event at the Laborers Union portable kiosk located on the Labor Pavilion grounds. Representatives visited with over 700 Minnesota Laborers Union members and thousands of fair attendees during the timeframe. LIUNA members received a special gift from the Laborers Union and learned more about the industry and opportunities ahead. Given the attacks on working people over the past 9 months, Minnesotans warmly greeted Union members at the fair, said Chris Shields, AFL-CIO Communications Director. Minnesotans at the fair saw that Union members are their friends, family, and neighbors. Thousands of labor Week of October 31, 2011 Asbestos Worker Initial Oct 31-Nov 3 Blueprint Reading Oct 31-Nov 4 General Construction Oct 31-Nov 4 Line & Grade Oct 31-Nov 4 Pipeline Safety Oct 31-Nov 4 Asbestos Worker Refresher Nov 4 Week of November 7, 2011 Hazardous Waste Initial Nov 7-11 Pipelaying I Nov 7-11 Safety Week Nov 7-11 Pipe Fusion Nov 11 Hazardous Waste Refresher Nov 12 Week of November 14, 2011 Asbestos Supervisor Initial Nov General Construction Nov Mason Tending Nov OSHA 30 Nov Pipelaying II Nov Rigging, Hoisting & Signaling Qualified Nov Excavation Confined Space Nov 16 Plumbing Code Initial Nov 17 CPRFirst Aid Nov 18 Flagging SafetyMNDOT Nov 18 Storm Water Pollution Prev Plan Installer Nov 18 Mine Safety & Health (MSHA) Nov 19 VIrginia Week of November 21, 2011 Air Sampling Nov Concrete Insulated Forms Nov i o n pavilion visitors signed postcards and petitions supporting workers and issues important to the labor movement. It was a great experience at the fair sharing that labor is not the cause of our current economic problems; labor is the solution! Tim Russell (Right), personality on A Prairie Home Companion and AFTRA Union member, interviews Mark and Deb Kitchenmaster during their presentation on Hazardous Material Around The Home at the 2011 Minnesota State Fair AFL-CIO Labor Pavilion. Lead Worker Initial Nov OSHA 10 Nov Torch CuttingDemo Safety Nov Confined Space Nov 23 Lead Worker Refresher Nov 23 Week of November 28, 2011 Concrete Practices & Procedures Nov 28-Dec 2 Highway Heavy Skills Nov 28-Dec 2 Safety Week Nov 28-Dec 2 Scaffold Erecting Nov 28-Dec 2 Welding (Torch CuttingAir Arc) Nov 28-Dec 30 Asbestos Supervisor Refresher Dec 3 Hudson, WI Asbestos Worker Refresher Dec 3 T r a i n i n g & L I U N A t E d u c a F u n d LABORERS TRAINING CENTER MN & ND Note: Students are reminded that all day classes begin at 7:00 AM at the LTC. Trainees must come to class dressed as if they were reporting to work at a construction site. This includes appropriate work boots, long pants, and shirt. Failure to do so can result in being asked to leave and to reschedule the class at a later date. Apprentice of the Month Awards The Minnesota Laborers Apprenticeship Program has created an Apprentice of the Month Award designed to recognize outstanding Apprentices who display professionalism and an eagerness to learn while taking classes at the Laborers Training Center. The following Apprentices have been recognized for their achievement: Name Month Tony Simpson June 2011 Jamie Goodman July 2011 Shawn Beardsley August 2011 i o n 7

8 Minnesota Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust-LECET 81 East Little Canada Road Little Canada, MN Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid Permit Twin Cities, MN Minnesota Laborers Earn $10,000 for RMH Charities The Minnesota Laborers Union raised another $10,000 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Twin Cities, from the 8th Annual Laborers Ride for Charity event held on August 20, The annual motorcycle ride event has proved to be the major charitable fundraising event of the year for the Minnesota Laborers Union, thanks in part to the support of Minnesota Laborers District Council, Minnesota LECET, Laborers Locals 132 & 563, event participants and the following Signatory Union Contractors and vendors: Gold Level: Advanced Concrete Sawing, Inc., Dennis Environmental, Mortenson Construction, Palda & Sons, Inc., and Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum & Carey, Ltd. Silver Level: Steinhagen Enterprises, Inc. The Minnesota Laborers Union is very thankful to all of the supporters and riders of our Annual Laborers Ride, said Dave Saunders, Laborers Local 563 Financial Secretary/Treasurer and Laborers Ride Committee member. We are pleased to be supporting such a wonderful charity and having Ronald McDonald himself show up at our event, made it even better. We are looking forward to many rides and raising more money for great causes like this! The Laborers Ride for Charity continues to support daily life at the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities, a homeaway-from-home for families with seriously ill children. Ronald McDonald, shown in front center, delivered a pre-ride motivational talk to Laborers Ride for Charity riders, before they set off on the 8th Annual motorcycle ride benefit fund raiser.