THE ECA REPORTER A Publication of the Environmental Contractors Association of New York City PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Thank you to those who attended our May 2007 general meeting, featuring discussions on current contract negotiations as well as demolition legislation. The ECA also recently heard a presentation by Chris D Andrea, an Industrial Hygienist from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. As a follow-up to this presentation, the ECA is currently reviewing mold certification standards, and we are grateful to John A. Tancredi, Division Manager of Pinnacle Environmental Corp. for leading this initiative. Please also note the enclosed critical alert for ECA contactors: Local 731 has been attempting to assert jurisdiction over the removal of asbestos, hazardous waste, soil and lead abatement on heavy and highway construction projects. This work has traditionally been done by Local 78, with which ECA has a collective bargaining agreement, and we are asking all ECA members not to sign a collective bargaining agreement with Local 731. In addition, we encourage members to report any non-union walk throughs to the ECA immediately. Fall 2007 ECA HOSTS MAY GENERAL MEETING TO DISCUSS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS On May 17, 2007, the Environmental Contractors Association held a General Membership meeting which focused on a discussion of contract negotiations. Led by Paul O Brien, Negotiation Committee Chairman, members discussed general contract issues including minimum wage, weekend overtime, differential pay, holidays, wages, timely pay, shop steward, safety/job conditions, strike rights, grievance procedures, hiring hall and jurisdiction clarification. In addition, Lou Coletti, BTEA President & CEO, provided an update on demolition legislation. Also in this issue is a special profile of ECA member contractor, Empire Control Abatement, and would like to recognize Lorena Alexander for her work on numerous ECA initiatives. Thank you to ECA members who continue to work hard to support the Safety & Compliance program. Lastly, due to a family issue, I will be taking a leave of absence. In the interim, Paul G. O Brien, will serve as acting President. As always, please feel free to send us news and information to Joyce Nastasi at joyeca@earthlink.net. Frank J. Garito President Continued on next page
PROFILE ON EMPIRE CONTROL ABATEMENT Founded in 1988, Empire Control Abatement specializes in asbestos, lead and mold abatement. Empire is a team- oriented company committed to dependable, prompt service and above all, quality environmental services. The company has extensive experience working for the commercial, industrial and residential sectors and is certified as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise with the New York State Empire State Development and Dormitory Authority State of New York. In addition to membership in the ECA, Empire is also an active member of the Indoor Air Quality and Environmental Solutions Association. exceed industry standards, while delivering a diverse array of environmental remediation services. For more information on Empire Control Abatement, please visit the firm s website at www.empirecontrol.com or contact President, Dina Donadic, at (718) 961-9404. ECA PARTICIPATES IN BTEA MID-YEAR REVIEW Empire has an A+ bonding and insurance rating and the organization offers clients a 24 hour emergency service. EMPIRE SERVICES Empire Control Abatement offers expert asbestos abatement, lead and mold abatement all performed by a fully qualified and licensed professional staff. Empire Controls' highly trained workforce and extensive inventory of specialized equipment allows the firm to ECA Board Member, William McKenzie of Abatement International with New York State Lieutenant Governor, David A. Patterson at BTEA Mid-Year Review Board of Governors Meeting ECA TO OFFER SUPERINTENDENT TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The ECA is currently developing free training classes to all member superintendents to support the success of project managers and superintendents on the jobsite. Key topics may include conflict resolution, team management, career development and union relations. Program attendees will practice valuable leadership skills in today s construction environment, such as public and group speaking and negotiation strategies. The training program is made possible through the BTEA Member Training Initiative. The ECA can also provide free safety training classes, in addition to customized training for ECA members. For more information, or to send your comments and ideas for upcoming programs, please contact Joyce Nastasi at joyeca@earthlink.net.
ECA PRESIDENT WORKS TO BRING AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO NEW ROCHELLE AND SURROUNDING REGION Frank Garito, ECA President, also serves as board President and founder of the New Rochelle Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation (NRNRC). For over 25 years, Mr. Garito has been working to bring affordable housing to New Rochelle. Recently, Mr. Garito s promise was realized. In a special ribbon-cutting presentation for the Town Houses at West End, Phase I Affordable Town Home Development, New Rochelle s most exciting affordable housing success story was unveiled. The $10 million development of 25 new single-family, duplex town homes was initiated by Garito and the board of directors with support from local, state and federal financing sources. TOWN HOUSES AT WEST END: WESTCHESTER COUNTY S LARGEST AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT These state-of-the-art town homes are part of the largest affordable housing development in the history of the County of Westchester which will include a combination of town houses and affordable senior residences. our city remains vibrant, diverse, and inclusive." Andrew J. Spano, Westchester County Executive, who also attended the event stated, This County and our entire region is in desperate need of affordable housing solutions. Anyone who visits the Town Houses at West End can see that this development has improved the entire area, and we would be pleased to partner with the New Rochelle Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation on future developments throughout the region. The design team includes Herbert S. Newman and Partners, New Haven, Town Home Architects and Perkins Eastman Architects, New York City, senior residence architect. The general contractor for the Town Homes and Senior Building is Andron Construction Company. New Rochelle Mayor, Noam Bramson, noted, "New Rochelle is committed to providing affordable housing opportunities to working and middle class families. This development will make the dream of homeownership possible for more of our neighbors and help ensure that REGISTER TODAY BTEA SAFETY CONFERENCE The BTEA will hold its annual Safety Conference on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 from 8:00 am 2:00 pm at the New York Hilton. Presentations will be made by the New York City Department of Buildings, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) as well as local fire officials. CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP OF NEW YORK WINTER CONFERENCE The Construction Industry Partnership Labor-Management Conference will be held from Sunday, February 10 through Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the Westin Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, Florida. Please contact Joyce Nastasi at joyeca@earthlink.net for more information or to register for these programs.
ECA REVIEWS 2007 NYC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REMEDIATION GUIDELINES Following a recent meeting with officials from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), the ECA was asked to review its 2007 Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments and to provide input before the document is finalized. The ECA was pleased to participate in the preliminary review of the document and to provide feedback that will shape the final report. The ECA is in support of regulation of the mold remediation industry, the certification of mold remediation personnel and the licensing of mold remediation contractors, and the association proposed that the DOHMH provide stricter guidelines for mold remediation training and the use of professional companies to perform remediation. The ECA found the Guidelines to be well written and researched. The review of the 2007 Guidelines was spearheaded by ECA member, John A. Tancredi, Division Manager of Pinnacle Environmental Corp. ECA MEMBERS UNITED TO SUPPORT LOCAL 78 JURISDICTION It has come to our attention that Local 731 has been attempting to assert jurisdiction over the removal of asbestos, hazardous waste, soil and lead abatement on heavy and highway construction projects. This work has traditionally been done by Local 78, with which ECA has a collective bargaining agreement. If you are approached by Local 731 and asked to sign a collective bargaining agreement, we STRONGLY URGE YOU TO NOT DO SO. Local 731 s rates are significantly higher than Local 78 s and pending a resolution of this jurisdiction issue in Washington, D.C., we must stand together as a united association. If you are contacted by the Local 731 and asked to sign an agreement, PLEASE DO NOT DO SO and please let Joyce Nastasi at the ECA office know immediately at joyeca@earthlink.net.
2007 ECA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Frank J. Garito, President Asbestos Corporation of America Sal DiLorenzo, Vice President PAL Environmental Safety Corporation Bill McKenzie, Vice President Abatement International/Advatex Assoc., Inc. Morris Napolitano, Vice President Degmor Inc. Cathleen B. Colella, Treasurer Hazardous Elimination Corporation Paul G. O Brien Pinnacle Environmental Corp. Louis J. Coletti, Administrator BTEA Raymond McGuire, Esq., General Counsel Kauff, McClain & McGuire 2007 ECA MEMBER COMPANIES A Quest Corporation Abatement Unlimited, Inc. ABAX Incorporated ABC Construction Contracting Inc. Affiliated Environmental Services of NJ Air Tech Lab, Inc. ASAR International Corp. Asbestos Corp. of America B & G Restoration Benjamin Kurzban & Son, Inc. Brandenburg Demolition CK & 87 Focus, Inc. D & S Restorations Inc. D.S.A. Services, Inc. Degmor Inc. E.T.S. Contracting East Coast Haz Mat Removal Inc. Empire Control Abatement Inc. Gramercy Group, Inc. Hazardous Elimination Corp. JBH Environmental, Inc. JVN Restoration Inc. Kiss Construction, Inc. LVI Environmental Services Inc. Microtech Contracting Corp. Northern Valley Contracting Co. P.A.L. Environmental Safety P.A.R. Environmental Corporation PDG, Inc. Pinnacle Environmental Corp. Seasons Industrial Contracting Corp. Topline Contracting Trade Winds Env. Restoration Trio Asbestos Removal Corp. United States Environmental Universal Services, Inc. Wing Environmental, Inc. JOIN THE ECA TODAY! Strong Relationships Membership in the ECA provides contractors with a strong professional network of like-minded environmental contractors. ECA members participate in the larger unionized construction industry through membership in the BTEA and have strong relationships with numerous City, State and Federal public agencies. Support for Our Members The ECA provides support for contractors in a number of critical areas including legislative advocacy, insurance and safety. The ECA has launched its groundbreaking Management-Labor Safety & Compliance Training Program designed to raise standards throughout the environmental construction industry. In addition, the Association has recently announced a special insurance program designed to provide cost savings to all contractor members of the Association. The program, stewarded by AIG Insurance, allows contractors to maintain relationships with their current insurance brokers, however, AIG will now offer coverage for contractors, including worker s compensation and general liability insurance, at significant savings for members in good standing of the ECA. For more information or to join the ECA, please contact Joyce Nastasi at (212) 704-9745 or joyeca@earthlink.net. Visit Our Website Please visit the Environmental Contractors Association of New York City s (ECA) website found at www.ecanyc.org for important news and updates, including information on our Safety & Compliance program or previous copies of our ECA newsletter. Send Us Your News To contribute news on your organization, including executive changes, construction innovations, technological advancements or project updates, please email Joyce Nastasi at joyeca@earthlink.net. A Publication of the Environmental Contractors Association c/o BTEA 1430 Broadway, 8th Floor New York, NY 10018 Telephone: (212) 704-9745 Facsimile: (212) 704-4367 Email: info@ecanyc.org www.ecanyc.org