From the Executive Director

Rewards for Participating in MCA-KC Educational Programs & Events

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MCA-KC provides high quality educational programming and activities that help our contractors improve the productivity and profitability of their businesses.

Whether it’s for owners, principals, project managers, or others within your companies, the objective is to help you and your employees reach your organization’s goals and strengthen union contracting.

There’s a lot of value in these programs – the learning…the networking…the sharing of ideas. However, we’ve also sweetened the deal for you.

It’s called the MCA-KC Education Stipend program. It rewards contractor companies that actively participate in the local MCA-KC organization and activities by granting stipends that help them defer the costs of attending the national MCAA educational events.

With this Education Stipend program, companies earn participation points by attending MCA-KC events and activities throughout the year, and by doing so may receive up to two $2,500 stipends in a calendar year.

Each stipend, which is valid for a full year from the date that the award is issued, may be used to defer the costs (e.g., transportation, lodging, registration, etc.) for any single MCAA, MSCA, PCA, or NCPWB event.

For a complete description of the stipend program and to view your company’s point totals so far in 2012, as well as your outstanding stipend awards, please visit the MCA-KC website.

Important Safety Notice

DeWalt Power Tools has identified a potential safety hazard with certain large angle grinder side handles. The company is concerned that under certain circumstances a small number of side handles could exhibit a condition where the handle could break, causing the user to lose full control of the unit. Click here for a copy of the notice.

MCAA President Mark Rogers Visits with MCA-KC Contractors

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MCAA President Mark Rogers Visits with MCA-KC Contractors

MCAA President Mark Rogers

Before MCA-KC’s Kansas City Night on January 20, MCAA President Mark Rogers spent the morning visiting with over a dozen MCA-KC contractor members at the January Service Managers Meeting.

In addition to conducting an “open discussion” with the contractors regarding the significant impact that mechanical service has delivered in sustaining contractors during this tough economy, Mark also provided an overview of MCAA’s educational program that is currently being presented across the country to UA Business Members titled, “The REAL Cost of an Hour of Labor”.

The purpose of the program is to acquaint our labor teammates with the real-life challenges and scenarios that our contractors face each day in trying to bid and win projects against non-union shops. Through hands-on exercises, UA members break into teams to bid a project and are given a time limit to submit their sealed bid in an effort to be the winning bidder.

Mark Rogers with MCA-KC contractors

In Mark’s words, “It’s an eye-opening experience for many of these participants to see how our contractors have to cost out unforeseen situations that impact a job with additional man-hours that were not part of their bid.” This exercise is all about education, understanding the realities of the business, and working together to get back market share.

The goal is to have this training delivered in all areas across the country.

The New Breslin Strategies Report…

A perfect “tie-in” to Mark Rogers’ “The REAL Cost of an Hour of Labor” (described in the above article) is the latest “Breslin Strategies Report”. Mark Breslin, who speaks to tens of thousands of field craftsmen and apprentices annually across the United States and Canada, surveyed these individuals for their response to the question, “How much money do you think a contractor makes on a one million dollar job?” You can read his report here.

Kansas City Night Presentation

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Again I’d like to welcome you to Kansas City night.

Hopefully you all found that your dinner was just right.

Last year I had threatened to present in pantomime (white gloves).

This year will be new as I will only talk in rhyme.

We’re all here tonight to celebrate our industry,

And recognize our leaders who serve us selflessly.

Also here tonight are friends who travelled to the west,

To join us in this soiree as our honorary guests.

First, I’d like to introduce our Kansas City board,

Starting with our officers who are of one accord.

President Bill Adams of the Fagan Company,

With Barb, his wife who makes him so much nicer socially.

VP Bill Alexander, and his wonderful wife Wanda

Both work at Alexander and her, I’m kinda fond-a

Treasurer Kollin Knox of the P1 Group, Lenexa,

With Laura, I’m just saying, when you meet her it affects ya’.

Now I’d like to introduce the others on the board,

And doing it while saying nothing that would seem untoward.

Past-pres is Mike Kotubey who is Pres of MMC,

With his wife Susan by his side, she’s always love-ally.

Next is David DeBiasse, who works for EMC

And his wife Trish, KU’s biggest fan, of this I guarantee.

Our new board member Tom Axtell, who’s with Lexington Plumbing

With Amy, they both represent what’s truly up and coming.

Not able to attend tonight, Steve Hancock USE.

I thank the board for all they do to help our industry.

Now I’d like to recognize our friends here from afar,

But none, I’m glad to tell you all, have come from Zanzibar.

Our student chapters both are here and happy to report

That they are filled with leaders they are ready to export.

From KSU, the little apple, “Go Wildcats!” their slogan,

Is faculty advisor Tom and his wife Nancy Logan.

From Pittsburg State, the D2 Champs, the Gorillas of PSU,

Is Shannon, his wife Becky, and they brought along his crew.

They are all the leaders from the PItt State student chapter.

If your company’s hiring, they’ll be glad to see you after.

Next is Mike O’Mara, our Union International mate,

Who, along with his wife Carol, drove clear across the state.

The one who travelled furthest is our MCAA pres.

It’s guaranteed that we will hang on every word he says.

When you meet him it is clear he’s not for LA Dodgers.

He is Philly! Please help me welcome – our good friend Mark Rogers.

This year our fall golf outing raised funds for those in need,

Despite our bad economy, you all came through indeed.

Here tonight representing those that work at Lakemary,

Karen, Mary, and Mike, whose work is just extraordinary.

And finally I would like to thank the folks behind the scene,

Who’s diligence to detail makes this all look quite routine.

Of course there’s Cathy, in the back, we do just what she says.

And pitching in with gusto is Steve and Shelly Janasz.

I’d be remiss to not “shout out” to my love in matrimony,

The one I’ll never thank enough, my woman, my wife, Miss Joni.

Now it’s time to forge ahead and get this program going,

President Bill Adams’ talk will surely be mind-blowing.

My work is done.  There simply is no word that rhymes with orange, or purple.

Substance Abuse Testing Program and FASB Update

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From Bob Looman, MCA-KC Executive Director:

New Tools for a New Year

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