CCMCA Activities and Accomplishments: 2010/11

Below is a summary highlighting some of the key issues and activities CCMCA has pursued over the last year. Each year our activities change as we pursue new goals for the association, confront different industry challenges, and, sometimes, face old issues that re-emerge or develop a new twist. No matter the issue or the manner in which it comes before us, we remain committed to Inform, Represent, Protect, and Promote the masonry industry and those that work within it. Your support makes it possible for us to continue this mission; so, if you have any questions about the activities you see in this report please let us know. We want to hear from you!  View summary as a PDF

Legislative/Regulatory:

• Wood Industry Legislation – June 2011 – Commenced monitoring of wood industry efforts to gain preference in public construction as attempted in Oregon and Washington State. We will watch this issue through the current legislative session which concludes September 2011 at which time we will assess future need and action.
• Underground Economy – December 2010 - Became member of Construction Enforcement Coalition, a construction industry coalition comprised of more than 45 associations advocating more stringent enforcement of unlicensed contractors and other violators operating illegally to the disadvantage of legitimate contractors. Efforts are ongoing.
• Independent Contractor Withholding – Participated in industry coalition opposed to special budget measure to withhold 3% of independent contractor service fees as advance payment on year-end taxes. Due, in part, to coalition efforts, the measure was stalled.
• ARB Diesel Regulations – Participated in ARB hearings to support requests for relief from the regulations and to demonstrate the economic hardships created by the compliance schedule. The result? The regulations’ emissions enforcement schedule was delayed.
• Heat Illness Regulation Amendments / SB 477 – CCMCA opposed the intent of SB 477, introduced February 2010, which sought to enhance (aka make more strenuous) provisions of Cal/OSHA’s existing heat illness standard. Ultimately, SB 477 died in committee August 2010, and Cal/OSHA amended its heat illness regulation with more moderate provisions which became effective November 1, 2010.
• New Public Works Requirements: Compliance Monitoring Unit (CMU) - August 2010 – Participated in Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) Public Works Webinar designed to provide information to the contractor and awarding body about the new Compliance Monitoring Unit (CMU) and Electronic Payroll Reporting system (e-CPR). This measure was, ultimately, suspended November 2010 for legal reasons. The suspension remains in place pending ongoing review.
• SB 474 – Commercial Construction Contracts – Indemnity: CCMCA supports this bill’s intent to abolish the unreasonable Type 1 indemnity clause that requires subcontractors to indemnify general contractors and others against liability for negligence not caused by the subcontractor.
• AB 400 – Employment – Paid Sick Days: CCMCA opposes this bill’s intent to mandate that employees working in California for 7 or more days in a calendar year be entitled to paid sick days.
• AB 830 – Employment – Flexible Work Schedules: CCMCA supports this bill’s intent to allow nonexempt employees to request a 10-hour workday within a 40-hour workweek without requiring the employer to pay overtime for the additional hours worked. Bill failed to pass committee in the current legislative session.
• AB 1330 – Graduation Requirements – Career Technical Education: CCMCA supports this bill’s intent to allow completion of a course in career technical education as an alternative to a course in arts or foreign language as a high school graduation requirement.
• AB 1354 – Public Works – Progress Payments – Notice – Retention: CCMCA supports this bill’s intent to require that a contractor pay a subcontractor on a public works project within 7 days after receipt of each progress payment. This bill has stalled in the current legislative session.

Industry Promotion/Education:

• April 2011 – Co-Sponsored masonry and sustainable design seminar with CMACN and MIA to highlight how masonry supports various green building programs esp. CALGreen and LEED. Presentation by Christine “Tina” Subasic, LEED AP – Stanton, CA.
• March 2011 – Co-Sponsored fundamentals of federal contracting seminar to educate CCMCA members on the unique requirements and obligations of federal projects. Presented by Cook Brown – Sacramento, CA.
• September 2010 – Hosted presentation on masonry building code changes and masonry customer satisfaction. CCMCA 145th State Meeting – Lake Tahoe, NV.
• March 2010 – Co-Sponsored prevailing wage boot camp to educate CCMCA members on procedures and methods of appropriate bidding and compliance on public projects. Presented by Cook Brown – Sacramento, CA.
• March 2010 – Co-Sponsored RISA software webinar with CMACN and MIA to highlight ease of designing with masonry to design professionals. Presentation by Diane Throop of Int’l Masonry Institute (IMI) and John Chrysler of Masonry Institute of America (MIA) – LaJolla, CA.
• Became MCAA Certification Program Approved Provider July 2008.
  • Hosted or participated in 11 certification classes/seminars since becoming Approved Provider.

Association Administration and Staff:

• December 2010 – CCMCA redesigned website goes live! The new site provides access to industry news, registration forms for CCMCA events, links to supplier members and government agencies, and the ability to make online payments. New information, new look, new features!
• March 2010 – Added online survey service to allow for more efficient CCMCA member communications/feedback on industry issues, regulations, and legislation as well as association benefits and services.

Association Non-Dues Revenue / Member Benefits Development:

• May 2011 – Initiated exploration of “digital take-off’ program to be offered to CCMCA members at a discounted rate. Research and testing is ongoing.
• April 2011 – Partnered with Aflac to offer CCMCA member companies and their employees additional options and/or enhancements to traditional health and medical insurance. Formal launch to be announced at CCMCA 147th State Meeting September 23, 2011 - Newport Beach, CA.
• April 2011 – Posted roster advertising income sufficient to cover publication costs and provide a small balance to apply to future publication expenses.
• June 2010 – Initiated discovery on CCMCA collection of industry promotion funds.

Membership Development:

• February 2011 – 2nd year exhibitor at Graniterock Masonry Expo in Cupertino, CA.
• January 2011 – 1st time exhibitor at World of Concrete in Las Vegas, NV.
• May 2010 – Launched “Finders Keepers!” program partnering with supplier sales representatives for contractor recruitments.
• April 2010 – Created and launched CCMCA Membership Recruitment PowerPoint presentation at San Diego Chapter membership drive meeting.
• April 2010 – Exhibited tabletop booth at Graniterock Masonry Expo in Cupertino, CA to make attending contractors aware of CCMCA and promote the benefits of membership.