United Contractors Magazine April 2024

APRIL 2024 ISSUE / VOLUME 230

UNITEDCONTRACTORS.ORG

An Industry At Risk FACING THE CHALLENGES OF MENTAL HEALTH IN CONSTRUCTION.

No More Suck it Up p.6 ________________________ An Industry At Risk p.22 ________________________ FACES: UCON’s Southern CA PAC Fundraiser p.30

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UNITED CONTRACTORS STAFF

MARK BRESLIN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER; EMILY COHEN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT; TEJEL PATEL, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CEO; URSULA BECKER, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO EVP; VICTOR SELLA, VICE PRESIDENT OF LABOR RELATIONS; CLAY O’NEAL, REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, SOUTHERN CA OPERATIONS; RAY BACA, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA; RUBY VARNADORE, SENIOR LABOR CONTRACTS MANAGER; DILPREET MAYALL, LABOR CONTRACTS MANAGER; LUCIA MIXON, CONTRACTOR MEMBER SERVICES, SOUTHERN CA; SANDRA KAYA, ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST; MELISSA GUTWALD, VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS; DENISE RAMIREZ, ONLINE SERVICES MANAGER; EMMY MCCONNELL, SENIOR ACCOUNTANT; MICHELLE HANNIGAN, BOOKKEEPER; GABRIELLE GONZALEZ, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA; ANGELICA GOUIG, DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & EDUCATION; CHRISTINE TRAINA, EVENT MANAGER; RACHEL ORAA, EVENT ASSISTANT; AVANTI MEHTA, EDUCATION ASSISTANT; MICHELLE VEJBY, MARCOM MANAGER; EDDIE BERNACCHI, UCON CHIEF LOBBYIST; CHRISTOPHER LEE, SAFETY CONSULTANT; DREW DELANEY, MIKE BUCKANTZ, REGULATORY CONSULTANTS United Contractors Magazine (ISSN: 2166-3777) is published monthly, 11x a year, by United Contractors, 17 Crow Canyon Court, Suite 100, San Ramon, CA 94583; 2401 East Katella Ave., Suite 500, Anaheim, CA 92806. Editorial comments, letters, and article submissions are welcomed and encouraged. Correspondence should be directed to the United Contractors office at the above address, by phone at (925) 855-7900, or by e-mail at info@unitedcontractors.org. Reproduction of editorial material in this issue is permitted if accompanied by proper source credit. Periodicals postage paid at San Ramon, CA and other offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: United Contractors Magazine, 17 Crow Canyon Court, Suite 100, San Ramon, CA 94583. © 2024 Published in the U.S.A.

IN THIS ISSUE APRIL 2024 VOLUME 230

06 UP FRONT No More Suck it Up

by Mark Breslin | UCON CEO

10 LABOR The Vital Role of Employee Assistance Programs in Construction

by Dilpreet Mayall | UCON Contracts Manager

Meal & Rest Periods on Construction Jobsites

by Victor Sella | UCON VP of Labor Relations

20 INSIDE THE CAPITOL United for Impact: 2024 Legislative Briefing and Reception

22 INDUSTRY HEALTH & WELLNESS An Industry at Risk: Addressing Mental Health in Construction

by Jamin Valdez | Woodruff-Sawyer & Co.

Industry Wellness Resources — Clip & Share

30 FACES UCON’s Southern California PAC Fundraiser

more inside 36 NEXT-UP

Health & Wellness Courses available the rest of 2024

2024 Events Remaining

42 MEMBER NEWS

U N I T E D C O N T R AC TO R S . O R G

APRIL 2024

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By Mark Breslin UCON CEO

NO MORE SUCK IT UP

A LITTLE MORE by ALL OF US. A LITTLE MORE for ALL OF US. I have one. And I bet you do too. Someone in our family and friend circles who is struggling. Someone who is up against it. Someone who is dealing with some form of mental illness and is either working on it, or it is working against them.

In our industry nobody wants to talk about it. “How about those Niners?” is as deep as we want to go, especially on the jobsite. A male oriented industry where wearing your ego on your sleeve and your body armor over your emotions is the norm. Tough business. Tough people. Tough times?

Tough shit. Suck it up.

The numbers on this challenge tell a story that we as leaders must act upon; • 19% of US workers surveyed rate their mental health as poor or fair

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• Employees with marginal mental health miss 4x as many days of work • The highest concentration of those with mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety are those under 30.

• According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, these issues cost employers $47.5 billion dollars in lost productivity each year.

And that is why construction is always ranked either number one or two each year for occupations where people commit suicide.

I find that fact disturbing and tragic. So lets break it down; this industry proclaims safety as its number one foundational value. We spend time, effort and a lot of money on it. Wear your PPE. Lift with your knees. Wear your harness. Secure your ladder. Get that chinstrap for your hardhat. But where is the emotional fall protection? Where is the care and empathy for an industry where so many people are so obviously struggling?

Is safety about rules, compliance and Cal-OSHA or is it about doing the right thing for the man or woman in the workplace? What if the most dangerous hazards are not the ones easily seen or heard?

It is no wonder that construction is up there on the scale of suicide and mental illness. Right at the top with military combat veterans and first responders.

Why? Similar cultures. Similar challenges.

Don’t show weakness.

Don’t ask for help.

Hide vulnerability with humor or silence.

Numb it with alcohol or drugs.

Pretend it doesn’t exist.

Jobsite safety without psychological and emotional safety is hypocritical at best and bad business at worst.

But the truth is that this is not a business issue or impact or cost. It is a matter of human impact and cost. It is incumbent on us as leaders to foster workplace cultures that are more open, considerate and proactive.

It is vital that the employees of our organizations know that they can be open to discuss their challenges, ask for resources or help or offer the same to those that they work with.

Yes I have one in my own family. And you likely do too. It is even likely that many of those of you reading this yourselves have had times of personal struggles. So how about we don’t turn that blind eye to it anymore.

How about we accept that safety needs to be more encompassing and humanistic? A focus on the mental health in the workplace and the jobsite is not a heavy lift, it is truly just a little extra effort by all of us, for all of us.

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THE VITAL ROLE OF EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN CONSTRUCTION Due to a recent tragic event, the UCON family owes a responsibility to highlight the importance of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) in the construction sector.

The heartbreaking loss of a UCON contractor’s family member due to substance abuse is one loss too many, and we encourage our contractors to take full advantage of these substance abuse programs.

These EAP programs, which are accessible to all of our contractors in both Northern and Southern California, are primarily focused on assistance with substance abuse issues. The construction industry faces unique challenges

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in ensuring the well-being of its workforce, and EAPs have emerged as a critical resource in addressing these challenges.

Despite being a vital service, the industry struggles with ensuring that these programs are properly utilized by those overcoming substance abuse. Partnering with unions, contractors can become aware of and obtain access to EAP programs to manage these hardships.

These programs are provided at no cost to employees, making them a valuable resource for individuals seeking assistance.

Geographical proximity is also considered in the implementation of EAPs, ensuring that support services are within reasonable reach for all members of the workforce.

Through collaboration between contractors and unions, there is a pathway to enhancing the well-being of workers by making support systems more accessible and effective. We advise our contractors to take advantage of these programs to provide help with managing substance abuse issues.

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N. CA EAP PROGRAMS

UNION

EAP PROGRAM

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Laborers

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Claremont EAP: 800-834-3773

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By Victor Sella, UCON Vice President of Labor Relations

MEAL & REST PERIODS ON CONSTRUCTION JOB SITES Getting Ahead of Your Obligations Before They Get Ahead of You In construction, there are countless operational constraints that make it challenging for your field employees to meet meal and rest period obligations.

Consequently, meal and rest period claims are the most common and costly in the industry because of inconsistent field practices and, at times, false claims.

While the nature of construction can easily be blamed, the difference between contractors who win or lose such claims comes down to your company’s policies and practices. In other words, meal and rest period liabilities are often avoidable, especially if you know how to navigate this issue.

This article explores meal and rest period requirements, what to do when employees aren’t getting their breaks, and contractor best practices, including some fresh guidance on something new to add to your timecards, to help you control this issue before it controls you.

What are the meal period requirements for my field workforce?

According to Wage Order 16 and our collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), non-exempt (hourly) employees are entitled to: • A 30-minute uninterrupted, unpaid meal period, typically between the 4th and 5th hour of the day.

• A second meal period between the 10th and 12th hours of the day, as applicable.

• During meal breaks, employees must be fully relieved of their job duties and be free to leave the workplace premises. It is critical to ensure that employees are not under any pressure or obligation to work for the full duration of these breaks.

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• Some, but not all, construction CBAs permit the waiver of a second meal period, so long as the first meal period was taken.

What are the rest period requirements for my field workforce?

Contractors must provide rest breaks to non-exempt employees. In contrast with meal periods, rest periods are 10 minutes, considered compensable (paid) time, and must be given during the workday to provide employees with a moment off-duty for rest and relaxation.

According to Wage Order 16 and our CBAs, nonexempt (hourly) employees are entitled to: • A 10-minute paid and uninterrupted rest period for every 4 hours (or a major fraction over 2 hours) of working time. No rest period is required if the workday is less than 3.5 hours. A typical work day of less than 10 hours will trigger the need for two 10-minute rest periods.

• As with meal breaks, employers must ensure that employees are relieved of all job-related duties during rest breaks. Employees should be encouraged to use these breaks for rest, personal activities, or grabbing a snack.

• Finally, Wage Order 16 and most CBAs allow contractors to “stagger rest periods of on-site construction employees to avoid interruption in the flow of work and to maintain continuous operations” and also allow for “scheduling rest periods to coincide with breaks in the flow of work that occur in the course of the workday.”

What are the rest period requirements for my field workforce?

It is critical to ensure that your employees are getting their meal and rest periods as required under the law and your CBAs. However, naturally there are times when getting those breaks is not possible. In such circumstances, it is essential to pay your employees the required meal and/or rest period penalties when such breaks aren’t afforded to your workers. Unionized contractors must rely on the meal period and rest period penalty rules described in your CBA(s). For non-unionized hourly employees, contractors should refer to the penalties defined under the appropriate

Wage Order for the employee’s job. Don’t forget that even when your employees don’t get a meal period, you are still required to provide them “an opportunity to eat.” This item is an increasing subject of scrutiny in labor compliance and should not be ignored. We’ll get into this item further below.

Contractor Best Practices 1. Create and Regularly Communicate About Your Company’s Meal & Rest Period Policy • If your company doesn’t already have a clear meal and rest period policy, connect with UCON or your attorney to create one as soon as possible.

• Issue and periodically re-issue memos to employees, reminding them of your meal and rest period policies, including that they are to advise their foreman, management, or HR right away when they don’t get their meal and rest periods.

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2. Engage with Your Employees Actively on Taking Meal & Rest Periods While in the Field

• Designate an area where employees are expected to take their meal and/or rest periods when possible.

• To the extent possible, have your foreman or other field leadership direct crews on a daily basis regarding what time(s) of day employees are expected to take their meal and rest periods.

• Have your foremen or other field leadership check in on a daily basis with their crews to ensure they are getting both their meal and rest periods, making sure to take note and ensure penalty pay when needed.

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• When operational issues interfere with taking meal or rest periods as expected, make sure your foremen communicate directly with their crews to take meal and rest periods at the next available opportunity. Be sure they specify when/where that break should occur.

• Make taking meal and rest periods part of your daily or weekly tailgate or safety meetings. Don’t forget to document that this policy was discussed in your meeting notes when you do.

• Regularly remind employees in these meetings that if they are not getting a meal or rest period, they are to indicate so on their timecards and should also raise the issue immediately with management or HR.

3. Make Sure Your Timekeeping System Covers Meals, Rest Periods, and the Opportunity to Eat

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• To the extent possible, use a timekeeping system that allows employees to record their time during the day as it is happening, including in and out times for meal periods. If that’s not possible, make sure each employee signs off daily regarding when they received (or if they didn’t receive) their meal and rest periods that day.

• The “opportunity to eat” is a new suggestion for contractors so employees can identify whether they had the chance to eat even when they may not have received their meal period(s). It’s highly recommended that you

Continued on page 16 14

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find a way to amend your current timekeeping forms to track this information.

• Do not round time at the beginning or end of shifts or meal periods.

• Consider providing a grace period of up to five minutes on meal periods to allow sufficient time for checking in and out, if needed.

• Employee time records must be retained and archived for at least four years.

• Cover daily meal and rest period requirements in new hire orientations.

4. Document. Document. Document.

• The most common argument in meal/rest period claims is that employees fear raising issues with their direct supervisors. Once again, remind employees in these meetings that if they are not getting a meal or rest period, they are to indicate so on their timecards and should raise the issue immediately with management or HR—document when this reminder is issued in your meeting notes or company correspondence logs.

• Ensure your timecards and timekeeping systems make it easy to track all necessary information to ensure your policies are followed.

• Track and record all your efforts to remind and enforce your meal and rest period policies in the field and through your regular personnel communications to defend against false claims.

• Keep daily job records of what time and where foremen or supervisors directed meal and rest periods to be taken, especially if operational circumstances pushed breaks into early or later parts of the shift.

• If an employee is in a position to waive their second meal period per their CBA rules, make sure they fill out a form confirming they got their first meal period and that they agree to waive their second meal period on their own volition.

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Just like safety, taking meals and rest periods should be an essential part of every employee’s workday. That’s not simply because it is required under the law or a CBA, but because it’s about the well-being of your workers.

While there are countless challenges to ensuring all employees get their breaks, it is well worth your time to ensure your company culture, policies, communications, and operations align with this priority. Alternatively, make sure you are compensating employees accordingly when they don’t get their breaks, and make sure that’s a wellcommunicated priority to avoid the false claim factor.

In today’s litigious world, it’s less a matter of if than when a meal and rest period claim will come your way.

Contractors commonly pay in the five to seven figure range to settle these claims, all of which are largely avoidable if you follow the above recommendations.

Do you need more information, guidance, or a review of your policies and practices?

Contact UCON Contracts Manager, Dilpreet Mayall – (916) 952-1504 or dmayall@unitedcontractors.org.

You can also reach any member of our team at laborteam@unitedcontractors.org, or (925) 855-7900 with questions on meal and rest periods. Don’t forget to check out these key UCON resources: • • • •

UCON’s Meal & Rest Period Guidelines UCON Meal & Rest Period Compliance & FAQ Chart UCON’s Union Meal Period Chart – N. CA & S. CA UCON’s Union Rest Period Chart – N. CA & S. CA

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3734 Bradview Drive, Suite A Sacramento, CA. 95827

Contributed by UCON’s Labor and Member Services Team

UCON IPM MEETING – S. CA LABORERS United Contractors and the Southern California Laborers recently held an Industry Partners Retreat/ Meeting (Partnering 365 Meeting) in Cabazon, CA, attended by over 40 UCON contractor members, labor staff, and representatives from Laborers leadership.

The program focused on relationship-building and discussions, which addressed critical issues and challenges of our industry. Key topics included training, recruitment, and apprenticeship, skilled and trained, and the political landscape. UCON, along with the Laborers Union, will continue working together to create solutions to these issues throughout 2024.

If your company would like to participate or be involved in future meetings, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Victor Sella at vsella@unitedcontractors.org or (510) 362-6959.

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THE CAPITOL

UNITED FOR IMPACT: 2024 LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING AND RECEPTION Join us on May 20 in Sacramento for a day of impact at UCON’s 2024 Legislative and Elections Briefing, followed by our Annual Legislative Reception. Gain insights into key legislation and critical upcoming elections, as well as an industry-tailored economic forecast and discussion.

After the briefings, network with your peers, Agency and Labor leaders, and elected officials from across California.

During the afternoon briefing, attendees will hear from UCON’s government relations and lobbying team about key legislation impacting our members and the industry.

You’ll learn about the upcoming November elections and hear about UCON’s strategy to have maximum impact on behalf of our membership. Attendees will also hear from our returning Economist, Mark Schniepp, who will offer a uniquely engaging and informative industry-tailored economic forecast report to help contractors better prepare for the next 2-3 years in the California market.

AGENDA 11:30 am: Registration 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Lunch 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Briefing 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Reception BRIEFING & RECEPTION TICKETS Standard: $165 (member) | $265 (non-member) *Available until 5 pm Wed, May 13 Onsite: $215 (member) | $315 (non-member) BRIEFING ONLY TICKETS Standard: $90 (member) | $190 (non-member) *Available until 5 pm Mon, May 13 Onsite: $140 (member) | $250 (non-member)

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UCON’S 2024 LEGISLATIVE AND ELECTIONS BRIEFING & LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION Gain insights into key legislation and critical upcoming elections.

After, network with industry leaders and elected officials from across California. _______________________________ Legislative and Elections Briefing 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm UCON’s Legislative Reception 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm The Kimpton Sawyer 500 J Street, Sacramento SCAN TO REGISTER

Register for this day of united industry impact.

APRIL 2024

21

INDUSTRY

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Jamin Valdez, Woodruff-Sawyer & Co.

AN INDUSTRY AT RISK: ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH IN CONSTRUCTION

This article discusses suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, don’t wait to get help. Call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text HELLO to 741741 for free, 24/7, confidential support.

Construction occupations have the highest rates of death by suicide and drug overdose in the United States, and it is increasing. It’s no secret that construction is a tough industry, built by hard-working laborers who put in long hours under tight deadlines in all kinds of working conditions, often while dealing with physical pain and injury. Topics like mental health and wellness aren’t normally a part of workplace conversations in a culture deeply ingrained with the ideals of picking yourself up by your bootstraps.

Now more than ever, there is a critical need for companies to understand and respond to mental health in construction. We’ll cover practical steps you can take as a leader to help improve or even save your employees’ lives.

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What’s Behind the Mental Health Crisis in Construction?

Although hard hats are common on jobsites, what happens under them isn’t a normal topic of discussion for many safety managers.

According to the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), approximately 1,000 construction workers die on jobsites each year, and over 5,000 people working in construction die by suicide each year. There are many factors that contribute to this mental health crisis.

• Difficult and varying working conditions.

Construction workers are often in environments where they may face physical strain, seasonal layoffs, severe weather conditions, and long periods away from friends and family. Moving from jobsite to jobsite can create an environment in which workers are not as connected to their families, friends, or a workplace community, often resulting in strains on relationships. In addition, working long or irregular hours can impact sleep patterns, causing sleep deprivation that adds to mental and physical exhaustion.

• Unhealthy habits as a coping mechanism. Many workers develop bad habits to cope with these issues, like using drugs, alcohol, or opioids. Not only does this contribute to the risk of accidental overdose, but alcohol and opioid use disorders increase the risk of suicidal ideations, attempts, and deaths.

• A hardened culture. The pressure of appearing to have tough skin and just suck it up when difficulties arise leads to not sharing issues for fear of appearing weak. This applies both physically and mentally, leading to overall burnout.

While there’s no PPE for mental health, there are ways companies can help. There is no single cure for the mental health crisis in the construction industry but using a multi-prong approach to address mental health can help increase your program’s effectiveness.

Start Talking Create a safe culture by spreading awareness and reducing stigma around conversations about addiction,

mental health, and suicide. Find what works best for your employees and their personalities to help them make connections with their team.

Here are some ideas to consider: • Conduct focus groups of 10–15 people, selecting those who represent critical groups within the company, to discuss mental health issues. They can also help develop ideas to build awareness of the different challenges employees face.

• Perform interviews with all key stakeholders, including company leaders, HR directors, safety directors, and foremen to assess needs, strengths, and readiness or resistance to wellness programs.

Taking time to listen to employees will increase the likelihood of higher buy-in when you are ready to take the next steps of implementation.

Continued on next page

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INDUSTRY

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Offer Addiction Support The nature of construction jobs, like performing repetitive physical tasks, can contribute to substance abuse. Some workers use alcohol, opioids, and other drugs to handle the physical pain they endure, and many workers head to a bar after work to relax and socialize. However, these habits can lead to addiction.

• Develop a substance abuse prevention program.

You can find resources and information at drugfreeconstruction.org.

Here are some steps to take:

Create a Wellness Program

• Create an environment that allows those struggling with addiction to ask for and be directed to professional help.

Mental health benefits haven’t traditionally been widely adopted in the construction industry, but it’s clear there is a need. The good news is there are many ways you can provide resources that fit your team.

• Offer training to management and supervisors on how to identify the signs of substance abuse so they can recognize coworkers who may need help and refer them to resources.

• Be up front about your drug testing program. Explain that it is designed to protect everyone from danger.

• Host alcohol-free events such as group volunteer activities, fantasy sports leagues, and family picnics.

• Provide mental health training for managers and supervisors. This group is your front line to observe and connect with direct labor employees, helping to refer them to qualified resources. Programs like Mental Health First Aid offer training courses similar to CPR certification classes.

• Ensure mental health services are easy to access and are the right fit for your team. While many construction workers may shy away from one-on-one help, they may respond to group therapy with their peers like an online group support session, or virtual mental health coaching resources like Headspace. There are many platforms that are easy to access online, eliminating the need to go to a provider’s office and offering more flexibility in scheduling.

• Review working environments and include mental health awareness in regular safety management reviews.

• Set up crisis support through an employee assistance program (EAP) or crisis management team that focuses on grief and trauma support. Companies like Concern can come in as needed for critical incident briefing.

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Resources for Employers A growing number of mental health resources are geared toward the construction industry to help you navigate wellness programs.

• • • • • • • •

Get Construction Talking Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention Toolbox Talks Construction Working Minds Construction Suicide Prevention Resources QPR Institute LivingWorks Mental Health First Aid

Make Wellness a Priority in Construction Being a good steward toward your employees is more than just a moral decision—it’s also a wise business decision.

Workers who are physically and mentally healthy perform better on the job and have fewer accidents compared to

those who are experiencing mental health struggles. In an American Psychological Association survey from April 2023, 20% of respondents said stress led to lower productivity; it can also directly and indirectly affect employee safety. In addition, US workers who rate their mental health as fair or poor report about four times more unplanned absences than their counterparts who had better mental health, according to Gallup.

You wouldn’t send your team to a job without the right tools. Giving them resources to better manage their wellness, both physically and mentally, sets them up for success both on and off the jobsite. Protecting your people protects your business. A forward-thinking benefits consultant can help you assess the available benefit options that offer the most impact for your employees.

Woodruff-Sawyer & Co., one of the largest independently owned insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the US, protects their construction clients’ people and assets. They provide expert counsel and fierce advocacy to safeguard clients against their enterprise risks. www.wsandco.com, a UCON member since 1994.

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INDUSTRY

UP

HEALTH & clip&share

WELLNESS

Labor Assistance Professionals: www. laborassistanceprofessionals.com — LAP is “dedicated to obtaining comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment and mental health services for our members at a reasonable and fair price. In addition, we advocate for member assistance program development within labor, and for recognition of the key role labor plays from the field’s professional organizations and treatment providers.”

ManKind Project: www.mankindproject.org, and www.mkpusa.org — a global network dedicated to supporting men to make a difference in the lives of others through challenging and rewarding programs for men at every stage of life. They offer leadership training, and focus on experiential learning through group training, self-exploration and more.

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Online resources and organizations to address workers’ overall wellness—share with your team.

Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention: www.preventconstructionsuicide.com — The name says it all; this nonprofit group, with dozens of industry and union members, is a great place to start if you have questions and/or are new to the topic of emotional wellness. Be sure to click on the “Get Informed” tab where you’ll find Resources, as well as Toolbox Talks.

Man Therapy: www.mantherapy.org — As this innovative website explains: “Working aged men (25-54 years old) account for the largest number of suicide deaths in the U.S. These men are also the least likely to receive any kind of support. They don’t talk about it with their friends. They don’t share with their family. And they sure as heck don’t seek professional treatment. They are the victims of problematic thinking that says mental health disorders are unmanly signs of weakness.”

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Industry Wellness Resources Free “Warn Me Labels” and Drug Disposal Envelopes: https://safety.nsc.org/stop-everydaykillers-supplies — The National Safety Council has developed this great no-cost tool. It will send employers free DEA-compliant disposal envelopes so employees can safely get rid of unused prescription meds and prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. The NSC also has free “warn me” labels that workers can attach to their insurance cards to remind them to talk to their doctors about the risk of prescription drug abuse.

Downloadable Infographic: Protect Yourself from an Opioid Overdose. This handy infographic from The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) is available for download in PDF and JPEG formats.

Vist their website: www.cpwr.com/research/opioidresources, and you’ll find resources, and many other tools and information, including easy to use toolbox talks regarding opioid deaths in construction (English/Spanish).

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention: www.cdc.gov offers handouts outlining non-opioid treatments for chronic pain, as well as posters and other materials for managing your pain and/or minimizing your risk, and much more for both employers and employees.

UCON Resources: Search our Contractor Resources Library (members only) to find substance abuse policies per union craft. For assistance, contact our Labor Team: laborteam@unitedcontractors.org..

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Mark Breslin, UCON CEO, Michele Newman, Senator Josh Newman, and Emily Cohen, UCON EVP

2024 UCON PAC FUNDRAISING EFFORT KICKS OFF IN ORANGE Southern California members come together to raise nearly $100,000 for UCON’s Political Action Committee

On April 4th, nearly 70 members and guests came together at the Orange Hill Restaurant in Orange for UCON’s Political Action Committee (PAC) fundraiser, one of two PAC fundraising events this year. The event kicked off the 2024 fundraising effort for UCON’s PAC, which is used to elect and protect pro-industry candidates running in the state Assembly and Senate. Fundraising will continue with the iconic “backyard house party” at UCON CEO Mark Breslin’s home in Alamo on May 30th.

(LEFT PHOTO) Matt Scott, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., Victor Sella, UCON VP of Labor Relations, Eric Patterson, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.; (RIGHT PHOTO) Kurt Kniffin, Stacy and Witbeck, Inc.

In attendance were special guests, Senator Josh Newman, State Senate Candidate Suzette Valladeras (SD23), Assemblywoman Laurie Davies (AD74), and Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (AD73).

UCON Executive Vice President Emily Cohen spoke to the audience, sharing gratitude for their support, trust and generosity. “The UCON PAC is one of our greatest tools to advance the interests of California’s union contractors of all sizes and scopes, and to help elect candidates who work with us, not against us, to advance our cause and improve your market share.”

The annual UCON PAC Fundraiser was established by UCON’s PAC Committee Members just six years ago with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of UCON’s work to elect candidates, while raising money for our political allies. The event has quickly emerged as one

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( LEFT PHOTO) Assemblywoman Laurie Davies, Dave Sorem, Mike Bubalo Construction Company (UCON PAC Committee Member); (RIGHT PHOTO) Jonathan Valverde, Valverde Construction, Inc., Taka Sakai, Zefiro Corporation, Ahron Valverde, Valverde Construction, Inc.

of the most effective, owner-centric industry fundraiser events in California and has grown into two events—one in southern California and northern California.

Thank you to every member who sponsored and supported this unique and critically important event.

(LEFT PHOTO) Brandon Sjulin, Zefiro Corporation, Brandon Pensick, Ferriera Coastal Construction Co.; (RIGHT PHOTO) Junior Hernandez, Marlon Lopez, and Patrick Petrossi from Traffic Management, Inc. (TMI)

(LEFT PHOTO) Dominic Sposeto, Vanguard Construction (UCON PAC Committee Member); (RIGHT PHOTO) Clay O’Neal, UCON VP, Southern CA Region, Diego and Carla Villegas, Cell-Crete Corporation

Bryn Burke, Dees Burke Engineering Constructors, LLC (UCON Board Member), Rita Vigil-Ferguson, G & F Concrete Cutting, Inc. (UCON Board Member, and UCON PAC Committee Member)), Emily Cohen, UCON EVP, and Lucia Mixon, UCON Contractor Member Services, Southern CA

Erik Benjamson, Joseph Gonzales, Ryan Johnson, and Nik Boye of JMH Engineering & Construction, Inc.

(LEFT PHOTO) Steve Concannon, Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc., and UCON PAC Committee Vice Chair; (RIGHT PHOTO) Gina Alvarez, and Jim Nelson of Western Paving Contractors Inc.

(LEFT PHOTO) Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris; (RIGHT PHOTO) Brandon Lovell, CMC Traffic Control Specialist, LLC/CMC Construction and Ray Baca, UCON Regional Director, Southern CA

APRIL 2024

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Join us for our Northern CA PAC Event on Thursday, May 30th, 2024 at the home of UCON’s CEO, Mark Breslin, in Alamo, CA. Enjoy premium wines, great food, specialty cocktails, and networking with industry leaders in support of UCON’s Political Action Committee

Lucia Mixon, UCON Contractor Member Services, Southern CA, Rob Schneider, Dees Burke Engineering Constructors, LLC, Kameron Krause, Mr. Crane, Inc., Dan Ngo, Silverado Contractors, Inc., Kyle Vandenbos, Bayview Demolition Services, Inc.

Dave Greco, Teichert Construction

Carol Church, Marina Landscape, Inc.

Sean Castillo, Toro Enterprises, Inc. (UCON Board Member)

Brendan Slagle, J.F. Shea Construction Company, Inc.

Jennifer and Rob Morrow, Morrow Trenchless 32

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Jimmy Draper, Shimmick Construction Company, Inc.

WWW.UNITEDCONTRACTORS.ORG/PAC2024

Jennifer Becker Weidel, Flatiron West, Inc., and Tino Vasquez, Marina Landscape, Inc.

Alan Ludwig, Pascal & Ludwig Constructors, Greg Ferguson, and Rita Vigil-Ferguson (UCON Board Member and UCON PAC Committee Member) of G & F Concrete Cutting, Inc.

THANK YOU PAC SPONSORS

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UP UP

By Angelica Gouig, Director of Events and Education

ENGAGE, DEVELOP, RETAIN Make 2024 the Year of Development for Success UCON’s Professional Development programs are available for you and everyone in your company! From the field to the CEO, UCON has a program for you. All members access free or discounted classes as a member benefit—and your employees are our members, too! Share this valuable content with everyone on your team and make sure they take advantage of this opportunity.

UCON’s virtual classes are available on the UCON app–on your mobile device or desktop–giving you access to personal and professional growth while on the go.

40+ classes are available in 2024 – Leadership, Labor, Safety, and more—www.unitedcontractors.org/calendar.

UCON LIBRARY: COURSES ON DEMAND START STREAMING TODAY! UCON has a library of pre-recorded courses available on our website. While non-members can attend UCON courses live, the recorded versions are available for members only. If there was a class you missed, check with your manager and take it on-demand; or if you are the manager, design a class tract using our available courses.

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W W W.U N I T E D C O N T R AC T O R S . O R G

HARRASSMENT PREVENTION

APRIL COURSES APRIL 11 Five Steps to Fearless Negotiating Thursday, April 11; 2:30pm-4:30pm Instructors: Paul Stout, Power Summit Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

APRIL 16 Overtime & Special Shift Rules (N. CA)

APRIL 18 Overtime & Special Shift Rules (S. CA) Thursday, April 18; 12:00pm-1:00pm Instructor: Victor Sella, United Contractors Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

APRIL 23 Corporate Identity Meets Personal Brand: The Art of Social Selling Tuesday, April 23; 2:30pm-4:30pm Instructor: Eric Anderton, Construction Genius Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

APRIL 25 Psychological Safety Thursday, April 25; 2:30pm-4:30pm Instructor: Bill Treasurer, Giant Leap Consulting Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

APRIL 30 Building Excellence: The Power of Trust in Teams Tuesday, April 30; 2:30pm-4:30pm Instructor: John Peterson, Threshold Rising Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: Free | Non-member: $100 Continued on next page

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Tuesday, April 16; 12:00pm-1:00pm Instructor: Victor Sella, United Contractors Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

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APRIL 2024

35

UP

MAY COURSES

HEALTH & WELLNESS

COURSES

MAY 7 - Transforming a Follower To a Leader Tuesday, May 7; 12:00pm-1:00pm Instructor: Cody Miller, MPWR Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: Free | Non-member: $100

MAY 2 - Insider Advantage:

Mastering the Complexities and Challenges of Internal Leadership Buyouts Thursday, May 2; 2:30pm-4:30pm Instructor: Eric Anderton, Construction Genius Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

MAY 9 - Mastering PLAs and Pre-Jobs Thursday, May 9; 12:00pm-1:00pm Instructor: Victor Sella, United Contractors Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

MAY 14 - Up on the High Wire: Cultivating Mental Resiliency to Get Us through Tough Times Tuesday, May 14; 2:30pm-4:30pm Instructor: Sally Spencer-Thomas, United Suicide Survivors International Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

MAY 16 - Mastering the Workers’ Comp Maze: Expert Strategies for Success

Thursday, May 16; 12:00pm-1:00pm Instructor: Victor Sella, United Contractors Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

MAY 23 Delegation Skills Thursday, May 23; 2:30pm-4:30pm Instructor: Eric Herdman Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: Free | Non-member: $100

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APRIL 25 Psychological Safety Thursday, April 25; 2:30pm-4:30pm Instructor: Bill Treasurer, Giant Leap Consulting Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100 “Safety is our most important job.” All companies say that.

Many even have excellent practices for preventing injuries.

But there’s a difference between being a safe company and creating an environment where people feel they can speak without fear, be themselves, and perform their best. Those things require psychological safety.

During this workshop you’ll learn about Project Aristotle, a 5-year research study Google did to identify why some of their teams were stellar, and other teams stumbled.

Who Should Attend: Everyone.

MAY 14

JULY 9

Up on the High Wire: Cultivating Mental Resiliency to Get Us through Tough Times

Ignite the Fire Within: Mitigating Burnout and Rekindling Passion for Work and Life

Tuesday, May 14; 2:30pm-4:30pm Instructor: Sally Spencer-Thomas, United Suicide Survivors International Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

Tuesday, July 9; 2:30pm-4:30pm Instructor: Sally Spencer-Thomas, United Suicide Survivors International Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

Are we doing enough to invest in mental health and “mental resiliency”? What does it actually mean to be emotionally fit and psychologically hardy? With increasing demands to do more with less and perform with polish, people need coping tools and emotional inoculation to get them through challenges. This keynote looks at the issue of mental wellness and gives participants the tools to help themselves and others sustain a passion for living over the long haul. As a psychologist, mental health advocate, and survivor of her brother’s suicide, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas brings a unique perspective to the topic. From storytelling to discussing the effects of stress on the brain, Sally will help participants know how to stay mentally fit, avoid burnout, and remain focused on wellness. Sally gives participants four key ways to build mental strength, flexibility, and endurance: be bold, belong, be well, and believe.

“ I g n i t e t h e F i r e Wi t h i n ” i s a transformative workshop designed to address burnout, helping participants rediscover their passion for work and life. In this engaging session, attendees learn to identify signs of burnout, explore its root causes, and develop six personalized tools for healing and “soul care” for themselves and their teams. The workshop employs a comprehensive workbook that guides participants through self-reflection and soul-care exercises. Through interactive discussions and practical strategies, attendees gain insights into fostering resilience, setting boundaries, and creating a supportive work-life balance.

This workshop equips participants with actionable techniques to reignite their inner fire, enhancing well-being, job satisfaction, and overall life fulfillment.

Who Should Attend: People interested in building skills and awareness to help themselves and others.

Who Should Attend: People interested in building skills and awareness to help themselves and others.

NOVEMBER 12 You Can’t Fix Your Mental Health with Duct Tape: Why Burnout Mitigation, Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention are Priorities in SafetyCritical Industries Tuesday, Nov 12; 2:30pm-4:30pm Instructors: Sally Spencer Thomas, United Suicide Survivors International Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

With humor and storytelling, Dr. Sally makes the case why mental health matters in safety-critical industries, why attention needs to be paid to risk factors and environmental drivers, and what workers can do to help themselves and help others.

Who Should Attend: People interested in building skills and awareness to help themselves and others.

APRIL 2024

37

UP

By Christine Traina, Event Manager

UCON’S 2024 EVENTS—MAY - NOVEMBER UCON events are off to a great start this 2024 year—don’t miss out. All event registrations and sponsorships are open on the UCON calendar. Secure your spot before they sell out at www.unitedcontractors.org/calendar.

MONDAY

MAY 20 THURSDAY

MAY 30

THURSDAY

JUN 20

THURSDAY

JUL 11

THURSDAY

AUG 1 FRIDAY

SEP 6

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UNITED FOR IMPACT The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, Sacramento Join us for a day of impact at UCON’s Legislative & Elections Briefing, followed by our Legislative Reception in Sacramento. Gain insights into key legislation and critical upcoming elections, then network with industry leaders and elected officials from across California.

NORTHERN CA UCON PAC FUNDRAISER At the home of UCON CEO, Mark Breslin, Alamo Our northern CA PAC fundraising event—an evening of premium wines, and great food, networking with association and industry leaders to support UCON’s Political Action Committee.

SCHOLARSHIP THROWDOWN FOR EDUCATION— CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER Wente Vineyards, Livermore The Scholarship Throwdown Fundraiser raises money for our Scholarship Program, which has awarded over $500,000 to over 250 deserving students during the past twenty years!

BEACH BASH The Huntington Beach House, Huntington Beach UCON’s 3rd Annual Beach Bash—a casual evening of great friends, food, drinks, and music at the beach.

ANNUAL BBQ & CHILI COOK-OFF Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton UCON’s largest industry event provides the opportunity to network with over 1,500 of your peers and create new relationships.

SAL RUBINO GOLF CLASSIC Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Club, Seaside This UCON tradition is named for an Associate Member who loved the association almost as much as he loved golf. Grab a foursome and enjoy this scramble-style golf tournament on a beautiful course.

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THURSDAY

SOUTHERN CA GOLF CLASSIC

SEP 26

Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, Mission Viejo UCON will host its first annual golf tournament in southern CA. Enjoy a day outside on the greens with great food, great fun, and great friends.

SATURDAY

GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY FUNDRAISER

NOV 9

The Claremont Club & Spa, Berkeley Our Government Advocacy Fundraiser is the biggest fundraising event UCON hosts each year to support our grassroots advocacy efforts. It allows UCON to maintain a presence, voice, and agenda in Sacramento and Washington D.C.

CORNHOLE

JUNE 20TH

TOURNAMENT

UCON’S Scholarship Program Fundraiser: Thursday, June 20, 2024 Early-bird ticket: $175/member | $275/non-member (Early-bird pricing expires May 20!)

Standard ticket: $195/member | $295/non-member Wente Vineyards, Livermore, 5050 Arroyo Road | 1:30pm-6:30pm

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APRIL 2024

39

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Sukut Construction Helps Fight Pediatric Cancer at the Construction vs. Cancer SoCal Event The Sukut team joined the American Cancer Society (ACS), the largest private, not-for-profit funder of cancer research in the United States. The event is designed to offer kids and families a day of fun and entertainment while raising funds to support the medical advancements to fight pediatric cancer. The donations made by the sponsors help fund cancer research, patient services, and advocacy.

Sukut Construction, a passionate supporter of the cause since 2019, sponsored and attended the event towards the end of last year. Over 500 kids enjoyed games, raffles, prizes, movie characters, live music, a variety of construction equipment, police vehicles, a helicopter, and more. Sukut was joined by a magician who brought a live bunny and a dove and entertained the crowd with his magical tricks. Sukut also coordinated with Quinn Caterpillar to have a wheel loader at the event for the kids to climb into.

To learn more about this one-of-a-kind event with a very meaningful cause and inquire about this year’s 2024 schedule, visit www.cvcsocal2024.givesmart.com.

Sukut Construction LLC, www.sukut.com, a UCON member since 2015.

Have News to Share?

Do you have information to share? Is your company working on an interesting project? Send company news, project images, and giving-back stories to Michelle Vejby, UCON’s MarCom Manager, at mvejby@unitedcontractors.org.

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In Memory

Frank Palagi Sr. 6 7 -Y E A R E M P L O Y E E A T GHILOTTI BROS., INC.

Graniterock Joins in for a Day of Service

It is with extreme sadness that we share the news that Frank Palagi Sr. passed away after having a heart attack on February 13, 2024. Frank was one of the most loyal and dedicated employees Ghilotti Bros., Inc. has ever had. He was 100% GBI, 100% of the time. Frank started as an apprentice in 1956 and worked long hours, nights, and weekends for over 65 years. Frank was an apprentice, a journeyman mason, a foreman, a

Coastal Habitat Education and Environmental Reclamation (CHEER) organization joined forces with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for a noble cause – a trash clean-up along Uvas Creek in Gilroy.

The Graniterock team was proud to be part of this initiative, lending a helping hand to the hardworking volunteers. The team assisted with the clean-up efforts and provided snacks and beverages to keep everyone energized throughout the day.

This volunteer event held special significance as it aligned with VFW’s mission to empower veterans to continue serving their local communities long after their military service has ended. By partnering with organizations like CHEER, VFW aims to harness the skills and dedication of veterans to make a positive impact on the environment and society as a whole.

Together, everyone made a difference along the banks of Uvas Creek.

It’s moments like these that are a great reminder of the power of collaboration and the importance of giving back to the places we call home. To learn more, visit the Graniterock blog at www.graniterock. com/blogs, a UCON member since 1995.

superintendent, a general superintendent, a dispatcher of laborers, masons, and carpenters and manager of the backyard (once Dino Ghilotti finally retired from that role after the third attempt) and ultimately VP of Operations. Frank was a mentor to so many in the industry and always took time no matter how busy to help, tutor, support, instruct, educate, or just share his unique and beautiful perspective on life.

Frank is credited for embracing every day with a smile on his face, a song in his heart, and a hop in his step. He and Mario Ghilotti shared such a unique and enjoyable friendship with so many fond memories along the way—especially the toughest assignment of all, driving Mario to the Forty-Niners game without getting a ticket. Frank loved the Forty-Niners. He will be sorely missed by everyone that has known him but especially his co-workers over the years. We ask that those that were fortunate enough to know Frank take a moment to reflect on all the special and enjoyable moments you shared with him along the way. And if you didn’t know him, please reflect kindly on someone that did nothing but give life (and GBI) everything he had… and then some! Ghilotti Bros, Inc., a UCON member since 1995.

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MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES: APRIL United Contractors would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the following companies who are celebrating their anniversary of membership with our organization in April:

34 YEARS – 1990

28 YEARS – 1996

Associate Member: Volvo Construction Equipment & Services Ted Pumphrey

Contractor Member: O’Grady Paving, Inc. Tom O’Grady

33 YEARS – 1991

Associate Members: Herc Rentals Inc. Mark Hobson

Contractor Member: D’Arcy & Harty Construction, Inc. Mike D’Arcy

32 YEARS – 1992 Contractor Member: Conco-West, Inc. Mike DeRousse

31 YEARS – 1993 Contractor Members: Bauman Landscape and Construction, Inc. Mike Bauman Western Stabilization Ashley Jeffery

30 YEARS – 1994 Contractor Member: Nada Pacific Frank Lorenzen Associate Member: Org Metrics Rob Reaugh

29 YEARS – 1995 Associate Members: Sweeney Mason LLP Joseph Sweeney, Esq. Zurich North America Surety Samantha Mascarenhas

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Photo courtesy of Team Ghilotti, Inc.

27 YEARS – 1997

Vulcan Materials Co., Western Division Trony Fuller

26 YEARS – 1998 Associate Member: Corrpro Companies, Inc. Susana Medellin

25 YEARS – 1999

18 YEARS – 2006

14 YEARS – 2010

Contractor Member: Mike Brown Electric Co. Tiffany Howe

Contractor Member: O’Duffy Construction James Duffy

Associate Member: J.S. Cole Company Peter Almlie

11 YEARS – 2013

17 YEARS – 2007 Contractor Members: Team Ghilotti, Inc. Kevin Ghilotti

Contractor Member: Gordon N. Ball, Inc. Hal Stober

Trinet Construction, Inc. Nora Hickey

24 YEARS – 2000

Associate Members: Arrow Tek Larry Rennacker

Contractor Members: Allen A. Waggoner Construction, Inc. Rocky Myers Knife River Construction - Stockton Rod Getty

22 YEARS – 2002 Contractor Member: Oak Grove Construction Doug Hamilton Associate Members: IAT Surety Lori Bosshart Rain for Rent Kassidy Sears

W W W.U N I T E D C O N T R AC T O R S . O R G

16 YEARS – 2008

California Bank of Commerce Erik Pierce DHE Inc. Concrete Equipment Co. Scott Humphrey Lockton Companies, LLC Emily Newell Rogers Joseph O’Donnell Joe McGowan

Contractor Members: Bay Area Concretes, Inc. Jonathan Vasquez KDW Construction, LLC D.J. Woods Pipe Tec, Inc. Tom Vukojevic

10 YEARS – 2014 Associate Member: Tetra Tech, Inc Steve Tedesco

9 YEARS – 2015 Associate Member: Cox, Castle & Nicholson, LLP John McKenzie

7 YEARS – 2017 Contractor Members: Alta Group, Inc. Glenele Obernich Kordich Construction, Inc. Todd Kordich

Traffic Management, Inc. (TMI) Fernando Soriano

Associate Members: SC Fuels Jasmine Guiao

William A. Guthridge & Son, Inc. Richard Lee Guthridge

Poseidon Resources LLC Scott Maloni

QLM, Inc. Darrell Qualls, Jr.

Associate Member: DirtMarket LLC Rob Trujillo

Contractor Members: D T S Enterprise Inc. Dain Sorg

5 YEARS – 2019

4 YEARS – 2020

6 YEARS – 2018 Contractor Members: APB General Engineering Alfred Lee Moreno Trenching, Ltd. Jon Moreno

Contractor Members: Liffey Electric, Inc. Patrick (Paddy) White Sturgeon Electric California LLC Kevin Nelsen Teichert Utilities Tom Griffith Teichert Waterworks Tom Griffith

Contractor Member: Daleo Inc. David Levisay

3 YEARS – 2021 Contractor Members: Hodge Western Corp.

Alex Hodge SVG Contractors, Inc. Scott Helf

Santamaria Concrete Inc. Alexander Santamaria Ghilotti Bros and St. Francis Electric JV Mike Llamas

2 YEARS – 2022

GSB / Obayashi JV David Riccitiello Folsom Dam Constructors Wahid Tadros

Park West Landscape, Inc. Sarah Gallagher

Vortex Marine Construction, Inc. Blaise Fettig

Park West Rescom, Inc. Jim Tracy

Associate Members: California Equipment Company Charlie Kain-Williams

1 YEAR – 2023 Contractor Members: Auxilium Construction Resources, Inc. Ezra Hernandez

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of employees who work for organizations with wellness programs like their jobs more and this same percentage is extremely or very likely to recommend their employer to others.

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