HIGHLIGHTS:
UCON’s 2023 Professional Development Program
Critical Talent Development Strategies to Follow
FACES: UCON’s Annual Crab Feed
BAKERSFIELD
3340 Allen Rd.
Bakersfield, CA 93314 (661) 631-5777
CONCORD
5151 Port Chicago Highway Concord, CA 94520 (925) 822-0366
FRESNO
5704 S. Toyota Place Fresno, CA 93275 (559) 442-8989
HAYWARD
4125 Breakwater Avenue Hayward, CA 94545 (510) 786-9506
RENO
12905 Old Virginia Road Reno, NV 89521
(775) 348-0140
SACRAMENTO
8565 Elder Creek Road Sacramento, CA 95828
(916) 383-7475
SALT LAKE CITY
1135 S. Pioneer Road Salt Lake City, UT 84104 (801)886-0586
SAN JOSE
2969 Daylight Way San Jose, CA 95111 (408)224-1052
SAN LUIS OBISPO
635 Tank Farm Road San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805)543-0113
TURLOCK
2800 N. Golden State Blvd. Turlock, CA 95382 (209)632-5084
SANTA ROSA
3963 Santa Rosa Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707) 523-2350
SAN FRANCISCO 255 Selby Street San Francisco, CA 94124 (415) 642-2350
Kevin Hester, McGuire and Hester
Secretary/Treasurer Dale Breen, Midstate Barrier, Inc.
Sec/Treas-Elect ...... Juan C. Arrequin, Bay Line Cutting & Coring, Inc.
Kelly Attebery, F & M Bank; Tom Barr, Ghilotti Bros., Inc.; Bryn Burke, Dees Burke Engineering Constructors, LLC; Teresa Dias, Peterson Trucks, Inc.; Kurt Eddy, Pavement
Recycling Systems, Inc.; Greg Goebel Jr., Goebel Construction, Inc.; Alan Guy, Anvil Builders; Jeff Peel, Steve P. Rados, Inc.; Joe Sostaric, The Conco Companies
United Contractors Committee Chairs
Associates: Teresa Dias (Associate Director), Peterson Trucks, Inc. | Kelly Attebery (Associate Director-Elect), F & M Bank |
Caltrans: Michael Ghilotti (Chairman), Ghilotti Bros., Inc. |
Legislative: Rob Layne, O.C. Jones & Sons, Inc. | Political
Action (PAC): Chris Young (Chairman), D.W. Young Construction Co., Inc. | Safety & Insurance: Robert Sabin, Harbor Linx, Inc. | Attorney Roundtable (ART): Facilitated by Mark Breslin
| SF City Contractor Liaison: Mike Ghilotti (Chairman), Ghilotti Bros., Inc., Miguel Galarza (Chairman), Yerba Buena
Engineering & Construction, Inc. | Scholarship: Trony Fuller, West Coast Sand & Gravel | Southern CA Steering Committee: Steve Concannon, Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc.
Mark Breslin, Chief Executive Officer; Emily Cohen, Executive Vice President; Tejel Patel, Executive Assistant to CEO; Julie Hinge, Executive Assistant to EVP; Victor Sella, Vice President of Labor Relations; Clay O’Neal, Regional Vice President, Southern CA Operations; Dave Jenkins, Contractor Services, Southern California; Ruby Varnadore, Labor Contracts Manager; Lucia Mixon, Senior Labor & Member Services Specialist; Sandra Kaya, Administrative Specialist; Sue Weiler-Doke, Labor Relations Consultant; Melissa Gutwald, Director of Finance & Operations; Denise Ramirez, Online Services Manager; Emmy McConnell, Senior Accountant; Michelle Hannigan, Bookkeeper; Angelica Gouig, Director of Events & Education; Christine Traina, Event Manager; Rachel Oraa, Event Assistant; Avanti Mehta, Education Assistant; Marissa Miller, Marketing & Communications Manager; Michelle Vejby, Publications Manager; Eddie Bernacchi, UCON Chief Lobbyist; Christopher Lee, Safety Consultant; Drew Delaney, Mike Buckantz, Regulatory Consultants
UCON’s Crab Feed
In recent years, our industry has seen significant growth, exciting opportunities, and an increase in funding for the work that we do in our state. However, with this growth comes challenges to which we must adapt—and that’s not easy. Thankfully, UCON stays ahead of the game to ensure that we are prepared to face those challenges. This month’s magazine is focused on solving some of those challenges through professional development and employee retention efforts.
It seems that the construction industry gets hit left and right with new challenges almost daily. Just after getting through the COVID-19 pandemic and all that came with it, we are now being hit with an unprecedented shortage in skilled labor and a struggle to retain the employees that we do have. And, with billions of dollars of statewide infrastructure funding coming down the line over the next few years, we need be prepared to step up with a strong workforce.
A survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that nearly 90% of employees said that professional development or career growth opportunities were very important to them. No matter the industry, employees today want those chances —and we should be encouraging that. Often, these opportunities
are hard to come by and come with a cost, whether financial or time related, but UCON has addressed this issue by offering a variety of highly rated educational opportunities—many of them virtual and free for members—for your whole staff, from your field team to your executive team.
Another issue that I feel strongly about is safety for all employees, ensuring a good work and life balance, and reducing workers comp claims. We need to make sure that our employees come to us trained, fit, and safe to perform the task for which they are assigned. For example, we can’t expect a general laborer to wrestle daily with a ninety-pound jackhammer and not
have that take a toll on their bodies over the long term. UCON’s Safety Committee monitors and advocates on Cal/OSHA issues and develops new safety products for the UCON membership. I encourage you to join one of their meetings which occur every six weeks and are virtual. As committee member, Jasmine Gongora of Safety Seal & Stripe comments, “we come together to ask questions, share insight, and work together to create a diverse approach to building a bigger, better safety culture in the industry as a whole.” The next meeting is April 5 at 1:30 pm.
Additionally, I’ve noticed a few trends in our industry that I find interesting. To address the growing cost of construction materials, as well as the environmental impact of construction and carbon emissions, there’s been an increase in energyefficient practices like using hybrid equipment using biofuel and electric power. For example, the wine industry in Napa is getting behind Monarch Tractor, the first fully electric tractor on the market. Construction equipment and materials can’t be far behind.
We have also recently seen the growth of public-private partnerships (PPPs). An interesting and mutually beneficial collaboration between the public and private sectors, these
...NEARLY 90% OF EMPLOYEES SAID THAT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OR CAREER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES WERE VERY IMPORTANT...Project photo courtesy of Preston Companies
partnerships intend to deliver public infrastructure projects more efficiently and cost-effectively. This has become an increasingly popular model for infrastructure development, as it allows the public sector to access private sector funding and take advantage of their expertise and energy. Many of our colleagues in the industry have been active participants in PPPs, including the Presidio Parkway project in San Francisco and the SR-125 toll road project in San Diego.
This is my first UpFront as President of UCON, and I am looking forward to sharing my insights on the industry over the next year. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead this organization; an organization that is so committed to supporting and advocating for unionsignatory heavy civil engineering contractors working in California. The work that this organization does on behalf of our industry is second to none, and I encourage you to take advantage of the services that they offer.
With billions of infrastructure dollars becoming available in coming years, most of it thanks to United Contractors’
behind-the-scenes government relations efforts, California’s construction industry is poised for massive economic growth. We need to make sure we are prepared.
Taking advantage of opportunities like UCON’s professional development program, participating in one of UCON’s professional committees, or staying up to date through UCON’s industry updates can help to make this happen. If you’re not sure how you can take advantage of all that UCON has to offer, reach out to them. They’re always available to help. I look forward to serving you as your president this year and seeing you at the next great UCON event. z
Ron Bianchini is the Vice President/COO of Preston Pipelines, Inc./Preston Companies and was installed as the 2023 President of United Contractors earlier this year. If you have any questions about how United Contractors can serve your company, please contact us at info@unitedcontractors.org or call 925-855-7500. Our professional development courses and events are listed at www.unitedcontractors.org/calendar.
ore and more contractors are encountering Skilled & Trained Workforce compliance requirements on their projects. Many of them are discovering in the process that they are not prepared to meet these requirements, which is not a good thing when already in the middle of a project. The following is an overview of what contractors need to know.
Since 2016, state law has required the use of a “Skilled and Trained Workforce” on certain types of projects: best value, design-build, and lease-leaseback (for schools). Projects can be either public works or private. All contractors must employ workers on these projects who meet the Skilled and Trained Workforce (STW) standards. This means that all of these workers must either be “skilled journeypersons” or apprentices registered with a California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) approved apprenticeship program.
“Skilled journeyperson” is defined as a worker who
Has graduated from an apprenticeship program for the applicable occupation that was approved by the DAS, or a program located outside California and approved for federal purposes pursuant to the apprenticeship regulations adopted by the federal Secretary of Labor; OR
Has been employed as a journeyperson and has at least as many hours of on-the-job experience in an applicable occupation as would be required to graduate from a DAS-approved apprenticeship program for that occupation.
Underground wet and dry utilities, cabling, signals, and lighting; soils testing, management, and disposal; and fill site management.
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60% of skilled journeypersons on the project must be graduates of a DAS-approved apprenticeship program, except for the crafts identified in Public Contract Code Section 2601 that remain at 30% (which includes Operating Engineers, Cement Masons, Carpenters, and Piledrivers). The Laborers also have special rules applicable to journeypersons who began work prior to the establishment of the apprenticeship program. The percentages apply to these crafts in both Northern and Southern California.
Public agencies are required to include a notice in all bid documents and construction contracts when the use of a skilled and trained workforce is required. However, all contractors—especially subcontractors —need to be vigilant in researching before bidding whether or not projects fall under these requirements.
Experienced journeypersons should meet the criteria for “b” above. However, a large number of the heavy and highway trade workers have not graduated from apprenticeship programs. As a result, many crafts have created advanced or accelerated apprenticeship programs to accommodate this requirement. The programs vary per craft, but most require the completion of some assessments and some classwork, along with hours of on-the-job experience while enrolled in the program for several months. UCON strongly recommends that contractors who have not done so already encourage their journeypersons to enroll in these advanced apprenticeship programs as space is limited.
The Labor Commissioner (DLSE) is responsible for monitoring and enforcement. There are requirements for monthly reports from awarding bodies, payment withholding limits and requirements, and potential monetary and civil penalties and bidding restrictions on contractors who are out of compliance, as well as contractors whose subcontractors are out of compliance. Contractors who are found to be out of
compliance are first given an opportunity to become compliant, but contractors cannot afford to lag behind in awareness or preparation on these types of projects.
• UCON’s Skilled & Trained Workforce Guide provides detail on these laws, information on the different union programs, and a question and answer section. This guide is available to our contractor members in the Contractor Resources Library on the UCON website.
• A recording of UCON’s recent Skilled & Trained Workforce webinar is available to members in our online Education Library (see below).
• The DIR Public Works Contractors page (https:// www.dir.ca.gov/Public-Works/Contractors. html) has links to a summary of Skilled & Trained Workforce Statutes, and FAQ on the requirements that contain greater detail on reporting and enforcement.
• Please feel free to reach out directly to the Labor & Member Services team at (925) 855-7900 with any questions you may have. z
Now On-Demand in UCON’s Education Library
Sign in to the United Contractors website, or select the Members Only icon in the UCON App to access members-only content, including recorded education classes like this one, taught by UCON’s VP of Labor Relations, Victor Sella.
This class is for anyone responsible for ensuring that their company has a workforce compliant with Skilled & Trained Workforce (STW) guidelines. STW is not just a compliance issue; it’s a competitive issue that increasingly favors those who get up to speed early. In 45 minutes, you and your team will clearly understand the STW framework, get clear steps on the fastest ways to get compliant, and learn how to respond effectively to STW compliance requests.
________________
MARCH 30, 2023 (THURSDAY) – ONLINE
Co-hosted with the California State Labor Commissioner’s Office
Prevailing Wage/Labor Compliance Workshop
JUNE 8, 2023 (THURSDAY) – ONLINE
Co-hosted with the California State Labor Commissioner’s Office
Prevailing Wage/Labor Compliance Workshop
JULY 25, 2023 (TUESDAY) – ONLINE
Co-hosted with the California State Labor Commissioner’s Office
Prevailing Wage/Labor Compliance Workshop
SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 (WEDNESDAY)
Co-hosted with the California State Labor Commissioner’s Office
Prevailing Wage/Labor Compliance Workshop
OCTOBER 12, 2023 (THURSDAY)
Co-hosted with the California State Labor Commissioner’s Office and The City and County of San Francisco
Prevailing Wage/Labor Compliance Workshop
The Foundation for Fair Contracting (FFC) is kicking off its twenty-second annual conference series, offered online again in 2023. The conferences provide an overview of the prevailing wage system including current regulations and pending legislation, with speakers from both State and Federal organizations. A perfect opportunity to train new hires or a refresher for seasoned staff, and free to all contractors in the public works industry. The schedule is listed below, and registration for all webinars can be found at www.ffccalifornia.com/registration-handouts
Can’t make it on the scheduled dates? Need specialized assistance? FFC In-House Training may be the answer for you!
The FFC is available to conduct prevailing wage/ labor compliance training workshops at your company. FFC provides individualized assistance based on your group’s needs. Visit www.ffccalifornia.com or call (916) 487-7871 to register for a workshop or to schedule your personalized training session. z
Have you contacted your union’s training center lately to see what they have to help you develop an effective workforce? The list below contains links to training program information including apprenticeship, and upcoming schedules where available, and the main phone numbers to contact at each training center.
Carpenters/Pile Drivers: (925) 462-9640 — main training department
• https://journeyman.ctcnc.org/
Journeyperson-level class schedules and course descriptions, plus self-enrollment links for employees
• http://www.ctcnc.org/apprenticeship.html
Find information on the Training Center in your area
Cement Masons: (925) 484-2271 — nccmjatc@sbcglobal.net
• https://www.norcalcementmasons.org/Training_Journey/
General information on journey-level training
• http://www.norcalcementmasonsapprenticeship.org/ index.htm
Information on apprenticeship, including courses and schedule of classes
Laborers: (925) 828-2513 — training@norcaltc.org, apprenticeship@norcaltc.org
• https://norcaltc.org/
Information on both journey-level training and apprenticeship, along with current schedule of classes
Operating Engineers Local No. 3: (916) 354-2029 — sjones@oe3jac.org
• https://www.oe3jatc.org
Information on both journey-level training and apprenticeship
Teamsters: (916) 354-2122 — info@nctat.org
• www.nctat.org/cs/
Information on training; click on the drop-down under Current Classes for the Class Schedule
Carpenters/Pile Drivers: (855) 533-5282 — fundoffice@swmsctf.org
• https://www.swctf.org/
Information on both journey-level training and apprenticeship
• https://www.swctf.org/schedule/
Link to the current class schedule by course or by location
Cement Masons:
(626) 444-4600
• https://www.cmscapprentice.org/
Information on apprenticeship
• https://www.cmscapprentice.org/training-schedules-1
Schedule for classes by location and program (apprentice schedules, and OSHA and Confined Space which are also open to journey-level workers)
Laborers:
(626) 610-1700
• https://www.laborerstrainingschool.com/
Information on both journey-level training and apprenticeship
• https://www.laborerstrainingschool.com/calendars.html
Schedule for classes by location and program
Operating Engineers Local No. 12: (562) 695-0611 — office@oett.net
• https://www.oett.net/
Information on both journeyman training and apprenticeship
Iron Workers: (707) 746-7666
• http://www.ironworkers.org/training
Information on both journeyman training and apprenticeship
• http://www.ironworkers.org/training/regional-training-centers
Link to class schedules
he Governor’s January budget was released on January 10, and is just the beginning of a month-long budget process. The following is an analysis of the Governor’s January Budget for 2023-24, and how it relates specifically to transportation and infrastructure related
The programs that the transportation construction industry cares about are seeing reductions in many of the one-time General Fund appropriations achieved in the budget last year, delayed expenditures, and shifts in special funds while not tapping into state reserves. While some of the proposed reductions to one-time General Fund investments would be backfilled, the source of the backfill is existing transportation funding. Therefore, the Governor’s January Budget is still a net loss for transportation programs and projects. Our partners will be digging into the impacts these proposals would have, if adopted, on existing programs, such as the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) and will follow up with more information as it becomes available.
SUMMARY: The 2023-24 January Budget reflects significant revenue losses—to the tune of $29.5 billion below estimates—and an estimated budget gap of $22.5 billion. Tax receipts have underperformed for a few key reasons—high-inflation, multiple federal reserve bank interest rate changes, and stock market declines. The stock market influence over California’s fiscal condition
is oversized with a large portion of tax revenues coming from capital gains and progressive personal income tax structures.
The Governor’s budget emphasizes the state’s ability to weather this fiscal storm given prudent planning, saving for a rainy day, and accelerated debt repayment over the last decade. The 2023-24 January Budget proposes additional actions that will allow the state to avoid draconian cuts to priority programs as was the case during the Great Recession. Specifically, the Governor’s budget proposes funding delays ($7.4 billion), reductions and pullbacks ($5.7 billion), funds shifts ($4.3 billion), trigger reductions ($3.9 billion), and limited revenue generation and borrowing ($1.2 billion). The fiscal picture remains uncertain; as such, the Governor does not propose to draw from its reserve accounts to close the budget gap. Depending on the revenue condition between now and the May Revision, the Governor may propose withdrawing from reserve accounts and make additional reductions if the situation worsens or may reconsider spending delays and reductions if the fiscal picture improves.
Transportation:
Due to projected revenue decreases, the Governor’s 2023-24 state budget includes $2.7 billion in reductions from one-time General Fund allocations. These cuts would be partially offset by a $500 million allocation from the State Highway Account, which would otherwise fund state highway maintenance, operations, and improvements, for a net reduction of $2.2 billion.
1. Transit and Intercity Rail Capital — $2 billion reduction and delayed expenditures. The 2022-23 Budget included $2 billion in 2023-24 and $2 billion in 2024-25. The Governor’s Budget reduces this to $1 billion in 2023-24, $500 million in 2024-25, and $500 million in 2025-26. The $2 billion reduction would be subject to restoration in the 2024 Governor’s budget if sufficient revenue is available.
2. Active Transportation Program — $200 million net reduction. Last year’s transportation funding package allocated $1 billion in 2021-22 from the General Fund.
The Governor’s Budget reduces this amount by $500 million with a $300 million backfill from the State Highway Account that allows the program to sustain all projects funded in the California Transportation Commission’s 2023 grant cycle.
3. Railroad Grade Separations — No net reduction and delayed expenditures. Last year’s transportation funding package allocated $350 million in 2021-22 from the General Fund for railroad grade separation projects, with anticipated expenditures in 2023-24. The Governor’s Budget delays these expenditures until 2025-26.
4. Climate Adaptation Program — No net reduction. The full $200 million allocation in 2021-22 for regional and local transportation climate adaptation grants is retained in the Governor’s budget, although funding would now be from the State Highway Account instead of the General Fund.
The Governor’s budget projects increases in special transportation fund revenues, with a 4.3-cent inflationary adjustment to the gasoline excise tax and a 3.3-cent inflationary adjustment to the diesel excise tax, both effective July 1, 2023. Revenues from the SB 1 Transportation Improvement Fee, which is charged along with vehicle registrations, will grow by 8.9% year-over-year. The SB 1 Road Improvement Fee for zero emission vehicles still comprises a tiny component of total revenues, but it is projected to nearly double from $43 million in 2022-23 to $81 million in 2023-24.
Continued on next page
The Governor’s 2023-24 budget includes $2.5 billion in General Fund reductions across various ZEV programs, which are partially offset by approximately $1.4 billion from Cap-and-Trade program Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds (GGRF).
1. Equitable Zero-Emission Vehicles and Infrastructure — a $745 million reduction; partially offset with $535 million from GGRF. This maintains $2.1 billion.
2. Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles and Supporting Infrastructure — a $1.5 billion reduction for heavy-duty ZEVS and supporting infrastructure, partially offset by $839 million from GGRF. This maintains $5.3 billion.
3. Community-Based Zero-Emission Mobility — a $184 million reduction; partially offset by $25 million from GGRF. This maintains $180 million.
4. Aviation, Off-Road, Maritime, Rail and Hydrogen — a $133 million reduction; partially offset by a $40 million from GGRF. This maintains $1.3 billion.
The release of the January Budget on January 10, is just step one in a months’ long budget process. The Legislature will convene their respective budget committees and subcommittees in the coming days and weeks to vet Governor Newsom’s January Budget proposals. However, the process does not truly pick up momentum until the Governor releases his May Revision, which will account for April tax receipts and provide a clearer fiscal picture. From mid-May to June 15, it’s a marathon of more budget committee and subcommittee hearings, negotiating between the houses and then between the Legislature and Governor, and action to adopt a budget bill. Note, the Legislature can amend the budget (through a vehicle called a “budget bill junior”) and adopt budget trailer bills (policy vehicles associated with budget implementation) through the end of the legislative session on September 14, 2023.
We will continue tracking this process and provide updates as we receive them. z
Kiana brings more than a decade of policy experience in transportation, local government, and state funding and budget issues. She played a leading role in the passage and implementation of some of California’s most significant transportation funding decisions over the last decade including SB 1. She is the Executive Director at Transportation CA, a Principal at Politico Group, and part of the UCON Legislative Team.
While the Governor’s proposed budget would reduce or delay one-time General Fund investments in transit, active transportation, and climate adaptation programs, SB 1 remains untouched and intact. In fact, SB 1 funding is projected to increase in the next fiscal year due to its historic annual inflationary adjustments, which ensure funding keeps up with the cost of doing business in California.
Get involved, learn more, and make a difference by attending UCONs Legislative Committee. The next meeting is March 30, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
United Contractors invites all contractors to attend. Members will have the opportunity to hear from UCON’s full lobbying team and provide input on a wide variety of legislation relevant to our contractors and the union construction industry.
This is an open committee and best suited for contractor owners, principals and senior managers interested in staying up to date on state legislation, providing feedback on behalf of the industry, and learning about the legislative process.
UCON’s Legislative Committee is the primary platform for members to help guide the organization’s mission and advocacy work.
Register to attend: www.unitedcontractors.org/ event/2023-legislative-committee-meeting. For questions contact Julie Hinge, (925) 967-2466, jhinge@unitedcontractors.org
UCON’s full committee list can be found on our website at www.unitedcontractors.org—joining a committee is a great way to get involved, network, and help to push change. z
Employees in the workplace today care a lot about further knowledge, learning, and development opportunities. The level to which a company invests in talent development plays a significant role in an employee’s decision to stay with a company or not.
This method increases efficiency, production, and overall achievement of the company.
By implementing and practicing talent development, employees will acknowledge their roles and have the skills and tools they need; this helps them enact fewer errors. Appropriate training also increases employee engagement, which enhances their general performance.
Talent Development focuses on evolving employees’ skills and proficiency by generating inclusive individual learning and development plans. This means that each employee at a particular company has an unobstructed path to expand their skills and achieve their professional ambitions.
On the other hand, Talent Management is an organizational strategy for searching, hiring, and retaining top talent and high-quality employees to develop their skills continuously.
• Increasing employee retention — The continuous implementation of talent development
does help job seekers to find a job to identify their strengths and look for opportunities for growth as an employee.
• Boosting employee and business performance — Every employee is the key to a successful business; if you empower them with the greatness they need, all of you shall reap the rewards.
• Improving your succession planning — With all the training and first-hand experience of every employee, your succession plan has a greater chance of exceeding the expectation of success.
• Recognizing the relationship between feedback and performance — Giving feedback always works out well when it comes to improving someone’s performance; this helps managers and employees develop their strengths further.
Expanding a talent development plan doesn’t simply involve initiative and seeing who or what sticks. An effective program begins first and foremost with assessing employees’ current skills.
Continued on next page
Building a progressive development program is a longterm investment. In one survey, 96% of respondents said they want to measure learning, but only 50% evaluate knowledge based on ROI, organizational impact, and job performance. Ideally, it is crucial to incorporate impact measurement and evaluation methods into the program.
For a talent development program to be successful, there must be buy-in from the top down.
According to the 2020 Linkedin Learning Report, only 27% of learning and development professionals report that their CEOs are active top-down champions of
though time spent on talent development may seem to draw time away from the operational day-to-day business operations, it can still have a substantial positive impact in many ways.
Employers should look towards solutions that combine online and in-person learning experiences that reinforce one another.
Talent development is a crucial component of increasing employee engagement. Ensuring that there are builtin opportunities for employees to collaborate and connect in their talent development journey is essential. Employers should consider adding a mentorship component to their plan and facilitating group activities to give employees a chance to work together towards a common goal.
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Recognizing the relationship between feedback and performance — Giving feedback always works out well when it comes to improving someone’s performance; this helps managers and employees develop their strengths further.
A successful talent development plan is strengthened by the core foundation of the company’s values and a deep understanding of why such matters are essential in creating opportunities for employees to put values into practice. z
Deirdre, founder of Deirdre Orr Consulting, and an expert career coach, she provides professionals of all levels with insight, tools, and motivation to help them navigate their entire career ladder, www. deirdreorr.com
Talent development can be your competitive advantage. More engaged employees with pathways to develop skills means better retention. Participants in talent development programs are more effective in the workplace, make meaningful contributions to teams, and advance their careers; they do what good talent does, and the industry desperately needs: they lead, manage, influence, coach, and elevate others.
Take advantage of UCON’s Professional Development programs, curated for our members and specific to the construction industry:
• 40+ Classes: Leadership, Safety, Compliance, HR, Construction Specific and more.
• Most classes are FREE to UCON members!
• Over 4,300 individuals from over 230 companies registered for courses in 2022!
UCON’s ongoing professional development courses support
member skill development, leadership capacity, and problemsolving.
A key strategy for attracting and retaining the best in your company involves investing in professional development, skills and education, and providing inspiring leadership. This investment is important to make. Three-fourths of employees would leave a job without skills, support, and growth.
Since 2019, UCON has more than tripled the number of classes and training. In addition to the courses offered, UCON has also developed the United Contractors App for phones and tablets to make it easy for contractors and teams to participate from anywhere (see Last Call on page 38).
For 2023, UCON has over 40 classes addressing skills
development, leadership, and relevant classes for all levels in the organization benefiting a broad range of employees, from top management to PMs, superintendents, forepersons, and more. As part of your membership, you have access to these; most at no additional cost.
UCON’s professional development and educational development, include a wide array of courses designed for our industry and our members—both large and small.
We gather well-respected instructors to provide classes in critical categories for our members: Leadership, Safety, Business & Computer Skills, Compliance, HR, Contracts, Accounting, and more. Targeted courses like Overtime and Special Shifts (both Northern and Southern CA specific), Supply Chain Management, Administering a Construction Project, Leading Across Generations, and more, help a variety of skill levels across the entire organization.
• Ask your IT department to add App.socio.events and survey.zohopublic to your allowed list—use Google Chrome or Firefox when taking a virtual class.
• Use the same email address and password for the UCON App and the UCON website (note: the log-ins are separate as a security measure for member benefits such as on-demand class recordings).
• Bookmark the UCON desktop app for easy access.
UCON is committed to serving as the statewide leader in delivering professional, technical, and leadership development content that invests in your people. We are here to serve you, your employees, and the greater industry. Our extensive professional development program is one more way to make a difference. See our full 2023 Professional Development catalog included with this issue, and/or register at: www. unitedcontractors.org/calendar
For any questions regarding UCON’s programs, contact Angelica Gouig, Director of Events and Education, at agouig@unitedcontractors.org or (925) 362-7309. u
• Encourage your teams to sign up for a leader or skill class; as an employee, ask your manager or supervisor for approval to sign up for a class.
• Build professional development and skill courses into annual reviews and quarterly goals with staff
• Participate in leadership training.
• Encourage participants at every level to share their “takeaways” or best practices from a training with the remaining team.
• Group Training: gather your team around for one of the leadership or relevant training classes available.
EXCAVATION OF SOIL IS DANGEROUS WORK and can lead to severe injuries and even death if the excavation process is not properly addressed. National Trench Safety has a full complement of excavation support systems as well as engineering and training services to ensure you have the equipment needed to perform the job safely and effectively.
In 2021, LIUNA’s commitment to training and apprenticeship in California included:
635,709 HOURS OF TRAINING
4,782 CLASSES PERFORMED
1,881 APPRENTICESHIP GRADUATES
26,957 STUDENTS TAUGHT
Thank you to everyone who joined us Thursday, February 16th, at the Marriott, San Ramon, for our annual Crab Feed! It was great to see you all and start off the year with this exceptional event. Over 600 members, union leaders, and affiliates enjoyed networking, reconnecting, and fresh Dungeness Crab (over 2100 lbs. of it!)...plus, those fresh donuts were terrific!
Thank you to all the Crab Feed sponsors, UCON Annual Sponsors and Volunteers for helping to make this one of UCON’s most-loved, and attended events—join us for more upcoming opportunities in 2023 (see page 28)
“This event cuts through job titles and creates an even playing field due to the casual, yet classy, fun and friendly atmosphere. I look forward to connecting with people I met.”
Enoven
THANK YOU EVENT SPONSORS:
CUP SPONSOR:
TABLE NUMBER SPONSORS:
MINT SPONSOR:
HAND SANITIZER SPONSOR:
HAND WIPES SPONSOR:
BAR SPONSORS:
THANK YOU TO OUR UCON 2023 ANNUAL SPONSORS:
ANNUAL PLATINUM SPONSORS —
Ghilotti Construction Co.
R N R Construction, Inc.
Trench Shoring Company
ANNUAL GOLD SPONSORS —
Anvil Builders
Bay Area Traffic Solutions
Chrisp Company
Granite Construction Company
Graniterock
Griffin Soil Group
Joseph J. Albanese, Inc.
PACE Supply
Pavement Coatings Co.
Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc.
Peterson Cat
R & M Paving
Smith Currie & Hancock, LLP
Stacy and Witbeck, Inc.
Sukut Construction
Sully-Miller Contracting Company
Sweeney Mason LLP
Teichert Inc.
United Rentals Trench Safety
Vulcan Materials Company
Woodruff-Sawyer & Co.
ANNUAL SILVER SPONSORS — Acrisure/PentaRisk Insurance Services LLC
Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.
Bauman Landscape and Construction, Inc.
Bay Area Temporary Sanitation
BFBA, LLP
Blue Iron Foundations & Shoring LLC
BrightView Landscape Development, Inc.
California Bank of Commerce
Carno Law Group
Cell-Crete Corporation
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
The Conco Companies
DMZ Builders
Doyle’s Work Company, Inc.
Dynamic Office & Accounting Solutions/ Dynamic Technical Partners
Ghilotti Bros., Inc.
The Hartford
Heritage Bank of Commerce
Hoseley Corporation
JCC, Inc.
Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.
Knife River Construction
McSherry & Hudson, LLC
Midstate Barrier, Inc.
Moss Adams LLP
National Trench Safety, LLC
Newfront
Silverado Contractors, Inc.
Smith Denison Construction Co.
Team Ghilotti, Inc.
Toro Enterprises, Inc.
TYS, LLP
Underground Construction Co., Inc.
Volvo Construction Equipment & Services
Walsh Construction Company II, LLC
Special Thank You’s: Thank you to Harvey’s Donuts!
Thank you to Construct Your Image for their work on the sponsor signs and UCON swag.
Thank you to Brad Kinney Productions for providing the AV for the event.
Special thank you to Breslow Imaging for photography, and capturing the vibe of the event!
Thank you to the San Ramon Marriott for their exceptional service.
Thank you to Winslow & Associates!
Thank You to our Event Chairperson and our Fantastic Volunteers:
Chair: Kevin Reimers, Woodruff-Sawyer & Co.
Mehrzad Adelzadeh, CNA Surety
Rachael Brown, Sweeney Mason LLP
Kelly Attebery, F & M Bank
Teresa Dias, Peterson Trucks, Inc.
Andrew Holloway, Woodruff-Sawyer & Co.
Malia Kiger, Liberty Mutual Surety
Matt Lockie, Liberty Mutual Surety
Clinton Pickering, Clifton Larson Allen LLP
Erik Pierce, California Bank of Commerce
Keary Sullivan, F & M Bank
Hiromi Young, Allen Construction Group LLP
“As always, getting together with so many like-minded folks is always a good time”
Peterson Trucks
“Simply awesome event.”
— Total Traffic Control, Inc.
Join UCON on March 20, 2023 for our Public Works Summit at the Anaheim Hilton (see next page).
This event will feature all the major agencies including Caltrans, LA METRO, LAWA/LAX VNY, Metrolink, MWD, OTCA, The Port of LA, The Port of Long Beach, and more!
It’s a valuable opportunity to build relationships with Agencies, and engage with your peers—come to learn about industry opportunities for the 2028 LA Olympics!
Last year’s event drew over 300 industry professionals to learn and network with California’s leading Public Works agencies—don’t miss this year’s event coming up soon.
For additional information, or if you have any questions regarding sponsorships, contact UCON events team: Christine Traina, Event Manager, ctraina@unitedcontractors.org, or Rachel Oraa, Events Assistant, roraa@unitedcontractors.org.
UCON’S Scholarship Program Fundraiser | 3:00-7:00pm
Thursday, May 4, 2023
$180/member; $280/non-member (Early-bird, expires 4/5!)
$195/member; $295/non-member (Standard)
Wente Vineyards, 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore
20, 2023
MARCH 20, 2023 | ANAHEIM HILTON, 777 W. CONVENTION WAY
7:00AM Registration | Summit 8:00AM-3:30PM - Breakfast and Lunch Provided
Early Bird Ticket (until Feb. 20) $110/member ; $210/ non-member Standard Ticket (until Mar. 10) $125/member; $225/non-member
• BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH AGENCIES
• ENGAGE WITH YOUR PEERS
• LEARN ABOUT INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE LA 2028 OLYMPICS
REGISTER/SPONSOR: WWW.UNITEDCONTRACTORS.ORG/CALENDAR SCAN TO REGISTER AND SPONSOR
EQUIPPED WITH SUBSITE PIPE & CABLE LOCATORS FOR “PRECISE” POTHOLES AND UTILITY LOCATES. TWO PERSON OPERATION CAN OUTDO THE WORK OF MULTIPLE TRUCKS, AIR COMPRESSOR AND MINI EXCAVATORS.
COMPACTION TOOLS
FASTER EFFICIENT
HYDRO EXCAVATION
AIR EXCAVATION
HYDRAULIC JACKHAMMERS
SOFT DIG, WET OR DRY
FULLY TRAVERSING, BUMPER MOUNTED, ASPHALT OR CONCRETE, CORING UNIT
STREET LEGAL FULLY LOADED 7 YARD CAPACITY
CALL FOR DEMO TODAY!
800-350-2595
DAYLIGHTING
POTHOLING
POLE REPLACEMENT
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN: DEADLINE, MARCH 31, 2023
Gather your safety information from last year’s 2022 projects UCON’s Statewide R.E.A.L. Safety Awards , honoring the safest companies in our industry by R ecognizing wareness, and L eadership in safety.
All contractors are eligible to apply. Applications are available online through March 31, 2023 at unitedcontractors.org.
Awards will be given in the following categories: Man-hour categories: awarded to a UCON member based on man-hours worked and Cal/OSHA Recordable Incident Rate for 2022—there are multiple man-hour categories available:
,000 Man-hours
,001-250,000 Man-hours
,001-500,000 Man-hours
,001-1,000,000 Man-hours
,001+ Man-hours
Most Improved Safety Rating Safety Hero of the Year
Most Unique Safety Project
For more information, contact Julie Hinge, (925) 967-2466, jhinge@unitedcontractors.org
Some restrictions apply. All applications for all categories will be judged anonymously to provide an unbiased score on your applicaiton.
Mary Teichert, President of Teichert Inc., a 5thgeneration family business founded in 1887, was
in San Francisco as a consultant. Mary returned to the family business in 2004, and began learning the ropes as a Quality Assurance technician. Her career at the company has included plant management, material sales, estimating, project management, and division leadership roles prior to her becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2013 and President in 2020.
Mary is a staunch advocate for women in Heavy Civil construction. In 2021 she facilitated a series of workshops sponsored by the Small Business Administration, the California State License Board, the Building Industry Association, and the California Capital Women’s Business Center on helping women and minorities become licensed contractors. With the large and growing demand for talent in this industry, she notes that the small number of women in Heavy Civil (which is currently less than 10% women in operations) represents a wealth of workforce development opportunity. Mary is proud to be stepping into the Presidency of the Beavers at this point in history.
The Beavers, founded in 1955, is a social, honorary organization formed, organized and managed by the construction companies and individuals who are or have engaged in heavy engineering construction. The purpose of the Beavers is to promote goodwill, friendliness and consideration within the heavy engineering construction industry; to give recognition to those men and women who have demonstrated particular skill, responsibility and integrity; and to encourage and support entry of promising young individuals into heavy engineering construction. Teichert is a UCON member since 2013. z
Preston Companies announced new leadership and management appointments effective early 2023. Chris Ramos has been appointed Vice President of Field Operations, supporting field operations, processes and the company’s people, alongside Rich Lewis, aslo Vice President of Field Operations.
“In his time at Preston, Chris has proven that he understands the work in the field and the sense of urgency that leads to supported crews, optimized production, and satisfied customers,” said President Jordan Thomas. “He has earned the respect of office and field staff and
is viewed as a valuable resource and advisor. With Rich and Chris working together, we will take the next step in scaling up our field support to match our growing workforce.”
In additiona, Ian McCoog was promoted to Project Executive, following in Ramos’ footsteps and will lead the Milpitas (CA) team.
“From the beginning, Ian has shown that he embodies all the qualities we value at Preston: quality, integrity, service, and beyond,” adds President Jordan Thomas.
Preston Companies is excited to see the team continue to work together to mold the next generation of leadership within the company. Preston is a UCON member since 1970, and is one of the founding members of the association. z
Representing the Bay Area in Construction Contract Disputes and Collection Matters, Employment Law and Labor Relations, Business Law, Estate Planning, and Real Estate Law.
Joseph Sweeney jsweeney@smwb.com
Roger Mason rmason@smwb.com
Kurt Wilson kwilson@smwb.com
Stuart Schmidt sschmidt@smwb.com
Christoper Olson colson@smwb.com
Romin Thomson rthomson@smwb.com
Scott A. Mangum smangum@smwb.com
David Lee dlee@smwb.com
Bill Kaufman wkaufman@smwb.com
Rachael Brown reb@smwb.com
Jon Robb jrobb@smwb.com
Liudmyla (Mila) Balke mbalke@smwb.com
Laura-Lahela Ginn llginn@smwb.com
Nathaniel Lucey nlucey@smwb.com
Caitlin Kaufman ckaufman@smwb.com
983 University Avenue, Suite 104C Los Gatos, CA 95032
(408) 356-3000
sweeneymason.com
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 March:
42 YEARS – 1981
Associate Member:
Oldcastle Precast, Inc.
Joe Barden
41 YEARS – 1982
Associate Member: Aon Construction Services Group
Donna Revis
37 YEARS – 1986
Contractor Member:
T.D.W. Construction, Inc.
Edmundo Alire, Jr.
30 YEARS – 1993
Associate Member: CNA Surety
Paul Kitchell
29 YEARS – 1994
Associate Member: Cresco Equipment Rentals
Chris Smith
28 YEARS – 1995
Associate Member: AWSI
Brandon Jentzen
25 YEARS – 1998
Associate Member:
D.P. Nicoli, Inc.
Michael Casas
24 YEARS – 1999
Contractor Member: Central Striping Service, Inc.
James Lesniewski
Associate Member: Harris Blade Rental
Sandy Thomson
21 YEARS – 2002
Contractor Member: CMC Traffic Control
dba CMC Construction Crystal Miks
20 YEARS – 2003
Contractor Member: D.A. Wood Construction, Inc.
Dan Wood, Jr.
Associate Member: Heffernan Insurance Brokers
John Clark
18 YEARS – 2005
Contractor Member: Argonaut Constructors
Michael Smith, Jr.
Associate Member: Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
Robert Fried
17 YEARS – 2006
Contractor Member: Cal State Constructors, Inc.
Don Cabianca
16 YEARS – 2007
Contractor Member:
Tri-Valley Excavating
Mike Garcia
15 YEARS – 2008
Contractor Member: Inner City Demolition, Inc.
James Campanella
14 YEARS – 2009
Contractor Member: RNR Construction, Inc.
Andre Catellier, P.E.
12 YEARS – 2011
Associate Member: Construction Testing Services
Brenda Harris
11 YEARS – 2012
Contractor Member: Guy F. Atkinson Construction, LLC
Brianne Conroy
10 YEARS – 2013
Contractor Member: Roadway Construction, Inc.
Reza Yazdi
Associate Member: Downey Brand LLP
Sean Filippini
Filice Insurance Agency
Steve Giachetti
9 YEARS – 2014
Contractor Members: Goebel Construction, Inc.
Greg Goebel
Ransome Company
Geoff Raaka
Associate Members: Rebel Equipment Enterprises
Robert Lee
Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino, LLP
Andrew Van Ornum
8 YEARS – 2015
Associate Members: Bolton & Company
Dave Miller
SiTECH NorCal
David Larsson
7 YEARS – 2016
Contractor Members: Bridgeway Civil Constructors, Inc.
Gabe Farncroft
Dees Burke Engineering Constructors, LLC
Shane Dees
Associate Members: Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.
Mike Heffernan
6 YEARS – 2017
Contractor Members: Atlas Peak Construction
Danny McLean
Interstate Concrete Pumping Co., Inc.
Andrew Paulazzo
Landavazo Bros. Inc.
Ted Landavazo
Malcolm International LLC
Patrick Snyder
Marinship Development Interest LLC
Derek Smith
Associate Members: LogoBoss
Tim Smith
Peterson Trucks, Inc.
Teresa Dias
5 YEAR – 2018
Contractor Members: Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc.
Andrew Bader
Bayview Demolition Services, Inc.
Rick Cleveland
Mission Constructors. Inc.
Isabelle Concio
4 YEARS – 2019
Contractor Members: Bertco Inc.
Bert Garcia
Kerex Engineering Inc.
Patrick Madden
Main Street Underground, LLC
Ron Bianchini
Associate Member: Contractor Compliance, LLC
Sarah Rolin
3 YEARS – 2020
Contractor Members: Brannon Corporation
Paul Brannon
J&M Concrete Contractors
Tony Naranjo
2 YEARS – 2021
Contractor Members:
BC Traffic Specialist (an Infrastripe Company)
Billy Miller
California Rebar Fabricators Incorporated
Michelle Jacobsen
FJ & I Engineering Inc.
Antonio Sotelo
Monterey Mechanical Co.
James Troup
Steelhead Constructors Associates
Troy Kockrow
Stephen M Silva II Incorporated dba DaSilva Underground Construction
Madelyn Holmes
Sterndahl Enterprises, Inc.
Chip Sterndahl
West Concrete, LLC
Natalie Jelavich
Associate Members:
J&J Acoustics, Inc.
Rick Wood
1 YEAR – 2022
Contractor Members: California Legacy Well Services, LLC
Sean McNally
Golden State Construction & Utility, Inc.
Mark Doane
GreenCoast Landscapes Inc.
Juan D. Perez
Unified Field Services Corporation
Mike Beaumont
Associate Members:
Enoven Truck Body + Equipment
Sam Enochian
Twining, Inc.
Mariel Attento Rhorer
To provide the best experience for all professional development classes, attendees will access virtual courses through the UCON App on your mobile device, or desktop view, through unitedcontractors.org.
MEMBERS RATE UCON’S LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
A 4.7 OUT OF 5; 2,100+ USERS OF THE UCON APP; 4,300+ INDIVIDUALS FROM OVER 260 COMPANIES PARTICIPATED IN UCON’S IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL COURSES IN 2022!
4.7
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