Everything You Need. Plus Equipment.
From safety/operator training and equipment management technologies, to custom solutions engineered to meet specialized job requirements, United Rentals offers much more than just the world’s largest rental fleet. It takes a lot to get the job done right. We’re here to help.
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
251 Shaw Road
South San Francisco, CA 94080 (415)642-2350
INFRASTRUCTURE WE BUILD
2025 UNITED CONTRACTORS BOARD OFFICERS
President....................Kurt Eddy, Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc.
VP/President-Elect.... Alan Guy, Anvil Builders
Secretary/Treasurer. Greg Goebel Jr., Goebel Construction, Inc.
Sec/Treas-Elect Michael Gates, DeSilva Gates Construction, LLC
UNITED CONTRACTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JUAN ARREQUIN, BAY LINE CUTTING & CORING, INC.; TOM BARR, GHILOTTI BROS., INC.; BRYN BURKE, DEES BURKE ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTORS, LLC; SEAN CASTILLO, TORO ENTERPRISES, INC.; RITA VIGIL FERGUSON, G & F CONCRETE CUTTING, INC.; BRENT FOGG, GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY; MICHAEL GATES, DESILVA GATES CONSTRUCTION, LLC; MATT LOVINGIER, JMH ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION, INC.; DANIEL RODRIGUEZ, BAY CITIES PAVING & GRADING, INC.; KEVIN REIMERS, WOODRUFF-SAWYER & CO.; ELIZABETH TORREZ, TENNA LLC
UCON LEADERS | UNITED CONTRACTORS COMMITTEE CHAIRS ASSOCIATES: KEVIN REIMERS (ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR), WOODRUFFSAWYER & CO. | ELIZABETH TORREZ (ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR-ELECT), TENNA LLC | CALTRANS: MICHAEL GHILOTTI (CHAIR), GHILOTTI BROS., INC. | LEGISLATIVE: ROB LAYNE, (CHAIR), O.C. JONES & SONS, INC. | POLITICAL ACTION (PAC): GEORGE FURNANZ (CHAIR), STACY WITBECK; STEVE CONCANNON (VICE-CHAIR) PAVEMENT RECYCLING SYSTEMS, INC. | SAFETY & INSURANCE: KEITH OXFORD, (CHAIR), MONTEREY MECHANICAL COMPANY | SF CITY CONTRACTOR LIAISON: MIKE GHILOTTI (CHAIR), GHILOTTI BROS., INC., MIGUEL GALARZA (CHAIR), YERBA BUENA ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION, INC. | SCHOLARSHIP: TRONY FULLER, (CHAIR), ARGENT MATERIALS INC. | REGIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: MICHAEL PRLICH (CHAIR), MIKE PRLICH & SONS, INC.; GARRETT FRANCIS (CHAIR), GUARDIAN TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS
UNITED CONTRACTORS STAFF
MARK BRESLIN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER; EMILY COHEN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT; TEJEL PATEL, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CEO; AURORA PRASAD, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO EVP; VICTOR SELLA, VICE PRESIDENT OF LABOR RELATIONS; MELISSA GUTWALD, VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS; CLAY O’NEAL, VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS; GUS FLORES, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS; RAY BACA, DIRECTOR OF AGENCY RELATIONS; DEREK BORGHI, DIRECTOR OF LABOR RELATIONS; ANGELICA GOUIG, DIRECTOR OF MEMBER EXPERIENCE; RUBY VARNADORE, SENIOR LABOR CONTRACTS MANAGER; DILPREET MAYALL, LABOR RELATIONS ADVOCATE; LIZ CASTRO, LABOR CONTRACTS MANAGER LUCIA MIXON, CONTRACTOR MEMBER SERVICES, SOUTHERN CA; SANDRA KAYA, ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST TO LABOR & MEMBER SERVICES; DENISE RAMIREZ, ONLINE SERVICES MANAGER; EMMY MCCONNELL, SENIOR ACCOUNTANT; MICHELLE HANNIGAN, BOOKKEEPER; GABRIELLE GONZALEZ, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA; CHRISTINE TRAINA, EVENT MANAGER; RACHEL ORAA, EVENTS COORDINATOR; LUKE HARDY, EVENTS COORDINATOR; AVANTI MEHTA, EDUCATION ASSISTANT; MICHELLE VEJBY, MARCOM MANAGER; EDDIE BERNACCHI, UCON CHIEF LOBBYIST; MIKE DONLON, CHIEF SAFETY CONSULTANT; DREW DELANEY, MIKE BUCKANTZ, REGULATORY CONSULTANTS; DAMIAN BREEN, REGULATORY CONSULTANT
Up
UCON’s Labor & Member Services Team
Strengthening Industry Bargaining: UCON’s Multi-Association Training & Summit by Derek Borghi | Director of Labor Relations
Southern CA Wildfire Resources
Legislative: UCON Introduces 2 Critical Bills by Gus Flores | Director of Government Relations
LEADERSHIP
Welcome UCON’s 2025 Board of Directors
Leadership Profile: UCON’s 2025 President, Kurt Eddy, Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc.
Join UCON’s Upcoming Leadership and Professional Development Classes
By Mark Breslin UCON CEO
THE LONG GAME OF LEADERSHIP
Today UCON reached 500 contractor members. (Actually 501.) That is quite a number.
One that, like your kid’s age, just catches up and surprises you. You just turn your head and they grow another foot taller.
When I started at UCON we had 63 contractors. In 2005 we had 205. Now 500+. Steady and consistent success, one very deliberate step at a time. If business strategy, like the old story, is choosing the “tortoise or the hare” approach, I always tell people we are the tortoise. The most badass tortoise you will ever see. Because no matter the challenge, the market, or the trends, we claw forward relentlessly. And since the day we were formed by those four brave contractors, we have never gone backward or failed to deliver. Always playing the Long Game.
relentless adjective
Growth and scale for us means we can do more for you. We can work as a peer to our union partners and not as an afterthought. We can be seen and respected by legislators who need our ideas and perspectives. We can train and develop leaders for your companies and our industry. We can build a team of professionals who are “on it right now” in a world where care and service have visibly eroded. All this is only by your trust and belief.
The quality of being very determined. Of or pertaining to the act of grinding until one gets to their goal. When giving up is not in one’s DNA.
At its core UCON is not just a trade association. It is a transformational catalyst that builds leaders who then create positive change. And this is something we hope serves as a template example for the construction companies of the future.
For me, in the twilight of my UCON career and leadership, the Long Game has proved to be the greatest reward. Seeing first dozens, then hundreds, of contractor leaders become part of something they believed in has been the best part. And then creating UCON in their own image. Determined. Gritty. Competitive. Relentless. It is their vision and leadership, and certainly not mine, that has served as the true driver of the success of UCON.
But 501 is just a number. One that we can celebrate with rah-rah or one that we can look at with cautious respect. Everyone knows that growth or size can kill you. That telling yourself and others a big story can blind you. That you forget your roots, your values, or the little guys. But that is not us and never has been.
In this issue, you will see those who you elected to serve. A democratic process where we have so many incredible leaders who are willing to serve that we have the luxury of true competition for the privilege and honor. Every man and woman to ever go up on that ballot, win or lose, is truly to be admired and respected. If that is not a sign of the vitality and health of an association, I don’t know what is.
501. That is a hell of a number, and we will wear it like a pair of tough blue jeans. Until the leadership and vision of all of you add one more contractor, and then one more, as we grow and evolve for you and the long game goes on.
Mark Breslin | UCON CEO
UCON’S LABOR RELATIONS TEAM
We are Here to Help You
United Contractors Labor & Member Services team is a valuable resource for contractors statewide, assisting key management, administrative and field staff on a daily basis.
With over 100 years of combined construction labor relations experience, UCON’s Labor & Member Services team will help you navigate Labor, HR, Payroll, and much more. We handle thousands of member calls every year, and are committed to doing our best to respond the same day. If we don’t have the answer, we will find it. Areas that we regularly assist our members with include:
• Labor disputes and grievances
• Trust Fund audits, delinquencies and other issues
• Prevailing wage compliance, including apprenticeship
• Contract interpretation for payroll and job manning/ bidding—shift work, subcontracting, etc.
• Hiring, discipline and termination
• Union substance abuse policies
• Legal support and more
Any member of the Labor Team can help you! Contact us at (925) 855-7900, LaborTeam@unitedcontractors.org (pictured above, left to right): Dilpreet Mayall, Labor Relations Advocate; Lucia Mixon, Contractor Member Services, Southern CA; Derek Borghi, Director of Labor Relations; Ruby Varnadore, PHR, Senior Labor Contracts Manager; Sandra Kaya, Labor & Member Services Administrative Specialist; Liz Castro, Labor Contracts Manager; Victor Sella, Vice President of Labor Relations
THE “HOW” OF UCON LABOR RELATIONS
A snapshot of UCON Labor Relations: how we do what we do:
RESPONDING TO IMMEDIATE MEMBER NEEDS
• Prioritize rapid response to member questions and issues (3,500+ handled per year).
• Support field, office, and management staff with personalized solutions
• Offer 24/7 contractor assistance through unitedcontractors.org and our Contractor Resources Library (nearly 25,000 downloads this past year).
LABOR RELATIONS STRATEGY
• Develop partnerships with union reps statewide to support your work as union contractors.
• Optimize your use of CBA rules to enhance competitiveness and avoid liability.
• Host Industry Partners Meetings to connect contractors and union reps statewide.
• Manage CBA negotiations with 11 unions statewide.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
• Advocate for contractors’ needs with owners, agencies, and unions statewide.
• Provide on-call, personal support to your organization.
• Partner on all HR and other employee-related decisions.
• Act as watchdog advocate for legal and regulatory issues.
• Keep you informed on industry changes and trends with bulletins.
• Simplify contracts and laws with user-friendly guides and charts (over 200 available).
• Listen and act on your feedback. Contact us today. We are here to serve you— LaborTeam@unitedcontractors.org.
Westlake Village, Stockton, CA
By Derek Borghi Director of Labor Relations
STRENGTHENING INDUSTRY BARGAINING: UCON’s Multi-Association Training & Summit
United Contractors and its contractor members have committed to a goal of bargaining more collaboratively and intentionally with our association peers. To that end, on November 21-22, 2024, UCON hosted a Multi-Association Negotiations
Training in Huntington Beach led by Richard Barnes, the former head of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and an experienced bargainer with over 50 years in construction. This follows previous training with Richard Barnes to educate and inform future CBA negotiators on the mechanics of bargaining.
Attended by nearly 30 contractors and association staff from UCON and AGC, the goal of the training was to create a more collaborative and unified labor relations approach that transcends the typical multi-association model. For many in the room it was a crash course in negotiations and the collective bargaining process.
On February 24-25, UCON, AGC, and SCCA will be following up on November’s Multi-Association Negotiations Training with a Multi-Association Summit in Huntington Beach that will get key Association negotiators in one room. Ahead of a new bargaining cycle, discussions will be focused on how to reach better bargaining outcomes and communicate
as industry peers. The Summit will focus on desired outcomes and will look again to Richard Barnes and his expertise to provide a relevant and engaging agenda. With negotiations for CBAs with the Cement Masons (S. CA), Teamsters (S. CA), and Operating Engineers Local No. 12 just around the corner, these trainings create an environment for successful multi-association bargaining.
While it is valuable to get experienced negotiators in the room to collaborate, it is important to groom the next generation of future leaders to ensure the future of bargaining is in strong, capable hands.
If you are interested in getting involved and having a hand in the bargaining process please reach out to UCON’s labor team at LaborTeam@ unitedcontractors.org or (925) 855-7900.
By Gus Flores, Director of Government Relations
THE CAPITOL
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE RECOVERY
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the recent devastating wildfires, including many of our members. The destruction these fires have caused is unimaginable, and we extend our deepest sympathy to all impacted individuals, families, and communities. We are here for you.
In the weeks and months ahead—a tremendous amount of resources and manpower will be needed to clear the destruction and rebuild. Our members and labor partners are uniquely qualified and ready to play a pivotal role in clearing and rebuilding the affected areas.
Below are important updates, information and resources we want all members to be aware of related to the Los Angeles County wildfires:
ADVOCACY:
As the Army Corps of Engineers and ECC oversees the work, UCON remains committed to advocating for in-state, union-signatory contractors to play a critical role in these efforts. We will continue to champion policies that prioritize our members in the recovery and rebuilding phases.
SB 978: UCON Sponsored Legislation to Help Secure Wildfire Clean Up Work for In-State, Union-Signatory Contractors.
In 2022, UCON sponsored and passed SB 978 (McGuire), legislation designed to streamline the prequalification process for contractors to ensure timely and efficient responses to disasters. It also aimed to help ensure this work was directed towards in-state, union-signatory contractors. Specifically, SB 978 requires CalRecycle to prequalify contractors for wildfire cleanup work. In order to be prequalified, contractors must: 1) Have a valid general engineering
contractor’s license; 2) Be registered with DIR as a public works contractor; 3) Use a skilled and trained workforce; 4) Have an agreement with a State registered apprenticeship program; 5) Prime Contractor must self-perform at least 30% of the work; 6) Prime contractor’s experience modification rate, within the state, for the most recent three-year period must be an average of 1.00 or less.
The Governor’s Administration has issued a series of Executive Orders intended to provide relief and resources to facilitate a speedy recovery. To further streamline the process, UCON and AGC submitted a letter to the Administration with a list of recommendations that would allow contractors to clean up and rebuild more efficiently and effectively—while prioritizing in-state, union-signatory contractors.
HELP UCON PROVIDE KEY INPUT TO ELECTED OFFICIALS:
As UCON gathers information and recommendations for the Governor, agencies and local government, we want to hear from you. Please reach out to our team with your suggestions for what the government needs to do to help streamline the work and create the most efficient environment possible for contractors to get to work successfully and safely.
SAFETY RESOURCES:
navigate a complex and challenging work environment.
Contact: UCON Chief Safety Consultant, Mike Donlon, mdonlon@mdsafetyservice.com, or Gus Flores, UCON Director of Government Relations, gflores@ unitedcontractors.org.
As wildfires continue, we want to make sure you have the resources needed to safeguard your teams and operations. Scan the QR Code to access several essential resources to support you during this challenging period. Additionally, UCON’s comprehensive Safety Handbook is available at no cost to contractor members. It is available to non-members for $750.
By Gus Flores, Director of Government Relations
THE CAPITOL
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:
UCON Introduces 2 Critical Bills to Protect Lives and Improve the Business Environment
This month, UCON sponsored two critical pieces of legislation: One aims to enhance the safety of our workers, and the second will improve vital cash flow for our members performing work in the private sector.
SENATE BILL 61
Authored by Senator Dave Cortese
UCON is leading an industry effort to address cash flow issues for contractors. The focus of the mounting effort is to expand the 5% retention cap that exists in California on public works to private works. Nationally, over the past few years, there has been a concerted effort to enact this policy with over 20 states passing similar legislation.
ASSEMBLY BILL 289
Authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney
AB 289 represents a significant step toward safeguarding the lives of construction workers on California’s highways. By implementing Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) in construction zones, this bill will reduce crashes, protect workers, and enhance safety for all drivers across the state.
We expect committee hearings for both bills within the next 30 days. As both bills move through the legislative process, there will be opportunities for contractors to engage including:
• Submitting letters of support
• Testifying at committee hearings
• Contacting legislators and more In the coming weeks and months, we will follow up with additional opportunities for engagement. Stay tuned for updates!
If you would like anyone else on your team to get our legislative updates, please contact Gus Flores, gflores@unitedcontractors.org.
UCON BOARD OF DIRECTORS: A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
UCON represents 750+ union contractors and vendor firms across California. Every day, UCON works to empower, educate, and advocate for our members and the greater union construction industry.
While UCON and its influence have grown over the years, its democratically elected Board of Directors remains the organization’s foundation. These dedicated professionals guide our work and mission.
The UCON Board, like the association itself, is unique: made up of contractors, large and small, each with an equal voice and a unique and valued perspective. The Board makes decisions based on strong governance and sound policy. The staff works for them and their vision to exceed member expectations in everything that we do. UCON Board Members are outstanding and leaders. Their collective business energy, experience, risk-taking, and dedication to the organization and industry create a powerful positive impact. Decades of exceptional board leadership have made UCON what it is today and what it will be in the future. Join us in welcoming our 2025 Board of Directors.
KURT EDDY
2025 President Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc.
UCON Member Since 2008
KEVIN HESTER
Past President 2024 McGuire and Hester
UCON Member Since 1990
JUAN C. ARREQUIN
Past Secretary/Treasurer
Bay Line Cutting & Coring, Inc.
UCON Member Since 1993
TOM BARR
Ghilotti Bros., Inc.
UCON Member Since 1995
ALAN GUY Vice-President/President-Elect
Anvil Builders
UCON Member Since 2012
GREG GOEBEL JR. Secretary/Treasurer
Goebel Construction, Inc.
UCON Member Since 2014
MICHAEL GATES Secretary/Treasurer-Elect
DeSilva Gates Construction, LLC
UCON Member Since 1994
BRYN BURKE Dees Burke Engineering Constructors, LLC
UCON Member Since 2016
SEAN CASTILLO Toro Enterprises, Inc. Member Since 2020
MATT LOVINGIER
JMH Engineering and Construction, Inc. Member Since 2020
DERMOT FALLON Foundation Constructors, Inc.
UCON Member Since 2024
DANIEL RODRIGUEZ Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc.
UCON Member Since 1997
RITA VIGIL FERGUSON G & F Concrete Cutting, Inc. UCON Member Since 2019
KEVIN REIMERS Associate Director Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. UCON Member Since 1994 Join Us For United Contractors INSTALLATION OF THE 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (the day before the dig awards!)
luncheon
BRENT FOGG Granite Construction Company
UCON Member Since 2007
ELIZABETH TORREZ
Associate Director-Elect Tenna LLC
UCON Member Since 2020
Join us in beautiful Laguna Niguel for our Legacy Luncheon, where we celebrate leadership and install our 2025 Board of Directors—stay for the DIG Awards the following evening. See pages 26-27.
Friday February 28, 2025 Luncheon 11 am - 2 pm
Attire: Business Formal
LEADER PROFILE:
KURT EDDY PAVEMENT RECYCLING SYSTEMS, INC.
2025 President Q&A
UCON’S 2025 PRESIDENT
What is one of your primary goals this year as President?
UCON is in a very important transition that will set the tone for the next generation of contractors. My priority as President will be to ensure that the new leadership is fully committed to preserving the culture of the organization as this culture is the key to our success thus far.
What do you feel are the most significant issues facing the industry?
The most significant issue facing the industry will most likely be the current budget situation that the state is in. Our association will need to be diligent and ready to fight to keep our funding in place. There will be cuts—it is inevitable; they just cannot be to our infrastructure.
What is your favorite thing about working in the industry? How does your company utilize UCON’s services?
I love the variety this industry offers, no two jobs or even two days are the same. Additionally, you get to meet and work with some very bright and talented people who you can always learn from.
“What I really appreciate and admire about UCON is that from top to bottom they understand their mission and they perform it at a world class level throughout the organization. Because of that, they not only attract the top talent to work within the organization, but they also bring in the best and brightest in the industry. Although these are often competitors in various respects, they set aside their differences to support one another and advance the industry as a whole.”
Kurt Eddy, 2025 UCON Board President
We use UCON for almost everything they offer and then some. We utilize the class offerings, we get advice for labor issues, payroll questions, labor law questions, and leadership training. We have even had members from UCON’s staff come to our different branches and give customized classes on PLA’s. You name it, we have figured out a way to tap into UCON’s services.
What are some leadership principles that you have discovered and executed that have contributed to your success?
The leadership principles that are most important to me are integrity, and accountability—the last one really isn’t a one word, it’s more of a mindset, where I try to involve everyone on a team to ensure that they understand that they are important to our success, they all bring value.
By Deirdre Orr, Talent Development Expert www.deirdreorr.com
UNDERSTANDING LEADERSHIP GAPS AND ITS CAUSES
Every organization needs its leadership teams to be stronger in a rapidly changing business environment. Being proactive in identifying gaps in leadership is the best way to prevent more significant issues in the future.
Are you familiar with this question: “Is your organization focusing on developing the skills leaders need to succeed now and in the future?”
Current results show that leaders (around the world), across all levels of leadership, aren’t adequately prepared for the future. This is certainly the strongest signal we’ve found in research of a looming leadership skills gap (Source: DDI World).
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP GAP?
1. Assess Your Current & Future Leadership Talent: Where are you today? Have you taken stock of your current leaders and considered who was next in line? What skills are possessed? How well are managers leading currently? Use your people data to determine organizational needs and understand leadership gaps.
2. Create a leadership strategy: Align Leadership Skills with the Strategy of the Organization. Are your leadership initiatives aligned with the direction of the organization?
3. Develop tailored individual leadership development: Assess your current and future leaders’ strengths and weaknesses. It is important
According to findings from Global Leadership Forecast, fewer than half of all leaders feel they are effective in any of these skills: BUILDING TALENT
STRATEGIC THINKING
INFLUENCING
Even worse, they aren’t being developed where they need it most. Only 28% of leaders indicate they are currently receiving development in any of these critical areas for the future.
Source: Global Leadership Forecast 2021, Deirdreorrconsulting.com.
to note that 360-degree leadership assessment tools can help evaluate individuals’ strengths and development needs. See pages 22-23 for information on UCON’s Professional and Leadership Development classes for you and your teams.
4. Build a mentorship program: Capitalize on the intellectual capital of senior management. Utilize these seasoned leaders to ensure that up-and-coming managers can learn critical information and skills to lead your organization’s future.
Identifying where a leadership gap currently exists is key to increasing effective leadership in your organization.
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
By Avanti Mehta Education Coordinator
UCON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEVEL-UP YOUR LEADERSHIP IN 2025!
As a leader in professional development, UCON offers top-tier in-person and virtual courses designed exclusively for our members. We invite you to take advantage of these engaging opportunities throughout the year—many of them free! Check out our upcoming leadership-focused classes and take your skills to the next level.
Human Empowerment: How Great Leaders Set the Stage for Stellar Performance
March 5, 2025
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Imposter Syndrome Webinar
March 6, 2025
2:30pm - 4:30pm
UCON’s Project Management Career Advancement (PMCA) Program Series
March 12 - May 28, 2025
Project Engineer Bootcamp Series
March 20 - April 3, 2025
Dictator to Coach: How to Have Coaching Conversations
April 24, 2025 2:30pm - 4:30pm
How to Give and Receive Feedback Effectively
May 8, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Atomic Values: Making Change that Lasts
March 15, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm
UCON’s Project Management Career Advancement (PMCA) Program Series
June 17 - August 26, 2025
SAN RAMON
1. Chrisp Company (134 Registrations) 2. Frontline General Engineering Construction, Inc. (119 Registrations)
3. Sierra Mountain Construction, Inc. (101 Registrations)
4. Pavement Recyling Systems, Inc. (73 Registrations)
5. Preston Pipelines, Inc. (71 Registrations)
Taught by Mark Breslin, UCON CEO
UP
By Christine Traina, Event Manager
BRINGING THE INDUSTRY TOGETHER WITH EVENTS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES:
Over 3,300 people from almost 450 companies attended UCON’s events statewide last year in 2024. Don’t miss out! Save the dates for 2025 events.
Stay tuned for more “UCONnect” events this year— a new networking experience. Last year, our new UCONnect happy-hours in Southern California brought together over 200 members, partners and leaders. In 2025 we will host more UCONnects in both Southern and Northern California.
If you have any event questions, contact any member of our UCON events’ team (925) 855-7900.
UCON’S 2025 EVENTS
Save the dates for the following events—register and sponsor at www.unitedcontractors.org/calendar
CRAB FEED
UCON’s Sold-Out Crab Feed is Thursday, February 6, 2025 –San Ramon Marriott, San Ramon (Look for the wrap-up in our next issue!)
LEGACY LUNCHEON
UCON Installation of the Board of Directors
Friday, February 28, 2025 – Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel (see page 26)
DIG AWARDS
Saturday, March 1, 2025 – Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel (see page 27)
SOUTHERN CA UCON PAC FUNDRAISER
Thursday, April 10, 2025 – Orange Hill Restaurant, Orange (see page 28)
PUBLIC WORKS SUMMIT
Thursday, May 1, 2025 – Anaheim Hilton, Anaheim
NORTHERN CA UCON PAC FUNDRAISER
Thursday, May 29, 2025 – Home of Mark Breslin, UCON CEO, Alamo (see page 28)
THROWDOWN CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
Thursday, June 19, 2025 – Wente Vineyards, Livermore
ANNUAL BBQ & CHILI COOK-OFF
Thursday, August 7, 2025 – Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton
SAL RUBINO GOLF CLASSIC
Friday, September 12, 2025 – Bayonet & Black Horse, Seaside
UCON GOLF OPEN
Thursday, October 2, 2025 – Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, Mission Viejo
GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY AUCTION
Saturday, November 8, 2025 – The Claremont Club & Spa, Berkeley
Join Us For United Contractors
INSTALLATION OF THE 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (the day before the dig awards!)
Friday, February 28, 2025
The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel
1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Dana Point, CA 11:00 am - Reception 12:00 - 2:00 pm - Luncheon and Awards
Attire: Business Formal For additional information, and to register/sponsor: unitedcontractors.org/calendar
PROTECTING OUR FUTURE
please join us for two special evenings to benefit the ucon pac
southern california: april 10, 2025 Thursday, 5:00 - 8:00pm
Location: Orange Hill Restaurant, Orange, CA
northern california: may 29, 2025 Thursday, 5:00 - 8:00pm
Location: Alamo, CA, home of Mark Breslin, UCON CEO
Support of UCON’s Political Action Committee. Attend one or both special evenings. Enjoy premium wines, food, specialty cocktails & networking with industry leaders.
The UCON Political Action Committee (PAC) exists to improve your business environment by strengthening the political voice of union contractors. For more information, contact Aurora Prasad, aprasad@unitedcontractors.org.
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.
FEATURES:
COMPACTION TOOLS
FASTER EFFICIENT DAYLIGHTING POTHOLING POLE REPLACEMENT
AIR EXCAVATION
HYDRAULIC JACKHAMMERS HYDRO EXCAVATION
SOFT DIG, WET OR DRY
FULLY TRAVERSING, BUMPER MOUNTED, ASPHALT OR CONCRETE, CORING UNIT
STREET LEGAL FULLY LOADED 7 YARD CAPACITY
THANK YOU TO UCON’S 2025 ANNUAL SPONSORS
people. principles. progress.
3 color left chest ABOVE POCKET -chrome yellow -white underbase -black 4.23" wide
Benjamin Holicky and Keith Lovitt, The Hartford
HOW A ‘GO-NO-GO’ PROCESS CAN HELP CONSTRUCTION LEADERS AVOID RISK
Construction companies pitch to new clients and evaluate project proposals every day. The challenge for growing businesses is to find time, focus and a standardized process to select which projects and clients to take on. Many experienced contractors use a process called “Go-No-Go” to streamline this process.
Go-No-Go gives leaders and staff a customized framework to identify and document potential risks before any project is greenlighted, explains Benjamin Holicky, the managing director of construction west territory at The Hartford.
“A Go-No-Go process lets construction leaders preevaluate potential challenges and opportunities against their existing business plan before they commit to any project. It’s meant to reflect a company’s business scope and realistic tolerance levels for capacity, capital, risk and return,” says Holicky. “Most importantly, a GoNo-Go system is meant to be reevaluated over time so project successes or failures are recorded, improving the overall process.”
Though firms may choose to build different goals and metrics for their Go-No-Go plan, here’s how Holicky’s four major considerations can help leaders design their process.
Capacity: Can You Safely and Efficiently Staff This Job?
With labor as the top expense faced by most companies, and tight hiring conditions continuing throughout the construction industry as of late 2024, staff capacity becomes the natural place for Go-No-Go planning to start. Construction companies should consider these initial key questions:
• Does this potential job align with our business plan?
• Can we staff this project entirely with our own team, or will we have to hire or work with partners to complete this job as contracted?
• Will any member of the team require training to do this job?
• If the job is delayed, how will that affect any managers, employees, independent contractors or business partners assigned to it?
“I had a discussion with a utility contractor about why he wanted to pursue a job that seemed outside their business plan that would require hiring an entirely new team to run the job,” says Holicky. “His response was that he could build a rocket ship to Mars if he hired the right people. That gave me pause.”
That’s why human assets are the first consideration in any Go-No-Go plan, Holicky adds. “It needs to be a realistic assessment of employee strengths and weaknesses that could either grow a firm or endanger the client relationship at any point.”
Capital: Will the Company’s Finances Survive Unexpected Problems if You Take This Job?
Project choices shouldn’t exist in a vacuum. Companies need to evaluate whether payroll, raw material and other overhead costs could threaten their existing work backlog and future project pipeline if a prospective project runs into trouble.
A Go-No-Go process should pressure-test a potential contract to make sure the job can be properly funded amid challenges. “Funding a job boils down to whether a company has the ability, the talent, the tools and the financial strength to weather all potential challenges in a future job without impacting the broader operation,” says Holicky. “If one job falters during construction or in
its aftermath, is the company financially strong enough to withstand that possibility?”
Evaluating the cash and capital requirements needed to support a prospective job shouldn’t endanger existing commitments, explains Holicky. “If you sense that could happen given what you’re seeing in your evaluation, that may be cause for a no-go decision on that particular project.”
about a potential client. A company’s research on that front can often make the difference between a troubled job with potentially years of conflict or a profitable, longterm client relationship that grows your firm,” says Holicky.
Risk: Are There Other Considerations
Posing Delays or Concerns?
Since the 2020 pandemic shutdowns, construction leaders have received a master class in the unexpected. Industrywide project slowdowns, talent shortages and supply interruptions became major factors in companies’ ability to successfully complete projects. Now there are many more factors besides staff and cash flow that define a prospective project’s risk profile. Some jobs with complex factors could potentially add significant research and consideration time to any Go-No-Go project evaluation.
In addition, no matter how big the size or financial strength of any construction company, Holicky points out that “most bad jobs share one similar aspect and that is a challenging owner.”
While any owner can be challenging or demanding in their own way, changing priorities are increasingly driving disputes that can potentially land in court and result in nuclear verdicts. In 2024, “change in scope” was the number one cause of engineering and construction claims or disputes during the past year.1
That’s why Holicky suggests companies fully evaluate important characteristics of both owners and partners before they accept a job. Questions to consider include:
• Does the owner have the funds?
• Are they frequently involved in disputes?
• Do they understand the nuances of construction?
“It seems very basic, but Go-No-Go forces leaders and key members of a team to discuss all factual details
Return: What Does the Profitability Picture Look Like for This Particular Assignment?
Evaluating capacity, capital and risk factors can shed new light on whether a new project has real potential to make money. When a company designs its Go-NoGo process, it is important to consider the potential profitability of the specific project. Construction leaders should quantify the maximum risk on a job and whether that downside negates the job. Viewing each job through the lens of a worst-case scenario can offer a realistic risk-return calculation that either continues the client discussion or ends it.
A lower-margin, higher-risk job can still be worth pursuing based on a company’s long-term business plan and ability to withstand potential turbulence amid other ongoing or backlogged projects. Companies take on risk every day, explains Holicky. The question is how much risk they should take on after their leaders have thoroughly researched the opportunity.
“It’s not uncommon to hear construction leaders say that their best project was the one that got away,” says Holicky. “However, companies with an institutionalized and process-based Go-No-Go procedure can better identify and limit bad jobs. They can focus instead on the specific work that keeps them successful and profitable.”
1 “Changing the Narrative: An Analysis of claims and dispute causation on engineering and construction projects,” HKA CRUX Insight, October 2024.
Contributed by: Benjamin Holicky, Managing Director, Construction Bond, The Hartford, and Keith Lovitt, Regional Bond Manager of Northern California and Nevada, keith.lovitt@ thehartford.com, (415) 836-4848.
MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
JANUARY and FEBRUARY
53 YEARS – 1972
Associate Member:
Peterson Cat
Thomas Lum
52 YEARS – 1973
Associate Member:
Gladding, McBean & Co. Gerardo De La Cerda
50 YEARS – 1975
Associate Member: R.C. Fischer & Co.
Dennis Sewell
49 YEARS – 1976
Contractor Members: Mountain Cascade, Inc.
Duke Fuller
Walter C. Smith Co., Inc.
Michael DeBenedetto
44 YEARS – 1981
Associate Member: Papé Machinery
Benjamin Harrison
41 YEARS – 1984
Associate Members:
Sullivan Curtis Monroe Ins Services
Eugene Zondlo
United Rentals
Trench Safety
Esperanza Mota
40 YEARS – 1985
Contractor Member: D.W. Young Construction Co., Inc.
Christian Young
38 YEARS – 1987
Associate Member: McInerney & Dillon PC William McInerney, Jr.
37 YEARS – 1988
Contractor Member: Bali Construction, Inc.
Ted Polich
36 YEARS – 1989
Contractor Member: Mike Hixson Backhoe Service Inc
David B. Carver
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 January and February:
32 YEARS – 1993
Associate Member: Coastline Equipmesnt Ladd Blakely
Jifco, Inc.
Jay Forni Jr.
31 YEARS – 1994
Contractor Members: Goodfellow Bros. California LLC
Brian Gates
RGW Construction, Inc.
Bill Stewart
Talus Construction, Inc.
Sharon Alberts
Associate Member: JHS CPAs, LLP
Jim Kepke
30 YEARS – 1995
Contractor Member: Ghilotti Bros., Inc.
Michael Ghilotti
Associate Members: Dan J. Peterson Company
Dan J. Peterson
Moss Adams LLP
Dave Heier
29 YEARS – 1996
Contractor Member: Beliveau Engineering Contractors, Inc.
Lawrence Beliveau
28 YEARS – 1997
Contractor Members: Pacific States Environmental Contractors, Inc.
Bob McCarrick
Viking Drillers, Inc.
Sherry Montoya
Associate Member: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Guy Levinson
27 YEARS – 1998
Contractor Members: Doyle’s Work Company, Inc.
Billy Holler
Metro Builders & Engineers Group Ltd. Fouad Houalia
Viking Construction Company Randy Jenco
26 YEARS – 1999
Contractor Members: Farwest Safety, Inc.
John Ashe
Performance Equipment, Inc.
Chris Young
Associate Member: Commercial Surety Bond Agency
Daniel Huckabay
25 YEARS – 2000
Contractor Members: Murray Company
Danny Martin
Ray’s Electric
Greg Gruendl
Associate Member: Leonidou & Rosin
Professional Corporation
Bob Rosin
24 YEARS – 2001
Associate Member: Joints
Thomas Bea
Photo courtesy of Mountain Cascade, Inc.
22 YEARS – 2003
Associate Member:
Quinn Company Cat (formerly Quinn Shepherd Machinery)
David Miller
21 YEARS – 2004
Contractor Members:
Striping Graphics
Tony Lane
Western Traffic Supply, Inc.
Ed Ibanez
20 YEARS – 2005
Contractor Member:
Rosendin Electric, Inc.
Rick Guzman
Associate Member: Contractors and Developers Bonding and Insurance
Phil Vega
19 YEARS – 2006
Contractor Members:
Disney Construction, Inc.
Rick Disney
Midstate Barrier, Inc.
Dale Breen
Robert A. Bothman
Construction
Brian Bothman
18 YEARS – 2007
Contractor Member: California Trenchless, Inc.
Michael Jardin
Associate Member:
Granite ConstructionMaterials Division
Ross Kashiwagi
17 YEARS – 2008
Contractor Members: Con-Quest Contractors, Inc.
Paul Loukianoff
M N R Construction, Inc.
Scott Barnett
Pacific Coast Drilling Company, Inc.
Aaron Sykes
SpenCon Construction, Inc.
Steve Stahl
Valentine Corp.
Robert Valentine
Associate Member: PACE Supply
Scott Groves
16 YEARS – 2009
Contractor Member: Graniterock
Chris Sveum
15 YEARS – 2010
Contractor Member: ABSL Construction
Luis Allende
Associate Member: National Trench Safety, LLC
Rick Buck
14 YEARS – 2011
Contractor Member: Manhole Construction Specialist
Nate Atchinson
Associate Members: Equip Appraisers LLC Rob Nowacek
Hunt Ortmann Palffy Nieves Darling & Mah, Inc. Barbara Gamboa
12 YEARS – 2012
Contractor Members: Anvil Builders
Alan Guy
Hooker Creek, Inc.
Scott Shongood
Mountain F. Enterprises, Inc. Marcos Gomez
Mozingo Construction, Inc.
Jake Creger
Pacific Excavation, Inc.
Jim Paxin
Associate Members: Butier Engineering, Inc. Mark Butier
Sunbelt Rentals Tiffanie Mendez
Continued on next page
Photo courtesy of Robert A. Bothman Construction
12 YEARS – 2013
Contractor Members:
California Auger Boring
Michael Reardon
California Boring Inc.
Michael Reardon
D-Line Constructors, Inc.
Matt Certa
Odyssey Environmental Services, Inc.
Mark Elrod
Associate Members:
Ramos Oil Co., Inc.
Robert Feder
TYS, LLP
Tobin Moon
11 YEARS – 2014
Contractor Members:
Golden Gate Constructors
Rich Gates
Marina Landscape, Inc.
Robert Cowan
Associate Members:
Cal Safety, Inc.
Kevin Karrick
Newfront
Bryan Martin
10 YEARS – 2015
Contractor Members: Cratus, Inc.
Liam Finnegan
Hoseley Corporation
Rusty Hoseley
9 YEARS – 2016
Contractor Members:
Blue Iron Foundations & Shoring, LLC
Melissa Baker
BrightView Landscape Development, Inc.
Tomas Kuehn
Gonsalves & Santucci, Inc.
dba The Conco Companies
Steve Gonsalves
Associate Members:
Carpenter Rigging Group
Bruce Yoder
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
Luis Lester
Eide Bailly LLP
Nic Waldenmayer
Fisher Phillips
Jason Geller
Heritage Bank of Commerce
Noe Munoz
Philadelphia Insurance Companies
Erin Sullivan
7 YEARS – 2018
Contractor Members:
Cheryl’s Underground Construction
Cheryl Hamilton
Concrete Demo Works, Inc.
Ed Flores
Fryman Management Inc.
Ross Fryman
Innovate Concrete, Inc.
dba Innovate Engineering
J.Ramon Ramirez
Mladen Buntich
Construction
Mladen Buntich, Jr.
Power One LLC
Jason Cline
R&S Construction Management Inc.
Teera Nuntaworanuch
Underground Manholes
Robert Williams
Associate Members: Aldrich CPAs + Advisors LLP
Nick Balaity
Smith-Emery Company, Inc.
James Partridge
6 YEARS – 2019
Contractor Members:
C&N Reinforcing, Inc.
Juan Perez
Independent Structures, Inc.
John Langum
Nor-Cal Concrete, Inc.
Joe Ardave
Associate Members: Bubba’s Lowbed Service LLC
David Nisich
Rendon & Associates
Lou Rendon
5 YEARS – 2020
Contractor Members: Kiewit Infrastructure
West Co.
Matt Scott
Live Oak Utility Infrastructure, LLC
Peter Worhunsky
R & M Paving Contractors, Inc.
Anthony Selway
Sequoia Civil, LLC
Michael D. Betti
Toro Enterprises, Inc.
Sean Castillo
Associate Members: Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance
Lindsay Machacek
First Vanguard Rentals & Sales Inc.
Robert Merwin
Hoge Fenton
Alay Yajnik
U-Rock Utility Equipment Inc.
Mark Paduveris
4 YEARS – 2021
Contractor Members: Action Sweeping Services, Inc.
Dianna Paris
Capitol Barricade
Dave Sherman
Ground Control Inc. Ameet Patel
Kiewit Foundations Co.
Mike Meduna
Statewide Traffic Safety and Signs, Inc. dba AWP Safety
Debbie Riazzi
Steelhead Constructors, JV
Kevin Ramstrom
Western Water Constructors, Inc.
Ken Kreischer
Associate Members: Allen Construction Group LLP
Hiromi Young
Photo courtesy of Hoseley Corporation
Davillier-Sloan, Inc.
Jake Sloan
Tenstreet Construction
Jim Hall
3 YEARS – 2022
Contractor Members:
Cal Stripe Inc.
Steve Fleener
DPI Inc.
Brittany DeFreitas
G.Bortolotto & Company, Inc.
Robert Bortolotto
GSW Construction Inc.
Cody Gunning
Tom Mayo
Construction, Inc.
Tom D Mayo
Van Diest Bros., Inc.
Scott Van Diest
Associate Member:
Performance Construction Advisors
Kevin Albanese
2 YEARS – 2023
Contractor Members:
D W General Engineering
Contractor Corp.
David Wilson
Kiewit Shea Traylor, A Joint Venture
Matt Scott
OBS Engineering, Inc.
Wilmoth Lewis
Peterson Pipeline, Inc.
Greg Peterson
QA Constructors, Inc.
Luis Quinto Allende
Van Diest Bros., Inc.
Scott Van Diest
Associate Members:
Bulk Exchange
Ryan Brown
G3 Quality, Inc.
Chris Gerber
Tully Consulting Group
Robin Tully
Western States Oil
Robin Jackson
1 YEAR – 2024
Contractor Members: City Rise Inc. (DBA City
Rise Traffic)
Mariano Pacheco
Dees Hennessey, Inc.
Jason Myers
Foundation Constructors, Inc.
Dermot Fallon
Foundation Pile Inc.
Dermot Fallon
Granite Industrial
Amanda Amos
Lombardo Diamond Core Drilling Company, Inc.
Richard Long
Marne Construction, Inc.
Ernie Moreno
Ronan Construction, Inc.
Chris Wallace
Ricardo Marrun
Construction, Inc. (RMC)
Ricardo Marrun
Thompson Builders Corporation
Paul Thompson
Associate Members:
CATrak Technologies, Inc.
John Rollins
Global Risk LLC
Mark Kiger
Wowkode
Germain Hernandez
REPORT
UCON NEWS: KEEPING MEMBERS UP-TO-DATE
Not receiving our Monthly Wrap-Up? Stay up-to-date and Opt-in—log in to your member account, click on Member Home and Profile Email Preferences!
From our January Monthly Wrap-Up email bulletin (information as-of January 31, 2025), here’s what you may have missed—relevant updates for members. For more information on any of these topics, visit our website or contact memberinfo@unitedcontractors.org.
LOS ANGELES WILDFIRE UPDATE:
• UCON advocating on behalf of our contractor members to LA County. On January 10, UCON and the Southern California District Council of Laborers (SCDCL) sent a Letter of Support and Emergency Services option to the LA County Supervisors (see UCON’s homepage News section).
• Wildfire recovery process: UCON and AGC submitted a letter to the Administration with a list of recommendations that would allow contractors to clean up and rebuild more efficiently and effectively (see more on pages 12-13 of this issue).
• HAZWOPER Classes Available for Registration. In response to the Southern California fires, HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) classes are being offered by SCDCL and OE12. Contact LaborTeam@ unitedcontractors.org for links to the training schedules.
LABOR RELATIONS:
• UCON Industry Partners Meeting with OE3. The UCON-OE3 Industry Partners Meeting on January 30 -31 brought together union and contractor leaders to discuss critical industry topics, including the state of the industry, apprenticeship engagement, legislative updates, trust fund insights, and strategies to safeguard OE3 signatories, setting the stage for 2025-2026 initiatives. Contact LaborTeam@ unitedcontractors.org if you are interested in future Industry Partners Meetings, including those with other unions.
• DIR Extends Pause in eCPR Enforcement. The DIR has extended the temporary pause on eCPR enforcement through at least June 22, 2025, and clarified that contractors will not need to retroactively submit eCPRs once the stay ends. UCON recommends contractors continue to utilize the eCPR system when possible, maintain required certified payroll reports, and contact the DIR with specific issues at publicworks@dir.ca.gov. Contact the Labor Team for assistance if needed.
For more information on the above Labor Relations information, contact any member of our Labor Team at, LaborTeam@unitedcontractors.org.
• UCON Introduces Automated Speed Enforcement through Active Highway Construction Zones. UCON introduced Assembly Bill 289 (Haney), critical legislation to enhance worker safety at active highway construction work zones by implementing Automated Speed Enforcement. AB 289 will reduce crashes, protect workers and improve safety for all drivers.
• UCON Introduces Bill to Protect Contractor CashFlow in Private Sector. Senate Bill 61 (Cortese) would expand the 5% retention cap that exists in California on public works to private works.
• Does Federal DEI Reversal Impact DBE Programs? Many UCON members have inquired about possible impacts due to the new administration’s actions. Currently, DEI revocation should not impact DBE’s as they are not a part of the federal DEI mandate. This is an evolving industry situation, and UCON will keep members informed.
For more information on the above Legislative/Political information, contact Gus Flores, Director of Government Relations, gflores@unitedcontractors.org.
REGULATORY RESOURCES:
• ACTION ALERT: BAAQMD Permitting Delays and Fines. If you are experiencing significant permitting approval delays and fines from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, we want to hear from you. UCON is soliciting feedback from members so we can work with the BAAQMD to address these issues. Please provide a description of the issue and, if possible, proposed recommendations to help streamline a solution. Contact Gus Flores, gflores@unitedcontractors.org.
withdrew its waiver request to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding Advanced Clean Fleets. The waiver would have enacted the nation’s most stringent trucking emissions regulation. This decision is welcome news for our members and the broader industry. UCON has been a strong advocate on this issue, consistently raising our members’ concerns with state regulators.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
• Register now for UCON’s Labor Essentials Webinars, led by VP of Labor Relations, Victor Sella. Gain insights and learn best practices as a union contractor. Classes include:
• Best Practices for Dispatching, Hiring, Lay-offs, & Termination—offering both N. CA specific and S. CA specific; designed for Field leaders, Ops, and HR professionals. Get the most out of the dispatch system, avoid costly grievances and lawsuits, and easily navigate the hiring hall to more easily secure the talent you need.
• Mastering Prevailing Wage CPRs to 3rd Party Compliance—This course provides a clearly defined process on how to navigate prevailing wage requirements in a way that is replicable across your organization.
For more information on UCON’s Professional Development, contact Avanti Mehta, Education Coordinator, amehta@unitedcontractors.org, and see pages 22-23 for upcoming leadership classes.
UCON COMMUNICATIONS:
• Opt-In to UCON News, Bulletins, and Alerts. Make sure you are receiving UCON’s news, bulletins, and key updates. Simply log-in to your member portal, click on the Member Home button, and select Profile and Email Preferences
• UCON is updating our App. Be sure to uninstall the current UCON app from your device. A new and improved UCON app is on the way—stay tuned for updates!
RATED
4.7 OUT OF 5
UCON STAFF OVERALL SERVICE & RESPONSIVENESS and OVERALL SATISFACTION LEVEL WITH UCON MEMBERSHIP – both rated 4.7/5
3,500+
100% of contractor members would recommend UCON to a peer or colleague.*
*96% would “absolutely” refer us, 4% responded “maybe”
97% A 97% retention rate reflects the level of return on investment UCON contractors receive.
UCON is Statewide: Offices in San Ramon and Anaheim
4.7 COMMUNICATIONS OF INFORMATION & INDUSTRY UPDATES:
OVER 25,000 DOWNLOADS FROM OUR CONTRACTOR RESOURCES LIBRARY IN 2024
LABOR ADVOCACY & CONTRACTOR
HELP DESK: Assisted with over 2,500 calls/ emails in 2024:
4.7
• Labor disputes and grievances
• Public works/prevailing wage compliance
• Payroll advisory
• Employment law
• Trust fund issues
• Pre-job conferences and more
EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMS:
4.7
2,800+ individuals from over 260 companies participated in UCON’s in-person and virtual 50+ professional development courses this year, including UCON’s soldout programs: Fearless Field Leader, Project Management Career Advancement (PMCA), and Project Engineer Bootcamp; several classes rated 5/5.
4.7
UCON EVENTS & NETWORKING: Nine statewide events this year with over 3,300 attendees, and 440+ companies
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY: Fighting to protect your marketshare, improve the business environment, and increase infrastructure funding across the state, by working to support bills and elect legislators that elevate the union construction industry. In 2024, maintained a 89% success rate in passing or defeating legislation impacting members and the industry.
4.6
