SMARTBRIEFRESEARCHMEDIA SMARTBRIEF Subscribe here for free Top Story Who will pay for the Penn Station restoration? May 11, 2022 A proposal to restore New York City's Penn Station included 10 supertall skyscrapers in Midtown Manhattan as a means to generate revenue that would pay for the project. But an analysis by the city's Independent Budget Office calls that plan into question, noting major variations in cost estimates and raising the possibility that taxpayers may ultimately be on the hook. The New York Times (5/9) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Report: Union projects more likely to finish on time May 11, 2022 Unionized projects are more likely to be finished on time and buck general labor shortages in construction, according to a report from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The conclusion was reached after an analysis of data from the Associated General Contractors of America from 2018-21. Business Insider (tiered subscription model) (5/10) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus NYC's top general contractors ranked May 11, 2022 As construction returns to pre-pandemic levels in New York City, Monadnock Construction has risen to the top spot in The Real Deal's latest list of the city's leading builders with 17 permits filed for projects totaling more than 4.2 million square feet. The number of permits easily exceeded the maximum total of 10 for other firms, including second-place New Line Structures, whose plans total 3.7 million square feet of new building. The Real Deal (5/4) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Work rolls on at 57-story Lyra NYC in Hudson Yards May 11, 2022 Construction of the curtain wall at the Lyra NYC residential tower in Hudson Yards continues, with completion set for this fall. Site C GC is listed as the general contractor for the 57-story project, which will have nearly 600 rental units, from two-bedroom units to studios. New York YIMBY (5/10) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology 4 keys to digital transformation May 11, 2022 Even though a solid majority of construction companies assign digital transformation a high priority, only 15% have actually begun the process, according to a Dodge Construction Network survey. David Brian Ward, CEO of Safe Site Check In, reviews four factors needed for success: identifying an agile transformation team, integrating office and field technology, finding the right tech solutions and setting realistic expectations. For Construction Pros (5/10) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology Column: A better solution to pricing May 11, 2022 An increasingly challenging economic environment adds to the already difficult task of pricing products and services in the construction industry, writes Garry Bartecki of GB Financial Services. Rather than bidding with the expectation of eating some inflation costs or using current costs and losing business to others, Bartecki recommends reducing overhead and fixed costs while compressing the billing process to expedite collections. For Construction Pros (5/7) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch Falls are "by far our biggest issue," NYC official says May 11, 2022 Safety should be the primary issue of all "property owners, engineers, architects and contractors" involved in the city's approximately 40,000 live construction sites, said Gus Sirakis, acting commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings. In other remarks at the department's virtual five-day safety event, Deputy Commissioner Timothy Hogan noted that falls among workers are "by far our biggest issue." Safety + Health (5/5) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch Event raises awareness of prescription drug abuse May 11, 2022 Experts are taking a closer look at the link between the physical demands of construction work and prescription drugs intended to treat chronic pain. Abuse of opioid drugs "affects people of all classes, races, jobs, employers, labor -- doesn't matter where you're from," says Tom Gunning, executive director of Building Trades Employers' Association Northeast, which recently held its annual Recovery Week to raise awareness. Commercial Observer (5/10) VIEW ARTICLE CCA Metro News The Construction and Transportation Industry Good Scout Awards Luncheon May 11, 2022 The Construction and Transportation Industry Good Scout Awards Luncheon benefits an American and New York institution - the Boy Scouts of America, Greater New York Councils. Our industry has been proud to support this event for 65 years, including on June 10 at 12 p.m. at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City! Learn more here about supporting this event. VIEW ARTICLE CCA Metro News Searchable contractor directory May 11, 2022 Visit our new and improved searchable directory of union carpentry contractors in the New York City metropolitan area. It includes listings of 14 contractor associations and their members, contractors that have union agreements independently or with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, and contractors certified as MWBEs. General building, concrete, wall and ceiling, millwrights, heavy construction, dockbuilders and timbermen, floor coverers, woodwork and cabinetry and more - it's all in one place. VIEW ARTICLE Top Story Former Council member Ulrich named buildings chief May 4, 2022 Mayor Eric Adams has found a commissioner for the Department of Buildings -- Eric Ulrich, adviser to the mayor since January, once a member of the City Council for a dozen years. "Eric Ulrich's appointment as commissioner of the Department of Buildings is a tremendous victory for working men and women," said Joseph Geiger, executive secretary and treasurer for the New York City District Council of Carpenters. "As he has throughout his career, Commissioner Ulrich will put the interests of union workers first, cut red tape, and ensure development in New York City is responsible, safe, and creates good jobs." The Real Deal (5/3) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Dodge: Civil contractors mostly optimistic in Q1 May 4, 2022 More than half of civil contractors surveyed by Dodge Construction Network are looking ahead to wider profit margins this year, and 76% are very confident work will be available, according to a first-quarter survey. However, the optimism is tempered by expectations that the bipartisan infrastructure law could add strain to ongoing labor, cost and supply chain problems. Dodge Data & Analytics (4/26) VIEW ARTICLE VIEW SMARTBRIEF ARCHIVES RESEARCH Research THE UNION ADVANTAGE DURING THE CONSTRUCTION LABOR SHORTAGE The Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) and Project for Middle-Class Renewal (PMCR) at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign report that unionizing is key to retaining workers and avoiding labor shortages. They find that unionized labor is more efficient, dependable, and safe, and "less likely to have delays in completion times due to shortages of workers - and they've actually been more likely to add workers in this tight labor market.” The New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters and union contractors maintain a reliable supply of skilled labor with state of the art training and continuing education programs for members from all backgrounds. VIEW ARTICLE Research PAYROLL FRAUD IN NEW YORK’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: ESTIMATING ITS PREVALENCE, SEVERITY AND ECONOMIC COSTS Research by the Institute for Construction Economic Research (ICERES) finds that payroll and tax fraud costs New Yorkers more than $1 billion annually. Cheating contractors gain a $13,500-15,000 cost advantage per worker over law-abiding contractors and workers paid off-the-books or misclassified as independent contractors are robbed of $9,000-10,000 annually. VIEW ARTICLE Research The Limited Record of the Associated Builders and Contractors in New York City Metropolitan Region Construction, MWBE Development, and Workforce Training According to a new report by Rochester Research Associates, the upstate-based Associated Builders and Contractors Empire State Chapter has few contractors, MWBEs and training programs in the NYC metro area, which calls into question its qualifications on policy concerns in NYC construction. With the need to address major issues such as mass transit infrastructure, MWBEs, and safety training, it is important that those with actual experience and expertise in NYC construction lead the discussion. VIEW ARTICLE Research New York’s Prevailing Wage Law - A cost-benefit analysis The Economic Policy Institute’s analysis of peer-reviewed research shows how prevailing wage laws (1) promote cost-effective quality and safety on taxpayer-funded construction projects, (2) stimulate economic growth and higher tax revenue, and (3) reduce poverty and reliance on public healthcare and assistance programs. VIEW ARTICLE Research Healthy City: Inside New York City's Hospital Building Boom New York City's large hospital systems are making major capital investments not only to modernize their facilities but to transform how they deliver healthcare. This New York Building Congress report details how they are an important factor in NYC's construction and overall economy. VIEW ARTICLE Research The Economic, Fiscal, and Social Effects of Ohio’s Prevailing Wage Law 76% of peer-reviewed economic research shows that prevailing wages do not increase public construction costs. Here is more research from Ohio that reaches the same conclusion. VIEW ARTICLE Research Union Construction workers diversify NYC union construction has become significantly more racially diverse in the past two decades. LEARN MORE MEDIA Media Union Carpenters and Contractors – Trained for Safety and Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities Healthcare construction, whether it involves renovations to occupied spaces or the development of new facilities, presents unique challenges and risks. Union carpenters and contractors are dedicated to partnering with healthcare professionals to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors. Our Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) training program sets the industry standard. ICRA training is highly recommended for employees of contractors performing healthcare construction as well as professionals in facilities management, construction planning & design, maintenance, infection prevention, nursing, life safety, regulatory compliance, and more. Visit our website for more information: https://www.ccametro.com/results-for-owners/#icra WATCH THE VIDEO Media Union Carpenters and Contractors - Essential to Building New York's Best The New York City District Council of Carpenters and union contractors have responded to COVID-19 in our industry and local communities. We're committed to building an even better future. See how we adopted new safety standards and provided critical training to keep essential projects moving forward. Visit here to see some of the outstanding work accomplished throughout these challenging times. WATCH THE VIDEO Media BUILDING NEW YORK'S BEST - PRIORITIZING SAFETY Union carpenters and contractors in New York provide ongoing safety training and enforce safety standards on the job. That means safer workers, and a safer city for all of us. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Spotlight on Union Carpenters and MWBE Contractors Infinity Contracting is a union MWBE affiliated with the NYC District Council of Carpenters and the Building Contractors Association. This project is built through a DASNY PLA with 100% union labor. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Hoisting and Scaffolding Take a look at this short video highlighting the contractors of the Hoisting and Scaffolding Trade Association – HASTA – and the Timbermen of Local Union 1556. Together, they build, erect and dismantle material and personnel hoists, scaffolding, sidewalk bridges and more on NYC’s most challenging construction projects. WATCH THE VIDEO Media ICSC New York Deal Making Expo at the Javits Center The ICSC New York Deal Making Expo is the largest retail real estate event on the East Coast, welcoming over 10,000 attendees and 530 vendors to the three-day event! See how union carpenters from the New York City District Council of Carpenters and union contractors played a critical role in bringing the expo to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Dockbuilders, Pile Drivers, & Marine Divers Above ground, under ground, and even under water, union dockbuilders, pile drivers, marine divers, and the contractors that employ them bring strong foundations to structures throughout New York’s skyline, infrastructure, and waterways. Check out this short video highlighting the union training and skills that are crucial to both a project’s success and the safety of workers. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Architectural Woodwork and Cabinetry Take a look at this video that highlights how cabinetmakers and woodworkers of Local Union 2790 and contractors that employ them bring superior skill and artistry to commercial, residential, institutional and retail interiors. They fabricate and install both decorative and functional elements of design specifications including trim and molding, cabinetry, ceiling treatments, doors, windows, exposed columns and beams, displays, mantels, and staircases. WATCH THE VIDEO Media LU 740 Millwrights at the New York Proton Therapy Center The New York City Proton Therapy Center will be the first and only specialized treatment facility in the state of New York. Learn how members of Millwright Local Union 740 are working with Bay Crane and Varian Medical Systems to go above and beyond in Building New York’s Best! WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Resilient Floor Covering Union floor covering carpenters and contractors are trained to meet the specifications of your project and the flooring product’s manufacturer. Because every flooring project should be installed with Quality and Performance to Stand On. Union carpenters and contractors are Building New York’s Best! WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Interior Systems, Wall & Ceiling carpenters and contractors Union carpenters performed 10 million hours of work last year for interior systems and wall-ceiling contractors in New York City, bringing the highest quality to new building interiors and renovations for commercial, residential and institutional projects. These skilled professionals engage in general carpentry, gypsum drywall, acoustical ceilings, framing, finish carpentry, furniture installation, and more. Union carpenters and contractors are Building New York’s Best! WATCH THE VIDEO Media Union Carpenters and Contractors Are Building New York’s Best Take a look at this short video highlighting union carpenters and contractors who are building the best in residential, institutional, commercial, transportation and infrastructure. Build with Quality. Build with Safety. Build with Confidence. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Reinforced Concrete Superstructures Take a look at this short video introducing you to Local Union 212 and their affiliated contractors who build concrete superstructures. In the last five years, they have completed more than 50 million square feet of cast in place reinforced concrete superstructures. Their intensive knowledge of formwork systems allows for the most cost-effective construction on the market. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best Trade Shows, Conventions and Exhibitions Take a look at this short video introducing you to union trade show carpenters and contractors. These skilled professionals erect prefabricated exhibits and build custom exhibits for trade shows at the Javits Center, area hotels and other venues. They engage in floor layout, pipe and drape work, carpeting, booth maintenance, and rigging of signs for exhibits. The Javits Center is the busiest convention center in the U.S. It hosts 175+ events a year and generates $2 billion of economic activity. Union trade show carpenters and contractors make it possible. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Millwright and Machinery Erectors Call on millwrights from Local Union 740 and their contractors to deliver precision and productivity to every job. Put the best millwrights in New York to work on your next project. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Transportation Infrastructure for the 21st Century Meet some of the union carpenters and contractors who are rebuilding the Kosciuszko Bridge and LaGuardia Airport. They have the training, skill, and experience to work safely and deliver the highest quality on projects bringing our transportation infrastructure into the 21st century. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Starts with Training The Carpenters Training Center is jointly sponsored by union carpenters and contractors to provide members with the training needed to bring the highest level of skill and safety to projects throughout the New York City metropolitan area. WATCH THE VIDEO VIEW MEDIA ARCHIVES