Newsletters of the PHCC of Greater Boston

aaa

Click to See

Greater Boston Plumbing Legends!

November, 2004
From the desk of Hugh Kelleher, Executive Director
Comments or suggestions for future items: hughkelleher@aol.com

Union Merger Talks: If all goes as expected, UA Local 138 of Salem, Mass. will be merged into the Boston jurisdiction. Local 138 plumbers would transfer to Local 12, and Local 138 pipefitters to Local 537. The territory of Local 138 will become part of Local 12’s and Local 537’s jurisdiction. Most consider this a sensible move, particularly when compared with the move in the 1990’s which sent the Brockton local into the jurisdiction of Rhode Island.

Other Mergers: In case you missed it, Modern Continental, the Big Dig’s largest contractor, and one of the companies involved in the recent “leaking tunnel” problem, has merged with rival Jay Cashman Company of Quincy. Modern had experienced some financial difficulties in recent years. The GLOBE reported that Modern’s bonding companies had insisted on the move, to help Modern avoid bankruptcy. Cashman assumes financial control of the company, in return for millions of dollars of equipment, and Modern’s workforce….Sadly, Les Marino, who created Modern Continental, died on November 12.

Public Bid Law Changes: There have been some very important changes in the public bidding laws. Example: major new pre-qualification procedures designed to insure that jobs are awarded to capable contractors and subs. Monica Lawton and the team at Associated Subcontractors have produced some excellent information summarizing the new procedures. To learn more about ASM, call 617-742-3412.

Cotter Wins Cushing-Gavin Award: Local #12 Business Manager has been named a recipient of the prestigious Cushing-Gavin Award, which is presented to those who have made positive contributions to labor-management relations. The awards are given by the Labor Guild of the Archdiocese of Boston. Cotter and Local 12 (as well as our PHCC Association) have long supported the activities of the Guild…. In the fall Cotter was also elected President of the New England Pipe Trades, a coalition of piping unions from the region.

News from the Plumbing Board: Chairman Paul Kennedy reports that all the state boards involved with construction are now holding regular get-togethers to discuss shared issues. The Building Code Committee consists of the Boards of Plumbing, Electrical, Public Safety and others…. Word is that the new plumbing code can be expected sometime in early 2005. Extensive work has gone into this revision. Paul Kennedy reports that once the new code is implemented, both the old and new codes will be considered acceptable during a transition period of six months…. The new computerized licensing tests will go into effect in April.

Other Board News -- Continuing Education: With the support of the PHCC of Massachusetts, Board Chairman Kennedy and Executive Director Joe Peluso traveled to Texas over Veterans’ Day to meet with Texas officials about how Texas has implemented its continuing education program for plumbers. Texas has a very effective program, much of which was put together through that state’s PHCC. Here in Massachusetts, a new law has authorized the Board to set continuing education requirements. The same law allows the Board to increase the Apprentice Training requirements.

PHCC National Convention a Success: The PHCC recently held its National Convention here in Boston, in conjunction with the huge ISH North American Plumbing-Heating Trade Show. Our Association sponsored some of the special events, including a special welcoming breakfast, a reception for Union Affiliated Contractors, and tours of the Deer Island Waste Water Treatment Plant, and of the Local 12 and Local 537 Training Facilities.

Fact: UA Training Facilities in Boston spend more than $2 million per year on training. None of that money comes from the government, or taxes. All of it comes from union members and union contractors. Visit the training facilities at Local 12, or at Pipefitters Local 537, and you will see facilities which demonstrate that the money is well spent.

Night at the Pops: One of the best events of the year is the PHCC Night at the Pops, sponsored by the PHCC of Mass. Date: December 17. Call 781-843-3800.

Big Scholarships: The National PHCC and its trade associates recently awarded $120,000 in scholarships during its recent National Convention in Boston. Plumbing contractors and their employees should check out the national PHCC web site, phcconline.org, to get details about upcoming scholarships. Additional scholarships are available through the PHCC of Greater Boston, PHCC of Massachusetts, and Local 12.

Home Sales Strong: The residential building industry remains strong. The most recent reports showed that September registered the third highest home sales ever, as low mortgage rates continued. Sales in Northeast were up 4.1% from 2003. The non-residential market nationally grew at a slower pace – 2% above 2003. Rising interest rates are expected to slow residential construction somewhat.

Fan Pier Collapses…Again: The latest effort to develop Fan Pier (the acres of waterfront between the Moakley Courthouse and Anthony’s Pier IV) has fallen apart. New England Development, headed by Steve Karp, was named developer of Fan Pier after the original winner of the development rights failed to make its initial payment. But last week Karp and his partners forfeited a $2.5 million deposit saying, basically, that they couldn’t see a way to make money on the project, given the current market. Additional constraints had been placed on the project by the Boston Redevelopment Authority. Project plans had included mix of residential, hotels and commercial. Karp already controls the Pier IV site.

The Big Boys: Engineering News Record (ENR) recently ranked the largest national mechanical contractors. Topping the list: EMCOR Group, which is represented locally by J.C. Higgins Corp. of Stoughton. EMCOR’s 2003 revenues: $2,040 million.

Also Big: Union and other commercial contractors who think that the utility companies are only competing with small residential contractors should think twice. According to ENR, the nation’s sixth largest mechanical firm is KeySpan Business Solutions. The utility companies are coming after everyone’s business.

Utility Bill Not Passed: Massachusetts continues to allow utility companies like KeySpan to use ratepayer money to compete against plumbing and heating contractors. Legislation sponsored by the Mass Alliance for Fair Utility Competition would stop this practice. Bill garnered more support than ever in 2004, but died in Ways and Means Committee. Bill will be filed for 2005. We need funds to continue this fight. See enclosed information, and support this important effort.

Not Paid: A “Pay If Paid” bill which would have guaranteed that subcontractors would receive their money in most circumstances, was vetoed by Governor Romney. The bill had been crafted after years of negotiations between the Associated Subcontractors and the AGC (Associated General Contractors.) Both groups expected that it would be a ‘slam dunk,’ since it had been passed unanimously by the legislature, had been endorsed by both major state construction agencies (DCAM and Dept. of Transportation) and there was no apparent opposition from any construction organization.

In his veto, Romney wrote: “House 1383 would make the general contractor the financial guarantor of all risks of financial instability while currently those risks are shared by both the general contractor and the subcontractor.”

Construction industry people are wondering why Romney vetoed the bill. ASM has written: “Clearly, the Governor misunderstood both the bill and the construction industry.” The legislature cannot override the veto this late in the session. The bill will be promptly reintroduced in 2005.

Sexiest Plumbers: American Standard is sponsoring a search for America’s Sexiest Plumbers. If you think you (or a friend) qualify, you have a chance to have your picture on a “Sexy Plumber” calendar. You could also win tickets to the Superbowl. Contact Kelly Epley at kepley@clynch.com.

Industry Appreciation Night: Special thanks to the hundreds of members of our plumbing industry who came out in October to celebrate Industry Appreciation Night. Our featured speaker, NEWSWEEK Editor Evan Thomas (also of the Imus in the Morning radio show) was a big hit. Funds were raised for our Scholarship Program. See the attached list of sponsors.

Notable People: As part of our Industry Appreciation Night, we prepared a booklet that includes profiles of five prominent, senior members of our industry: John Cannistraro, Sr. of J.C. Cannistraro; Ed Duggan II, of E.M. Duggan Co.; Former Local #12 Training Director Jack Fandel; Former Boston Inspector John O’Leary, Sr.; and long-time Plumbing Board Executive Secretary Lou Visco. Contact our office if you would like a copy of the book: 978-777-8764.

Passages: Two prominent members of our industry have passed away. Local 12’s former Business Manager, Harvey Fleitman died at age 75. Also, George Minahan, who worked as a Local 12 plumber, and later for engineering firms, passed recently. Both these men were known as particularly intelligent, colorful figures in an industry which has never been lacking in personality.