Executive Directors Blog

It's BACK to WORK in PA !!!

PA construction sites are back open for business.  We'll deal with the "new norm" TOGETHER. 

We'll continue to provide members the latest information related to COVID-19.  We'll also continue to collaborate with our industry partners to keep sites as safe as possible.

Finish First Awards (rescheduled to 3/26/2020)

Fingers crossed ... we hope to see everyone at the Finish First Awards ... tentatively rescheduled to 3/26/21 !!

We received over 30 submittals, with the judges and selected the winners.  We look forward to announcing the winners in 2021.

We are grateful to our 2020 SPONSORS ... who recognize the value of partnering and friendship and hope that they'll be able to renew their commitment to the 2021 program.  They are:

Title Sponsor:  Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters

End the Disorder from Top to Bottom

I know very well the feeling that we wear "too many hats" on the job or in the office (no pun intended!) We start the day with a LONG to-do list and find ourselves scratching our heads at 5:00 wondering why we couldn't get everything done!? As I was reading the article below, I thought these suggestions were common sense! But the truth is...we are so busy that we sometimes forget the obvious. Safety of our Crew, Maximizing Productivity, and Job Profitability are strategies we constantly talk about at IFCA.

AI in Construction: Benefit #1...Prevent Cost Overruns

 

REQUESTING that the DOL exempt the CONST IND from IRAPs

IFCA and IFCA MEMBERS have weighed in on this very important topic.  

We have until 8/26/19 to send in comments; so far 192,077 comments have been received.  IFCA members were provided with a communication from SWACCA with a LINK to submit COMMENTS/SEND.  Contact IFCA if you need help with your submittal.

Also,  FCA sent IFCA a link to an article posted in Politico ... if you haven't seen it ... take a look:

Why You Don't Need a College Degree to Land a Great Job

Dear Friends,

WE'VE GOT A NEW PRESIDENT ...

Join me in congratulating Geoff Furtaw - IFCA's new President.  Geoff has been an active BOD member for several years.  He is on the Legislative Committee and has represented us annually in DC.  He has testified locally on behalf of the PA LIEN LAW as well as on PROMPT PAY.  Under Geoff's leadership our legislative commitment will remain stedfast, our communications and industry meetings with our union partners will continue and we'll look forward to new initiatives, services and benefits.  Geoff's term commences July 1 ... come on now !!!

TAX CHEATS IN CONSTRUCTION

Here's a link to an article by William C. Sproule, the EST for the Keystone + Mountain + Lakes Council of Carpenters - the article is about "Tax Cheats in Construction."

Misclassification/Tax Fraud has a huge impact on our contractors who appropriately classify their workforce, pay taxes and make sure that their workers are insured.

WINTER CONFERENCE WRAP-UP

Thank you to the many contractors that attended IFCA's 2019 Winter Conference. 

Our conference provided attendees with a relaxed atmosphere for networking and "talking shop."

The Legal Workshop was fantastic ... the primary focus/topic was Indemnification.  A MEMO will hit all members' e-mail boxes later this week.  Just so you know ... INDEMNIFICATION happens to be our next legislative pursuit.

It's Valentine's Day ... let me tell you what I LIKE and LOVE about IFCA

I LIKE that IFCA was created to help signatory contractors with bonding, legislative pursuits that have a strong focus on helping contractors get paid or to reduce risk, negotiate local collective bargaining agreements, offer safety services, marketing (thanks Barb) and much much more.  We're in partnership with three unions (the carpenters, the IUPAT and the Laborers).  They are our human resource department helping IFCA members hire qualified, professional construction personnel that have been trained,&nbs