STA Advocates for Better Business

Working with SCA, subcontractors alter change order protocol. Also, ACEC honors industry leaders.

STA and SCA Collaborate for Effective Change

The Subcontractors Association of New York has partnered with New York City School Construction Authority to alter the change order process.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 164 of Paramus, New Jersey recently donated materials and skilled services to update the field house at Thomas Della Torre Field. Pictured with Comet players and head coach Mike Miello (center, kneeling) are: (counter clockwise, standing) Local 164 Business Manager Richard Dressel; electrician Billy Jones; Local 164l’s Outreach Coordinator Barry Hammond; an electrical volunteer Rick Hammond,; Local 164’s Assistant Electrical Training Director David Milazzo, Jr.; and Elaine Lampe, an electrical apprentice.

“Subcontractors will no longer bear the burden of funding these orders themselves and will now have ample time to negotiate a final price,” said Fred Levinson, chairman of the Subcontractors Trade Association’s committee for this change.

For any change order equaling or exceeding $50,000, including the contractor and all the subcontractors involved in that specific change order, the Authority’s engineer/architect will provide an estimate along with the Notice of Direction for the change. The general contractor is permitted to bill 80% of the estimate; and within 90 days of receiving the change order, the general contractor must provide an estimate for the job, according to STA.

STA sees the change as a major progression. “At least now the subcontractor can negotiate the final price with the SCA with a good percentage of the price of the work already approved and scheduled for payment,” said Levinson.

The revised change order process is also beneficial to the SCA, reducing the change order department’s workload and the time required to process orders significantly, said STA.

“I don’t believe anyone else in the private sector or any other public agency has made such a great advance,” said Levinson. “SCA’s modifications are a major development for our industry.”

ACEC Awards Distributed

The American Council of Engineering Companies of New York recently honored three industry leaders for leadership skills and contributions to New York’s consulting engineering community.

The recipient of this year’s President’s Award went to Francis Lombardi, chief engineer of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. The President’s Award is given to a non-member of the council.

The Engineer of the Year Award was secured by Samuel Schwartz, founder of Sam Schwartz Engineering, who is an ACEC New York board member.

Lastly, New Principal of the Year Award was awarded to Thomas McLaughlin, principal of Henningson Durham & Richardson Architecture and Engineering, P.C. and a member of ACEC.

The honorees accepted their awards at the ACEC annual conference in Manhattan.

Union Carpenters & Contractors Promote College Degrees

New York City and Vicinity Carpenters Labor-Management Corporation has launched an update to improve its College Degree Program, which allows union members to further advance their careers as skilled professionals via college courses.

The New York City District Council of Carpenters is now partnered with The Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies at Empire State College in Manhattan to transfer college credits earned elsewhere, and/or to earn life experience credits that can be applied to an Associate of Arts or Science Degree.

Targeted students include trade unionists and working adults who are non-traditional, college-aged students interested in organized labor. For apprentices enrolled at the Labor Technical College after Fall 2002, 30 credits will apply toward the required 64 credits required for an Associate’s degree.

“It’s part of our mission to provide union members with college degree programs, so the District Council of Carpenters is an ideal partner for us,” said Dr. Michael Merrill, Dean of The Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies. “They are the largest apprenticeship program in the area and have made a serious commitment to the college program.”

Enrollment is now open and additional information about the College Degree Program is available on the District Council home page at www.nycdistrictcouncil.com/pdf/collegedegree.pdf.

IBEW Local 164 Continues Support

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 164 of Paramus, New Jersey recently donated more than $18,000 to upgrade the Hackensack High School football facilities in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Additionally, IBEW Local 164 donated materials and skilled services to update the field house at Thomas Della Torre Field in preparation for the team’s fall season.

“Local 164 provided a wide range of electrical services that included comprehensive re-wiring of the Field House with an updated electrical system as well as installing lighting, ceiling fans and new electrical outlet receptacles,” said Richard Dressel, business manager of IBEW Local 164. “By giving back to the community through their trade, Local 164’s members have had the opportunity to . . . support the Hackensack Comets and ensure the safety and well-being of all those who utilize the Field House.”

The Hackensack High School Field House project is one of several outreach efforts undertaken by IBEW Local 164 in New Jersey. Recent projects include the Bloomfield Little League Field House in Bloomfield Rebuilding Together Bergen County project and donating $50,000 to support construction of the Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center.