Project of the Year Award Applications Ready!

The 2016 Project of the Year Award applications are now available. To download this year’s form, click here.  Just like last year, the submittal process is completely electronic, easy and convenient.

Once again, there are 6 different project categories: 1) New Construction/Chicago – above $20m; 2) New Construction/Suburbs – above $20m; 3) New Construction/Chicago or Suburbs – below $20m; 4) Infrastructure; 5) Rehabilitation/Chicago or Suburbs; and 6) Residential/Chicago or Suburbs.  The deadline for submittals is 5:00 p.m. Thursday, December 1, 2016.  For more information, contact Gary Karafiat at (630) 472-9411 or via email, gary@cisco.org.

Safe Roads Amendment – VOTE YES!

For years, Illinois has underinvested in its roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.  That’s put public safety at risk and cost us thousands of jobs.  It’s all because state government refuses to invest responsibly.  The Safe Roads Amendment is the solution.  The Amendment constitutionally protects money (taxes) collected for transportation so it is spent ON TRANSPORTATION.  On Election Day (November 8th), or when you early vote, make sure you vote YES on the Safe Roads Amendment.  For more details, click here.

Apprenticeship Programs Boost Illinois’ Economy

A new report from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois finds that apprenticeship programs have significant positive social and economic impacts in Illinois. For every dollar invested, the programs return nearly $11 in total benefits to workers and the state economy. The programs benefit employers by addressing skills shortages through a supply of safe, productive workers. Funded almost entirely through partnerships between employers and labor unions, apprenticeship programs in construction also benefit the public by ensuring high-quality infrastructure and products, growing the state economy by $1.25 billion over the long run, and improving the budgets of state and local governments.

To view the report in its entirety, click here.

3rd Annual Construction Expo Hits A Grand Slam!

More than 325 students and adults attended the 3rd annual Construction Expo as CISCO, St. Paul Community Development Ministries (SPCDM), the Chicago Teachers Union and CPS joined forces to showcase careers in the construction industry. The event was once again hosted by SPCDM at 4550 S. Wabash Avenue in Chicago.

 

 

 

 

To view more pictures of the event, click here.

National Labor-Management Conference – Receives Rave Reviews

For the first time in eight years, the National Labor-Management Conference presented by the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service was held in Chicago, and by all indications, the event was a huge success.  Titled “Future @Work” more than 1,000 attendees came to the Hyatt Regency and got a chance to take in more than 60 breakout sessions and several keynote speakers.  In the photo above AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and FMCS Director Allison Beck held a brief discussion on national issues following Mr. Trumka’s keynote speech.

CISCO presented a 90-minute workshop during one of 60-plus breakout sessions/panel presentations from 3:30 – 5:00 pm on Thursday, August 18.  At right, CISCO’s Education-to-Careers Director Johnetta Ryan speaks to the audience about Apprenticeship Programs.

At left, guest contractor Peggy Hrindak, President/CEO of Phoenix Business Solutions, spoke about the contractor’s perspective as it related to the Labor-Management model.  CISCO was also one of the event sponsors as it helped to bring Keynote Speaker Jason Dorsey to the event.  For more pictures of the event, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CISCO Launches 2017 Scholarship Program;  Deadline For Applications – Feb. 17, 2017

CISCO is now accepting applications for its 2017 Scholarship Program.  CISCO offers (3) four-year scholarships ($2,000/year) to high school seniors; (2) two-year awards ($1,000/year) for seniors planning to attend community college; and (2) two-year continuing education awards ($1,000/year) to union members or contractor employees.

All applications and accompanying documents MUST be postmarked by February 17, 2017 to be eligible for consideration.  For judging criteria, application information and eligibility requirements, please click on any of the three application forms that follow: 1) 4-year scholarship; 2) 2-year community college scholarship; and 3) 2-year continuing education scholarship.

CISCO Golf Outing: In One Word – Spectacular!

It was an utterly spectacular day on all fronts for CISCO’s Annual Golf Outing as the weather, food and fun were all a big hit as 142 golfers enjoyed a perfect day.  Lunch was highlighted by the traditional raffle of prizes and the beneficiary of the golfers’ generosity was CISCO’s designated charity – Oak Lawn-based Christmas Without Cancer.  Final contribution totals will be released later, but in the meantime enjoy some of the day’s photos below.  To view all of the pictures from the outing/lunch/raffle, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractor Workshop Provides Tips To Keep Cheating Contractors From Winning Bids 

Nearly 50 contractors, elected officials and building trades personnel attended this recent seminar at UA Local 597 Pipefitters Training center, 10850 W. 187th St., Mokena, IL 60448.

The workshop taught practical, effective strategies to keep low-road contractors who cheat to compete from winning contracts for public works jobs.  In the photo above, Michael Lingl of the Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting discusses how to search for evidence of poor performing contractors.  For more photos of the event, click here.

Bensenville Hands-On Apprenticeship Career Fair A Big Hit With Residents

CISCO and the Village of Bensenville recently partnered on a Hands-On Career Fair and many area residents turned out to talk to Apprenticeship Coordinators and Instructors and allowed attendees to experience first hand what the men and women in the union trades do in the course of a day.

In the photo above, Bensenville Mayor Frank Soto prepares to take a computerized welding exercise as Pipefitters Local 597 Admissions Director Adam Sutter adjusts his head gear.

At left, Laborers’ Apprenticeship Coordinator Paul Hoetzer watches as a resident tries using a hammer drill.  Among the union trades represented at the event were the Electricians, Carpenters, Bricklayers, Laborers, Pipefitters, Ceramic Tile Finishers, Roofers Local 11, and Operating Engineers Local 150.   For more photos of the event, click here.