Career Information Fair at Prairie State College Draws Nice Crowd

About 60 individuals attended a mid-June Career Information Fair held at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights.  Attendees learned about union trades and how they can help in the pursuit of a career in the union construction industry.

Nine different trades were on hand, along with representatives of the Illinois Army National Guard and the Chicago Women in Trades.  The Fair was made possible by the support of CISCO, the South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association, the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation and the Illinois Department of Employment Security and several local elected officials.

The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters hosted a massive crowd of more than 4,000 visitors, who attended the CRCC’s Open House on a sunny Saturday in early June at its Training Center in Elk Grove Village.

The event featured tours of the Apprenticeship School and gave visitors a chance to see what a career as a carpenter was all about.  Fifty (50) architects were presented with two CEUs for attending, and over 100 vendors were on hand to present their new tools and construction products.

Pictured above are; (clockwise from top left) 1) John Horak, CRCC; 2) Joe Serpico, Mike Macellaio, Secretary-Treasurer, Chicago & Cook County Building Trades, and Mike Simone, Amalgamated Bank of Chicago; 3) Visitor registration line; 4) Jorge Ramirez, President of Chicago Federation of Labor, and Dan McLaughlin, Executive Director of the Builders Association and CISCO Board Member.

In addition, other highlights included a visit from gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker, the Mayor of Elk Grove Village Craig Johnson, ABC-TV Channel 7, several local colleges, the Chicago Women in Trades; and the Carpenters “Built To Last” television program was shown by the show’s hosts.

To view more photos of the event, just click here.

Prevailing Wage Rates Posted On IDOL Website

The Illinois Department of Labor has now posted the 2016 prevailing wage rates effective June 5, 2017, in response to a Cook County Circuit Court ruling.

Litigation and Section 9 hearings regarding the posting of these rates has been ongoing since 2016.

The rates were posted on Friday, May 26 in accordance with the ruling, and a letter from Paul Kersey, Manager of Conciliation and Mediation confirmed the action.

According to the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130/0.01-12), contractors and subcontractors are required to pay laborers, workers, and mechanics employed on public works projects no less than the general prevailing rate of wages (consisting of hourly cash wages plus fringe benefits) for work of similar character in the locality where the work is performed.

It is recommended that you check to ensure the rates are correct for your area/craft. To view the rates, click here.

CISCO will continue to update you on any further developments regarding litigation and Prevailing Wage compliance.  If you have any questions, please contact the Conciliation and Mediation Division at (217) 782-1710 or (312) 793-1812, or via email at dol.pwd@illinois.gov.

Suicide Prevention Survey

Your help is needed!  Please take 15 minutes to provide input that will help save lives in the construction/extraction industries. To access the survey, click here.

Back in February, CISCO co-sponsored a Suicide Prevention Summit that highlighted the grim fact that the construction industry is the second highest rated industry affected by suicide.

Currently, the Department of Psychology at Florida State University, is conducting a study to better understand the high suicide rate in the construction/extraction industries.  If you are interested in participating in this study, click here.

Chicago & Cook County Building Trades and Chicago Housing Authority Hold Hands-On Event

Representatives from 11 different building trades were on hand to explain to CHA residents how to apply to their respective apprenticeship programs recently at the Carpenters Satellite training facility on Union Avenue in Chicago.

As CCBT President Ralph Affrunti explained, the idea to recruit residents from CHA was part of a Project Labor Agreement set to take effect on June 21st.

CISCO’s Education-to-Careers Director Johnetta Ryan coordinated the effort of contact the trades who were present.  They included: The Laborers, Painters/Drywall Finishers, Pipefitters, IBEW 134, Operating Engineers 150, Roofers, Boilermakers, Heat & Frost Local 17, Carpenters, Bricklayers and Ceramic Tile Setters.  Instructors and Apprenticeship Coordinators told the residents what was required to apply, as well as showed them some of the more commonplace activities.

To view more pictures from the event, click here.

 

 

 

“I Want SMART” Marketing Campaign Is Hot Topic Among Consumers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CISCO Golf Outing – Monday, September 11 – Start Planning To Sponsor & Register

Start planning your foursomes now for the annual shot-gun style outing and barbecue lunch, Monday, September 11, 2017 at Bloomingdale Golf Club, 181 Glen Ellyn Road.

The outing is still the best value around, and offers great prizes and tons of fun. Registration and free practice range begins at 7:00 a.m.; golf begins at 8:00 a.m. with cocktails and lunch beginning around 1:30 pm.

There are also many ways to sponsor the outing. Hole, Beverage Cart, Halfway House and Lunch sponsorships are available, as well as registration table and prize donations. Call us at 630-472-9411 to sponsor and/or reserve your foursomes today!  To download the registration form, just click here.

Carpenter’s “Built To Last” TV Show Will Continue to Air on Sundays Through Summer

The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Labor Management’s video aired for the first time on Sunday, May 7 at noon on ABC/WLS Channel 7.  If you missed it, the “Built To Last” television show will continue to be shown for 12 consecutive Sundays (each starting at Noon), so make sure to tune in and watch this great program.

Of course, you can watch the video whenever you want online. The promotional video that highlights the overall purpose of the show can be found on the carpenters website – www.carpentersunion.org.

The video states that the shows will provide an in-depth look at what it takes to be a carpenter, it touches on the economic impact of the union on the community, highlights veterans outreach and much more. To view the video, click here.

Cement Masons Local 502 Breaks Ground on Apprenticeship Training Center in Bellwood

A new Training Center will be built this summer in Bellwood for apprentices of both the Cement Masons Local 502 and the Plasterers Local 5.  The 20,000 square-foot building is expected to be open sometime in October 2017.

Pictured above are from left:  Newly elected Bellwood Mayor Andre Harvey; Pat LaCassa, President and Business Manager of Cement Masons Local 502; Former Bellwood Mayor Frank Pasquale; Larry Picardi, Secretary-Treasurer of Cement Masons Local 502; Tom Abruzzo, Vice President of Forza Construction; and Anthony Abruzzo, President of Forza Design & Consulting Inc.

“We are very excited about moving into this new facility,” said Larry Picardi, Secretary-Treasurer, Cement Masons Local 502.  “We need to continue to attract young men and women into these trades and having state of the art classrooms and dedicated areas for instruction of the craft is vital.”

“I also want to thank our members who have been very supportive of this project.  We have never had our own training center, and we are happy to be staying in the area,” Picardi added.

The structure is being built next door to the Cement Masons Union Hall in Bellwood, and Picardi said it will provide a campus feel to his members and apprentices who have been using facilities in Alsip for the past two years.  Currently, there are 93 cement masons and 18 plasterers who are enrolled in the apprenticeship program.

CISCO/CPS Hands-On Expo: 12 Trades Give Students Insight Into Construction Careers

Chicago Public School students from 5 high schools tried out basic techniques and were made aware of how to apply to specific apprenticeship programs during the annual hands-on expo held at the Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Center in Chicago.

The Building Trades represented during the Expo included: Bricklayers, Carpenters, Electricians (IBEW Local 134), Laborers, Operating Engineers (Local 150), Painters/Decorators, Pipefitters (Local 597), Plumbers (Local 130), Roofers & Waterproofers (Local 11), Sheet Metal Workers (Local 73), Tile Setters & Finishers, and UAW Auto Mechanics (Local 701).

Pictured below are students getting a try at the following: Bricklaying, carpentry, electrical wiring, jackhammering, operating equipment, virtual painting, roofing and tile cutting.  For more pictures of the event, just click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heat & Frost Insulator

The Heat & Frost Insulators Local #17’s Apprenticeship Program will be accepting applications from June 26 through June 30, 2017. Applicants must have all paperwork on file at the Union Office – 18520 Spring Creek Dr. in Tinley Park no earlier or no later than those dates mentioned above.

Application pick up dates are as follows:

1) June 1 (8 am – 2 pm) at the Peoria Labor Temple Lower Level;

2) June 5th – June 9th (8am – 3 pm) at the Union Hall; and

3) June 12th – June 16th (8 am – 3 pm) at the Union Hall.

In addition to a completed application form, applicants must also bring the following papers:

1) Official Birth Certificate (original with seal); a scanned copy will be made and original returned to you.

2) Sealed High School Transcripts or Official GED scores.

3) A history of your work record.

4) Copy of a govt. issued photo I.D.

5) Two personal references with names and addresses of both persons submitting references.

All papers must be originals; no copies will be accepted.  The High School transcripts or GED test scores must be sealed by the school.

You also must meet the following qualifications:

1) Be an American citizen, or in the process of naturalization – must lawfully live in the U.S. and authorized to work.

2) Be not less than 18 years of age by July 1, 2017.

3) Be able to read, write and understand the English language.

4) Must have transportation to and from jobsites in all of our 26 counties.

Applicants who are eligible and have their papers in order, and on file, will be required to take a written aptitude test administered by an independent third party.  At the time you take the aptitude test you will be completing a Personal Experience (PE) Form.  Your ranking will be based on a combination of the aptitude test and the PE form.

If you are ranked high enough to be selected for the Apprenticeship Program you will be:

1. Given a pre-employment drug-screen for illegal drugs by providing a one-fourth inch of hair on your head anytime during the testing process.  Failure to cooperate in, take or pass this drug test will remove your name from the testing process.
2. Required to take and pass a Pulmonary Function Test (not part of your physical) in order to wear a respirator in our trade.  Local 17 will provide this test.
3. You will need to have a pre-employment medical form filled in and signed by your doctor at your own expense.  We will distribute form if accepted.
4. You will need to supply us with a copy of your valid driver’s license.

A copy of the selection procedure and dates is available for your review at the Union Office.

Completed paperwork will be accepted June 26th through June 30th, 2017 Monday – Friday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm at the union office.  The deadline date is June 30th at 3:30 pm. No exceptions.  Try to turn in your completed forms as early as possible.

Heat & Frost Insulators Local 17 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program is an equal opportunity employer.  The entire apprentice process is given without regard to age, gender, religion, race, color or national origin.  Females and minorities are encouraged to apply.