CISCO Begins Accepting Project of the Year Awards – Deadline December 1, 2017

CISCO’s Project of the Year Award is kicking off its 13th year of accepting applications for some of the best construction projects of the past 18 months.  The award gives general contractors, owners, engineers and architects a chance to submit projects in 6 different categories that includes new construction, renovation, residential construction, and infrastructure.  Just click here to download the easy three-step application form.

The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m., Friday, December 1st.  For more information, call Gary Karafiat, Director of Communications & Public Affairs at (630) 472-9411.

CISCO Launches 2018 Scholarship Program – Application Deadline – February 23, 2018

The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) is now accepting applications for its 2018 Scholarship Program. The three different program categories enable a wider range of students of both building trade union members and union contractor employees to apply.

CISCO now 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 23, 2018 to be eligible for consideration. Winners will be notified in mid-March and awards will be presented at CISCO’s Annual Luncheon in April, 2017. For judging criteria, application information, and eligibility requirements, please refer to the application forms.

To download the applications, click 4-year scholarship, 2-year scholarship, OR, Continuing Education.  For more information, call CISCO at 630-472-9411.

October Issue of Communicator – Read It Now!

CISCO’s quarterly newsletter – The Communicator – is available to download and read.  As always, it is loaded with great news about the latest within CISCO, as well as what’s happening around the union construction industry.  To read the issue, click here.

Plumbers Local 130 Opens New Chicago Training Center

With hundreds of labor leaders, elected officials and even more proud members of Plumbers Local 130 looking on, the union unveiled its new state of the art 50,000 square-foot Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC) Training Center on Tuesday, Sept. 12th.

During the ceremony, Business Manager Jim Coyne, who is also the JAC Chairman, presided over the introduction of eight different speakers as each took turns praising the union for establishing “a new standard of excellence in the construction industry.”

“Through the corridors of the new facility,” Coyne began, “I see hope and a bright future for all of the new apprentices that enter through these doors. Local 130 will be forever changed.”

Coyne mentioned many of the three-story building’s features: 1) Rainwater harvesting, which takes rainwater off the roof, stores it in both a 10,000 gallon underground tank and a 3,500 above ground tank and puts it back into the plumbing system to flush urinals;  2) Grey water harvesting used for the irrigation system of the trees and plants in the new plaza; 3) Six different wet-labs that feature 94 faucets, residential and commercial plumbing fixtures and a water heater lab; 4) A green roof and 5) Solar panels to create hot water for the entire building.

Following the ribbon-cutting, Coyne invited everyone to tour the three-story facility, where current apprentices were undergoing a variety of training techniques that were visible to the invited guests.  To view more pictures of the event, click here.

“Right To Work” (For Less) Is WRONG And It Hurts Working Families!

“Right to Work” is a false phrase – a misunderstanding-by-design piece of legislation that is intended to cripple labor-advocating unions but more specifically, harm workers by shrinking workplace wages, reducing and even eliminating benefits, diminishing job site safety, and stripping the ability of workers to collectively improve their workplaces.  To learn more about the devastating effects of Right To Work (for less) legislation, click here.

4th Annual Construction Expo Provides Opportunities For Hundreds

This group of students from the Tech Center of Lake County attended the 4th Annual Construction Expo held at St. Paul Community Development Ministries (SPCDM) last week in Chicago.

CISCO, SPCDM, the Chicago Teachers Union, the Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Federation of Labor and the Chicago & Cook County Building Trades joined forces to showcase careers in the construction industry to students and adults. There were 15 trades on hand staffed by apprenticeship coordinators/instructors who provided information about applying to respective apprentice programs, and hands-on demonstrations to give attendees on idea about what is involved in day-to-day work.

Close to 300 people attended the Expo.  To view more pictures from the event, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illinois Department of Labor Posts 2017 Prevailing Wage Rates

The Illinois Prevailing Wage Council has notified us that the Illinois Department of Labor has posted the 2017 Prevailing Wage rates, which will be effective September 1, 2017.  The ILPWC recommends that all building trades members check the following link – 2017 Prevailing Wage Rates – to ensure that your rates are correct.  If they are not, please contact IDOL.

Chicago Housing Authority Negotiates Historic PLA With Chicago & Cook County Building Trades

With the objective of creating a better future for its residents, a second group of the Chicago Housing Authority’s (CHA) residents attended a Hands-On Expo involving CISCO and the Chicago & Cook County Building Trades at the Carpenters Apprenticeship & Training Center satellite location in Chicago at 2141 S. Union Avenue.

The idea to recruit CHA residents was part of an historic, “first of its kind in the country” Project Labor Agreement between CHA and the Chicago & Cook County Building Trades.

The Apprenticeship Coordinator of the Carpenters Vince Sticca and CHA Board Chairman John Hooker welcomed a group of more than 250 residents before the participants took part in the Hands-On event in the Center’s main work area.

“Today, we mark a new chapter in labor relations that would make one of our chief goals at CHA a reality: to enhance the participation of CHA residents in the labor force, and to provide training and skills improvement opportunities for them. I applaud everyone who is working to achieve this agreement,” Hooker said.

The event featured the apprenticeship coordinators, instructors and apprentices from 10 different trades, as well as CHA residents of all ages.

To view more pictures from the event, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prevailing Wage Seminar – October 25, 2017  Reserve Your Seat Today

This FREE seminar is a must-attend for public body employees, contractors and attorneys.  The seminar will be held from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Double Tree Downers Grove, 2111 Butterfield Road on Wednesday, October 25.

Learn about the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, how to ensure compliance with the Act, and the challenging landscape of prevailing wage coverage.  For more information, click here.  To register, contact Laura Byrne at lbyrne@iiiffc.org by Wednesday, October 18.

Chicago Women In Trades Conference Returns to McCormick Place In A Big Way

Approximately 1,700 women attended the recent 2017 Conference – “Women Build Nations” and were treated to great speakers and several hands-on demonstrations as 12 different building trades set up booth displays and the ladies got a glimpse into the career of a woman in the union construction industry.

In addition to the photos below, just click here for more from the Conference.

First Workshop In Career Exploration Series For Women Well Attended

About 80 individuals attended the first-ever event held specifically for women who are interested in non-traditional female roles in the workplace.  The event was hosted recently by the College of DuPage and sponsored by WorkNet DuPage.  CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen was the moderator of a four-person panel of women, all of whom have successful careers in industries such as construction or manufacturing.

 

Pictured at left is Dan Allen leading the panel discussion.

Below left 4 photos clockwise from top left are: panelists Nicole Everett, labor foreman with Mortenson Construction; Kina McAfee, Asst. Apprenticeship Coordinator for the Carpenters Union; and Aneesa Muthana, President of Pioneer Service, Inc. in Addison.  Johnetta Ryan, CISCO ETC Director provides information to a workshop participant.  Louise Medina, SMART265 listens to a woman at the Sheet Metal display, and Hank Zurawski, Apprenticeship Director for IBEW Local 701 answers a participant’s question.

The next Breaking Boundaries event is scheduled for November 17, 2017 at the Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, Illinois.  To view more pictures from the event, click here.

National Apprenticeship Week – November 13-17, 2017

As part of National Apprentice Week, CISCO has learned of three Apprenticeship Programs that are planning Open House events for November 15th, 16th and 17th.

The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters will host an Open House both Wednesday, November 15 and Thursday, November 16 at 1256 Estes Avenue in Elk Grove Village.  Tours start at 5:30 p.m., followed by a main presentation from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.  To register, click here.

The second Open House is being hosted by SMART Local 265 Sheet Metal Workers on Wednesday, November 15.  Local 265’s event begins at 7:00 a.m. through 7:30 p.m. at 205 Alexandra Way, Carol Stream, IL 60188.  For more information, call 630/668.0110 or email: training@smw265.org.

The third Open House is being held by the Chicago Area Painters and Drywall Finishers. It will be held on Friday, Nov. 17th from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at 1101 N. Taft Avenue, Berkeley, IL 60163.

This Open House will feature a presentation about the Painters and Drywall Finishers Apprenticeship Program and a facility tour. The event is free and open to the public and business community. It will feature trade demonstrations and attendees will have the opportunity to meet with instructors and apprentices.  For more information, click here.

Golf Outing Draws Full House On Another Perfect Day

If this sounds like you’ve read this story before, you’re nearly right – The 2017 CISCO Golf Outing was spectacular again as 140 golfers enjoyed ideal September weather, great fun, a hearty lunch and some lucky winners won great prizes!

Thanks to the generosity of our golfing guests, this year’s charity – Gateway To Learning – benefited nicely as well.

  The success of the donations was made possible, in part, from the “Beat The Pro” hole, sponsored by Cherry Creek Mortgage Company. Thanks to Jody Anderson and her husband Jay, the couple gave golfers a challenge that they readily accepted, and had a lot of fun – for a great cause.  To view more photos, click here.

Final contribution totals will be released later, but in the meantime CISCO would like to thank the many member organizations and industry friends who annually support us with their sponsorship and participation of this great event.

Apprenticeship Applications Being Accepted

Operating Engineers Local 150

The Apprenticeship Office for Local 150 Operating Engineers is opening applications for the trades of Heavy Equipment Operator, Heavy Equipment Repair Technician, Geothermal Well Driller, and Construction Material Inspector. An application can be requested in person at one of our 9 offices during the scheduled dates and times listed below. A $25 application fee per program will be required at the time of request in the form of a money order only, made payable to “Local 150 Apprenticeship Fund”.  Please note: All applicants must possess a valid driver’s license. The address on your driver’s license MUST MATCH the address on your application.

Minimum Qualifications for the program are as follows:

1. At least 18 years of age
2. Must have graduated high school or obtained a GED. The applicant will provide a high school transcript for evaluation purposes.
3. Be a resident of the jurisdictional area of Local 150.
4. A valid driver’s license and the maintenance of such are required at the time of selection.
5. A statement from a licensed physician stating physical ability to perform the work of the trades will be required 30 days after being indentured into the program.
6. Must be able to read, write and speak the English language.
7. Required to undergo drug testing.

The Schedule of Dates, Times and Locations is as follows: District 1 – 6200 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525; Nov. 1st & 17th, 12 pm – 5 pm.  District 2 – 1050 N. I-55 E. Frontage Road, Joliet, IL 60431; Nov. 2nd & 15th, 12 pm – 5 pm.  District 3 – 28874 Route 120, Lakemoor, IL 60050; Nov. 3rd & 14th, 12 pm – 5 pm.  District 4 – 4477 Linden Road, Rockford, IL 61109; Nov. 6th & 13th, 12 pm – 5 pm.  District 5 – 740 E. U.S. Route 6, Utica, IL 61373; Nov. 7th & 24th, 12 pm – 5 pm.  District 6 – 1001 Michigan St., Lakeville, IN 46536; Nov. 9th & 22nd, 12 pm – 5 pm.  District 7 – 2193 W. 84th Place, Merrillville, IN 46410; Nov. 8th & 24th, 12 pm – 5 pm.  District 8 – 3511 78th Avenue West, Rock Island, IL 61201; Nov. 10th & 20th, 12 pm – 5 pm.  Training Center – 19800 W. South Arsenal Road, Wilmington, IL 60481; Nov 1st through 30th (excluding Sundays), 8 am – 3 pm.

Completed applications and all the following documents: Educational / Military Transcripts, Reference Letters, Birth Certificate, Proof of Previous Employment, and Prior Experience Questionnaire must be mailed or returned to the Training Center: 19800 W. South Arsenal Rd., Wilmington, IL 60481 no later than December 31, 2017

If you have any other questions, please contact us at 815-722-3201 or visit our website at www.asiplocal150.org

Selection of apprentices under the programs shall be made from qualified applicants, based on qualifications alone, without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex or occupationally irrelevant physical requirements in accordance with objection standards which permit review, after full and fair opportunity for application. The programs shall be operated on a completely non-discriminatory basis.