Those who will be attending AWCI’s Industry Executives’ Conference and Committee Meetings in Hawaii this September not only are offered an exotic, activity-filled venue, they have a broad selection of important discussion topics in which to participate. Among these is a Prefabrication Business Forum.

     Prefabrication, or modular construction, is being debated more and more as developers, designers, and builders look to save time and money in New York City’s ever-expanding commer...

     After numerous meetings over the past two years, we have finally came to an agreement for a five year term with the New York City District Council of Carpenters.  It’s not uncommon as you grind through negotiations, communication on both sides can get extremely tense.  With that being said the passion and commitment by all parties involved to strike a deal was clearly evident.  I applaud the leadership at the New York City District Council of Carpenters for taking bold steps to help mitigat...

     Without doubt, safety is the most important consideration on every construction job, and not without reason. Construction is a dangerous business and falls are among the most prominent accidents. Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees all across the country. Here in New York City a worker falling is the most common construction related  accident.

     Each year OSHA sponsors The National Safety Stand-Down to...

The history of carpentry dates back to 4,000 B.C. where the first signs of carpentry appeared in the Stone Age. Over time, carpentry has evolved into an essential skilled trade that has been used to create everything from art to architecture. From simple woodcutting to modern-day construction, carpenters have played a major role in building the world’s most prominent infrastructure. Even as technology continues to change, carpentry will continue to be one of the most vital of the skilled trades....

     Education is important to the success of WC&C member companies and we encourage young people to continue theirs. It’s just a year since the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters opened a new, state-of-the-art apprentice training center in Edison, New Jersey. In a five-year program, young men and women can learn basics to advancing to become a journeyman carpenter.

     Each year at this time WC&C opens our scholarship search to worthy young men and women. These awards...

     The longest ever shutdown of the U.S. government ended when both the Senate and the House approved a measure to temporarily reopen the federal government. But the five-week partia government shutdown cost the U.S. economy about $3 billion in forgone economic activity that won’t be recovered.

     Meanwhile, much is being discussed with regard to the U.S. and China seeking a resolution to the ongoing trade war. With representatives meeting, observers seem optimistic a...

     Recently, The Commercial Observer hosted Lou Coletti, President and CEO of the

Building Trades Employers’ Association (BTEA), and Frank Noviello, Field Labor

Coordinator for AECOM Tishman, for a discussion about drug & alcohol testing in

the construction industry. A topic of major interest to us all.

     The United States Department of Labor reports that in the past 10 years 15 percent of

construction workers admitted to using illicit drugs and 18 percent admitted to heavy a...

     Across the world, a surge of allegations is exposing the full extent of sexual harassment in everyday life. Entire industries now have to take a hard look at themselves

to assess the scale of the issue, and construction is no exception. Most recent revelations of workplace sexual misconduct have come from high-profile industries: movies, TV news, professional sports, performing arts, high-tech, and electoral politics, among others. But sexual harassment is just as common on many bl...

     In July, we co-sponsored a special seminar on market share. WC&C professionals gathered together with the Building Contractor’s Association and the Greater New York Floor Coverers Association for a presentation by FMI detailing an assessment of the New York District Council’s share of the New York City construction market. The survey and assessment was sponsored by the Carpenter Contractor Alliance of Metropolitan New York. It’s a topic that is always a top priority to union contractors....

     Whether it’s a local association, a national association or even an international association such as the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI), getting involved in your industry through ties with a construction related association can benefit you personally and bring value to your organization.

     Meeting with your peers on a monthly, quarterly or even bi-annually basis keeps you

informed on trends in our industry as well as educational semi...