California Politics and Industry News

PAGA Exemption for CBAs — Governor Brown signed AB 1654 (Rubio, D), supported by CAL SMACNA, to strengthen and uphold the sanctity of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) when it comes to settling grievances. This bill exempts construction industry employees in a CBA from also using the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) to resolve disputes with their employer in a civil action.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) sent out a notice announcing that new educational videos are now available on their Online Resource Center (ORC). These videos review the 2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards for HVAC requirements in nonresidential, high-rise residential, hotel and motel buildings.

Due to strong growth in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry, the need for certified personnel is in high demand. Contractors are taking advantage of industry growth by earning ICB/TABB certifications at a record pace.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is providing interested parties with the opportunity to comment on the residential and non-residential drafts of the 2019 Title 24 documents (2019 Energy Code Compliance Manuals and Documents).

2018 Guilfoy Award Winner (Architectural), CMF Inc., was featured in the May issue of SMACNews.

On Tuesday May 15, 2018, the State of California Labor and Workforce Development Agency sent out the following press release: California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary David M. Lanier today announced that there are nearly 82,000 active apprentices in California – the highest number in the 79-year history of formal apprenticeship job training in the state.

Check out this video of Cal Poly’s HVAC&R Students talking about their program.

At CAL SMACNA’s 52nd Annual Convention’s President Luncheon, Angie Simon, President of Western Allied Mechanical, Inc., received the 2018 Ed Banks Memorial Award for Contractor of the Year.

Assembly Member Catharine Baker has introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution 182 to memorialize “Women in Construction Week”. The measure would recognize the week of March 4, 2018 through March 10, 2018 as Women in Construction Week in order to highlight women as a visible component of the construction industry.

On Tuesday March 20, 2018, CAL SMACNA and its partners in the GetREAL coalition held a press conference at Rosemont High School to continue the push for full state support of Career Technical Education in grades 7-12, to view full coverage of the event Click Here.

On February 5th CAL SMACNA kicked-off its 12th ‘Day at the Capitol’ (DAC). 42 CAL SMACNA members traveled to Sacramento with their families, to meet with their Legislative Members and discuss issues important to CAL SMACNA. On Monday evening CAL SMACNA Members attended a Reception with Legislators.

David Lawson of Lawson Mechanical Contractors

CAL SMACNA congratulates Sean O’Donoghue, Executive Vice President of the SMACNA Bay Area chapter, on being recognized as the Chapter Executive Legislative Advocate of the Year at the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s 74th Annual Convention.

CAL SMACNA congratulates Milt Goodman on being named the SMACNA Contractor of the Year during the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s 74th Annual Convention.