BTEA Stalwart Lou Coletti on How He Rose Through the Ranks, and What Lies Ahead for Unions

Louis Coletti is a busy man. The president and chief executive officer of the Building Trades Employers’ Association of New York City has 27 contractor associations and 1,800 union construction managers, general contractors and subcontractors under his umbrella. His 30 years of experience in New York City’s construction industry was started by the unlikeliest of catalysts—a riot in a correctional facility in New Jersey.

Coletti recently sat with Commercial Observer to discuss the current challenges faced by BTEA members, and walked us through his career, the heavy hitters who helped to shape it and what the true test of success is.

FMI Releases Second Quarter 2016 NRCI Report

One of the most critical concerns for competition in the construction industry right now is the competition for qualified employees. In fact, it appears that competition has even grown for less qualified employees. That is the main reason that our cost of labor index is indicating a continued higher cost of labor. The good news is that the NRCI index score this quarter has bounced back from 55.6 last quarter to 61.3. That is a solid recovery, and almost every component of the NRCI moved up in a positive direction this quarter.

See the entire FMI Report here….

Source: FMI

$4.6M available in Susan Harwood grants to help identify and prevent workplace hazards for high-risk, vulnerable workers

OSHA is soliciting applications under the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. A total of $4.6 million is available for nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based organizations, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations and colleges and universities.

The grant program supports hands-on training and educational programs and development of materials for workers and employers in small businesses; industries with high injury, illness and fatality rates; temporary workers and workers who are underserved, or have limited English proficiency.

Three top officials ousted in shake-up at PHA

Three top officials at the Philadelphia Housing Authority have been ousted in one of the biggest management shake-ups since executive director Kelvin Jeremiah took the helm of the agency three years ago.

Barbara Adams, 64, who had served as PHA's general counsel since 2011, said she was told Friday that she was being dismissed but was given no reason.

Former CFO of Visit Phila. charged with embezzlement

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams on Wednesday charged the former chief financial officer of Visit Philadelphia with several counts of theft, including the embezzlement of $200,000 from the tourism agency.

Joyce Levitt, 61, former CFO of Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. — now Visit Philadelphia — for several years used more than $200,000 in agency funds for personal expenses, including more than $19,000 for meals at high-end local restaurants and nearly $19,000 at wholesalers BJ's and Costco, according to the DA's office.

Pennsylvania Builders Association backing legislation to create trainee program for building codes

Hoping to combat a shrinking pool of certified building inspectors in Pennsylvania, a West Shore lawmaker is proposing legislation that would create a training program.

Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland), in a memo seeking co-sponsors, said the number of certified inspectors and plan examiners has dwindled to less than 2,500 in recent years.

ABC of Southeastern Pennsylvania names New Chapter executive: Congratulations Joe Perpiglia!

Effective immediately Joe Perpiglia will be the ABC Eastern Pa. Chapter's President & CEO.  Come to the Board Inauguration Dinner tomorrow to congratulate him! Joe has served as the Chapter's Vice President of Member Services since 2011. Click to read the formal announcement from 2016 Chapter Board Chair, Paul Ziegler.

The full press release may be found here…

Feds: Philly nonprofit chief drained $85,000 from accounts

GMCS Commentary:  Volunteer board members should always review the 990’s and executive leadership before signing on with any volunteer organization.  GMCS provides assistance to non-profits in vetting their own organizations and management.   

The executive director of a Philadelphia nonprofit has been charged in draining more than $85,000 from the organization’s bank accounts for personal expenses.