Masonry Magazine September 2001 Page. 45
masonry news
CONTRACTORS PUSH FOR SWEA
A letter writing campaign has begun with the industry's mason contractors to pass the Skilled Workforce Enhancement Act (SWEA) which would give those mason contractors who train apprentices a $15,000 per year per apprentice tax credit. The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) has sent a letter to its membership asking them to write their U.S. Representatives to urge them to support the legislation, HR 877. To date, roughly fifty representatives have signed on as a co-sponsor of the legislation which is currently in the House Ways and Means Committee. The AFL-CIO has been mounting an effort to stop this legislation which would give both union and non-union the same tax benefit. In fact, it has been argued that SWEA would give a union contractor a slight edge since the union funds and conducts the training while the union contractor who hires the apprentice could take advantage of the tax credit. Union opposition to the bill is troubling in light of the major impact that the tax credit could have in workforce expansion in the construction industry. The Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen has not been a vocal opponent of this legislation nor have they supported it. SWEA would benefit the masonry industry the most since the masonry industry is such a labor intensive trade. Along with the MCAA, the National Concrete Masonry Association, The Brick Industry Association and the Portland Cement Association are all supporting SWEA's passage. For further information about SWEA contact the Mason Contractors Association of America, 1910 S. Highland Ave., Suite 101, Lombard, IL 60148 or call (630) 705-4200.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
GREER APPOINTED TO MCAA BOARD
Mason Contractors Association of America President, Richard Johnston, announced the appointment of Rob Greer of L.F. Jennings, Falls Church, VA. to the position of Regional Vice President for the Association. Greer fills a vacancy created when George Strunge stepped down from the MCAA Board for business reasons.
Rob Greer, is the current President of the MCA Nations Capitol Chapter of the MCAA, a group that he helped to form approximately 3 years ago. In addition to serving as the chapter president, he also teaches local apprenticeship classes in 2 courses he helped establish. A $25 million masonry business employing 150 people, L. F. Jennings specializes in retail and commercial office properties, encompassing Maryland and Virginia.
MASONRY DESIGNERS' GUIDE - 3RD EDITION AVAILABLE FROM TMS
The best guide on designing masonry, is now even better. The 3rd Edition of the Masonry Designers' Guide (MDG-3) has been completely updated to comply with the provisions of the 1999 MSJC Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures (ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402) and Specifications for Masonry Structures (ACI 530.1/ASCE 6/TMS 602), which are referenced throughout the International Building Code (IBC 2000).
The MDG is a valuable reference for engineers, contractors, architects, inspectors, building code officials and educators. It is a wonderful guide for learning or teaching masonry design and it is one of the most popular references for preparing designers for their professional engineering (PE) examinations since the examples are practical and thoroughly solved.
Topics covered in the Guide include masonry materials, testing, quality assurance, quality control, construction methods, structural design and seismic detailing requirements. Information on prestressed masonry, adhered veneer, inspection of masonry and hot weather construction have been added to address new provisions in the 1999 MSJC Code and Specification. Extensive examples are included for most typical masonry designs. A Code Reference Index and Specification Reference Index correlate each discussion and design application example to a particular 1999 MSJC Code or Specification section.
Call The Masonry Society at 303-939-9700 if you would like to order your copy today or visit their website at: http://www.masonrysociety.org/Publications/MDG3.htm.