Masonry Magazine March 1979 Page. 13
leadership
in maintaining good working relationships between union and management. He urged MCAA members to encourage their workers to maintain a "high work ethic" and pride in their workmanship to produce a quality end-product.
The morning's business was concluded with Col. James Irwin's keynote speech and the presentation of 1979 Awards for Excellence In Masonry Design by the Masonry Institute of Atlanta (a full report with pictures will be carried in the April, 1979 issue of Masonry).
One special meeting open to interested individuals was conducted that afternoon for Masonry Panel Contractors. Approximately 50 MCAA Members participated in the discussions headed by Fred Daues of St. Louis.
Busy Is the Word for Final Day
The final day of the Conference, Tuesday, March 6, was filled with scheduled events. The day began with the second MCAA Management Institute, which was devoted to "Workmen's Compensation-Where Will It all End?" The speaker was Gerald S. Duffy, attorney at law with Petersen. Lyons. Tews and Squires, St. Paul, Minn.
The amount of each benefit varies among the states (in Minnesota, as an example, an employee injured on the job today can receive as much as $418.00 per week tax free). According to Duffy, in most states any doubt as to entitlement to benefits is to be resolved in favor of the employee: this obviously makes the system substantially weighted in favor of the employee.
Duffy explained further: "And since the benefits available to an employee are often viewed by employees and labor organizations as fringe benefits. I do not see any likelihood that much relief from the burden of Workmen's Compensation costs will reach you as employers from a reduction in benefits to your employees."
Nor does Duffy see any relief through the courts. He said, "So long as Workmen's Compensation benefits are subject to judicial determination in an adversary system, little likelihood of substantive change is likely. Any real change, that is, change which will be reflected in the reduced cost of Workmen's Compensation to you as employers, in the near future will have to come from the reduction of the premiums which you pay."
MCAA executive vice president George A. Miller takes the roll call at the well-attended MCAA Annual Meeting in the Grand Ballroom of the Atlanta Marriott. On the dais with him are (from left) Don Leonard, secretary, Louis J. Helbert, Jr., vice president, and Eugene George. president.
A large audience was on hand to hear Duffy discuss the philosophy and workings of Workmen's Compensation as well as to field questions from the listeners.
According to Duffy, the basic operating principle of Workmen's Compensation is that an employee is automatically entitled to certain benefits whenever he or she suffers a personal injury from an accident which happens in the course of employment. Negligence and fault are largely immaterial, both in the sense that the employee's contributory negligence does not lessen his or her rights, and in the sense that the employer's complete freedom from fault does not lessen his liability.
"In theory," said Duffy, "we might see the concept as good. In practice, it has become one of the greatest financial burdens you as employers have."
Generally, Duffy explained, Workmen's Compensation insurance rates are a function of four factors: 1) the manual rate (set by the state); 2) categories of employees: 3) experience modification (the number of injuries reported), and 4) payroll.
"If you want to reduce your rates as a short-term solution." Duffy advised, "look to each of these factors." He further counseled MCAA members to:
* Get a good agent!
* Operate safely, reduce injuries.
* Review your Workmen's Compensation audit.
* Review your claim status.
Material Handling Equipment Demonstrated
Despite blustery weather and temperatures ranging in