President's Column: Part of the Solution or Part of the Problem

No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, I would hope that you can agree that everyone — no matter their gender, race, sexual orientation, or other distinguishing characteristic — deserves equal opportunity.

Angie Simon

The current social unrest in the United States is impossible to ignore. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, I would hope that you can agree that everyone — no matter their gender, race, sexual orientation, or other distinguishing characteristic — deserves equal opportunity.

As anyone who has heard me talk knows, equal opportunity for women has been something I’ve been working on and promoting throughout my entire career, whether just by showing up and quietly getting work done or through direct action and conversation. Not only is it a matter of equity, but it has proven to be good business strategy for Western Allied. It strengthened the quality of our workforce by attracting a broader pool of exceptional candidates and it built loyalty to the organization. It really has been a business advantage for our company.

At �鶹��, our membership and our union partners have committed to doing all that we can to provide a welcoming environment for all. And I have seen some progress on that commitment. But the construction industry still has so much farther to go to be a truly inclusive workplace. Recent incidents involving nooses, hateful graffiti and sexual assault on high-profile union construction projects highlight how much work still needs to be done before our performance matches our promises.

It’s not a shock to anyone in construction that many highly qualified job
candidates don’t end up working in our field because of incidents like these. And we’re now seeing that they aren’t just embarrassing for our industry, they’re also bad for our bottom lines. Our customers realize that their beliefs and values influence consumer loyalty and impact revenues, which is leading them to have less and less tolerance for these incidents. To put it simply, if this is not addressed, it will hurt our businesses.

We in organized construction should view this an as opportunity — and perhaps even an obligation — to be a part of the solution rather than perceived as part of the problem, and addressing incidents directly is the first step. We should mandate that our workplaces be free of harassment and hate crimes, and we should continue efforts to make our workforce reflective of our communities.

It will not be easy , but I know we can do this because I have personally seen and felt the positive change in my 35 years in the construction industry. We will need to work diligently, meticulously, and compassionately to keep moving forward.

I’m willing to work for this change. Who’s with me?

Sincerely,

Angie Simon
�鶹�� President

Published: August 31, 2020

SMACNews July/Aug 2020

IN THIS ISSUE

2020 Safety Innovation Award Highlights Pride of Workers

This year’s �鶹�� Safety Innovation Award went to UMC for their pride-based safety program that encourages staff to “do the right thing at the right time for the right reasons.”

Capitol Hill Update: Pensions Relief, COVID Deal Stalls, GA Outdoors Act, School Retrofits

The Senate and the House left Washington without agreement on a new COVID relief bill. The stalemate is not good news for �鶹�� pension efforts.

Code Inspections Amid COVID-19

For building inspectors, the novel coronavirus has made many of them rethink the way they approach building certifications, and even the way they interact with people on the jobsite.

Contractor Goes Big with Air Force Corrosion Control Facility Upgrade

Matherly Mechanical’s facilities upgrade at Tinker Air Force Base is big on numbers. Read on for some of the notable ones.

Contractors Help Hospitals ‘Flip the Switch’ on COVID-19 Rooms

Across the country, sheet metal and air conditioning contractors are assisting health officials and hospitals as they flip the switch on their facilities to deal with surges of local coronavirus cases.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans Come with Both Risks and Rewards

Maybe you’re thinking that your business is not valuable to a third-party buyer. Maybe you don’t want to deal with the sales process, or perhaps you don’t have the next generation to pass it to. So, what are your options?

Finding Balance Between “Me” and “We”

Whether you are talking about your company’s engagement on a prestigious megaproject or a lone service tech making a routine call, all of us have to manage the tension between individual recognition and collective success.

HVAC Customers Seek Improved Indoor Air Quality

Across the United States, residential contractors have seen an increase in business as clients adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic.

President's Column: Part of the Solution or Part of the Problem

Scott Barr Joins �鶹�� Technical Group as Senior Project Manager

Scott Barr, the new senior project manager with the Technical Resources Department, joined �鶹�� in July 2020.

SEA Airport North Satellite Modernization

The North Satellite (NSAT) Modernization Project combines leading-edge engineering with natural motifs to create a high-tech space with a biophilic design — one that appeals to people’s innate love of nature.

The �鶹�� Edge Conference Provides Unmatched Education at an Exceptional Value

This fully virtual event will provide attendees with a truly memorable learning experience that includes presentations on current economic data and forecasts, technical trends, project management, leadership, and other pressing challenges facing you

The Tech Has Arrived. Your Move, Contractors.

Disruptions in supply chains, new safety protocols, remote work, and major project shifts have forced �鶹�� contractors to improvise, adapt, and overcome in remarkable ways.

Welcome New �鶹�� Members

�鶹���

President's Column: Part of the Solution or Part of the Problem

�鶹��