As we welcome in a new year, CAWP takes this opportunity to look back on 2020 in this Annual Report. There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic affected us all – how we live, how we work and how we interact with each other. It has been difficult, especially not being able to collaborate with our members in person and to share our time together at association events. However, as this 2020 Annual Report will show, the Association was able to work within the new parameters caused by the pandemic, to continue to provide exceptional service to our members. We look forward with optimism that this new year will bring back some normalcy to our industry and in our daily lives. As always, we thank our members for their commitment to the betterment of the union heavy and highway construction industry in western Pennsylvania.”
CAWP Executive Director
This past year started with a new three-year CAWP Labor Agreement in place, continued efforts to promote jobsite safety, a commitment to build off efforts to promote the crafts as a viable alternative to college and plans for several outstanding events that would provide the opportunity for our members to join together as an industry. However, in mid-March, with the pandemic impacting our lives, the shutdown of PennDOT and Turnpike projects and the federal government responding to the pandemic by passing hurried and unclear legislation, the Association quickly shifted to respond to the realities of an industry impacted by COVID-19.
The following provides a summary of some of the Association’s more notable responses to the pandemic.
CAWP stepped into action and created the COVID-19 Update section on homepage of cawp.org to provide easy access to the most up-to-date information for members.
CAWP Covid-19 Update PageIn response to the Governor’s order shutting down PennDOT and Turnpike projects in March of 2020, CAWP worked in collaboration with APC, CAEP, ACEC of PA, PACA, PAPA and ACPA to advocate for the restart of highway construction projects. After several weeks of a sustained effort, projects began to restart in May.
Throughout April, the Association worked with the Operating Engineers Local #66 and Simcoach to develop an online COVID-19 awareness training and certification program for contractors and their employees. The new training tool was developed in order to help companies to comply with new and changing training requirements. Developed to adhere to social distancing guidelines, this online tool educates employees about the facts of the COVID-19 pandemic and how they can protect themselves and those around them.
The training tool has four short quizzes and will generate a certificate. The training can be utilized by contractors to comply with PennDOT requirements, which requires a “process to inform and educate all employees of information contained in the Supplemental COVID-19 Safety Plan prior to restart.” This digital tool allows companies to comply with social distancing recommendations while still completing the required orientation training for their workforce to return to work.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Response Training Tool was developed by Simcoach Games for Local 66 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, the Western Pennsylvania Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship & Training Program, and the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania.
To date, approximately 964 individuals have received certification via this training tool.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response Training ToolCOVID-19 SAFETY PLAN
CAWP developed an industry-wide COVID-19 Safety Plan for members, which was widely adopted by PennDOT Districts covering western Pennsylvania. This plan was able to be utilized by contractors to submit to Districts during the restart of PennDOT projects. CAWP worked with members of the CAWP Safety Committee and District 11 and 12 to assemble a PennDOT-compliant plan.
SAFETY PLAN POSTERThe Association created a helpful checklist for members to navigate the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which expands employee benefits and protections related to COVID-19. FFCRA created a new federal paid sick leave law, an emergency expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and expanded unemployment insurance provisions.
CHECKLISTCAWP developed a guidance document for members to use for when construction workers may have been exposed to COVID-19. The document provided clear guidance on when to quarantine, isolate, or return to work. The construction industry was deemed essential and was classified as critical infrastructure workers, therefore, allowing for specific CDC guidance for when to quarantine and return to work.
GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
Ali Mills, EVP of Plum Contracting, CAWP Board member, and CAWP Executive Committee member, traveled to the White House on Tuesday, April 28 to discuss the impact the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) had on her company. Ali also participated in an AGC ConstructorCast to discuss the effects of the shutdown.
Check out the podcast, her visit to the White House, and her remarks during President Trump’s press conference.
MORE INFO
As the industry collectively navigated a period of never before seen uncertainty, CAWP members stepped up and made amazing efforts to serve the greater good in the community. This is a small sampling of the innovative solutions and community outreach performed by the CAWP Members.
Northeast Paving, a div. of Eurovia Atlantic Coast LLC makes a splash
The team at Northeast Paving, a div. of Eurovia Atlantic Coast, LLC in Pittsburgh created mobile wash-stations from existing parts and materials to help keep work sites sanitary and safe. This innovative use of resources was shared with the company’s French division and will be deployed globally.
Thanks to Tony Schultz, Timmy Short, Ed Doyle, Brian May, Brian Fiscus, Steve Durbin and Phil Stringert for their creative design work and to Nate Miller for shooting the video.
Francis J. Palo, Inc. helping a local front line worker
Just before the heavy/highway construction industry received word from the Governor that all projects were subject to a mandatory shutdown, Francis J. Palo, Inc. was contacted by a visiting nurse in the Clarion, PA area. She was in desperate need of 60 N95 masks to be able to perform her visiting nurse duties. The company was happy to be able to provide those 60 masks from their inventory so she could continue to safely perform her job caring for homebound patients.
Independence Excavating, Inc. providing PPE to medical workers
When medical staff and first responders were in desperate need of PPE, Independence Excavating, Inc. stepped up to the plate to do their part. The company donated 600 N95 masks and 100 pairs of safety goggles to major health care systems across Pennsylvania and Ohio.
“Community is one of our core values, so we believe in giving back to the communities we serve. There is no greater time than right now to demonstrate this with our actions,” said Justin Fox, Vice President – Pittsburgh of Independence Excavating, Inc. and CAWP Board Member.
The Automated Speed Enforcement Program debuted in March of 2020 in work zones across the state.
The Automated Speed Enforcement Pilot Program has been one of CAWP’s legislative priorities for the past several years. The program aims to deter speeding in work zones and ultimately improve motorist and roadway worker safety.
This legislation has been one of CAWP’s legislative priorities for the past several years, and throughout this time, the Association worked closely with APC, the unions and other stakeholders to gain final passage.
On Wednesday, May 27, 2020, the CAWP Executive Committee and representatives from the Carpenters, Laborers and Operating Engineers held a virtual meeting with Congressmen Doyle, Kelly, Lamb and Reschenthaler. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the decline in Pennsylvania’s state transportation revenue from reduced driving and other activities because of COVID-19.
In the discussions, the Association explained that these declines will negatively impact Pennsylvania’s road and bridge program in three critical areas: funding for current projects already bid, funding for future projects being bid in 2020 and 2021, and delayed payment to contractors for work that has already been completed.
The Association urged the Congressmen to support legislation that would provide an immediate infusion of $49.95 billion in funding to state DOTs to mitigate the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on state transportation revenues, and enact a bipartisan, multi-year surface transportation legislation that provides increased investment levels and addresses the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.
On Thursday, July 23, 2020, the Association met with Congressman Lamb’s staff to advocate for additional transportation funding for Pennsylvania. Citing the loss of highway revenue resulting from the large reduction in driving caused by the pandemic, which in turn reduced gasoline tax revenue, CAWP outlined the negative impact this has had on Pennsylvania’s road and bridge program. It was pointed out that even before the pandemic, Pennsylvania, and especially southwestern Pennsylvania, was on the verge of a funding shortfall.
The meeting was timely, considering that both a federal transportation reauthorization bill and the inclusion of funding for state DOTs in the next COVID-19 relief bill were currently being debated in Washington.
The Association continued to advocate for a strong transportation funding solution from Congress. In addition to the meeting with Congressman Lamb, CAWP, along with representatives of the Carpenters, Laborers and Operating Engineers, met with members of the western Pennsylvania Congressional delegation in May to discuss the decline in Pennsylvania’s state transportation revenue because of COVID-19.
The 2020 CAWP Student Estimating Competition was held on February 7 & 8, 2020. The two-day event was packed with tough competition, informative seminars and an exciting finish to announce the winners.
As the first female board member and executive committee member in the Association’s 86 year history, Ali Mills, Executive Vice President/EEO at Plum Contracting, Inc. has construction in her blood. During Women in Construction Week, CAWP had a quick Q&A with Ali about her career path and love of the industry.
Q&A with Ali
CAWP and Future Road Builders participated in several virtual workforce development programs. While the pandemic made visiting schools in person impossible, CAWP was able to use FRB, a mobile/virtual tool, to continue to promote careers in highway construction.
CAWP CLC members kicked off a mentoring program with three AGC student chapters: Penn State Harrisburg, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Close to 40 students, faculty, and CLC members participated in the zoom event. Students completed a survey and were matched with CAWP CLC Members.
Accident-free supervisors and companies with no lost time during the 2019 construction season, as well as a 2019 Lifesaving Awardee, were recognized at the 2020 CAWP / H2AP Virtual Safety Banquet!
Available to view in its entirety, this virtual event honored supervisors and companies for making safety a top priority on the job site for the 2019 construction season.
Congratulations to all of the awardees!
RECAP
On Tuesday, June 30, 2020, CAWP Director of Industry Relations Jason Koss joined officials with the Associated General Contractors of America and HCSS to discusses the importance of highway work zone safety. During the virtual event, new survey results highlighting the dangers of highway work zones for motorists and workers were unveiled and new data showing the April numbers for highway construction workforce was released. The panel also shared tips for motorists on how to protect themselves and construction workers while on the road.
VIEW VIRTUAL EVENTTrench Safety Week – June 17-21
National 811 Day – August 11
Construction Safety Week – September 14-18
CAWP introduced a new member portal accessible via the CAWP website on October 29, 2020.
This new portal will be a one stop shop where members can register for training and events, pay for event invoices, and update your directory data. Attendance history, payments, and training details will be easily accessible. For contractor members, all labor information previously housed on the website will now be housed within the new member portal.
As we continue to grow the member portal, you will have access to additional, on-demand training options for you and your organization as well as membership renewal information.
With this change, your previous login credentials will no longer work on the CAWP site. Individuals who had login credentials previously were automatically sent an email with their login credentials.
Should you wish to request a user name and password, you may sign up on the cawp.org home page in the upper right corner, using the SIGN UP link under Member Portal.
We look forward to continuing to provide relevant and quality content to the membership.
PRESIDENT
Andrew R. Swank
Swank Construction Co., LLC
VICE PRESIDENT
Frank Piedimonte
Brayman Construction Corporation
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Ali Mills
Plum Contracting, Inc.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Joseph F. Casilli
Casper Colosimo & Son, Inc.
COMMITTEE CHAIR
Justin Fox
Independence Excavating, Inc.
Joseph F. Casilli – Casper Colosimo & Son, Inc.
George E. Mezey – Trumbull Corporation
John M. Mills – Plum Contracting, Inc.
Robert G. Miner, Jr. – Donegal Construction Corporation
Stephen M. Muck – Brayman Construction Corporation
Charles J. Niederriter – Golden Triangle Construction Co., Inc.
Michael A. Palo – Francis J. Palo, Inc.
Kenneth L. Wolf – Mekis Construction Corporation
Anthony Bertolino – Mekis Construction Corporation
Erik Bertrand – Mosites Construction Company
Robert Breisinger – Mascaro Contracting, LP
Peter J. Caruso IV – Peter J. Caruso & Sons, Inc.
Michael A. Facchiano, Jr. – Michael Facchiano Contracting, Inc.
Justin Fox – Independence Excavating, Inc.
Joseph E. Kissane – M. O’Herron Company
John H. Laver IV – Lindy Paving, Inc.
David Matesic – Matcon Diamond
Brian Miller – Plum Contracting, Inc.
Ali Mills – Plum Contracting, Inc.
Frank Piedimonte – Brayman Construction Corp.
Forrest Schultz – Strongstown’s B&K Enterprises, Inc.
David Sciullo – Golden Triangle Construction Co., Inc.
Lance Shreffler – Gregori Construction
Ryan Surrena – Fay, an i+iconUSA Company
Andrew R. Swank – Swank Construction Co., LLC
Vince Tutino – Lindy Paving, Inc.
Associate Member Representative – Brian Jeffe – Seubert & Associates
