W e b s i t e : www .URCA. o r g N e w s an d V i e w s f o r t h e U n i o n R o o f e r

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 1, Winter 2014 Pre-installation URCA Member Contractors Assessments of PV Solar Panels on Contribute to 2013 Q Award Rooftops at Issue Property—The RedBuilding

According to the Washington Cohen Brothers Realty D.C. based Center For Corp. of California was Environmental Innovation in awarded the prestigious Roofing, residential and commercial Alliance for Quality rooftops “represent the most avail- Construction’s Q Award for able, sustainable and secure real construction of its Silver estate for new solar energy sys- LEED Certified RedBuilding at the iconic Pacific Design tems. “Approximately three-billion Center. The new RedBuilding Left to right: Stuart Hein-Letner Roofing, Ron Johnston-URCA, square feet of new roofs are is the Pacific Design Center’s Ed Smith-ULLICO, Brent Beasley-Local 220 installed on new and existing build- final component comprised of SilverScreen Theater. AQC Chair, ings in the United States each the 1975 Blue Building and Pam Ackrich introduced the many year.” Based on the aforemen- 1988 Green Building in West luminaries in attendance; former tioned, one would assume that over Hollywood. Members of URCA were U.S. Secretary of Labor , the past few years the demand for among several skilled union trades, L.A./Orange County Building and solar energy roof systems would which worked on the project. Jones & Construction Trades Council have created a new and viable Jones was the General Contractor Executive Secretary Ron Miller, Los market for C-39 contractors. and the architectural design was pro- Angeles County Supervisor Zev Nonetheless, in spite of roofing’s vided by Cesar Pelli, FAIA, of Pelli Yaroslavsky, West Hollywood City dominate status as the primary Clarke Pelli. Councilman John Duran, Cohen Brothers CEO Charles S. Cohen, receiving platform for solar energy Nearly 200 industry professionals Jones & Jones President Kevin systems, C-39 contractors are con- attended the presentation ceremony held at the Pacific Design Center’s spicuously missing from the list of Continued, page 3 CSLB “authorized” construction Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CA trades which can install PV units in California. Indeed, the C-39 roofing contractor must hold a “B” license in addition to the newly created C46 Solar license in order to per- form solar installations. “Furthermore, California’s current prerequisites for the C-46 “Solar” license ignore the rooftop as the complex, engineered system it is.” Continued, page 3 From the Executive Director

My best wishes to all for a very In an effort to eradicate a growing healthy and prosperous New Year. underground economy within the roofing industry, the Southern The Association’s Strategic Plan for California Union Roofers Labor 2013 centered on (1) diligent target- Management Trust targeted roofing ing and monitoring of legislative bills contractors who have violated State that had the potential of impacting labor law provisions. As a result of our member companies and the the Trust’s compliance program, the industry as a whole; (2) a more CSLB, EDD, DWC and other State robust compliance program; (3) a agencies have assessed violators of

Ronald D. Johnston, Ph.D. continuation and strengthening of our these provisions approximately one Executive Director long-standing partnership with the million dollars over the past five Roof Consultants Institute of years. Furthermore, through the Southern California (RCISOCAL) and efforts of the Trust’s legal counsel, (4) developing a partnership with two class action suits have been other industry trade associations to filed, one of which has been settled, promote Solar (Photovoltaic-PV) the other still involved in litigation. rooftop installation. At the December 4, 2013 2013 was a successful year for RCISOCAL Annual Membership URCA’s legislative program highlight- Dinner, URCA received a plaque rec- ed by Governor Brown’s signature on ognizing the association as the two bills that the Association actively “Outstanding Sponsor” of RCISOCAL supported. AB 164 (Wiekowski) since its inception in 2003. Over the Paul Vanni and Carl Brown-AWS addressed Private Public Partnership years URCA has been a sponsor of Consulting prior to the 2013 Q Award presentation. (3 P’s) projects, whereby a lease every major RCISOCAL event includ- agreement between a governmental ing educational programs and the agency undertaking an infrastructure annual golf tournament. Also, project and private entity must URCA’s Executive Director received include both performance and pay- a plaque, which recognized him as a ment bonds. SB 7 (Steinberg) pro- Chapter Charter member, as well as hibits a charter city from receiving or recognizing his service to RCISOCAL using state funding for a construction as the longest standing member of project if the city has a charter provi- the Board of Directors 2003-2013. sion that authorizes a contractor to Again, my best wishes for a great not comply with existing prevailing 2014. Our industry has been in an wage provisions on public works con- economic quagmire for the last four tracts. Moreover, through strong years and it is about time for some opposition from URCA and the good news on the economic front. American Subcontractors Association In a recent Times arti- of California (ASAC), The Los cle, former Federal Reserve Angeles Unified School District Chairman, Ben Bernanke stated that decided not to go forward with its “factors that have kept the economy sponsorship of SB 616 (Wright). from accelerating appear to be abating,” This bill would have exempted and he expected stronger economic LAUSD from the legal provision that growth this year. For the sake of our requires a direct/prime contractor industry, I hope that he is prophetic. from providing a payment bond on a public works project involving an expenditure greater than $25,000.

2 Q Award Continued crew were undoubtedly second-to- Solar Continued Jones, Ullico President & CEO none when it came to coordinating Consequently, negative economic Edward Smith, RedBuilding project and completing this project. Kevin and structural consequences have sub contractors and union repre- Jones speaking for General followed inefficient pre-installation sentatives, and others. Contractor, Jones & Jones stated, URCA member company “Union workers take professional assessments of solar PV solar Courtney Inc. provided the water- pride not only in the quality of their panel units placed on existing proofing and faced a few challeng- work but also the process of build- rooftops. In response, URCA has es due to water entering the struc- ing, including safety, coordination, partnered with the Roofing ture’s basement parking areas dur- communication, making deadlines, Contractors Association of ing construction as a result of heavy making inspections, keeping sched- California (RCAC) and the Roof rainfall. With the RedBuilding near ules, submitting paperwork, compli- Integrated Solar Energy (RISE) to ance with statutory requirements. form a Solar Task Force. The mis- Quality takes hard work.” sion of this task force is to devel- Jones visited glass manufacturers op a well documented “White around the world to create the exact Paper,” which will be submitted to shade of red glass to match Mr. the CSLB in the hope of persuad- Pelli’s specifications. Through a ing the agency to promulgate a four-sided silicone glazing system, new roofing contractor solar the curtain wall, 100 percent solid red frit glass combined with a 50 installation license. It should be noted that the task force is not Left to right, John Duran-West Hollywood percent dot and 75 percent dot pat- Councilman, Charles S. Cohen-Cohen Brothers tern creates the solid red appear- advocating a new license that Corp. of CA, -Los Angeles City Councilman ance of the RedBuilding’s exterior. would supersede the mandatory Los Angeles/Orange County the Wilshire corridor, methane Building & Construction Trades, abatement was also an issue. Ron Miller, told the audience “This These were challenges not unusual is an award for visionary work, and with a demanding project such as man – what a vision this is. Trades the RedBuilding. members proudly point out build- The roofing system was con- ings like this to our families from our structed by URCA member compa- cars and say, ‘Yeah, I worked on ny, Letner Roofing. Letner, sup- that,’ just like plastic surgeons com- ported by materials manufacturer, ment on the stars they worked on Sika Sarnafil was confronted with a as they take the stage at the very difficult roofing project. Oscars.” Spanning on and off for a year, Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Letner installed a new 60,000 Hilda Solis praised the requirement for a state certified square foot roofing system with an RedBuilding’s technological and licensed electrician to perform the added slope and a Sika Sarnafil green innovations, union skill and electrical system tie-in; rather, it is PVC cool-roof. Throughout this support for apprenticeship pro- advocating that the installation of expansive project, Letner and Sika grams. “I’m a strong believer in a solar system can drastically Sarnafil endured a series of design project labor agreements and would alter the sustainability, perfor- issues. Working closely with the like to see more of this,” She said. mance amd warranty of an exist- architect, Pelli, they overcame The project’s $165 million price ing roof system; hence, a profes- these issues to complete this proj- tag funded by Ullico, Inc.’s J For sional roofing contractor should ect in a timely and professional Jobs program that invests union be involved in the solar installa- manner. Indeed, Letner’s superin- pension funds in all-union construc- tion process. tendent, Ramón Garcia and his Continued, back page

3 2914 E. Katella Avenue, Suite 202 Orange, CA 92867

Q Award Continued speechless at the sight of this work of tion projects. Ullico president and CEO Ed art. With the Pacific Ocean to the West, Smith said from the stage, “Ullico is just a Palos Verdes to the South, and conduit – it’s the Trades members’ money Hollywood Hills to the North, I am Elected that makes this possible. They’re the pleased to be a part of this prestigious Board of Directors & Officers Officers of the Board of Directors for greatest skilled craftspeople in the world.” structure.” 2013-2015 term LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky AQC’s Q Award is given annually for Ernie Glasgow* (Letner Roofing) said, “This recession has been devastat- outstanding contributions toward the Dave Chapman (Chapman Coast Roofing) attainment of quality union construction ing for the men and women in the building Dave Stefko (Eberhard) trades. Their unemployment rate is still within the building industry of Southern Sean Taba (BEST Contracting Services) way too high. How do we address that? California. Recipients of previous Q Mark Troyer** (Troyer Contracting) With projects like this. The construction Awards have been Providence Holy Greg Banks (San Marino Roof Co.) industry is the backbone of our economy. Cross Medical Center, Los Angeles Bill Peters (Vance & Associates) When the construction worker does well, Unified School District’s Robert F. *Chairman, **Secretary-Treasurer the economy does well.” West Hollywood Kennedy Community Schools, the The mission of the Union Roofing Councilmember John Duran, said his com- LAPD Police Administration Building, Contractors Association is to promote munity was proud of the structure and “will Nokia Theatre at LA LIVE, The Home quality construction utilizing highly Depot Center, Renée and Henry always use union labor on any such job trained and skilled employees. The here In the future.” Segerstrom Concert Hall in Orange URCA is dedicated to the highest Stuart Hein, Senior Project Manager and County, The Concert Hall standards of professional integrity. Secretary Treasurer of Letner Roofing and Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral. Company said, “When I stand back and URCA gaze at how the white roof contrasts the 2914 E. Katella Ave., Suite 202 Orange, CA 92867 red roof with the steep slopes on it, I am (714) 628-3916 Fax (714) 628-3927 Website: URCA.org Keep Updated or Find A Contractor Visit www.URCA.org