Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP) 2021 Annual Report

2021 ANNUAL REPORT

CAWP worked hard for our members in 2021, and our hard work paid off.

As Pennsylvania and the nation moved into the “new normal” of living with a pandemic, we set our sights on securing a substantial slice of the state’s federal COVID relief funding for infrastructure projects that are the lifeblood of our industry.

Building a coalition of contractors and labor leaders, we furiously lobbied our state legislators as they considered how to allocate American Rescue Plan Act dollars.

CAWP’s argument: This is an opportunity for the state to stop diverting motor fuel tax dollars to pay for state police. Fund the police with COVID relief dollars and spend fuel tax revenue where it is supposed to be spent, investing in roads and bridges.

It’s an argument we’ve been raising for years. We previously secured small wins, as the amount of fuel taxes siphoned off for state police was decreased. Last year, our gain was much more significant.

We didn’t get everything we asked for. But the 2021-22 commonwealth budget includes $279 million in ARPA funds for road and bridge construction.

The additional money will not immediately address Pennsylvania’s transportation funding crisis. We still haven’t rebounded from the fuel tax revenues that were not realized because of limited travel during the pandemic. But the hope

is that additional funding will help in increasing future lettings, so that a more long-term solution can be achieved in coming years.

I’d like to thank the representatives of the Laborers, Operating Engineers, and Carpenters who worked with the CAWP Executive Committee and CAWP Board on this important matter.

We aren’t finished. The state has not yet allocated all of its ARPA funding, and we will be working to secure more in the 2022-23 budget.

Equally important in 2021 were our efforts to encourage passage of the federal infrastructure bill.

CAWP recognizes that this plan was controversial to some because of everything that it included. We got behind it for what it would do for our members.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act makes the single largest investment in repairing and reconstructing the nation’s bridges since the construction of the interstate highway system.

The $1.2 trillion package includes a five-year reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs. Pennsylvania anticipates receiving $11.3 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $1.6 billion for bridge replacement and repairs.

CAWP will be working to make sure western Pennsylvania gets its fair share of that funding as it goes through the state allocation process.

While we spent a lot of time last year achieving these priorities, CAWP also continued to provide the services that you have come to rely on in areas including labor, education and training, safety and workforce development.

CAWP thanks our members for all the support during the year and for your commitment to the betterment of union heavy and highway construction in western Pennsylvania.

Rich Barcaskey

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PENNSYLVANIA

CONSTRUCTORS ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Frank Piedimonte, PresidentBrayman Construction Corporation

Ali Mills, Vice President - Plum Contracting, Inc.

Justin Fox, Secretary/ TreasurerIndependence Excavating, Inc.

David Sciullo, Committee Chair - Golden Triangle Construction

Andrew R. Swank, Immediate Past PresidentSwank Construction Company, LLC

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Anthony Bertolino - Mekis Construction Corporation

Erik Bertrand - Mosites Construction Company

Robert Breisinger - Mascaro Contracting, L.P.

Peter J. Caruso IV - Peter J. Caruso & Sons, Inc.

Justin Fox - Independence Excavating

Joseph E. Kissane - M. O’Herron Company

John H. Laver IV - Lindy Paving, Inc.

David Matesic - Matcon Diamond, Inc.

Anthony Merante - A. Merante Contracting, Inc.

Ali Mills - Plum Contracting, Inc.

Frank Piedimonte - Brayman Construction Corporation

Forrest Schultz - S B&K Enterprises, Inc.

David Sciullo - Golden Triangle Construction

Lance Shreffler - Gregori Construction

Jason Sinay - Plum Contracting, Inc.

Ryan Surrena - Fay, S&B USA Construction

Andrew R. Swank - Swank Construction Company, LLC

Vince Tutino - Lindy Paving, Inc.

Brian Jeffe, Associate Member RepresentativeSeubert & Associates

PRESIDENTS COUNCIL

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

Michael A. Palo - Francis J. Palo, Inc.

Kenneth L. Wolf - Mekis Construction Corp.

COVID IMPACT

The pandemic remained front and center for CAWP and the industry in 2021. While working to combat the continual road blocks created by the pandemic, CAWP made impacts both nationally, with the help of the Association leadership, and locally by creating helpful, informational tools to assist the membership in navigating everchanging testing requirements.

CAWP SECRETARY/TREASURER DISCUSSES COVID-19

IMPACT AT AGC VIRTUAL MEDIA EVENT

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, Ali Mills, CAWP Secretary/Treasurer and EVP, Plum Contracting, Inc. represented the heavy/highway construction industry during a virtual media event. The event was hosted by the Associated General Contractors of America upon the release of their report showing the impacts of the coronavirus on the construction sector one year into the pandemic.

CAWP VACCINE MANDATE TOOLBOX

CAWP continued to monitor the rapidly-changing COVID-19 situation and offered members up-to-date information as well as resources to support workplace policies and more. CAWP developed a Vaccination and Testing Toolbox to assist our members in complying with OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard. The COVID-19 Toolbox was accessed thousands of times by our members over the last two years.

In 2021, CAWP continued to play an active role in assuring that our contractor members remain competitive and informed.

During the past year, CAWP was successful in working with the unions to process 54 Competitive Adjustments for PennDOT, Turnpike and other owner projects in western Pennsylvania.

CAWP LAUNCHES LABOR AGREEMENT TRAINING COURSE

The CAWP Labor Agreement Training Course provides a basic overview of CAWP’s collective bargaining agreements with the Carpenters, Cement Masons, Laborers, Operating Engineers, and Teamsters. A comprehensive summary of the Standard Agreement, Addendum #1, and Addendum #2, the course reviews key sections of the CAWP Labor Agreements and is key for contractors, estimators, project managers, superintendents, safety professionals, and payroll administrators.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Workforce development is a vital part of the Association’s focus each year. By connecting with a variety of people at various stages in their career path, CAWP strives to continue to build and grow a diverse workforce that will strengthen and sustain the industry.

FIFTH ANNUAL STUDENT

ESTIMATING COMPETITION

The 2021 CAWP Student Estimating Competition was held virtually February 24-26, 2021. The two-and-a-half-day event was packed with tough competition, and an exciting finish to announce the winners. Check out the event recap!

UPJ STUDENTS VISIT OPERATING ENGINEERS TRAINING SITE

CAWP facilitated a tour for a group of UPJ’s AGC Student Chapter members on Friday, November 12. Ten students learned about the union apprenticeship process, toured the training center, and were able to operate several pieces of heavy equipment. During the visit, students interacted with instructors and Apprenticeship Coordinator, Dennis Manown. Jason Koss provided career guidance and industry information to the group. Additionally, due to CAWP’s Alliance with OSHA, Bob Carroll, Compliance Assistance representative with OSHA, spoke to the students about importance of safety in construction.

CAWP sponsors several AGC Student Chapters throughout the region so that college students enrolled in engineering and construction-related fields have access to CAWP contractors and information on our industry. This is an important component of CAWP’s workforce development program.

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION WEEK: MARCH 2021

In celebration of Women in Construction (WIC) Week, March 7 - 13, 2021, CAWP highlighted several women who are vital to the heavy / highway construction industry of western Pennsylvania. These women work at all levels within their respective companies and are great examples of the opportunities available to women in the industry.

Heather Abbs Director of Operations, S B&K Enterprises HEATHER Q&A >>

Bindy Bucci President Golden Triangle Construction Co. BINDY Q&A >>

Morgan Koprivnak Area Safety Manager Lindy Paving, Inc.

MORGAN Q&A >>

Sylvia Wolfe, P.E. Estimator Fay, S&B USA Construction SYLVIA Q&A >>

PITT IRISE CONSORTIUM

CAWP

CAWP

Dave

Radisav Vidic, Chairman of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Pitt provides opening remarks.

Sciullo of Golden Triangle reviews a list of possible research topics.

Left to right: Jason Koss – CAWP, Jason Sinay – Plum Contracting, Julie Vandenbossche – Pitt IRISE, Rich Barcaskey – CAWP, Chuck Niederriter – Golden Triangle, Dave Sciullo – Golden Triangle, Nate Miller – Northeast Paving, Dan Bruener – Fay S&B USA, Gary Euler – Pitt IRISE.

representatives participated in a session discussing potential research topics for future funding in the areas of bridges, pavements, worker safety, and stormwater management with the University of Pittsburgh’s Impactful Resilient Infrastructure Science and Engineering (IRISE) program.

suggested developing an interactive and immersive training platform using virtual reality (VR) to train construction workers, inspectors, and other project site staff about the dangers caused by runovers, backovers, caught in between, and struck-by accidents in the highway construction industry.

CONSTRUCTORS LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

The CAWP Construction Leadership Council (CLC) continued to offer opportunities for emerging leaders in the construction industry to gain personal and professional growth at networking social events and continuing education sessions. The CAWP CLC also continually works to improve the public perception of the construction industry by organizing charitable events and fundraisers in the community. In 2021, the CLC celebrated high-performing apprentices, hosted two marquee events and made an impact on the national level.

CAWP CLC AWARDED THE 12TH ANNUAL BRANDON CHANEY SCHOLARSHIPS

The CAWP CLC Brandon Chaney Scholarship Program was developed by the CAWP CLC Steering Committee in 2008, to attract, identify, and assist outstanding apprentices in western Pennsylvania’s heavy and highway construction industry.

The scholarship provided a $1500 cash award to four of the highest-ranking first-year apprentices in each of the heavy and highway apprenticeship programs. In 2021, members of the CLC joined CAWP Director of Industry Relations Jason Koss to visit the scholarship winners at the apprenticeship program offices. They were then recognized and honored during the Virtual CAWP / H2AP Membership Reception & Prize Bash.

CAWP CLC TOY DRIVE CREATES CHRISTMAS MAGIC!

The CAWP Constructors Leadership Council Toy Drive was once again a huge success. Well over 700 toys were generously donated by CAWP members!

The abundance of donations was greatly appreciated by the local Salvation Army staff.

distributed

Western PA.

Christmas

MELISSA ROSENSTEEL Salvation Army

The toys were distributed by Rosensteel and others with the Salvation Army to area children in need, primarily in the Mount Pleasant and New Stanton areas.

Check out the donations and the special delivery we made on December 3!

Thank you to everyone who donated toys or made financial contributions to the Toy Drive!

We also appreciate the CAWP elves for helping to load up and deliver the donations. A special thank you to Stephanie Sedar & Jim Zajac of All-State Career for providing the bus to transport all the donations to the Salvation Army.

“Thank you so much for the incredible generosity of the CAWP, providing over 700 toys that will be

throughout

It is so much more than toys; it is about hope, love and the

joy you are spreading! Every child deserves to experience the magic of Christmas regardless of their family’s circumstances and we so appreciate you making this happen each year!”

RAIN COULDN’T DAMPEN THE FUN AT THE CAWP CLC SPORTING CLAYS!

The 2021 CAWP CLC Sporting Clays took place on Friday, May 28, 2021 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Take a look at what you missed and see who took home the coveted CAWP CLC Sporting Clays trophy!

CAWP CLC NETWORKING EVENT

On Thursday, June 10, members of the CAWP Constructors Leadership Council (CLC) met for a happy hour event at Coop de Ville in the Strip District in Pittsburgh. Attendees enjoyed an evening of networking, games, food and drinks.

CAWP SUPPORTS CLC MEMBERS AT AGC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

In

“Attending the CLC leadership conference gave me an opportunity to connect with other AGC chapters and learn what they do for their members. Nationally, it has been challenging to connect with the next generation, especially during the pandemic. Even with those challenges, outreach like CAWP’s annual estimating competition has allowed our chapter to build strong connections with local student AGC chapters and establish talent pipelines. I can’t be more proud of our chapter and look forward to continuing serving on the steering committee.”

SYLVIA WOLFE

2021, Nathan Miller, Northeast Paving, Inc. and CLC Steering Committee Chair and Sylvia Wolfe, Fay S&B USA Construction and CAWP CLC Steering Committee Member represented CAWP at the 2021 AGC Leadership Conference.

SAFETY

Safety has been at the forefront of the Association’s activities since its inception in 1934. Continuing in the tradition of making safety a priority, in 2021 CAWP provided reimagined resources, celebrated safety on jobsites, and participated in several safety outreach programs.

NEW CUSTOMIZABLE SAFETY MATERIALS ON CAWP.ORG

As part of CAWP/H2AP’s safety education program, new and customizable toolbox talks and hazard alerts to increase safety awareness in western Pennsylvania’s construction industry were added to the CAWP website. These educational resources were provided through a partnership with the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) and our long-standing Alliance with the Pittsburgh area office of OSHA. Most were made available in English and Spanish and are customizable with company logos.

CPWR TOOLBOX TALKS

CPWR maintains a collection of over 70 Toolbox Talks. Many heavy/highway and general construction topics are available. To suggest new topics, please contact cpwr-r2p@cpwr.com

CPWR HAZARD ALERTS

CPWR maintains a collection of over 35 Hazard Alerts. These are short, image-driven materials that deliver simple, direct messages for protection against safety and health hazards faced by construction workers. They are available in two formats: one-page PDFs and printed laminated pocket-size cards. Cards can be ordered here

Download and customize any of these resources by adding your company logo. To add a logo, you must use Adobe Acrobat Pro (not Acrobat Reader). In edit mode, right-click image that reads “Place Logo Here,” select “replace image,” then select the image file to be placed.

2021 CAWP / H2AP VIRTUAL SAFETY BANQUET

CAWP and H2AP celebrated the 2020 Safety Award Winners at the 2021 CAWP / H2AP Virtual Safety Banquet. Check out all of this year’s awardees!

TRAINING

Hosting traditional training courses in 2021 was a challenge, and CAWP rose to the challenge offering virtual options to help member companies continue to enrich their employees’ skills.

ON-DEMAND PROFESSIONAL CONSTRUCTION LEADER TRAINING

CAWP introduced Professional Construction Leader, a series of 26 on-demand, dynamic, short training videos, exclusively available free of charge to contractor members, featuring Mark Breslin of Breslin Strategies.

These videos were used to assist contractors in improving their field supervisors’ ability to coach, mentor, motivate and lead construction crews. With limitations on in-person training classes, company winter meetings and other traditional sessions, CAWP offered this online program to help provide important content for supervisors and foremen.

Some of the topics included:

Improving employee performance Resolving conflicts Instilling positive reinforcement Leading by example

Managing time and decision-making Mentoring and taking time to teach Disciplining effectively …and more!

Upon finishing the entire 26-video course, participants received a certificate of completion.

ABOUT MARK BRESLIN

Mark has over 35 years of experience in the construction industry.

He personally delivers each video lesson with passion and motivation, offering the strategies to push positive behaviors and elevate your team to leadership success.

EVENTS

The past year brought many challenges for hosting the Association’s traditional in-person events. With some efforts to reimagine and restructure CAWP’s marquee events, the members were able to interact with each other and enjoy the benefits of networking throughout the year.

CAWP/H2AP VIRTUAL MEMBERSHIP EVENT & PRIZE BASH

The 2021 CAWP / H2AP Virtual Membership Event & Prize Bash was held on Friday, February 5, 2021. The event showcased pertinent industry updates, easy to implement ways to improve your messaging online, and a thought-provoking look at fundamental leadership changes necessary in a post-COVID world. The morning culminated in a raffle with several lucky winners!

THE HEAT WAS ON AT THE CAWP GOLF OUTING

The Annual CAWP Golf Outing was held on Monday, August 23, 2021 at the Fox Chapel Golf Club & Pittsburgh Field Club. The nearly 240 attendees enjoyed a great day of golf and a fun evening reception on one of the hotter days of the summer. Even a brief rain shower couldn’t cool down the fun! Check out our full recap to see what you missed!

2021 CONSTRUCTION MARKET SYMPOSIUM

The 2021 Construction Market Symposium was held virtually on Friday, March 12, 2021. Representatives from PennDOT districts 1, 2, 9,10, 11 and 12, Alcosan, Allegheny County Airport Authority, Allegheny County Department of Public Works, Port Authority of Allegheny County, and the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority discussed projects that will be up for bid throughout the upcoming year.

ADVOCACY

STATE

As Pennsylvania and the nation moved into the “new normal” of living with a pandemic, CAWP set our sights on securing a substantial slice of the state’s federal COVID relief funding for infrastructure projects.

Building a coalition of contractors and labor leaders, the Association lobbied our state legislators as they considered how to allocate American Rescue Plan Act (ARBA) dollars. Our argument was to use these funds to off-set the diversion of motor fuel tax dollars to pay for state police. Fund the police with COVID relief dollars and spend fuel tax revenue where it is supposed to be spent, investing in roads and bridges. It’s an argument we’ve been raising for years.

Our coalition didn’t get everything we asked for. But the 2021-22 commonwealth budget includes $279 million in ARPA funds for road and bridge construction.

FEDERAL

Equally important in 2021 were our efforts in working with the unions and the Associated General Contractors of America to encourage passage of the bi-partisan federal infrastructure bill.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was passed by Congress on November 6, 2021, makes the single largest investment in repairing and reconstructing the nation’s bridges since the construction of the interstate highway system.

The $1.2 trillion package includes a five-year reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs. Pennsylvania anticipates receiving $11.3 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $1.6 billion for bridge replacement and repairs.

CAWP will be working to make sure western Pennsylvania gets its fair share of that funding as it goes through the state allocation process.

COMMUNICATIONS

CAWP MEMBERS FEATURED IN AGC OF AMERICA VIDEOS

The AGC reached out to CAWP at the beginning of the year about shooting some video for their 2021 National Convention. As you know, Pennsylvania was one of only two states that shut down their highway projects, and AGC wanted to use that to promote their message that the construction industry should always be viewed as “essential.”

The videos were shown at the AGC Convention on September 21-23, 2021, in Orlando, Florida.

Thank you to

in the videos!

NEW CAWP + AGC CONNECTION

Access all of your CAWP and AGC membership benefits in the palm of your hand with the new CAWP + AGC Connection app! Download the AGC Connection app and access local CAWP and national AGC news and content, event registration, and a member directory with in-app messaging – all in one place!

GET INVOLVED!

Stay up-to-date on CAWP activities, trainings, and industry information by signing-up to receive the CAWP Weekly and Service Bulletins.

E-MAIL SIGN UP >>

APP

Volunteering for any of CAWP’s events is a great way to become involved. Volunteers are invaluable to CAWP staff in executing successful events.

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP >>

CAWP Board Member Ali Mills and CAWP CLC Chairman Nathan Miller, who were featured