Renew your
membership by
January 31 and
receive a discount
on your dues!  Contact Ellen for details.

 February 3 - Winter Gala, 6:30-11 PM at the American Visionary Art Museum, Jim Rouse Building. 

 February 5 - CPR/First Aid Training, 8-12 noon @ ABC Baltimore.  Contact Mike Barton for more information.

 February 5 - Legislative Reception, 6-8 PM at the Governor Clavert House, Annapolis. 

 February 6 - HR Academy, 3-5 PM @ ABC Baltimore. Contact Lauren Blumberg for more information.

 February 7 - Spanish for Safety with Ameriga, 5-7 PM @ ABC Baltimore.  Contact Mike Barton for more  information.

 February 8-9 - OSHA 10 Hour, 8-2 PM @ ABC Baltimore.  Contact Mike Barton for more information.

 February 13 - Flagger Training, 8-12 noon @ ABC Baltimore.  Contact Mike Barton for more information. 

Premier

Platinum

DeQuan's I Enterprise

Huddles Jones
Sorteberg & Dachille

NEVER BEEN TO AN ABC LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION BEFORE?

Why You Should Attend this Year’s Event

Legislative Reception: 2/5, 6 to 8 PM in Annapolis

Okay.  So you’ve never attended our annual Legislative Reception before. And you have no intention of starting now.   All we ask is that you consider the following: there are 35 freshmen delegates and senators this year in the legislature, and many of them are attending our event. This is

our opportunity to tell the Merit Shop story. You can count on the fact they will be hearing the union story over and over again. If we fail to have a strong turn-out, we will be sending a very dangerous message. 

There is a lot at stake for the Merit Shop over the next four years. The Governor has pledged to spend $400 million on school construction. We need to make sure this work will be openly and competitively bid. Also, we expect the journeyman licensing issue will come under scrutiny by legislators. They need to hear from the 85 percent of the workforce that speaks for the Merit Shop.  Don’t want to come alone? Bring a friend. As we said, the stronger the turnout, the more positive the message we can deliver to our elected officials (click here to register).

APPRENTICESHIP IN BALTIMORE CITY?

ABC Meets with new Mayor to bring back apprenticeship training

As hard as it may be to believe, but there are no apprenticeship programs —union or merit shop —in Baltimore City. Over the past year, ABC has graduated 60 individuals in our JumpStart pre-apprenticeship program in East Baltimore. We’ve been able to place some of them in apprenticeship program in the county, but for the majority, it places on them an undue burden to attend classes in the county when they live in the City. Last week ABC met with newly installed Mayor Sheila Dixon. In the meeting, Mayor Dixon said she would work with Baltimore City Public Schools and Baltimore City Community College to help bring apprenticeship back to the City. Stay tuned.

GOT A GOOD GRIP ON HR LAWS?

There is still time to attend Construction HR Academy
Click here to register

Construction is one of the most regulated industries in our society. ABC developed the HR Academy to help our members stay abreast of the many laws which govern construction human resources and, most importantly, how to build strong teams. We have only five slots left open. Can’t attend all six nights? Not a problem. When you register for the Academy you own that seat. You could send a different staff person for each class.

Here is the line-up:

Session I. February 6

HR Audit for the Small Contractor,

Join this interactive program for a high-level overview of some of the key federal and state employment laws, regulations and recent, industry specific cases that you should know. Take home an “HR Audit Checklist” to help you begin taking proactive measures to reduce liability for managing your Maryland-based business. 

Session II. February 8
Labor Law Primer,

Receive a general overview of the laws that govern employment and benefits in the State of Maryland. The class will also cover Union and Merit Shop Relations. An interactive review of the legalities of employment relationships, including state and federal employment laws and hiring and firing practices.

Session 3. February 13

Policies/Procedures & Handbook,

Understand hiring policies, work rules; progressive discipline; performance evaluations and more. Class participants can bring in their employee handbook and have it reviewed by HR professionals at no extra cost (books and analysis will be returned the last class).

Session 4. February 15

Managing Your Workers Comp

This session will  show you it is possible to manage 

your workers compensation and improve your bottom line.

Session 5. February 20                

Coaching, Counseling and Correction

At the conclusion of this session, you will be able to: learn effective ways to orient and set expectations for new hires; learn how to motivate your employees; learn how to correct without criticizing; learn how to enhance your credibility in the counseling process; establish key criteria for determining when dismissal is appropriate and necessary

Session 6.  February 22               

Open Forum,

On this last day, we will assemble all of the instructors together for a spirited wrap-up. This will be your opportunity to ask any remaining questions.

ABC Welcomes the Following New Members