News from PCCA
PCCA Members Express Strong Opposition to PRO Act
Members of the Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) have been contacting their federal Representatives and Senators in early March to share their strong opposition to the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. PCCA has long represented the interests of those who build and maintain America’s electric power and broadband infrastructure, and its members believe that the PRO Act (H.R. 842) would have serious negative consequences on the U.S. economy and American workers.
2020 DIRT Data Submissions Due by March 31
PCCA encourages all of its members to submit data into the Common Ground Alliance's annual DIRT (Damage Information and Reporting Tool) Report, a document that estimates and analyzes damages to buried utilities across the country.
The March 31 deadline to submit 2020 DIRT data is fast approaching. CGA encourages submissions to be made as soon as possible so that you can be a part of the damage prevention story. Submit your 2020 damage or near-miss data by visiting www.identity.cga-dirt.com. If this is your first time submitting to DIRT, click here to register for an account.
PCCA 2021 Convention Presentations and Seminars
March 5 - 10, 2021
-
- 2021-2022 Economic Overview - Mark Bridgers, Continuum Capital
- Education Issues Roundtable/Grant implementation - Mark Bridgers, Continuum Capital
- FMI Industry Update - Chris Daum, FMI
- PCCA Government Relations Roundtable - Eben Wyman, Wyman Associates
(Presentations from previous meetings are in the Members Only area of the site under Education. Login required.)
PCCA Supports Clyburn’s Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
Rep. Clyburn Proposes $80 Billion for Broadband Deployment
On March 10, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) introduced the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act (AAIA) of 2021, which would authorize some $80 billion to fund competitive bidding systems used to build broadband infrastructure. PCCA applauds the introduction of the AAIA and will support the legislation while working to improve certain policies addressed in this important bill.
PCCA Journal - 2021 Q1 - Available Online
The latest edition of the PCCA Journal is in the mail but you can avoid the wait by reading it online.
PCCA's 2021 Electric & Broadband Outlook is featured... We look at what our Government and Industry Affairs Committee has to look forward to this year... and more.
Take it with you.
The PCCA Journal is portable and optimized for reading on your phone or tablet.
Telecom Industry Unites Behind Call for Broadband Workforce Development
PCCA joined a coalition of ten leading organizations representing a broad cross-section of the telecommunications industry in January on a joint letter to the White House and Congress urging support for broadband-related job skills development as part of any infrastructure legislation.
Department of Labor Approves More High-growth Industry Career Path Opportunities
WIA Contact: Amy-Gabrielle Bartolac, Public Affairs Manager
703-621-0527 |
PCCA Contact: Michael Ancell | Vice President
703-212-4962 |
January 13, 2021
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) and the Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) announced that the Department of Labor (DoL) has approved two new occupations for apprenticeship training through WIA’s Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP). The new occupations are Overhead Utility Installer Technician and Underground Utility Installer Technician.
OSHA Form 300A Data Due March 2, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers that the agency will begin collecting calendar year 2020 Form 300A data on Jan. 2, 2021. Employers must submit the form electronically by March 2, 2021.
In Memoriam: Ruth Michels
PCCA is saddened to pass along news of the passing of Ruth Michels, Michels Corporation, on December 21. Mrs. Michels helped found Michels Pipeline Construction in 1959, and the company joined PCCA in 1967. The company has been active in PCCA leadership ever since, and Mrs. Michels attended several PCCA meetings over the years. An announcement from the company is below.
Memorials can be sent to:
Agnesian HealthCare Foundation Hospice Hope
430 E. Division St.
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Congress Covers PCCA Priorities in Covid-19/Omnibus Legislation
December 23, 2020
Late on December 21, Congress approved a massive Covid-19 relief/omnibus spending package that heeds PCCA's call for extending the deadline for government entities to spend CARES Act funds, providing significant funding for broadband deployment, and clarifying that business expenses paid for with the proceeds of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans are tax deductible. Industry and Congress hope President Trump will sign the legislation before the end of the year.
PCCA was relentless on these issues in the weeks leading up to the vote, with five letters to congressional leadership, more than 400 email communications from PCCA members through Muster, and nonstop lobbying by phone and Zoom by the association's government relations team.
Safe + Sound 2020 Year In Review
Safe + Sound 2020 was a successful year! 1.9 million workers from 3,452 businesses participated in Safe + Sound Week. 68,590 participants regularly received safety and health messages via the listserv. Download the Safe + Sound 2020 End-Of-Year Infographic and share how you were #SafeAndSoundAtWork on social media. Thank you for your support!
Ogletree Reports on New EEOC Guidance for COVID Vaccinations
On December 16, 2020, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued revised COVID-19 guidance addressing questions related to the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations to employees. The guidance now addresses several common questions that employers have raised with respect to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Greg Guidry, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., provided PCCA with his firm’s report on that development, which includes a link to a summary prepared yesterday, and other firm resources available on this subject. If you have questions, contact Greg at
Page 6 of 12