Flashings

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Job bias charges increase

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently reported it received 82,792 private sector discrimination charge filings during the 2007 fiscal year, the most incoming charges since 2002 and the largest annual increase since 1993.

According to EEOC's report, allegations of discrimination based on race, retaliation and gender were the most frequently filed charges. Race-based discrimination charges increased 12 percent from the 2006 fiscal year. Discrimination charges based on retaliation increased 18 percent, and sex-based discrimination charges increased 7 percent.

Additionally, charges for pregnancy-based discrimination increased 14 percent to 5,587 from 4,901 during the 2006 fiscal year. Sexual-harassment charges increased 4 percent to 12,510 from 12,025 during the 2006 fiscal year, and a record 16 percent of sexual-harassment charges were filed by men.

EEOC claims the increase in discrimination charges may be because of individuals' greater awareness of equal opportunity laws, changing economic conditions, and increased diversity and demographic shifts in the labor force.

Index indicates billings decrease

The American Institute of Architects' (AIA's) February Architecture Billings Index (ABI) reached its lowest mark since October 2001. According to AIA, February's ABI rating was 41.8, which is nearly a 9 point decrease from January's rating of 50.7. February's rating for new project inquiries was 54.3. Scores of more than 50 indicate an increase in billings.

Regional averages show a mix of billings increases and decreases: The Northeast's rating was 51.5; the West's rating was 46.3; the Midwest's rating was 42.6; and the South's rating was 48.3. Commercial/industrial construction received a rating of 40.6; institutional construction received a rating of 54.9; mixed practice received a rating of 43.9; and multifamily residential construction received a rating of 46.6.

The ABI is derived from a monthly survey produced by AIA's Economics & Market Research Group. The survey is distributed to a panel of AIA member-owned firms and asks whether their billings increased, decreased or stayed the same during the previous month. Based on comparison of data compiled since 1995, ABI results provide a nine- to 12-month view into the future of nonresidential construction activity.

Stevens Roofing Systems increases prices

Stevens Roofing Systems, Holyoke, Mass., has increased the base prices of its TPO, Hypalon® and PVC products 4 to 8 percent. The price increases took effect Feb. 1.

The company cites rising raw material, energy, production and operating costs as reasons for the price increases. Updated price sheets are available through the standard channels. For more information about the price increases, access www.stevensroofing.com.

BASF increases prices

BASF Corp., Florham Park, N.J., has increased prices in the U.S. and Canada for various products.

The company has increased its prices for all Acronal® and Acronal Optive® all-acrylic latex products, Acronal styrene-acrylic latex products and Basonal® multimonomer emulsion polymer latex products 4 cents per wet pound. Prices for Butofan® medium-solids styrene-butadiene latex products and Styrofan® and Sytronal® styrene-butadiene latex products have increased 4 cents per dry pound. Prices for all Butonal® styrene-butadiene high-solids latex products have increased 5 cents per wet pound. The price increases took effect April 3.

BASF cites rising raw material, freight and energy costs as reasons for the price increases.

DETAILS

Chuck Chapman
Vice president of Central Roofing Co. of Arizona, Glendale, a Tecta America company

What is the most unusual roofing project you've performed?
I don't know how unusual it is, but working in a nuclear power plant certainly was challenging and interesting.

Why did you become a roofing contractor?
I went to college for broadcasting and quickly realized it was a tough industry. I had done some roofing during my summers in college, so when my former employer offered me double what I was making in radio, it was a no-brainer.

What was your first roofing experience?
Shingling a garage for my uncle's home-building company.

What are your favorite items on your desk?
Photographs of my girlfriend, Kay, and a little skier sculpture.

What do you consider your most rewarding experiences?
The Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA) has been putting on a charity bowling tournament for more than 10 years, and I have been fortunate enough to have been the master of ceremonies for all those years. Knowing we have been able to raise more than $300,000 for kids involved with The Greater Phoenix Youth at Risk makes me happy.

What is your favorite stress reliever?
I have quite a few: downhill skiing, playing golf, rollerblading, etc. Pretty much any physical activity.

What was your first job?
Operating a clay pigeon machine at a local gun club.

What is your favorite vacation?
Two, actually—skiing in Utah and playing golf in Mexico.

What do you consider a waste of time?
Having to do the same thing twice.

What are your best habits?
I'm detailed and organized.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who don't return telephone calls or answer e-mails.

If you could invite any three people to dinner (dead or alive), whom would you invite and why?
Ronald Reagan—a fascinating man and president. Herb Brooks—1980 Olympics. Need I say more? Freddie Mercury—an incredible talent who was taken too early.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Negotiating profitable work.

What is your roofing industry involvement?
I have served on the ARCA board of directors for 10 years—two as president. I currently am senior vice president of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association.

People would be surprised to know …
Seven years of my young life were spent living in Australia and Switzerland.

Small businesses plan for an aging work force

A February survey conducted by the National Associaion of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) indicates small businesses outpace larger businesses in planning for the effects of the aging work force.

Twenty-eight percent of the 404 small-business owners surveyed say they have planned for knowledge transfer from experienced older employees to other employees. NAPEO compared these results with Boston-based Novations Group Inc.'s survey of large organizations that indicates 25 percent of large businesses have plans to transfer knowledge from older employees.

NAPEO's survey also indicates 21 percent of small-business owners surveyed say 5 percent of their employees are ages 60 to 64. Additionally, 37 percent of companies claim their older employees are delaying retirement past the age of 65. This figure has increased from 18 percent during 2007.

W.R. Grace & Co. reaches settlement

W.R. Grace & Co., Columbia, Md., recently reached an agreement to settle all present and future personal-injury claims based on asbestos contamination caused by the company's products. The agreement was reached with the Official Committee on Asbestos Personal Injury Claimants, Future Claimants Representative and Official Committee of Equity Security Shareholders.

As part of the agreement, W.R. Grace & Co. will put $250 million in a trust fund that will distribute money to those claiming asbestos-related personal injuries. Additionally, the company will make deferred payments to the trust fund of $110 million per year for five years beginning in 2019 and $100 million per year for 10 years beginning in 2024. The company also warrants to acquire 10 million shares of its common stock at $17 per share.

In 2001, W.R. Grace & Co. filed bankruptcy to protect against an influx of asbestos-related lawsuits. More than 100,000 people have filed asbestos-related personal-injury claims against the company.