Human remains found in roof system
On April 23, roofing workers made a grueling discovery while tearing off a Mexican restaurant's roof system in Morton Grove, Ill. In one roof area, workers of NRCA member Nelson Roofing Co., Chicago, tore off a series of misaligned shingles, causing the plywood deck to become loose. Underneath the plywood, workers found a sheet of plastic covering several recycling containers that were duct-taped closed; some containers were filled with concrete.
Warner Nelson, president of Nelson Roofing, threw one recycling container that held yellow Tupperware and concrete off the roof. When the container hit the ground, it broke open to reveal a clenched human hand.
Nelson told The Chicago Tribune: "It was pretty gross. It was a fluke that we found it. Whoever put it there worked hard to make sure it would never be found."
Nelson notified the police, who discovered additional body parts in other recycling containers. The Cook County Medical Examiners Office determined the body was a male who was shot in the back of the neck, but it has not identified the body.
The investigation has caused police to re-examine a missing person case. Enrico Martin Silva, the owner of a previous restaurant at the location, was reported missing Aug. 27, 1998. Silva's keys were found in the parking lot near his car, and police suspected foul play.
Firestone raises prices
Firestone Building Products Co., Carmel, Ind., raised prices for some of its roofing products, including asphalt-based and single-ply roof membranes and polyisocyanurate insulation. The increases reflect a combination of factors, including the strike in Venezuela, the war in Iraq and an unusually cold winter in North America.
Firestone Building Products' asphalt-based product prices have increased in two phases. In the first phase, which began April 10, prices of Firestone APP- and SBS-modified bitumen membranes, Type IV and Type VI ply felts, and asphalt base sheets increased 4 percent to 6 percent per roll. In the second phase, which began May 10, these product prices climbed an additional 4 percent to 6 percent. In addition, Firestone Building Products' cold adhesive prices rose 6 percent to 8 percent per gallon, and the company's aluminum roof coating product prices increased 5 percent per gallon.
On June 1, the cost of Firestone Building Products' polyisocyanurate insulation increased 5 percent per board foot. The price will advance an additional 5 percent July 1.
From June 1 to Sept. 30, the price of RubberGard® EPDM, UltraPly® TPO and UltraPly® 78+ PVC membranes will increase 4 percent to 6 percent per square foot.
In addition, Firestone Building Products will apply a fuel surcharge to all prepaid truckload shipments because of rising transportation costs.
Act to stop union salting
On April 11, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Truth in Employment Act (HR 1793) to prevent union salting abuses. Salting is a union tactic that places a union representative seeking employment in an open-shop facility to disrupt company operations, apply economic pressure, and increase operating and legal costs.
"Many business owners would rather hire ‘salts' than face costly litigation that can result from denying those non-bona fide applicants a job," says Rep. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). "[The] bill would protect such employers from frivolous and coercive lawsuits intended to damage their businesses."
The act was designed to address problems created by differing interpretations of the National Labor Relations Act. "Salt" applicants often file discrimination claims with the National Labor Relations Board when denied employment, causing costly litigation for business owners.
Have another cup of joe!
You know you're drinking too much coffee when ...
Source: Adapted from First Draft, June issue.
Are you burned out?
Work stress can negatively affect you if ignored for too long. But how do you know if you're burned out? Answer the following questions:
If you answered "yes" to at least three of these questions, you probably are burned out and your stress level may be affecting your employees; they may be fixing your mistakes or doing your work when you're out of the office. What can you do to eliminate burnout?
Become more social. Spend more time with friends, family and employees. If you feel connected with others at home and work, you will reduce work-related stress.
Have fun at work. Consider initiating or becoming part of an activity committee. Plan work outings, such as a trip to a zoo, movie theater or museum. You also may consider taking a walk during your lunch break to unwind.
Source: Adapted from msn.com, as cited in First Draft, April issue.
Motivate employees to good health
When your employees are healthy, they produce quality work and make money for your company. To maintain employees' health, consider establishing a wellness program with an incentive to encourage employees to participate. You could hire a clinic to come to your office and monitor employees' health every six months. And offer bonuses to employees who improve their health. This will motivate employees to continue being aware of their health.
Source: Adapted from Wanted: A Few Good Employee Incentives, as cited in The Manager's Intelligence Report, September 2002 issue.
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