News + Views

Celebrate National Roofing Week June 4-10

This year, National Roofing Week will be held June 4-10. Organized by NRCA, National Roofing Week increases recognition of the significance of roofs to every home and business in the U.S.; promotes the good deeds of the roofing industry; and emphasizes the value of professional roofing contractors.

During National Roofing Week, NRCA members are encouraged to participate by engaging in their communities and informing the public about the essential roles roofs and professional roofing contractors play in every community.

NRCA members helped promote the importance of roofs to children by asking them to participate in NRCA's 2017 Children's Art Contest. Children in grades 1-8 who are relatives of NRCA members or their employees submitted their artwork depicting what roofs do. Online voting took place in May to determine the winner in each of three age groups. The contest winners will be announced during National Roofing Week, and each winner will have his or her artwork featured on all 2017 National Roofing Week material and additional promotional material to be displayed at industry events throughout the year, including NRCA's 131st Annual Convention and the 2018 International Roofing Expo^® in New Orleans.

In addition, NRCA members and staff celebrate National Roofing Week through contributions to charitable organizations in their communities. Members throughout the U.S. are encouraged to share their stories of charitable giving with NRCA—the stories will be promoted through social media, NRCA's Roof Scoop blog and Professional Roofing magazine.

NRCA also will host a social media campaign to highlight its members and their contributions to the roofing industry. Members are encouraged to share photos that will focus on a different theme each day during National Roofing Week, tag NRCA and use the hashtag #nationalroofingweek. NRCA contractor members received National Roofing Week kits and social media cards in May.

National Roofing Week sponsors include A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, Aurora, Ill.; Duro-Last, Saginaw, Mich.; FlashCo, Santa Rosa, Calif.; GAF, Parsippany, N.J.; the International Roofing Expo; Johns Manville, Denver; National Women in Roofing; Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio; Roofmaster Products Co., Monterey Park, Calif.; and SOPREMA^® Inc., Wadsworth, Ohio.

For more information about National Roofing Week and its activities, visit www.nrca.net/National-Roofing-Week.

Wage concessions likely from employers during 2017 bargaining

A majority of employers indicated wages are the only area in which they anticipate making concessions to labor unions during collective bargaining in 2017, Bloomberg BNA survey data revealed.

Bloomberg BNA conducted its annual survey in late 2016 among employers that have collective bargaining agreements expiring in 2017 and sought the opinions of management representatives regarding their expiring agreements and renegotiation goals. More than 140 eligible employees contributed to the survey findings that were compiled in the 2017 Employer Bargaining Objectives Report.

Fifty-nine percent of management representatives reported their organization's financial outlook for 2017 as "very" or "somewhat" favorable. As a result, 66 percent of the employers surveyed indicated a willingness to make wage concessions to labor unions.

"This is similar to the level recorded prior to the financial crises when 70 percent of employers preparing for 2007 contract talks indicated a willingness to give ground on wages," the report says.

Employers' confidence about renegotiating collective bargaining agreements that expire in 2017 continues a decades-long trend.

"Again this year, employers are quite confident they will achieve their bargaining goals," the report says. "This is unchanged from previous decades of data, where the vast majority of management representatives are either 'very' or 'somewhat' confident about attaining their bargaining objectives."

Most employers will seek to negotiate three-year contracts during 2017. Fifty-five percent of survey respondents indicated they will push for first-year wage hikes ranging from 2 percent to 2.9 percent, and 16 percent said they plan to push for wage increases ranging from 1 percent to 1.9 percent. In 2016, less than half of the survey respondents said they would push for wage hikes ranging from 2 percent to 2.9 percent, and 25 percent said they would pursue wage increases from 1 percent to 1.9 percent.

Although many employers indicated willingness to increase wages, the bargaining climate remains tough for labor unions overall, according to the report.

"While this year's bargaining plans suggest greater willingness to boost pay, it appears that management negotiators will once again pursue relatively modest increases," the report states.

Sixty-one percent of employers reported they are looking to gain health care and insurance benefits concessions from unions, the report says. Employees might face a hike in insurance premiums.

Regarding health care cost-sharing, 43 percent of management representatives said their organization plans to add or increase premium contributions; 31 percent said their organization plans to add or increase insurance deductibles; and 29 percent said their organization plans to increase co-payments.

FiberTite Roofing Systems becomes first NRCA partner member

NRCA has announced FiberTite Roofing Systems, manufactured by Seaman Corp., Wooster, Ohio, has become the first manufacturer to upgrade its associate membership to "partner member."

In February, NRCA launched its One Voice initiative aimed at collectively recognizing threats to the industry and the opportunities they may present. To accomplish this goal, NRCA has undertaken a campaign to unite the roofing industry and speak with one voice regarding matters of industry importance. To ensure all industry sectors have an opportunity to participate, NRCA amended its bylaws to allow manufacturers, distributors, architects, engineers and consultants that choose to participate to become full members of the association. Voting rights are granted to full members, and they are eligible for leadership roles within the association. Previously, such rights were reserved only for contractor members.

"Our chances for success in many areas improve when we row in the same direction, and I saw this firsthand during my time in Congress," says NRCA CEO Reid Ribble. "Industries that spoke with a single voice in Washington were much more effective at moving legislation in their direction, and I believe we can accomplish the same (and more) when we foster relationships that are more inclusive and collaborative."

FiberTite Roofing Systems is the first company to commit to NRCA's One Voice initiative, which initially will focus on developing a national worker training and certification program, legislative efforts and advocacy. FiberTite Roofing Systems announced its intention April 5.

"Clearly, it is of vital importance to stakeholders throughout the roofing industry that we align ourselves around the key challenges affecting the growth of our business," says FiberTite Roofing Systems Vice President and General Manager Scott Gipson. "Channeling the breadth of NRCA members in speaking with one voice provides clarity to policymakers who may otherwise guide decisions critical to our success. It was an easy decision for us to get on board with this important initiative."

For more information about NRCA's One Voice initiative, visit www.nrca.net/onevoice.