June 9, 2020
ASSOCIATION NEWS
MCA Virtual Member Meeting June 18 @ 2:30 PM – Termination of Employees in the Construction Industry

It is a common misconception that all workers employed by construction companies are not entitled to reasonable notice of termination of their employment. While Section 5 of the Employment Standards Regulation (“ESR”) allows construction employees to be dismissed without notice or pay in lieu of notice, there are notable exceptions for:
  • Employees employed to perform ongoing maintenance, and
  • Office employees, which can include all manner of construction staff whose primary role is not limited to working at a construction site.
  • Long term employees, including those limited to working at construction sites.
Russell Patterson from Goodfellow & Schuett Law will discuss the nuances of including employee termination clauses in new employment contracts, the appropriate means of updating employment contracts to include employee termination clauses and best practices to avoid employee termination conflict. Sample copies of tested termination clauses will be provided.

Register now.
MLA Advocacy Campaign

Thank you members for your action and letters to your MLA's regarding the accumulating costs of managing construction site risks and keeping employees safe during to the Covid-19 pandemic. Your input encouraged the premier’s office to reach out to us and ultimately work toward providing solutions that will mitigate trade contractor risk. We will keep you informed as these solutions are presented to us

Read full letter here.
MCA WEBINAR

Thank you to Ted Bradshaw from Bradshaw & Associates for leading
"Take Control of your Business" on May 21 where business leaders heard about 3 simple and essential tools that will help them take more control of their businesses.
We appreciated your time and insight. If anyone wants to view the recorded session please click here.

SHARED RESOURCES

Reduce Your Future Cost; Offer Your Jobsite for PDA Development & Receive Your Unique PDA
 
ACA has received funding from the Workers Compensation Board to coordinate the development of Physical Demands Analysis (PDAs) for trades occupations involved in construction.
PDA is a breakdown of every task performed for each position, the time spent on each task, and every fitness related hazard associated with that task. PDAs help to fairly and accurately determine the physical requirement needed for a worker to safely perform specific tasks. These assessments help employers assign the right resource to the right job and reduce the time needed to safely return an injured worker back to work.  Employers will no longer have to incur the expense of developing a PDA when required by the WCB, by using the ACA PDA as an industry standard.

ACA is seeking to develop PDAs for virtually every trade or occupation employed in commercial or residential construction.  You will receive a confidential PDA specific to your job site as well as the generic PDA for that trade or occupation.

Read full article here to see how you can participate.

A Letter from MCA Member, Russ Anderson

To all MCA Members and their employees,

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Canadian Blood Services needs blood products. A few years ago, MCA Alberta became Partners for Life. At this time, we would like to recruit donors from our MCA member companies and see if we can help with donations.
Blood Services has several ways to donate:
1.       Whole Blood
2.       Plasma
3.       Stem Cells
4.       Organs/Tissue

Read full letter here and find a location near you here.


GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

Don’t Qualify for the CEBA Loan? Check Out the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund?

Western Economic Diversification Canada is offering funding relief for small and medium sized enterprises ( SME s) that have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This program is available to those who are not eligible for the Canadian Emergency Business Account ( CEBA ). Like the CEBA, the amount received must be used only for business expenses. For example, these funds cannot be used to pay down debts.

Find out more here.
INDUSTRY

MEDI – GAS INSTALLATION TRAINING AVAILABLE

NAIT has completed development of a blended delivery program for  Medi – Gas Installation training. This blended course includes theory delivered online and a practical lab delivered face-to-face on NAIT campus.

MCA will host a course on these dates:

Online Theory Training – July 6-31 (4 weeks)
F2F Practical Training – Week of August 3 (1 day)

This course is a prerequisite to write the CSA Medical Gas Piping Installer exam with CSA.
Please contact Lisa at Lisa@mca-ab.com for more information.


MCA Supplier Members

Last month we sent you an email asking how your company was doing through the Covid-19 experience. We would also like to know if there is anything MCA can be doing to help you and your business right now and, as we emerge from Covid-19 lockdown, what are some of the great opportunities you would like to see your association pursue?

We would love to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to call us if it’s easier than responding by email.


Click here for full email and questions.You can request a call or email us back at info@mca-ab.com.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Upgrade your knowledge and skills by engaging in live webinars, self paced online learning and virtual Instructor-led online training.

Virtual Instructor led training (live)
June 10: Field Scheduling 101. Register here.
June 11: Getting Paid and Managing the Cash Flow. Register here.
June 16: Managing Change in Construction. Register here.
June 17: CCA Subcontracts 101. Register here.
June 23: Managing Shop Drawings, Samples and Submittals. Register here.

Product Technical Training Webinars (live)
June 9: Manual Pressure drop Calculations. Register here.
June 16: Piping/Pumping Mod-Con Boilers . Register here.
June 23: Chiller Plant Concept Design. Register here.
June 24: Transition from Non-Condensing to Condensing Tankless Heaters.
 Register here.

E-learning  (self guided)
MCAC is proud to partner with BuildForce Canada to provide these courses:
 Construction Project Management – Course outline here .
Construction Law – Course outline here .
Communication, Negotiation & Conflict Resolution – Course outline here .
Intro to Estimating- – Course outline here .
Intro to BIM – Course outline here .

View full course outlines and register here.

If there is a topic that you would find helpful please contact Lisa@mca-ab.com.
CITY UPDATES
Case Managers offer one point of contact for business owners
 


I n response to the changing business environment due to COVID-19, The City has introduced a single point of contact for business owners. The Case Manager will assist and support businesses (new and existing) in getting expedited answers on questions and ideas you may have about operating your new or adapted business model during the pandemic.
The Case Manager will coordinate with City experts to help you understand any planning, safety codes and licensing requirements that need to be addressed prior to moving forward. The role is meant to provide you with timely and customized guidance to support Calgary’s business community.
COVID businessrelief@calgary.ca  is a new email address created for you to directly submit inquiries on business adjustments as a result of COVID-19. 
This information is also available online .

Surety bonds a great option for development agreements
I n March 2019, The City of Calgary announced the acceptance of bonds issued by a surety company as a form of security for Development Agreement obligations. Previously only letters of credit issued by a bank were accepted. As part of our continuous improvement efforts, The City has taken this work one step further, now accepting Bonds as a form of security for Development Engineering (DE) – Indemnification Agreements (IA), Roads - Indemnification Agreements and Shoring Agreements. 
For full article read here.
SAFETY
Workers’ Compensation Board – Alberta (WCB)

WCB has developed a " COVID-19 at work" fact sheet for employers. This fact sheet provides information about workplace outbreaks and answers questions about when and why claims need to be reported to WCB.

Moving towards a relaunch
Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy puts safety first while gradually reopening businesses, resuming activities and getting people back to work.

·             Guidance and resources for workplaces   


CrossGuard Barriers

Due to the demand from our essential service construction clientele, We have transitioned some of our fabrication Capabilities over to producing CrossGuard barriers. These plexiglass transition safety panels are free standing and portable and ideal for office settings or areas were your staff may come in contact with the public. Our fabrication facility is able to produce in a variety of custom sizes and designs that suit your needs.

See more information here and view their website here crossroadsci.com.

HEALTH & BENEFITS
Hour Bank Group Insurance – MCA Employee Benefit Plan
MCA Alberta is pleased to offer hour bank group insurance to our members through our MCA Employee Benefit Plan.
C overage includes: Life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, disability insurance, health care (including eye exam, prescription drug and paramedical services coverage), travel insurance and dental care.

For more information or a free, no obligation proposal for a plan that will best suit your company, please contact Vicky at 403-250-7237 or Vicky@mca-ab.com.
Check out our Member Discount Programs
today! Click HERE
HR CORNER

HR Seminars

MCA is working on delivery for two new seminars coming this summer.

July 14: PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT & PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE – Both Working From Home and Back at the Workplace
When employees are not a fit for their job or the organization, the decision is made to sever the employment relationship. But, before that choice is made, we can communicate our expectations and support employees in turning things around.
In this practical workshop, you will gain tools and techniques in how to manage this process with employees on your team.

August 18: ORIENTATION & ON-BOARDING – in the New Reality
Did you know… Studies show that 19% to 37% of new employees quit within their 1st year and 22% of staff turnover occurs in the first 45 days of employment. New employees who went through a structured on-boarding program were 58% more likely to be with the organization after 3 years.
This interactive workshop will provide you with tips and ideas about how to improve your new employee orientation process – for employees working from home as well as at the regular workplace.

Stay tuned for more information. 
FEATURED AFFINITY PROGRAM

Save with Aon's group home and auto insurance program.


As a member of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Alberta, you and your employees will have access to discounted rates for your personal home and automobile coverage.
You will enjoy a discount* of up to:
20% on personal property insurance
13% on personal auto insurance
To receive your insurance quote, call 1.800.448.2539 to speak with a licensed broker, or click here to start an online quote .