April 2020                                                                                                 Vol. 1

Nebraska Chapter

National Electrical Contractors Association Newsletter
  


In lieu of our normal newsletter format we will be sending a weekly summary of the Covid-19 information and updates. Our goal is to summarize the weekly events, changes and clarifications that affect our contractors. We also have updates on our NECA Nebraska website:  neneca.com  

Our responsibility is to help you sort out those items that are high priority, and give you access to more details and their appropriate links. Please call me or one of our staff if you need clarification or direction on any items you are not clear on. 

Sincerely,
 
Allan Hale, Executive Director
Nebraska Chapter - NECA
National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA)
 
This agreement gives us the right to furlough our workers for the following reasons without the need for the referral system:

1.  Reports having contact with another person who is reasonably believed to have contracted Covid-19.
2.  Has recently returned from a high-risk country as identified by CDC
3.  Presents symptoms associated with Covid-19 identified by CDC
4.  If access to a jobsite is restricted or denied
5.  If an employee refuses to be present on a jobsite if he believes they are in danger of contracting the Covid-19 virus.
6.  Worker is quarantined or asked to self-quarantine as a result of possible exposure to Covid-19

Note: If you furlough an employee document the action based on one of the six reasons using Covid-19 as the ultimate reason.

Actions that need to be taken by the contractor or worker:

1.  If it is a mass furlough the contractor has the ability to file unemployment on behalf of the worker.
2.  If it is a minimal furlough the worker should file unemployment on-line and no waiting period will be necessary. The reason for the furlough should be noted as Covid-19 related.  
3.  Any Covid-19 related unemployment will not be charged against the contractors account.

Questions have been raised regarding this agreement which we have attached for your review. 
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

  • Post the Employee Rights Poster in your shop and be sure the foreman on site have access to this document.  Poster
  • Paid leave entitlements include two weeks of paid sick leave for the following reasons:  Read the FAQS
  1. Subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to Covid-19.
  2. Is experiencing covid-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis
Note: Sick leave is for actively working employees and not those who have been furloughed due to other non-medical reasons.
  1. Sick leave payment will include wage on check, health and welfare, and NEBF. Pension contributions will not be charged as part of payroll.  All other charges won't be charged to the contractor. You will need to keep track of those workers on sick leave and report those hours separately from your normal reporting document. ($511 daily maximum)
  2. The law allows a quarterly payroll credit for the wage on check and health and welfare payment. They will not credit NEBF contributions.
Qualifying reasons for leave related to Covid-19:

An employee is entitled to take leave related to covid-19 if the employee is unable to work, including unable to telework because the employee:
  1. Is caring for an individual subject to a quarantine order or a self-quarantine due to symptoms of Covid-19. (maximum of $200 daily for 12 weeks)
Note: This law takes effect April 1, 2020 
SBA Information 

SBA and Treasury Begin Effort to Distribute $349 Billion in Emergency Small Business Capital
 
Following President Trump's signing of the historic Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin announced that the SBA and Treasury Department have initiated a robust mobilization effort of banks and other lending institutions to provide small businesses with the capital they need.
 
The CARES Act establishes a new $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program. The Program will provide much-needed relief to millions of small businesses so they can sustain their businesses and keep their workers employed. 
 
The new loan program will help small businesses with their payroll and other business operating expenses. It will provide critical capital to businesses without collateral requirements, personal guarantees, or SBA fees - all with a 100% guarantee from SBA. All loan payments will be deferred for six months. Most importantly, the SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first eight weeks of payroll costs, rent, utilities, and mortgage interest.
 
The Paycheck Protection Program is specifically designed to help small businesses keep their workforce employed. Visit  http://www.sba.gov/Coronavirus for more information on the Paycheck Protection Program.

The new loan program will be available retroactive from Feb. 15, 2020, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees through June 30, 2020.


 Attached are the Payroll Protection Program loan related documents, along with a fact sheet on the program. 

 

Loan Terms & Conditions
  • Eligible businesses: All small businesses, including non-profits, Veterans organizations, Tribal concerns, sole proprietorships, self-employed individuals, and independent contractors, with 500 or fewer employees, or no greater than the number of employees set by the SBA as the size standard for certain industries
  • Maximum loan amount up to $10 million
  • Loan forgiveness if proceeds used for payroll costs and other designated business operating expenses in the 8 weeks following the date of loan origination (due to likely high subscription, it is anticipated that not more than 25% of the forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs)
  • All loans under this program will have the following identical features:
    • Interest rate of 0.5%
    • Maturity of 2 years
    • First payment deferred for six months
    • 100% guarantee by SBA
    • No collateral
    • No personal guarantees
    • No borrower or lender fees payable to SBA
SBA's announcement comes on the heels of a series of steps taken by the Agency since the President's Emergency Declaration to expeditiously provide capital to financially distressed businesses affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  Read

Kevin Tighe - VP Customer & Field Relations, NECA  
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In This Issue
NDERA
FFCRA
SBA
NECA OFFICE
Important Dates
COVID TIPS
NECA OFFICE
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Due to the current health climate, the staff at the local NECA office will be working remotely or with limited office hours.  

The office phone has been forwarded to Tracy's phone.  However, please call, if you need to reach: 
Allan: 402-720-4772 
or 
Anthony:  531-444-7909
IMPORTANT DATES:

April 16:  NECA Board Meeting, will be a Zoom Conference Call, 4pm.

April 21: GN Apprenticeship Meeting, Zoom Conference, 10 am.
A Little Positivity...

It's simple, just do your part.  Everyone needs to do their part in social distancing and staying home.  This is the only way to combat this awful, killer virus.

Be sure to thank the heros in our community: Healthcare, Trucking Industry, Food Supply, Food Service, and all other essential workers.  

Homeschooling parents: Realize how hard your kid's teachers work. Thank them!

Learn a new skill:  Skype, Zoom and other visual communication apps are a great way to stay in contact with friends and family!

It's Spring!  What a great time of year to watch the vegitation green-up!

You know all of your long time friends you've been meaning to call?  Now's the time!  :)

Support Take-out Tuesdays!  Get take out from your favorite restaurant as a weekly treat!

Support small & local Businesses.  They have had the creative challenge to maintain an income during this time.  Commerce has transitioned to purchasing online & over social media.

Look out for seniors, who may not be as tech saavy as you.  Consider ordering groceries online and needing supplies for them when you place your orders.

Most importantly, value this time you have with your immediate family.  Count your blessings! 
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75th Anniversary of NE Chapter NECA
If you're interested in including the NECA Logo as part of your email signature, contact our office!
Covid-19 Tips

How are you assuring your customers that your service team is practicing Covid-19 safe practices? Post it on your social media!

Emergency Sick leave is payable for 80 hours, track it on your payroll system, reimbursement is available as a refundable payroll tax credit.

Authorized Emergency Sick leave:  wage on check and health and welfare are reimbursable as a refundable credit on your payroll tax payment.

Short time compensation is available if you reduce hours for the entire staff greater than 10% and no more than 60%.

All unemployment claims that meet the criteria needs to have Covid-19 listed as reason for layoff or furlough.

All Covid-19 related unemployment claims are not subject to your companies experience rating, it draws from the general fund
Quotes:

In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity: Albert Einstein

Success is not playing a good hand, but playing a bad hand well: Warren Lester