Both events will be held on October 28, 2023 in Chandler, AZ! FASTEST TROWEL ON THE BLOCK COMPETITION Fastest Trowel on the Block competition will showcase the best of Arizona’s journeymen masons alongside their favorite tender. Each contestant’s goal is to build the largest block wall, using 8” x 8” x 16” CMU with only the mortar provided – in 20 minutes! Contestants must excel in both speed and craftsmanship. MASONRY SKILLS CHALLENGE The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Region G Masonry Skills Challenge showcases the training of first, second and third-year masonry apprentices and high school construction education students. In this competition, contestants are given a project drawing appropriate to their skill level and must lay out and construct the project in three hours. The winners of the masonry apprentice’s competition are then entered to compete in the MCAA National Skills Challenge at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, NV (January 2024). Jump to our information pages to read more, register for the event (including registration for high school students) and to find sponsorship opportunities!

With the heat of summer approaching, contractors need to be aware of the dangers of exposing workers to the heat. To address the hazards, ADOSH and Federal OSHA have both published Heat Emphasis Programs which enhance inspections and compliance activities on construction sites during the summer months. The program means that all ADOSH and OSHA inspections will now include an inquiry about the measures that have been put in place to mitigate heat hazards. One of the things that compliance officers will be asking about is whether or not you have a written heat safety plan. While a written plan is not specifically required in any current regulation, a written plan may be needed to show that you have evaluated the hazards and taken appropriate steps to keep workers safe. ADOSH intends to review plans created by an employer to reduce the risk for heat related illnesses and injuries. Written plans should address water, rest, shade, acclimatization, and training to recognize signs and symptoms of heat stress. The ADOSH announcement of the Heat Emphasis Program can be viewed at https://www.azica.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/ADOSH%20Announces%20State%20Emphasis%20Program%20to%20Combat%20Heat%20Illness%20and%20Injury%20in%20the%20Workplace%20Release.pdf   The City of Phoenix has also been working to draft legislation that pertains to all contractors, sub-contractors, and leasing companies that would apply to any company working on a City of Phoenix Contractor, or doing work on City of Phoenix owned property (including city streets and other facilities). The currently proposed language is fairly straightforward with the main requirement being the all employers must have a written plan. The proposed legislation does not currently set any limitations or restrictions, but simply states that all employers must have a written plan to address the same things outlined in the ADOSH Heat Emphasis Program.  The current proposed City of Phoenix legislation can be viewed by downloading the file below. The City has held several public meetings about the proposed legislation (which is being opposed by AGC of Arizona) and expects to put this before City Council before May 2024. This draft was sent to stakeholders on March 12, 2024 and includes feedback from the March 7th stakeholders meeting.

Help us celebrate the strength and beauty of our industry with the 32nd annual Excellence in Masonry Awards. Project submittal packages can be purchased now through March 31st on our website. You must purchase one entry per project, and completed submittal packages are due back by June 5th. Note that there have been two new categories added this year: Monuments/Entry Ways Architectural Perimeter Walls (min of 75% architectural) This year's jury will convene the week of July 10th. Presentation of awards will take place at the Excellence in Masonry Architectural Awards Banquet on September 22, 2023, at the Scottsdale Resort McCormick Ranch. Look for more information on sponsorship packages and banquet tickets coming soon, but in the meantime be sure to get your project submittal packages purchased by March 31, 2023.

At their meeting on March 26th, the Phoenix City Council approved Ordinance G-7241, a new law that addresses contractor requirements for the mitigation of heat related illness and injury in the workplace. With summer on the way, the City Council has made it clear that they believe that the dangers of working in the heat are a serious public health concern, and this new law is one step they are taking to address this concern. The new law will take effect on April 25, 2024 and will apply to all contractors working on City of Phoenix contract, lease or license. Examples would include city public works projects or construction or renovation of city buildings or property. The law further clarifies that it applies to all employees and contract workers who work in an outdoor environment. The ordinance includes definitions of many of the terms used and can be downloaded and read here: Another key requirement that contractors should be aware of is the requirement for required contract language. This reads as follows: The following clause is required to appear in all contracts between the City and the Contractor and contracts between the Contractor and its Subcontractors, Sublicensees, and Sublessees: "Any contractor whose employees and contract workers perform work in and outdoor environment under this contract must keep on filed a written heat safety plan. The city may request a copy of this plan and documentation of all heat safety and mitigation efforts currently implemented to prevent heat-related illnesses and injuries in the workplace. The plan must also be posted where it is accessible to employees. At a minimum, the heat safety and mitigation plan and documentation required under these provisions shall include each of the following as it relates to the heat safety and mitigation: Availability of sanitized cool drinking water free of charge at locations that are accessible to all employees and contract workers. Ability to take regular and necessary breaks as needed and additional breaks for hydration. Access to shaded areas and/or air conditioning. Access to air conditioning in vehicles with enclosed cabs. All such vehicles must contain functioning air conditioning by no later than May 1, 2025. Effective acclimatization practices to promote the physiological adaptions of employees or contract workers newly assigned or reassigned to work in an outside environment. Conduct training and make it available and understandable to all employees and contract workers on heat illness and injury that focuses on the environmental and personal risk factors, prevention, how to recognize and report signs and symptoms of heat illness and injury, how to administer appropriate first aid measures and how to report heat illness and injury to emergency medical personnel. Additional language makes it clear that this all applies to anyone hired to perform work, whether they are considered an employee or an independent contractor. Both ADOSH and Federal OSHA previously announced heat injury and illness emphasis programs that will be looking for many of the same things as this new ordinance, but the ordinance makes it clear that if you are working on a City of Phoenix contract, it all has to be in writing, and everyone on the job, including all labor classified as independent contractors, must receive training in recognizing and mitigating the hazards of heat related injuries and illnesses. With summer approaching, other jurisdictions (including the City of Tucson) are discussing similar policies. The potential for serious injuries and even death is real for construction workers doing work in the heat we will experience this summer. We cannot control the heat, but we can plan ahead to take specific and deliberate steps to mitigate the risks to our workers. For contractors needing assistance in putting together a plan, there are resources available, including the ADOSH Consultation and Training Division , and the OSHA Heat Hazards web site.

Congratulations Jacob Brooks (2020) David Esquivel (2021) Taylor English (2022) Steve Kozel (2022) On November 19th the Department of Economic Security hosted the annual Outstanding Apprentice Awards. This year 2020,2021,2022 were recognized and awarded after a long pause from the pandemic. The Arizona Masonry Council celebrated four of the program's most Outstanding apprentices these past years. This same evening the Arizona Masonry Council's Masonry Apprenticeship Program was presented with the Exemplary Program Award for recognition of excellence in apprenticeship training.

The 2022 Apprentice Graduation Dinner was held Saturday February 4th at Culinary Dropout in Tempe. With more than 130 family, friends, and industry members in attendance, this was a fun filled night of celebrating the accomplishments of our 13 graduating apprentices as well as our industry leaders. Each apprentice received their certified journeyman certificate and card from the state of Arizona. Our industry now has the privilege of recognizing these 13 graduates as certified journeyman. Additional special recognitions were awarded such as the Apprentice Awards and Instructor of the Year Award. Congratulations to all award recipients. Crew of 2022 Elijah Baum-Sun Valley Masonry Isaac Baum-Sun Valley Masonry Alexis Cuen-Hobbs Masonry Taylor English-Keystone Masonry Aaron Escalante-Hobbs Masonry Antonio Gamboa-Sun Valley Masonry Stephen Kozel-Sutter Masonry Oscar Montano-Sun Valley Masonry Marcos Ortega-Keystone Masonry Ricardo Reyes-Sun Valley Masonry Henderson Thompson-Sutter Masonry Ricardo Umanzor-G & G Masonry Macio Wright-Sutter Masonry

For the first time in 13 years Arizona has divided government, with Governor Hobbs on the ninth floor and Republicans with just a one vote majority in both the House and Senate. The new Hobbs administration is well on its way to filling the top spots in government agencies. Leading the transition team to help make recommendations to Governor Hobbs is Mike Haener, a partner at Willetta Partners. Mike helped Hobbs assemble her team when she became secretary of state and is serving in that same role with Governor Hobbs. We are also starting the legislative session, which brings with it budget blueprints from our Democratic governor and Republican-controlled legislature. It’s safe to say they are VERY far apart! For comparison, Hobbs’ $17.1-billion budget proposal is $1.4 billion more than last year’s budget, which itself was the largest in state history. Conversely, the Republicans want to pass a budget very similar to last year’s budget in anticipation of a recession. The most controversial policy in the Hobbs spending plan is the repeal of Arizona’s recently enacted universal Empowerment Scholarship Account program (ESA), which has been projected to save the state about $144 million per year, if it were eliminated. Hobbs’ budget also calls for spending most of the state’s $2 billion surplus carried over from the prior fiscal year. Her new spending would include: $200 million increase in annual base funding for public schools $520 million in one-time funding for school facilities $80 million for college scholarships $150 million for the Housing Trust Fund $165 million for the Department of Economic Security $254 million to boost public employee salaries $250 million to state rainy day fund (Bringing the total to $1.6 billion) The Governor has also proposed tax reforms to: provide a $100 per child annual tax credit for low-income families exempt diapers and feminine hygiene products from state sales tax I have met with the other subcontractor groups and there is little appetite for introducing new legislation in this environment. Nevertheless, we are evaluating all of the hundreds of bills being introduced this session for their impact on our members. Every session is about recognizing opportunities and dealing with threats; this year is no different.

Congratulations to instructor Dave Severn and the Peoria High School Construction program for winning one of nine NCCER Core Toolbox Grants! Dave and his students were awarded the toolbox on November 1, 2022. The Core Curriculum Toolbox is valued at over $7,000 and comes with all the needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and hand and power tools for a class of 25 students, to complete their hands-on training.

The Arizona Masonry Council spent two amazing days at the Arizona Construction Career Days event. The AMC represented in both Phoenix and Tucson providing a solid hands-on training experience and sharing information about career opportunities to more than 4,000 students in each location. Thank you, Sunvalley Masonry, Runde Company, and AMC's Tucson apprentices for all your handwork! Click to view more Construction Career Days photos

There are almost half-a-million job openings in the construction industry and more than one million openings in the manufacturing sector. Both represent the highest levels ever recorded since industry-level jobs data were first collected. While finding and retaining workforce has been a problem for every industry since the start of the pandemic, it has been a problem for the construction industry since Arizona emerged from the Great Recession. No doubt there are a variety of causes of this shortfall, including the stigma against manual labor, lack of understanding how well construction jobs can pay, and a nearly universal message that college is the best option if you want a successful career. But competition with other industries for scarce workers is probably the number one reason our industry is short so many workers. As a result, the masonry industry has had to look in new places for the workforce of today and tomorrow. One place our industry has had success is working with county probation officers to offer jobs to those who are on supervised release. Since employment is often a condition of their release from prison – and these candidates also have a probation officer to help them navigate the details of the workplace – this has proven to be a good source of new employees. Currently, there are 50,000 people on actively supervised adult probation in Arizona. Of those, more than 38,000 are employable, although many are unemployed or underemployed at the onset of supervision. Additionally, most probationers require monitoring for use of drugs and alcohol throughout their term of supervision. Once employed, fulfilling drug testing requirements can conflict with work schedules. Traditional testing is usually unscheduled and conducted only during regular business hours at specified locations. As a result, employees on a job site can be called away at a moment’s notice for testing. Even worse, without their own transportation, employers often have to take a second employee off the job to drive to the drug treatment facility. Maintaining accountability for sobriety shouldn’t come at the expense of being able to maintain fulltime employment. One solution to this problem is called a sweat patch. Imagine a super-adhesive bandage with a unique serial number on each bandage. The patch is applied to a person on probation for up to 14 days. It is removed under supervision and sent to a lab. If the person has consumed prohibited substances such as alcohol or marijuana, it will show up on the testing of the patch via the sweat from the person that wore it. This technology was used in a limited fashion by the Cochise County Probation Department; it has not been widely adopted because the cost of the sweat patch is greater than traditional testing. The Arizona Masonry Council is working with the courts in Maricopa County to introduce legislation in January to offer sweat patch drug testing statewide. The legislation will be broad enough to include other emerging technologies that provide accurate test results without requiring an employee to leave the jobsite. We believe this will decrease the barriers to employing persons under court ordered supervision by eliminating the time off work and transportation difficulties presented by the current system. We have already spoken to other stakeholders in the construction industry and the response has been very positive. The construction industry is doing its part to offer jobs to those who wish to work. While the drug testing requirements are perfectly understandable and no doubt necessary, we believe the cost of compliance should be borne by the courts ordering this supervision, not private sector employers. Dawn Rogers is Executive Director of the Arizona Masonry Council.

We just wrapped up another masonry training at EVIT in Mesa with 45 students. The students were engaged and interested in learning about masonry and the career paths available. The highlight of this training was the visit from some of our Workforce Committee members. The interaction with the students was great. This week we are at Agua Fria High School, the first time at this school and we've been working with over 100 students each day. On Tuesday, November 29, we were at Madison Park Elementary for the Trade UP Masonry Day. This is an after-school program introducing the trades to Middle School aged students. Next week we will be at another new school for us, San Luis High School in San Luis, AZ. Please reach out to me if interested in coming out to meet the students: ryan@azmasonry.org.

Concrete Masonry Checkoff Program Begins December 18 August 30, 2022 - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the appointment of 15 business leaders to a new National Concrete Masonry Products Board, an industry-funded program devoted to research, education, and promotion of concrete masonry products. The program, fully funded by industry through assessments on the sale of its products, does not use taxpayer dollars. “I am thrilled to appoint a highly talented slate of concrete industry leaders from across the country to pioneer the National Concrete Masonry Products Board,” said Secretary Gina Raimondo. “Concrete masonry is a proud American tradition, and strengthening this important industry will expand markets, create jobs, and lead to higher quality outputs.” The program aims to strengthen the position of the domestic concrete masonry products industry, maintain, develop, and expand domestic markets for concrete masonry products, and promote the use of concrete masonry products in construction and building. The board is responsible for implementing an order passed by an industry referendum on December 18, 2021. For additional information on the program and a copy of the order, please visit the Department's checkoff website. Learn more by going to the program's official website: Concrete Masonry Checkoff | U.S. Department of Commerce