Flashings

FM Global offers collective $465 million premium credit

FM Global has announced its clients will collectively receive an estimated $465 million in premium credit when they renew their policies between June 30, 2016, and June 29, 2017. This is the ninth year FM Global has offered its clients membership credit as a result of its strong operational and financial results.

"The membership credit embodies the core value of our structure as a mutual insurance company," says Thomas A. Lawson, FM Global's president and CEO. "Our clients' dedication and focus on risk improvement and business resilience is central to the reduction and frequency of losses experienced last year, making it possible for us to provide a membership credit for the fourth straight year."

Following this credit, FM Global clients will have benefited from about $3.4 billion in membership credit since the program was introduced in 2001. About 1,900 clients qualify this year, some of which have been FM Global policyholders since the late 1800s.

The membership credit each policyholder receives will be based on the client's annual premium and client tenure. FM Global clients holding policies consecutively for less than five years will be eligible to receive a 5 percent credit; five to 19 consecutive years will be eligible to receive a 10 percent credit; and 20 consecutive years or more will be eligible to receive a 15 percent credit.

Additional information about the 2016-17 membership credit plan is available at www.fmglobal.com/assets/pdf/P07017a_2016.pdf.

NRCA's new Career Center benefits employers and job seekers

On April 25, NRCA launched its online Career Center that connects roofing industry employers with job seekers. The Career Center is NRCA's most recent initiative to support the recruitment efforts of roofing professionals.

For employers, the Career Center provides job posting platforms; resources to find qualified workers; recruitment videos to communicate the benefits of a roofing industry career; tools to onboard and train new employees; and workforce development resources to connect with potential employees.

For job seekers, the Career Center provides job banks with customizable search options; roofing industry career and wage information; professional career-building services; and information about local and national training opportunities.

To access NRCA's Career Center, go to www.nrca.net/Careers.

NRCA issues statement supporting immigration reform legislation

NRCA has issued a statement commending Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) for recently introducing the Willing Workers and Willing Employers Act in the U.S. Senate. The legislation (S. 2827) takes an innovative approach to immigration reform that would help NRCA members address their challenging workforce development needs. A paraphrased version of NRCA's statement follows:

"NRCA has long supported immigration reform that increases border security; improves enforcement without burdening employers; provides an avenue for workers to enter the U.S. legally in response to economic conditions; and addresses the problem of the existing illegal workforce in a balanced manner. The difficulty of finding sufficient numbers of candidates for job openings has been a serious problem for NRCA members for many years despite vigorous efforts to recruit employees.

"NRCA supports a temporary worker program that is governed by market forces, protects U.S. workers and enables employers to obtain the workers needed to grow their businesses. Sen. Flake's legislation would establish a flexible pilot program based on these principles.

"NRCA looks forward to working with members of Congress on a bipartisan basis towards advancing and perfecting this legislation as a critical component of any efforts to achieve effective immigration reform. Our dysfunctional immigration system will not be fixed if it fails to address the roofing industry's workforce needs."

NRCA's full statement is available at www.nrca.net/0516-Statement-Immigration-Reform. For more information about the Willing Workers and Willing Employers Act, see Capitol Hill.

NRCA launches website dedicated to PV roofing sector

NRCA has launched the Rooftop Solar Resource, www.rooftopsolarresource.com, to serve as a comprehensive resource for anyone seeking information about rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Homeowners, building owners and facility managers can find answers to frequently asked questions; information about the benefits of rooftop PV systems, including tax incentives; and resources to locate NRCA member roofing contractors who can properly install rooftop PV systems.

Roofing contractors visiting the site can access information regarding how to enter the rooftop PV system business and read about technical aspects of rooftop PV system installations, safety regulations, and standards and building codes. The website also provides NRCA design guidelines to benefit design professionals and information for related industries and suppliers interested in offering solar products.