Flashings

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An NRCA director gives Senate testimony

On Feb. 12, Rick Birkman, president of NRCA member Texas Roofing Co., Austin, testified before the Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Judiciary on behalf of NRCA and the Essential Worker Immigration Coalition of which NRCA is a member. The hearing was called to discuss President Bush's temporary guest worker proposal. (See "Capitol Hill," March issue, page 14, for more information about Bush's plan.)

Birkman says, "The fact that NRCA was given the opportunity to be ‘at the table' to represent the business community is a testament of how far it has come as an association and how much political clout it has gained during the years."

Birkman, a member of NRCA's board of directors and Government Relations Committee, told the subcommittee about his experiences as a roofing contractor and addressed the failing immigration system. Birkman says it is difficult to meet his company's labor demands with U.S. workers.

Birkman testified, "Roofing contractors have jobs going unfulfilled because there are few domestic applicants and current law provides insufficient mechanisms to fill the shortfall."

Despite a good salary—some Texas Roofing employees earn $50,000 per year—roofing work is not attractive to many U.S. workers because it is tough work. Birkman also believes the U.S. educational philosophy deters people from the roofing industry because it stresses that every person should attend college.

To address the roofing industry's worker shortage, Birkman testified, "NRCA urges Congress to fix an immigration system that serves neither [the United States'] economic security nor national security needs."

NRCA believes a temporary worker program is needed because the means roofing contractors have to hire foreign workers—the H-2B visa program and green cards—are complex, ineffective and limited. A properly structured guest worker program would address worker shortages; contribute to alleviating illegal immigration by providing an orderly, structured and safe process by which foreigners can enter the United States; and address the problem of foreigners who enter the United States illegally but cannot return to their home countries for fear of not being able to return to the United States.

"All the talk about the underground economy and workers hiding in the shadows makes for good press but is a gross exaggeration," Birkman explains. "The reality is there are between 8 million to 10 million men and women illegally in this country who are performing work [many Americans] won't do. [Discussions] about any legislation giving amnesty led [NRCA] to the conclusion that what [the United States] now has by virtue of inaction by the government on this issue is a de facto amnesty."

GAF makes plans to expand

GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J., plans to build a new shingle manufacturing facility in response to growth in the Northeast and Canadian markets. The company also expects to expand its laminate capacity at its Millis, Mass.; Dallas; and Mt. Vernon, Ind., plants. The capacity expansions should be complete by mid-2004.

Expected to make its decision in the second quarter of this year, GAF Materials is evaluating shingle manufacturing sites in several states. The new plant should be operational by early 2006.

The new facility and laminate capacity increases will raise the company's laminate manufacturing capacity by more than 30 percent and total shingle manufacturing capacity by more than 12 percent.

"As a world-class building materials manufacturer committed to providing property owners 'their best and safest choice' and helping customers 'build their business and avoid hassles,' these additions are a natural extension of the growth loyal contractors and distributors have given us," says Bill Collins, GAF Materials' president and chief executive officer.

Elk and NRCA launch program

NRCA and Elk Premium Products Inc., Dallas, have established a pilot program to help NRCA contractor members who install Elk Premium Products roof systems.

NRCA contractor members who experience problems or have questions during Elk Premium Products roof system installations can call NRCA's Technical Services Section at (800) 323-9545. After callers discuss roof system concerns with an NRCA technical staff member, information will be forwarded to Elk Premium Products for additional follow-up.

"We think this program sets a new standard," says NRCA Executive Vice President Bill Good. "It shows not only that Elk Premium Products is dedicated to improving the industry but also that the company has complete confidence in its product line and service support. It's comforting for NRCA members to know they have special access to resolving problems if and when they occur."

Implement an ethics policy

Ethics in the workplace can be a gray area for employees, raising questions about what is acceptable in a work environment. Following are ethics policy practices to live by in the workplace to avoid questionable situations:

• Do not offer or accept gifts or bribes. This includes money given to political parties without authorization.
  
  
• Do not borrow money from or lend money to your customers, employees, suppliers or competitors.
  
  
• Avoid conflicts of interest. Do not moonlight for a competitor, supplier or customer, and do not invest or become involved with these businesses.
  
  
• Do not falsely create or wrongfully destroy documents.
  
  
• Keep the information of your business close to you. Do not disclose customer information without written authorization.
  
  
• Do not intimidate your customers, such as by forcing them to buy products they do not want.

Source: Adapted from the South Carolina Employment Law Letter as cited in The Manager's Intelligence Report, January 2003 issue.