Through our partnership with the Philadelphia Building Trades Council and the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, GBCA has launched two initiatives that provide some of the tools you need to keep your employees safe while working.
First, we have agreed to an Emergency Shift Provision to Address COVID-19 Memorandum of Agreement with the Philadelphia Building Trades Council (BTC) and the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EAS) to allow for a reduction in the 2nd and 3rd shift differential to $0.25 and $0.50 respectively. This change was done to encourage the overall reduction of crew sizes per shift, further enabling social distancing on job sites. Please note this does not impact a contractor’s obligation to pay overtime or weekend premiums, per the respective collective bargaining agreements. This agreement is valid for 45 days from execution.
The second initiative is the establishment of a COVID-19 Recommended Job Site Protocol jointly developed by GBCA and the BTC. This protocol was created with the expert guidance of our safety consultants at MedTex Services and GBCA’s Safety Committee. These protocols adapt the widely recognized recommended practices laid out by OSHA and the CDC for our industry. The adoption and implementation of these protocols will help our industry to build more safely during this pandemic.
We will feature the Recommended Job Site Protocols on Part 2 of our Webinar series covering Safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Wednesday, April 1, from 10 am – 11 am. As the COVID-19 situation changes in our region, we expect these protocols will continue to be adapted to the needs of the day.
Both initiatives are a testament to how management and labor can selflessly work together to improve our industry. A collaboration that will continue to be sorely needed now and in the future.
Lastly, GBCA has launched a micro-site that provides up to the minute information on COVID-19 as it pertains to our industry. Check out our website for more information.
