Area tripartite conferences confront industry issues

AREA TRIPARTITE GROUPS in the Western States and the Southeast held their 2011 conferences in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho (Aug. 22-25), and in Destin, Fla. (Oct. 24-26), respectively. The meetings gave owners, contractors, and Boilermakers an opportunity to address issues facing the construction industry.

Environmental regulations and the future of various energy sources were key topics at both events. At the Western States conference, Stephen Fotis, a member of Van Ness Feldman, discussed the challenges facing the continued use of coal in energy generation. (Fotis also addressed the national tripartite conference in October on the same topic.)

At the Southeast conference, Preston Swafford, Tennessee Valley Authority’s chief nuclear officer & executive vice president, stressed TVA’s continuing commitment to nuclear energy. He praised President Obama “for not running away from nuclear [energy]” in the aftermath of the Fukushima power plant disaster in Japan in March.

Other topics at the conferences included contracts and bargaining, apprenticeship and training, safety, project status, work forecasts, MOST programs, and legislative issues.

Caucus break-outs allowed partner groups to identify issues for discussion with the main conference body as part of the tripartite approach to problem-solving.

The Western States Area Tripartite Conference was co-chaired by IR Jim Cooksey, ARB VP Larry Jansen, and PG&E Dir. of Power Gen Construction Jon Maring.

The Southeast Area Tripartite Conference was co-chaired by SAIP Stephen Speed; APCom Power VP, DOO Mike Carroll; IVP Warren Fairley; and District 57 BM-ST Ed Vance.