Newsletter – May 2010

Since our last newsletter, there have been some significant developments in our New Brunswick Merit Contractors Association. You may remember that three years ago we had launched our website to which we now are making changes that we trust are an improvement. In the last news article we discussed the formation of our Training and Trust Fund and we are pleased to report that a number of our members have taken advantage of the fund in the training of employees.

In 2010, the New Brunswick Merit Contractors Association has been able to provide, for the first time, a six day “STP” Supervisor Training Program for the employees of our Merit NB Contractors. The course began in January and will be completed in March. It has been broken down into two eight-hour days per month for January, February and March. This allows contractors the opportunity to plan around days that course attendees are away from work. We have filled the class with 15 participants and from all indications the course is a great success. It appears that we already have interest, sufficient enough, to begin planning for a STP course again next year.

We are also pleased to be able to announce that our Membership numbers by Company have increased by over 70% during the last 18 months and employee membership in our Hour Bank Benefit Plan has increased significantly as well.

The growth comes to our organization for a couple of reasons. The first is that for the last three years we have been able to either maintain the Employee Hour Bank Benefit Plan with a zero cost increase or to show actual decreases in cost while maintaining or increasing benefits. The 2010 Merit Office/ Supervisory Benefit Plan have shown a significant reduction in cost this year while maintaining its Benefit Plan as well..

You will note on the left of each page there is an indicated site to view the Merit Benefit Video online.

Members also have access to Construction “JobStores”. This is a Merit website that affords
Job-seekers the opportunity to post resumes for companies to view. It also allows companies to advertise available employment opportunities and to receive applications from potential employees.

We do encourage Open Shop Contractors in New Brunswick to contact our association to discuss the full range of opportune and value added programs that Merit NB can offer you and your employees.

Doug Wilson
Board Chairman