GMR has been actively involved with the Associated Builders and Contractors of NY Skilled Trades Explorer Post for a number of years. The program is a unique opportunity to learn more about trades which include:

Masonry
Carpentry
HVAC
Project Management
Drywall
Plumbing
Electrical

Exploring is a career education program for young men and women ages 14 through 20.  You will participate in hands on projects on site with local contractors from each trade. You will be able to receive advice and guidance to help you take the steps now to position yourself for a successful career in the skilled trades. 

The program consists of one two hour session each month, Oct-May except January, with one contractor hosting each session devoted to their respective specialty. 

the 2015-16 introductory meeting will held on October 6, 2015 at Hope Hall. A $25 fee is payable at the kick-off meeting by those who decide to enroll. Please see the below flyer for those who are interested or know someone who could be interested for more details. 




NYSDOL Annualization of Fringe Supplements: Does it apply to me?

Let’s take a look.  According to the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL,) employers have three options when it comes to providing NYS prevailing wage (PW) fringe supplements:

1 -  Pay the PW fringe supplements as cash in the paycheck, along with the required prevailing wage base rate.  Fringe supplements paid to an employee as cash are not subject to the annualization calculation.  The NYSDOL defines “cash” as money given to the employee in a paycheck (reportable on an IRS Form W2) subject to all employee taxes (i.e., federal and state income tax) and subject to “burden” (i.e., FICA, possibly SUI.)  Be careful, NYS prevailing wage fringe supplements deposited into a fully vested, qualified retirement plan are not considered to be a cash payment of the fringe supplements by the NYSDOL and are subject to NYSDOL annualization regulations.

2 - Use the fringe to provide a bona fide benefit plan for the employee, or

3 - A combination thereof.
(http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/publicwork/PW_faq6.shtm#11)


If you are using NYS prevailing wage fringe supplements in part or in total to provide bona fide fringe benefits, NYSDOL annualization regulations probably apply.  It’s an easy question to answer with the simple flow chart below:


If you are not subject NYSDOL annualization regulations, Congratulations!  Just remember, you are not taking full advantage of prevailing wage fringe supplements to purchase benefits you provide to your employees, and, the answer may change state to state and even in NY if you are working under the Davis-Bacon Act or for HUD.

Sunday, July 5, 2015 the River Community Wellness Program in Alexandria Bay, NY hosted their 3rd annual Fourth of July Celebration and BBQ picnic. The annual celebration is hosted for the RCWP community in conjunction with the Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce’s fireworks display. GMR Associates, Inc. made a financial contribution to support the RCWP picnic and donated several games including volleyball and badminton. GMR employee Jenea Rychlicki also volunteered with her family to help cook, including her sister Melanie Mullins, RCWP therapist. Nearly 100 people of the RCWP community enjoyed an evening of seemingly endless picnic favorites including burgers, dogs, salads, desserts, and even popcorn, followed by a fireworks display launched off Bolt Castle over the St. Lawrence River. Thank you to the generosity of GMR Associates, the RCWP will be able to continue smaller BBQs throughout the remainder of the summer for their participants. GMR Associates' corporate philosophy and basis for the conduct of its employees and representatives is defined, in part, by its Mission Statement and a set of Core Values. Among those values is the pledge to “Freely share our gifts and blessings.” A look into the RCWP Military Program’s “mission to provide the opportunity for each participant to gain a renewed understanding of his/her plane in the world and improved skills to manage the challenges of life after trauma.” became a natural fit for GMR. GMR was proud to support RCWP as a small Thank You to our service members who have sacrificed so much to provide us with the freedom we enjoy every single day.

The River Community Wellness Program operates a unique treatment program for Active Duty Soldiers struggling with symptoms related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other anxiety or mood related disorders. The RCWP is a partial hospitalization program that provides intensive outpatient treatment. The RCWP is a group focused program drawing on the strength created when a group of like-minded individuals join together in the healing process. A wide range of therapeutic strategies are utilized - varying from traditional to more progressive like art therapy, yoga, and pet therapy (RCWP’s pet therapist is Jeremy, a giant poodle.) RCWP places a high value on mutual respect and genuine relationships. RCWP strives to foster such relationships, recognize each individual has a unique story and entry point into therapy, to help soldiers bring their best self home from war. River Hospital and the RCWP are committed to serving Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division (LI.)
Another year has gone by and The ABC Skilled Trade Explorer's Post has once again had another successful year. The post itself (for those who aren't familiar) aims at helping young people, who are interested in possibly entering the construction workforce, identify which trade may be right for them. Each of the 8 post sessions visits a different contractor where the Explorers get to learn through hands-on activities, Q&A with industry professionals, and close mentoring from post advisors and ABC Education Committee members. This years post had a group of 30 students learning about carpentry, masonry, drywall & welding, HVAC, plumbing, electric, safety & apprenticeship.

Each year some students opt to put their newly acquired skills to the test with a charity project. This year students built 3 new picnic table for Hope Hall


(ABC Explorer Post Lead Advisor Russ Vent looks on as Explorers work on a Table)


(GMR Associates Employee/ Volunteer Robb Christensen help an Explorer drill a brace)

Staff and students at Hope Hall were very happy with their finished product and very appreciative of the Explorers' hard work.

Any questions regarding The ABC Skilled Trades Explorer Post can be directed to:
David Zollweg
Community Outreach Coordinator
GMR Associates, Inc.
(585) 429-1330 Ext. 131
dzollweg@gmr-usa.com
Welcome to our new blog! Here you will find guidance, education, and information on many topics related to builders and contractors and beyond. At GMR we strive to be the experts in prevailing wage, annualization, compliance, benefit plans, the Affordable Care Act, and much more. We want to share our knowledge with you so keep an eye on this blog as well as our facebook page and website.
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