A change in top leadership can, and often does, make a profound impact on the bottom line. On Jan. 1, 2007, the Plasterers and Cement Masons Union made such a change, and I had the opportunity to interview their new general president, Patrick D. Finley, about his background and the challenges he faces in today’s changing environment for unions.
For every boss, firing someone is the least favorite part of the job. These days it can also be perilous from a legal standpoint - and occasionally physically threatening - as well. Yet, sooner or later, almost every employer finds it necessary to carry out this unpleasant duty.
It’s just been a great year of seeing my co-workers achieve so many of their personal and professional goals. What could be better? However, the year did have its ups and downs. The most significant “downer” is a job we are just now finishing. Have you ever had a job where you just can’t seem to figure out what went wrong? Material quantities and production rates were right but the job still didn’t go well? I think I figured out why.
Last month, in Part One, we began a discussion about gypsum recycling coming to America. We saw how a Danish company, Gypsum Recycling International (GRI), has revolutionized the gypsum recycling industry and how, in Europe, the European Union has mandated stricter landfill regulations making gypsum recycling much more practical and economical than in the past.
Yes, gypsum board does shrink due to changing heat and humidity levels. But don’t jump to conclusions. We review articles, reports and technical documents from a variety of sources at the Gypsum Association, and some contain some “unique” conclusions. An article that recently appeared in a national periodical discussing “shrinking gypsum board” falls squarely in that category.<
I got into a “stimulating” discussion (as in “almost a fist fight”) the other day with some building code people who think they know more about EIFS than I do. They know so much, so they think, that they are thinking of developing their own EIFS designs and putting them into the codes as the acceptable way to do EIFS. I had to ask them: “What is your job? Are you in the product development business, or are you a regulator?
I was fortunate enough to attend the Specialties of the Drywall Trade Instructor Seminar held from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 at the IUPAT facility in Baltimore. It was obvious that a lot of planning went into setting up this building, with classrooms on the upper level and a lower level that is wide open, allowing plenty of room for the attendees to hone their skills on miles of drywall.
Today’s wall and ceiling industry hardly resembles what it was in the past. If you have been around the business for more than a few decades, you will relate to what I am saying. If you are new to the business, you may want to pay attention and heed some advice.
Someone once told me “things always change.” Truer words were never spoken. As the Democratic Party prepares to take control of the House and Senate, some people are celebrating while others are filled with fret and concern.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that in many parts of the country the economy has slowed way down. For several months now, I have gotten e-mails from many who have asked for tips on staying busy, especially around this time of the year. I like to talk about repair work and plastering but if there’s no work, it doesn’t really make much sense to talk about how to do it if the phone isn’t ringing.
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