Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The Coalition in Action

 we plan to follow up on this visit and to document actual practice on site as opposed to accepting un audited reporting documents.

In keeping with out mission and operational objectives to monitor and report on First Source participation and compliance issues, two members of the National Capital Jobs Coalition, (NCJC) made an unannounced visit to the EYA Construction site at The Saint Paul's Chancellor's Rowe Town homes in Brookland.  We met with several contractors on the site.  Although quite pleasant and cooperative none of those we spoke to seemed to understand the details of The First Source agreement.

Tony Rodrigues whose card lists him as Superintendent of Cuco & Son Concrete Construction, ofSterling, VA, an EYA contractor said he had five employees and had just hired one person from DC.  He seemed to believe that this made him compliant with the First Source legislation.  Glen Fritz, President of Deneau Construction whose company builds, Storm Drain, Sewer, and Water Main facilites said that, he believed that a First Source agreement was in effect but that he had no DC employees on his raster.

Finally, Its clear that many of these contractors are unsure of the law and don't understand their responsibilities under First Source anyway.  We visited the site construction trailer and met Mr. Mark King, Construction Manager for the project.  EYA lists its headquarters on his card as "Bethesda, MD."  Mr. King noted that his job as construction manager began when the excavation ended.  He acknowledged that a First Source agreement existed and offered to cooperate with us in any reasonable way ... we plan to follow up on this visit and to document actual practice on site as opposed to accepting un audited reporting documents.

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