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October 19, 2020
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CONNECT WITH OCA
ON SOCIAL MEDIA..... |
  
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Featured Content
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OCA Member Discount Update
When you joined OCA, your firm gained access to discounts on an array of products that can directly impact your bottom line…like access to OCA’s Multi-Employer 401K plan, discounts on cell phones, vehicle purchases, fuel purchases in bulk or at the pump, office supplies…and more!
And now, OCA members can now take advantage of AGC’s new member discount program with Michelin Tires. This program covers Michelin, BFGoodrich, UNIROYAL and TWEEL tire brands as well as automatic enrollment in Michelin ONCall. Find out more:
https://www.agc.org/agc-michelin-advantage-program
And, for more information about the full menu of discounts available to you as an OCA member:
https://www.ohiocontractors.org/MemberOCA/Discounted%20Services.aspx
You can also contact Lynda Pomeroy at OCA for help accessing your discounts, by phone at 614-488-0724, or by email at: [email protected]. |
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News |
Social Security Announces 1.3 Percent Benefit Increase for 2021
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 1.3 percent in 2021, the Social Security Administration announced October 13.
The 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2021. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2020. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits). The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $142,800 from $137,700. By the start of the new year, employers should adjust their payroll systems to account for the higher taxable wage base.
Social Security and SSI beneficiaries are normally notified by mail starting in early December about their new benefit amount. Most people who receive Social Security payments will be able to view their COLA notice online through their personal my Social Security account. People may create or access their my Social Security account online at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Information about Medicare changes for 2021, when announced, will be available at www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries receiving Medicare, Social Security will not be able to compute their new benefit amount until after the Medicare premium amounts for 2021 are announced. Final 2021 benefit amounts will be communicated to beneficiaries in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security's Message Center.
The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. To read more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.
Social Security Blog Announcement
Click the graphic above to see our exciting Winter Conference YouTube video!! |
2020 OCA Winter Conference Registration Open
The 38th Annual OCA Winter Conference is going virtual and it is shaping up to be a great one. Three half-days of great speakers, presentations, educational sessions and industry updates. Don't miss the premiere heavy highway construction event of the year.
Conference Agenda Highlights: (Full Agenda)
» Lt. Governor Jon Husted (Invited)
» ODOT Session
» AGC CEO Steve Sandherr
» Workforce Development Panel
» Heavy Highway Equipment Technology
» Ethics - "What Would You Do"
» Plus much more...
Click here to register for the conference
Click here for Sponsorship and Virtual Exhibit Hall Opportunities (Only two lobby banner spots left!!)
To learn more about the sponsorship and virtual exhibit hall opportunities or for any questions about the conference, registration, sponsorship, virtual exhibit hall or the promotional videos/ads contact David Rule, OCA Director of Events, at [email protected] or (614) 361-9144.
OCA & Laborers' District Council Invite You to Nov. 17th Virtual Program
The Ohio Contractors Association and Laborers' District Council of Ohio would like to invite Eastern Ohio Chapter Contractors to a unique webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, November 17th at 9:00 a.m.
During the hour-long webinar, contractors will receive vital information to enable your business to win more projects.
Here's what you can expect to learn from this session:
* Laborers' Health & Safety Fund
* Fair Contracting Staff
* Apprenticeship Standards and Recruitment
* Training and Upgrading Opportunities
* Health and Pension Benefits Available
Click here for a program flyer and registration link. Please contact Vince Irvin at 740-504-2707 with any questions about the virtual program.
OCA Annual Convention Update
Due to uncertainties about travel regulations and the status of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OCA Annual Convention scheduled for March of 2021 to Barcelona, Spain has been canceled. While this is disappointing to many who were looking forward to gathering in Spain there is some good news. We have been able to reschedule the Annual Convention location in Barcelona to March of 2023.
Don't forget to put the 2022 Annual Convention at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba on your calendar for Feb. 2 - 10, 2022!!
OCA's Updated Safety Guide for Employers Now Available!
OCA’s Safety Committee recently completed the updating of our Construction Safety Guide for Employees. The 46-page, pocket-sized booklet (3.5” w x 7” h) is a comprehensive guide to construction safety rules, regulations, and best practices.
The guide is designed for multiple applications by contractors who are striving for the highest levels of employee health and safety. Some contractors may choose to present the guide to employees at time of hire, or during company training or retraining sessions. As with past editions, some companies have adopted and used the guide as their company safety policy. Many OCA members have utilized the guide as part of their employee orientation packet. Its size permits easy access and use in the field as a handy safety reference, so other contractors have used it as a source of topics for jobsite toolbox talks.
OCA is mailing a complimentary copy of the guide to all active members, along with an order form for additional copies. Order online here.
We hope you will take advantage of this excellent safety resource and order your supply today. If you have any questions about ordering the guide, please contact Kim Dillon in the OCA office at (614) 488-0724, or [email protected]
OHIO811 Damage Prevention Sessions for Excavators
OCA’s partner in underground damage prevention, OHIO811 is hosting several, free in-person excavator seminars across the state during October and November as well as two free webinars on November 13th at 9 am and 1 pm. These seminars will provide you and your staff valuable information on topics like legislative updates, I-dig and E-Dig, excavator training, features to the OHIO811 mobile app, and more. Space is limited, so sign up early to reserve your seat.
Please follow the CDC guidelines while attending in-person seminars by wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing. Don’t forget to register upon arrival to win a free tablet. (Note: Eligibility for door prize during webinar established upon attending.)
Following are the session locations and links to additional information and registration for each:
Bellefontaine 10/28/20
app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020Bellefontaine
West Chester Twp 10/29/20
app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020WestChester
Oregon 11/17/20
app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020Oregon
Carrollton 11/18/20
app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020Carrollton
McConnelsville 11/19/20
app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020McConnelsville
Webinar-9:00 am 11/13/20
app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020Webinar01
Webinar-1:00 pm 11/13/20
app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020Webinar02
Apply Now - 2020 OCA Safety Awards
OCA’s annual SAFETY AWARDS program is a great opportunity to showcase your safety program and recognize those in your organization who work diligently to protect the safety and health of your most valued asset – your employees! All active members are encouraged to participate!
Awards will be presented in several size divisions, based on total hours worked. Those who achieve zero accidents and injuries during the year will also be recognized! Winners will be announced during our virtual Winter Conference session on December 10th.
Please return your application ASAP to be in the running for OCA’s coveted safety award! The submission deadline is Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Please click here to access the application form.
If you have any questions about the Safety Awards Program, please contact Kim Dillon or Mark Potnick in the OCA office. 2020 has been a “crazy” and demanding year for new safety & health challenges. We salute you for stepping up to successfully meet those challenges as you continue to make Ohio’s construction industry one of the safest in the country! We hope to see you on the winner’s podium…Good luck!
Worksite Traffic Supervisor (WTS) Prequalification Testing
On behalf of ODOT’s Division of Construction Management and Office of Roadway Engineering, the following additional sessions of Worksite Traffic Supervisor (WTS) Prequalification Testing are now open for registration:
• November 17 - Morning » Click here to register.
• November 17 - Afternoon » Click here to register.
Click here to access the PDF flyer with recent updates.
Prerequisites – Do not register for WTS Prequalification testing until the prerequisites have been completed. Please see the online registration form and flyer for details.
Pre-registration is required for WTS Testing. Due to social distancing requirements per COVID-19, seating capacity is limited for each session.
Please review the important updates and new safety protocols as described per the links above.
Quick Links to On-line OCA Resources
• Current Ohio Contractor Magazine
• Safety Resources
• Labor & Employment Information
• OCA President's Commentary
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