20: The Bayou Blueprint and NECA Board of Governors Explained
In this episode, we sit down with Steve Martin from the North Louisiana Chapter and Martin West from Twin City Electric and deep dive into the collaborative Louisiana "Apprentice of the Year" annual Competition. We also have a special interview with NECA CFO Traci Walker as she walks us through the NECA Board of Governors voting process.
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#19: Meet the New Executive Director for District 10
In this episode, the Labor Relations team welcomes NECA's first ever Executive Director for District 10, Robbie Foxen. Listen in and get to know more about his extensive career history in the Outside Line world as well as initiatives and goals to advance the industry.
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#18: Don't Get Punitive: Navigating the Boundaries of the Labor Management Committee
In this episode of the Labored Thoughts Podcast, Ryan Courtney welcomes back Jef Fagan, NECA's Senior Vice President of Labor Relations and Risk Management, for an in-depth discussion on the risks of punitive damages within labor management process. They explore the limits of collective bargaining agreements, emphasizing the importance of sticking to make-whole remedies and avoiding punitive actions that could undermine the integrity of the labor management process. Jef shares his legal expertise, providing valuable insights for contractors and labor representatives alike. Tune in to learn why enforcing only what's in the contract matters, and how going beyond can open doors to unwanted legal challenges.
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#17: Behind the Acronyms: NEBF, NEAP, and NEIB
In this episode of the Labored Thoughts Podcast, Ryan Courtney sits down with Darrin Golden and Lauren Loughran, key leaders from the National Electrical Benefit Fund (NEBF), to discuss the inner workings of one of the electrical industry's most important resources. They explore the NEBF's journey toward modernization, including its paperless initiatives, cutting-edge cybersecurity measures, and the rollout of the transformative National Electrical Individual Benefit (NEIB).Listeners will also gain insights into the fund's approach to delivering top-notch customer service, the critical role of payroll audits, and the importance of participation agreements. Whether you're a contractor, participant, or industry enthusiast, this episode provides a deep dive into how NEBF serves its members with integrity and innovation.
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#16: Labor, Policy, and Politics: What You Need to Know Right Now
In this special episode of Labored Thoughts, host Ryan Courtney is joined by NECA’s top policy and labor experts—Marco Giamberardino, Senior Vice-President of Government and Public Affairs, James Payne, Director of Government Affairs, and Jef Fagan, Senior Vice-President of Labor Relations and Risk Management—to dissect the whirlwind of executive actions, policy shifts, and economic implications of President Trump’s return to office. From sweeping tariffs on steel and aluminum to federal hiring freezes, NLRB shake-ups, and controversial funding pauses, this discussion unpacks how these rapid changes impact electrical contractors and the labor landscape at large. With real-time updates and expert insights, this episode offers a critical look at what’s happened so far—and what’s coming next.
Labor Relations is crucial to the success of NECA and its member companies. Join NECA’s labor relations experts for a bi-weekly discussion of all this complicated topic entails.
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