Cotney Newsletter
FRSA Advocates on behalf of Roofers in Washington D.C.
On March 6 & 7, 2018, FRSA joined forces with the National Association of Roofing Contractors for the first ever Roofing Day in Washington, D.C. Roofing Day was a chance for roofing professionals from across the country to meet with Congress members to make sure their collective voice was heard. With at least 45 attendees, many of whom were FRSA members, Florida had the most participation of any state and was recognized for its efforts.
The 400 plus attendees had a chance to speak with 87% of Congress and focused on three key industry issues. The Florida attendees met with the offices of Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson as well as their respective Representatives.
Immigration was the first issue discussed. This position advocated for legal immigration but also asked Congress to implement a pathway to allow those working under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to adjust to legal permanent resident status. One of the biggest threats to the roofing industry is the lack of skilled labor, so we need an immigration systems that allows roofing contractors to legally supplement their workforces to meet demand.
Next, we shifted gears to discuss workforce development. As many of you are aware, vocational and technical training has diminished and is desperately needed to ensure we have workers capable of performing skilled roofing work. FRSA supports the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for he 21st Century Act (H.R. 2353), which expands opportunities for work-based learning programs, strengthens incentives for the development of industry-recognized credentials and provides new opportunities for collaborations between employers and education institutes to meet local work force needs.
Finally, we advocated for regulatory reform. NRCA and FRSA support the Regulatory Accountability Act (S. 951) which will require government agencies such as the Department of Labor (OSHA) to engage in stakeholder participation prior to the consideration of rule implementation. In addition, a cost-benefit analysis will be performed on all new regulations to minimize adverse economic impacts. By allowing the roofing industry’s voice to be heard in the process, less burdensome regulations will be implemented which will help our industry grow and prosper while still keeping safety as a top priority.
For those of you that were unable to attend this year, we look forward to seeing you next year in D.C. Florida roofers need to make their voice heard in front of Congress and help them understand that we are a force to be reckoned with!
Author’s note: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation. Regulations and laws may vary depending on your location. Consult with a licensed attorney in your area if you wish to obtain legal advice and/or counsel for a particular legal issue.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.