Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) and ISSA are furthering the partnership the two associations formed in November. Beginning in 2010, BSCAI will co-locate its annual convention to be held in conjunction with the ISSA/INTERCLEAN® trade show, to be held in Orlando, Fla., next year. BSCAI members will be eligible to attend the ISSA/INTERCLEAN event at member rates.

“BSCAI and ISSA formed this alliance in order to capitalize on the strengths of our respective organizations,” says Stan Doobin, BSCAI president. “Our leadership and staff have met in the recent weeks and months to formalize an agreement and develop a working model that will enhance the networking, educational and professional services provided to our respective membership and business partners.”

The ISSA program will be held from Nov. 9 to 12 and BSCAI’s Annual Convention will be held from Nov. 11 to 14 at the same location. The exhibition dates fall in the middle of both events from Wednesday through Friday. BSCAI will no longer sponsor an independent trade show. However, sponsorship opportunities and vendor partner programs will continue as usual.

BSCAI recently held its annual trade show in Chicago in March, hosting roughly 800 building service and security contract professionals, service providers and suppliers.

 

EPA Approves Green Disinfectant Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will conduct an “internal pilot” in conjunction with the agency’s Design for the Environment (DfE) program to explore a policy change that would allow hard-surface disinfectants and sanitizers to attain environmental preferability claims.

The internal pilot is intended to increase the understanding between the EPA’s DfE scientists and the pesticide registration review staff. By law, disinfectants are regulated as pesticides.

“The internal pilot announced by the EPA is a prudent and necessary step in developing ‘green’ claims policy that ensures the continued efficacy of disinfectants and that allows purchasers to make informed decisions when selecting products with a preferred environmental, safety and health profile,” says Stephen Ashkin, president, The Ashkin Group LLC, Bloomington, Ind.

Ashkin, along with ISSA Legislative Affairs Director Bill Balek was appointed to a work group established to make a policy recommendation in regard to allowing claims of environmental preferability for pesticide products, including disinfectants.

Under the program, the DfE and Office of Pesticide Program (OPP) staff will conduct evaluations of products previously recognized under the DfE program that mirror antimicrobial pesticide formulations.

After the evaluation, the DfE and OPP scientists will discuss the results and consider modifications to the criteria. If the EPA decides it is beneficial to continue the pilot program, the agency plans to launch an external pilot that would presumably involve the entire industry.

Executive Orders Impact BSCs

A trio of executive orders signed by President Barack Obama could have a direct effect on building service contractors servicing government accounts.

The first order requires companies that enter into a contract with the federal government to offer employees who worked under the previous contract the right of first refusal of employment. Employees must have been with the previous employer for at least three months to be eligible for employment. The order, entitled, “Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts,” does not extend to managerial or supervisory positions.

The order allows BSCs to determine the number of employees necessary to efficiently fulfill the contract. BSCs cannot hire anyone before offering a position to employees under the previous contract. Employees have a minimum of 10 days to accept the offer.

Contractors that disobey the order will be ineligible to receive any contracts from the federal government for up to three years.

The second order, “Economy In Government Contracting,” mandates that the government stop paying for goods and services not directly related to the original provisions with a contractor.

Some examples of unallowable costs include those associated with holding meetings and paying the salaries of the attendees at meetings, and planning or conducting activities by managers, supervisors or union representatives during work hours.

Along with reducing costs, the order reinforces the United States’ policy to remain impartial concerning a labor-management dispute amongst government contractors.

A third order, “Notification of Employee Rights Under federal Labor Laws,” mandates that employees are well informed of their rights under federal labor laws, including the National Labor Relations Act. Contractors are required to post notices regarding the laws physically and electronically.

President Obama signed the order to enhance workers’ productivity by eliminating labor unrest.

New Networking site For the cleaning industry

The jan/san industry now has a new social networking tool specifically targeted towards cleaning professionals. myCleanLink.com is individual to each user and makes it easy to connect with other industry professionals, discuss challenges, share resources, ask questions and build strong relationships.

Users can create a customized profile with pictures, announcements, video clips, PowerPoint and PDF files. myCleanLink.com allows cleaning professionals to engage in conversations, create forums and join group with like-minded industry professionals.




POSTED ON: 3/1/2009