NAPA, CA – The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC) on May 19 presented the fourth annual Joseph R. La Rocca Union Project of the Year Awards as part of its annual Leadership Conference.

The awards recognize outstanding work performed under labor-management cooperation and were named in honor of a true pioneer in the union construction industry. Joseph R. La Rocca served as Executive Vice President of TAUC’s predecessor organization, The National Erectors Association, from its inception in 1969 until his retirement in 1986. In addition, he also served as the first Impartial Secretary of the National Maintenance Agreements Policy Committee Inc. (NMAPC) and was instrumental in spearheading its creation and shepherding its unprecedented growth throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

The impact Joe made on TAUC, and the industry as a whole is still felt today. His passion for the business and the people who are served by it are a vital part of his legacy. His philosophy was simple: you don’t just serve the contractors, the participating unions and/or the owner; your service is an even higher calling to the union construction industry as a whole. That is a true testament to his – and TAUC’s – approach to leadership, and the reason why this award is named in his honor.

There are three award categories, for projects of:

• Less than $5 million;
• $5 million to $50 million; and
• Above $50 million.

This year we were pleased to present two awards in the $5 million to $50 million and Above $50 million categories.

The judges for this year’s awards were: • Jason Scollin, Black & Veatch; • Aaron Geiger, Alberici Constructors; Bill Cornett, GEM, Inc.; and Anthony Lancia, AGC of Missouri.

In the first category — $5 million to $50 million – the award went to TAUC Governing Member Barton Malow Company. They partnered with the Michigan Building Trades Council for work on Lansing Power Constructors’ Delta Energy Centerline Project in Lansing, Michigan. This project involved the setting and installing of all major equipment in a new power plant. The overall project plan was for civil and site work to be completed, then the team would set the major equipment onto their foundations. Throughout the successful project, the partners maintained a culture of flexibility and collaboration. When faced with unique challenges and coordination requirements, they did whatever necessary to deliver on safety, quality, and productivity.

In the second category — $50 million and above – the winner was Gallagher-Kaiser Corporation for their work with the Michigan Building Trades on General Motors’ Factory ZERO – 1st Battery Electric Truck Plant in Detroit/ Hamtramck, Michigan. This $870 million project encompassed 3.4 million work hours and was completed under the National Maintenance Agreements with a zero DART rate. The project schedule was very aggressive and included decommissioning and preparing for demolition of the old Detroit Hamtramck assembly plant, and retrofit and building additions for the new Detroit Factory ZERO Battery Electric Truck project. BIM 3D scanning and point cloud technology were utilized for the retrofit. The project team worked closely in Tripartite meetings with the Owner, prime contractors, subcontractors and building trades to review labor demands, timing and project curves. They worked together as a team to problem solve and mitigate roadblocks. Their communication as a team made the project in a busy and demanding labor market successful.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!