ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION (CEA)

The Construction Employers’ Association (CEA) is comprised of approximately 100 of the premier unionized contractors (primarily commercial and industrial general contractors) who perform building construction work in Northern California. Our membership base performs over $10 billion in public and private construction volume annually. CEA is the only organization whose sole purpose is to protect and promote the interests of the unionized commercial building construction industry in Northern California. Our effectiveness as an organization is due in large part to the active interest and involvement of the owners and principals of member firms. CEA’s membership roster is a veritable list of “Who's Who in the Northern California Building Construction Industry.”

CEA offers its members a wide range of services and benefits including:

Negotiation of Union Agreements

CEA negotiates the collective bargaining agreements affecting the building contractor performing work in Northern California, including the Carpenters Master Agreement and the Laborers Master Builders Agreement. In addition, CEA negotiates the Cement Masons and Operating Engineers Agreements on behalf of its members signatory to such Agreements. CEA's collective bargaining success is due to the active participation of the principals of its member firms, guided by an experienced staff.

Professional Labor Relations Representation

CEA’s professional staff uses a preventative approach in resolving labor disputes, and provides quality representation in grievance/arbitration proceedings. In addition, CEA provides its members with up-to-date labor-related information, including wage and fringe benefit rate changes and other pertinent union issues.

Legislative Representation

CEA has assumed a leadership role in working with labor and other industry groups with respect to key California legislation and regulations affecting the unionized building construction industry.

Safety Forums, Awards and Representation

Providing educational and networking opportunities for CEA safety representatives and key field personnel, CEA’s popular safety forums and seminars are held each quarter and are free of charge to members. In addition, CEA’s Safety Committee provides advocacy on critical safety-related issues affecting the building industry. Each year, CEA recognizes deserving firms through its safety excellence awards program.

Annual Confidential Building Industry Salary Survey

Each year, CEA releases this valuable tool to participating members to aid in the attraction and retention of talented management personnel. These confidential surveys collect data from member firms on salaries and benefits for positions ranging from administrative staff to estimators to superintendents to project managers up to top executive.

Public Works/Prevailing Wage Program

CEA’s professional staff provides individualized assistance and education to CEA members performing public works projects with respect to compliance issues and the technical aspects of labor and prevailing wage laws.

Networking Opportunities with Building Industry Leaders

CEA’s Annual General Membership Dinner in January, its quarterly safety forums, educational seminars, labor-management partnering sessions, and other Association events, provide CEA members with an excellent opportunity to network with fellow industry executives.

CEA Construction Management University Program

The CEA Construction Management University Program awards annual grants to deserving university construction management programs, demonstrating CEA’s commitment to support and promote education within the building construction industry. This program enhances its members’ relationships with the following construction management programs and their graduates: University of California, Berkeley; California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; California State University, Chico; California State University, Fresno; California State University, Sacramento; and Stanford University.