Sustainable construction management practices in a Brazilian medium-sized city

The construction industry has a great impact on the environment worldwide. The diffusion of sustainability concepts has led the industry to improve environmental performance in building projects. This paper aims to identify sustainable practicesadopted by managers in the construction industryin a medium-sized city in Brazil. An online surveywith17 questions regarding knowledgeand application of environmental sustainability strategies in project design and construction management was applied to managersin the industry. The sample considered 20 construction companies, members of the city’s Civil Construction Union. Results show that, despite being aware of sustainability principles and their importance, only 30% of the companies apply at least one strategy related to waste management, waste production, sound, visual, water and soil pollution and energy and water consumption. This paper may contribute to the development of strategies to encourage sustainability in the construction sector.

The Establishment of a Construction Union-Based Member Assistance Program: An Interview With Kyle Zimmer

Kyle Zimmer is the health and safety director and Members Assistance Program director of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478, which represents operating engineers in Connecticut. Mr. Zimmer successfully gained support from union leadership and employers in initiating a union-based member assistance program to address mental health, suicide, and substance use among his members and their families. The member assistance program is helping to change the culture of the workplace by decreasing stigma and making it easier for workers to seek out treatment for substance use disorders and mental health issues. The program has been effective in getting workers quick access to treatment while also establishing a peer network for continued sobriety and recovery support. In this interview, Mr. Zimmer explains the operational challenges of creating such a program and how he was able to overcome the challenges to create a successful member assistance program.

Fighting the battles of the mine workers: The emergence of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU)

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) was formed in post-apartheid South Africa. AMCU organises workers in the mining and construction sector. The importance and relevance of AMCU in democratic South Africa should not be de-emphasised, given the high levels of labour exploitation by mining companies. The mining sector is regarded as a crucial engine for economic growth and social development. AMCU, as the mining and construction labour movement, plays an important role in ensuring that its members are well represented, work in decent working conditions and are not exploited but are protected instead from the capitalist system in which the global economy operates. However, in the post-apartheid era, trade unions have not been forceful enough in advancing the interests of their members; instead they have been accused of being too close to employers and of having been co-opted by the new government. They are faced with the challenges of outsourcing, labour brokers and contracting-out of services by employers. Trust in trade unions has also decreased. This paper examines the emergence of AMCU and its rise in the mining sector.

South African mining sector faces further uncertainty

Subject Mining sector improvement? Significance The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) is appealing a landmark ruling by the High Court on April 4 that black economic empowerment (BEE) rules do not require companies to maintain 26% black ownership forever. Immediately following the ruling, new Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe indicated that the DMR would not appeal, seemingly ending a long-running dispute between the Chamber of Mines and the DMR over whether a company could maintain its empowerment status after the initial beneficiaries had sold their shares or exited the partnership. However, Mantashe's recent reversal has dampened initial industry optimism surrounding his recent appointment. Impacts A lengthy appeal process and lack of clarity over the 'once empowered, always empowered' principle could hinder progress on a new Charter. The finalisation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment (MRPDA) Bill may be impacted by delays over the new Charter. Mistrust between Mantashe and the leader of the non-COSATU affiliate Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) may linger.

Leadership, labour woes to hurt South Africa mining

Significance The gold sector has so far avoided strikes (NUM concluded a wage agreement affecting two firms on October 2), unlike the wider mining sector. Government policies and support initiatives, along with leadership changes, are unlikely to improve the outlook. Impacts The special tax commission's rejection of windfall taxes on mining will provide a moderate confidence boost. However, strong support for such measures from ANC provincial bodies could keep them on the party's agenda. The NUM strike raises the risk of power blackouts given the country's dependence on Eskom's finite coal reserves. NUM rival, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), could reject the gold sector wage agreement, raising strike risks. AMCU only has sufficient members for a protected strike at Sibanye Gold, opening the possibility of retrenchments.