b'ffiliateNe ws News from the National Bill Good, NRCA Executive Director The business community wonbusy, but we\'verdsome that work is not quite as plentiful, hea from a significant victorythisyearand they are feeling the effects of renewed CQ ition.Theing mpet feelwhen a U.S. Appeals Court ruledis confirmed by areport that housing starts d lin early in recentec ed ing plantsruthat the Environmental Protectionthe year.However, sh le-manufacturingarenning virtually Agency had overstepped itsat capacity,some manufacturers on al location. con with stitutional authority in a ptingThe secondroofingcontractor"roll-up"is nowfinalized, donew air pollution standards. Theaccordingofficials at Integrated Roofing andWaterproofing, to court held that EPA failed to showInc., Houston.The group successfully secured private financing consothat additional health protectionsfor itslidation. were justified; it also suggestedMinneapolis-S Paul sheet metal workers have approved a t.new that the agency has usurped pow three-year agreement, endinga weeklongstrike.Thepactwill ersthat werein for theincrease wages and benefits $5.16 perover its term, finishing at tendedhour Congresstouse.Theruling$29.86 per hour. could impact the wayallThe Occupa l Safety and H lthistration reports that it thatfed tiona ea Admineral agenciespromulgatenewcon ted a im 1,000job sitens inconduc pprox atelyfewerinspectio the and costly standards.struction industry insecond quarter of fiscal 1999 thanin the the The roofing industry is show same period aago.Figures for state-run inspections now rank year ing the first signs of softening inhigher than federal inspections. Separately, the BureauLabor Staof noughrequrecent years, from reports we heartistics reported that the rate of injuries serious e toire offtheustry1997, from members across the coun site recuperation increased inconstruction ind ineven try.Nearly all members are stillas thetegeneral industry decreased by 2 percent. ra forOct. 20-22 ,r;eand\'\'f.!ff"(Plant &cilities EFa xpo) Atlanta -nInfo: of770/279-4388 Oct. 27 MRCA Foundation Annual GolfTournament, Deer Cr Gali Course, 7000 eek ualW. 133re, Overland Park, Kan. amd MetalOct. 28-29 ritracfos"50fhAnnual MRCA riConvention & Trade Show" Kansas City,. MoInfo: 800/497-6722 Nov. 8-11 0nal\'f)f)"" for Contractors \'99" C@mputers 0ciatfon~(A/EiC Systems Fal I) Chicago,1. 11I.7/965-0())55Info: 610/458-7070 Is8\'11'