207-688-8195 Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

PLC Member Weekly Update March 29, 2024

PLC Events:

Logging News:

Safety Resources:

News Clips:

Member Benefits:

PLC Events

Registration Now Open!

Register for the PLC’s Biggest Event of the Year!

The Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC) is excited to invite you to participate in our 29th Annual Membership Meeting and Log A Load for Kids Auction on May 9th – 10th, 2024, presented by Acadia Insurance, Cross Insurance, and United Construction and Forestry. This year’s meeting, which we believe is the PLC’s biggest in history, is being held at a new exciting location, The Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine.

In 2023, we raised over $127,723 for Log A Load for Kids & Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, through our dinner and auction.  Our goal in 2024 is to exceed that total, and we hope that you can help us make miracles happen!  This year, we are also excited to announce a new partnership with the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital in Burlington as we expand our Log A Load reach and look forward to sharing our generosity with children in Vermont.

Registration is now open for the 2024 PLC 29th Annual Membership Meeting, Dinner and Log A Load Auction! Don’t delay, register now by clicking the link below!

May 9th

Splinters and Spirits Tour – Robbins Lumber and Local Brewery, Winery, & Distillery Tours

Evening Social Gathering – The Samoset Clubhouse

May 10th

Full PLC Board Meeting and Elections

Equipment Innovation Panel

Log A Load Auction with NASCAR Driver Ricky Craven

PBS America’s Forests TV Show Premiere Featuring The Mallett Brothers Band

 

Register for the Meeting
Sponsorship Information

Book Your Room Now!

Hotel discounts available through 04/08/24 while space lasts

Samoset Resort – $169 – $239 (Meeting location, rate for 5/9 & 5/10)

220 Warrenton St, Rockport, ME 04856

(Group Code)—051024plcm

(866) 258-7247 –The resort fee will be waived at checkout.

**The booking link is currently not working.  We are waiting for a new link from the venue and will send out a new link ASAP.  We apologize for the inconvenience.**

***If you only plan to stay 1 night, be sure to adjust the dates accordingly***

Questions? Email office@plcloggers.org

Book Your Room

The Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC) is pleased to offer Logger, Fleet and CPR Safety Training to all PLC Members and Master Loggers March 28-May 17 in 2024!

You may still register online if you have not already done so. Please review our Logger and Fleet offerings and return registration forms as soon as possible to ensure there is room for your employees at the chosen location/s. Don’t delay! Register now!

Please note the Millinocket training has been cancelled.

***The April 4th training in Passadumkeag, April 18th training in Avon, ME and April 26th training in Lincoln are full. CPR classes in Mexico on April 10 and Strong on April 19 still have openings. 

Register now!

FOR SCHEDULE AND ONLINE REGISTRATION CLICK HERE

Do you know a person or business involved in the logging industry who ought to be recognized for service to the community, outstanding professionalism or service to the industry? If you do, please NOMINATE THEM for one of the PLC’s annual awards.

PLC Logging Contractor of the Year Award – The PLC Logging Contractor of the Year award recognizes a PLC Logging Contractor for their commitment to the sustainability of the industry and logging as a profession.

PLC Community Service Award – This Award is given annually to a PLC member, Supporting Member or affiliated organization that has demonstrated a significant commitment to giving back to their community.

PLC Supporting Member of the Year Award – The PLC Supporting Member of the Year Award is presented annually to a PLC Supporting Member who has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to logging contractors in the Northeast.

Nominations should be received no later than March 29, 2024.

Awards will be presented at the PLC Annual Meeting on May 10 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME.

A list of previous winners is available HERE

NOMINATION FORM HERE

Logging News

Blanket work search waiver began Sunday March 17

Mud season is now upon us, and that means many of you are facing the annual challenges of temporarily laying off employees or being laid off yourself.

Effective March 17, 2024, workers impacted will be granted a work search waiver approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Bureau Director of Unemployment Compensation for 5 weeks (Week ending April 20, 2024). The weeks covered by the waiver are determined by environmental impact such as the water tables and DOT road postings. Prior to the end of the waiver period, the Department will assess the road conditions and take appropriate actions.

The most important steps for logging contractors and employees to follow in order to apply for Unemployment Benefits:

File an unemployment claim by phone or online. DO NOT enter a return to work date when applying. 

Call to File: The employee contacts the Bureau at 1-800-593-7660 selects option 2 between 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. The department is manually putting in a “Director Approved Waiver” for impacted loggers.

Note: Mondays are busiest at the unemployment office and tend to slow down each day following. Currently, the average wait times for phone calls are below 3 minutes, so please be patient and a representative will help you.

File Online: online self-service, click HERE. There are zero wait times, and this option is available 7 days a week. Select “Create ReEmployME Account” if you do not already have an account created from prior years, or “Claimant Login” if you have filed through the ReEmployME system sometime within the last three years. Then select the “Unemployment Claim” tab at the top of your screen and go to “File Unemployment Claim.” Follow the prompts on the screen to file a new claim or reopen an existing claim. The department is manually putting in a “Director Approved Waiver” for impacted loggers.

Any questions may be directed to the Bureau at 1-800-593-7660.

Click here for more unemployment information and guidance

As We See It: March 2024

What’s Going Right –Written By: ALC President Mike Albrecht

This 3-word title could end with a period, an exclamation point, or a question mark. For this article, my intent is to stay with an exclamation point.

I’ll set the stage for the “exclamation point” with a few facts as follows.

Currently, over 56% of America’s 760 million acres of forest is privately held by approximately 10 million family forest owners. The vast majority of these private ownerships are east of the Mississippi. (The majority of these eastern forest landowners are well aware of the many western forestry challenges (debacles) and hope they stay… west!)

The western loggers might choose the title to read “What’s Going Right?” with a question mark. Regardless, optimism can be found in the fact that the majority of America’s forests are privately owned and cared for by tree farmers across our country who see wisdom in managing for multiple uses, while profiting from a renewable resource… trees. I think if we can all “hang on” for a bit longer, America’s trees, and the loggers who harvest them, will soon be more highly valued.

Here’s why I say that. Wood, in the form of lumber, the renewable resource and product we understand, is steadily becoming the world’s preferred building material. Alex de Rijke, director of the London-based cross-laminated timber (CLT) firm, dRMM, put it this way, “Timber is the new concrete… the 17th century was the age of stone, the 18th century was the peak of brick. The 19th century was the age of iron, and the 20th century the century of concrete. The 21st century will be the time for timber.”

Read the Full Article

Maine’s Direct Link Loan Program

Are you a Master Logger® in Maine who is buying new equipment? Take advantage of the Direct Link Loan Program and get an interest rate reduction of up to 2% on qualifying equipment. Details of the program and how you can take advantage of it are below:

1. A Master Logger signs an Agreement with the Maine Forest Service (MFS), the bank submits Agreement to MFS, and it is approved by the MFS for the purchase of a new or new to them piece of qualifying equipment. (Cut to Length Harvesters and Forwarders, Tracked Feller Bunchers, Stroke Delimbers, Mulching Machines, Road Graders; also includes retrofitting of existing equipment like Flotation tires, Bogey wheels, harvester and processor heads; and Miscellaneous purchases like Metal and Wooden Bridges, Bottomless arches, and sediment and erosion control products) Purchases are considered on a case by case basis, with eligibility based on whether the equipment facilitates the implementation of Best Management Practices.

**Equipment that is NOT eligible: Grapple Skidders, Pull-Thru Delimbers, Tree-to-Tree Feller Bunchers. 

2. The Master Logger gets a loan from a participating bank. (See list below) Example: Loan is for $500,000 at current bank interest rate (ex. 7.00%). Contractor can have multiple loans but can’t exceed the $800,000 aggregate limit allowed by the program.

3. The Master Logger is given an interest rate subsidy (reduction) of 1.50% (up to 2%) – the same amount as the *CD rate for as long as they continue to qualify for the program.

Example: 7.00% loan interest rate less 1.50% rate subsidy = 5.50 effective rate.

The following banks participate in the direct link loan program.

**Note: Maine Municipal Bond Bank buys a $500,000 CD for up to five years from bank for up to 2.00% less than the bank’s going CD rate matching the term of the loan. Ex. 1.50 % – (up to 2%)

Don’t see your bank on the list? Reach out and encourage them to get involved.

Not yet Master Logger® Certified? Email Sydney at sydney@tcnef.org, call (207)-688-8195, opt. 2 or visit masterloggercertification.com.

 For more information, click here for the Direct Link Loan Program.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Benefits will be available to people who lost their job or business due to January 9 and 13 storms

Applications will be open March 25 through April 22 to assist business owners, regular workers, seasonal or migrant workers, and self-employed individuals who lost their job, job offer, or had their work hours reduced or interrupted due to the January 9 and 13 storms in Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, and York Counties.

AUGUSTA – On March 20, 2024, President Biden approved Governor Mills’ request for a major disaster declaration for Maine as it recovers from the storms on January 9 and 13, 2024. This declaration allows the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Unemployment Compensation to provide temporary financial assistance to people whose employment or self-employment was impacted by the January 9 and 13 storms in the following counties:

  • Cumberland
  • Hancock
  • Knox
  • Lincoln
  • Sagadahoc
  • Waldo
  • Washington
  • York

Funding will be available for eligible applicants who apply within 30 days of the declaration of a major disaster, until April 22, 2024, to assist eligible workers, business owners, and self-employed individuals who lost their jobs, job offers, or businesses, or had their work hours reduced or interrupted due to impacts brought about by the January 9 and/or 13 storms.

Click Here for More Information

Maine Employer Summit

What: A one-day event for employers looking for resources and solutions to workforce challenges hosted by the State of Maine in partnership with the Maine State Workforce Board.

When: Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Where: Cross Insurance Center, Bangor

Who should attend: Employers looking for resources and solutions to workforce challenges.

Why attend: 

  • Connect with other employers, government agencies and State of Maine resourcesto help with workforce opportunities
  • Discuss how to break down barriers to attracting & hiring specific communities
  • Share best practices, challenges, and innovationsin creating a more inclusive, sustainable workforce
Click Here to Register

Northeastern Loggers’ Association Expo 2024

Safety Resources

Are your logging employees CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogen certified?  Did you know that evidence of training is required every two years for OSHA and Master Logger compliance?

This spring, the PLC currently has four classes scheduled that are FREE to members and their employees.

To date, we have scheduled training for: 

March 29th – Porter, ME

April 5th – Milford, ME

April 19th – Strong, ME

Wait, there’s more…..

If these locations don’t work for your company or you have more than 15 employees and would like to schedule a company specific training, we can work with you and companies in your area to schedule an alternative date for free training.

Again, if your employees need this training in 2024, the PLC is offering the course, and it is free to members and their employees.  If you would like to schedule or sign up for an existing training, contact Jessica at Jessica@plcloggers.org or 207-688-8195.

SafetyWorks!

Workplace safety and labor law requirements can seem complex – join the Maine Department of Labor for no-cost upcoming trainings!

Upcoming classes:

 Wage & Hour Compliance –

April 3, 2024 I 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Sanford Community Adult Education, 668 Main Street, Sanford

This course is designed for human resource or benefits professionals, accountants, business owners, managers, or payroll supervisors. Labor laws can be complex. This seminar covers wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, severance pay, equal pay, rest breaks, leave requirements (earned paid leave, family medical leave, family sick leave and leave for victims of violence). This class addresses commonly asked labor-related questions.

NEW! – Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries –

April 4, 2024 I 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries can be a challenge to recognize as they often come on gradually from repetitive use. Other times these injuries are related to a sprain or strain. In any event, MSKs make up most injuries we see in the workplace. In this session you will learn: The importance of matching employee fitness to the essential physical demands of a job; Evaluate a job looking to prevent MSK risks; How to successfully develop and implement a custom workplace stretching and strengthening program that improves flexibility and reduces strain and strain severity and incidence; To properly respond to employees’ early symptoms and provide effective first aid intervention that alleviates fear, prevents a disability mindset, and promotes recovery.

Wage & Hour Compliance –

April 17, 2024 I 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Rockland CareerCenter, 91 Camden Street, Suite 201, Rockland

This course is designed for human resource or benefits professionals, accountants, business owners, managers, or payroll supervisors. Labor laws can be complex. This seminar covers wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, severance pay, equal pay, rest breaks, leave requirements (earned paid leave, family medical leave, family sick leave and leave for victims of violence). This class addresses commonly asked labor-related questions. 

Safety and the Supervisor –

April 17, 2024 I 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

The success of any safety program is dependent on your front-line supervisors. Do they have the technical and interpersonal skills it takes to move your safety program in a positive direction? This training discusses the interpersonal skills all supervisors should develop to create a positive safety culture. In addition, this course will outline the key tasks supervisors should be performing on a daily basis to identify hazards and keep their employees safe.

Impairment Detection Training for Employers –

April 18, 2024 I 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

This one-day training session is designed to help owners, managers, and supervisors recognize and respond appropriately to employee impairment in the workplace in order to reduce worker accidents and injuries. Participants will be taught procedures to detect impairment regardless of the substance or cause. This class is designed to fulfill the federal DOT requirements for reasonable suspicion training of supervisors. In addition, participants will learn how to develop and implement policies that address impairment in the workplace and are in compliance with Maine’s Substance Use Testing Law.

A Practical Approach to Electrical Safety –

April 26, 2024 I 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

In this half-day class, you will learn how to protect workers from electrical hazards. NFPA 70E requirements will be discussed in layman’s terms.

Fire Extinguisher/Emergency Action Plans/Workplace Violence –

April 29, 2024 I 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

In this class, you will learn about Emergency Action Plans, including the use of fire extinguishers and how to maintain them. In addition, this class tackles the emerging concern for workplace violence and how to prepare your organization for this hazard. This is a one-day hands-on class. Those attending this class should come prepared to discharge a fire extinguisher.        

Register and browse more SafetyWorks! classes: https://www.safetyworksmaine.gov/training/scheduled_classes/register.shtml

SafetyWorks! is also a host site for the Region 1 OSHA Training Institute Education Center.  The next class will be:

April 8 – April 10, 2024   503 Update Course for General Industry Outreach Trainers

To register go to https://oshaedne.com/osha-503/ or call 800-449-6742.  Please note, these classes have a registration fee to attend.

Register and browse more SafetyWorks! classes: https://www.safetyworksmaine.gov/training/scheduled_classes/register.shtml

If you have questions about safety or upcoming classes, reach out to SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE-345 or general.bls-safetyworks@maine.gov.

If you have questions about Wage and Hour compliance, please reach out to the Wage and Hour Division at 207-623-7900 or bls.mdol@maine.gov, or visit www.maine.gov/labor/bls/

Cross Insurance TPA – The Critical Role of the Supervisor Presented by: Career Management Associates

April 9th

VIA ZOOM

9:00am – 11:00am

Employees do not quit an organization; they leave due to three key factors. Understanding these three factors and ensuring that your supervisors at all levels recognize they are holding the key will lead to higher employee engagement, retaining talent and long‐term success. In this course we will discuss the disconnect between what managers want and what employees need, and how to bridge that gap to create a cohesive team. We will cover key qualities of a great supervisor, common supervisory pitfalls, and tools for them to create a roadmap to improve their own skills.

Who Should Attend? Managers/Supervisors; Human Resource Directors; Safety Coordinators Program Fee: $75/pp

Registration Information

To register for the April 9th session please copy and paste the link listed below to your web browser. If this does not work return to the original email and select the link located there.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctceyrqjopHtx6tidpFhgVG0N5Kte2HMfV

Please register by April 2nd. Maximum of 80 attendees per session.
If you have any questions or issues with registering, please e‐mail us at

tpa‐trainings@crossagency.com

Note: In case of inclement weather, please call 1‐800‐698‐3267 Ext 1021 to get a recorded message about training cancellation.

New Small PLC Operator/Driver First Aid Pack!

In response to demand for a smaller/”must have in an emergency” first aid pack to be stored in a machine or pickup, the PLC has created a new Operator/Driver First Aid Pack.

  • Contains “must have in an emergency” bleeding control items 
  • One pack is recommended per machine/truck 
  • Detachable velcro panel ideal for mounting in a machine or truck
  • Meets OSHA requirements for a logging first aid kit
  • Supplements PLC’s larger first aid back pack but is not a replacement

The PLC Member price is $69 plus tax and shipping (if it is not picked up by the contractor or delivered by the PLC). Color RED

More information on the pack and its contents is available HERE. 

Get yours now by clicking HERE!

 

PLC Crew First Aid Backpack

PLC First Aid Pack: In response to widespread interest from members, we have created a PLC First Aid Pack that has everything you need for emergencies in the woods. This Military Elite Tactical Trauma First Aid Backpack was designed for the PLC by Paul Stewart – EMT Houlton, ME. 

To order Click HERE

Now FREE to Maine Loggers! A $300 value!

LEARN MORE

Maine News

St. John Valley tech center acquires new forestry equipment to train students

Driver killed when logging truck crashes into pond in The Forks – Bangor Daily News

Vermont News

Community Tree Planting Grants – Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program

– Timberline Magazine

Member Discounts

Maine Trailer – Member Discount

PLC Members Only!

Equipment Cost Calculators Available

Members,

With expenses rising rapidly in the industry we know you are struggling to get a handle on your costs. This is a great time to utilize the cost calculators created in 2021 for PLC Members.

These new, easy to use, logging equipment and log trucking cost calculators are available on the PLC Members Only section of our web site You may access this private section of the web site with your member login or set up a login HERE.

These calculators allow you to quickly estimate the hourly cost of operation for any piece of your equipment.

DISCLAIMER: These calculators are being made available for your business use as a member benefit. They produce equipment estimates and are not official products of the PLC nor should they be used for negotiation purposes.

PLC Online Store

Looking for great PLC items and apparel? Gifts? First Aid packs, safety items and more? You will find them at the new PLC Online Store on our web site. Ordering is easy.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

ALC Member Discounts

PLC Members, because the PLC is a member of the American Loggers Council YOU are entitled to special discounts! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

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Fabian Oil Discount

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Wallingford’s Discounts

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Maine Trailer Discounts

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PLC Members get a 5% discount on culverts purchased at Treeline and Frank Martin & Sons

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Hale Trailer discounts for PLC Members on new trailer purchases! Call Neal at 207-232-7969 for details!

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Cross Arena Discounts for PLC! 

FOR FULL MEMBER DISCOUNT LIST CLICK HERE

PLC Classified Section


Check out the equipment and job opportunities our members have listed at the LOGGING ZONE! 
If you are interested in placing a classified ad, please contact PLC Northeast by Email – office@plcloggers.org or call Vanessa at 207-688-8195.

Preferred Supporting Members

Enhanced Supporting Members