Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4 | THERE WERE CHANGES MADE TO THE ORGANIZATION'S DOCUMENTS SINCE THE PRIOR 990 FORM. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4 | SERVICE CONTRACT EDUCATION AND TRAINING TRUST FUND TO: ALL EMPLOYERS CONTRIBUTING TO THE LIUNA SERVICE CONTRACT EDUCATION AND TRAINING TRUST FUND ALL PARTICIPATING UNIONS FROM: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DATE: RE: JANUARY 25,2011 RE-DESIGN OF SCETT FUND'S EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS WE ARE WRITING TO PROUDLY ANNOUNCE THAT THE SCETT FUND IS SIGNIFICANTLY UPGRADING ITS EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS TO MEET THE HIGHER WORKFORCE STANDARDS BEING DEMANDED OF THE SERVICE CONTRACT INDUSTRY. ABOUT THE SCETT FUND THE SCETT FUND IS A JOINT LABOR-MANAGEMENT, MULTIEMPLOYER TRUST FUND ESTABLISHED IN 1978 BY THE LABORERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA (LIUNA) AND VARIOUS EMPLOYERS OF EMPLOYEES REPRESENTED FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PURPOSES BY LIUNA AND AFFILIATED LOCAL UNIONS. THE SCETT FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AND IS MAINTAINED FOR THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF PROVIDING EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE SERVICE CONTRACT INDUSTRY TO FOSTER THEIR EMPLOYABILITY, PRODUCTIVITY, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE. SUCH LABOR-MANAGEMENT COOPERATION IN ADVANCING WORKFORCE TRAINING AND EDUCATION, IS COMMON IN MANY INDUSTRIES, AND IS ENCOURAGED BY NATIONAL LABOR POLICY. ALL GOVERNANCE AUTHORITY WITH REGARD TO THE SCETT FUND AND ITS ASSETS IS VESTED IN THE LABOR-MANAGEMENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONSISTING EQUALLY OF UNION TRUSTEES AND EMPLOYER TRUSTEES, AS REQUIRED BY THE LABOR MANAGEMENT RELATIONS ("TAFT-HARTLEY") ACT. THE TRUSTEES ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE SERVICE CONTRACT INDUSTRY, AND SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION FROM THE SCETT FUND. THE SCETT FUND IS FUNDED BY COLLECTIVELY BARGAINED EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS AND OFFICE AND INVESTMENT INCOME. RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AND EFFECTIVE TRAINING TO THE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AND PROSPECTS OF EMPLOYEES, THE UNION NEGOTIATES WITH SERVICE CONTRACTORS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCETT FUND SO THAT COVERED EMPLOYEES CAN BE ASSURED OF RECEIVING THESE VALUABLE BENEFITS. THE SCETT FUND IS REGULATED BY VARIOUS FEDERAL LAWS, INCLUDING THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT (ERISA), THE TAFT-HARTLEY ACT, THE SERVICE CONTRACT ACT, AND THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (IRC). IT IS AN EMPLOYEE WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN UNDER ERISA AND, AS SUCH, A SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITY. IT IS A TAX-EXEMPT TRUST UNDER THE IRC. THESE FEDERAL STATUTES REQUIRE THAT THE SCETT FUND'S ASSETS BE USED FOR THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING PROMISED BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES OF CONTRIBUTING EMPLOYERS AND TO DEFRAY THE REASONABLE EXPENSES OF ADMINISTERING THE SCETT FUND. THE SCETT FUND IS A BONA FIDE FRINGE BENEFIT UNDER THE SERVICE CONTRACT ACT. NEW EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS RECENTLY, THE BOARD ADOPTED AND MADE SIGNIFICANT ENHANCEMENTS TO THE EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS OFFERED TO EMPLOYEES OF CONTRIBUTING EMPLOYERS. THESE EXPANDED BENEFITS INCLUDE CONTINUING EDUCATION BENEFITS THAT ARE JOB AND CAREER ORIENTED, AND POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL TUITION ASSISTANCE BENEFITS. A NEW EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS BOOKLET--WHICH DESCRIBES THESE BENEFITS, THE ELIGIBILITY RULES, AND THE APPLICATION PROCEDURES--HAS BEEN SENT TO ALL PARTICIPATING EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS TO ALL CONTRIBUTING EMPLOYERS AND LOCAL UNIONS. WE ENCOURAGE ALL ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY THE SCETT FUND TO INDIVIDUALLY IMPROVE THEIR JOB SKILLS, TO QUALIFY FOR PROMOTIONS OR NEW CAREERS, OR TO OTHERWISE BETTER THEIR JIVES ON AND OFF THE JOB. NEED FOR NEW APPROACH TO EMPLOYEE TRAINING SINCE ITS INCEPTION OVER 30 YEARS AGO, THE SCETT FUND HAS ACTIVELY PROMOTED THE TRAINING OF COVERED EMPLOYEES THROUGH ON-SITE CLASSROOM TEACHING AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING. THE SCETT FUND HAS PRODUCED QUALITY WRITTEN AND AUDIO-VISUAL TRAINING MATERIALS AND MADE THEM AVAILABLE FOR USE IN TRAINING SESSIONS. IT HAS ALSO WORKED COOPERATIVELY WITH EMPLOYERS TO DEVELOP EMPLOYEE TRAINING PLANS AND PAID TRAINING REIMBURSEMENTS TO INCENTIVIZE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PLANS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EMPLOYEES AND TO MAXIMIZE THE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COVERED EMPLOYEES WITHIN THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE. THE SCETT FUND'S STAFF HAS AUDITED EMPLOYERS TO VERIFY THAT THE TRAINING WAS BEING PROVIDED TO THE EMPLOYEES. THE WORLD WE LIVE IN AND INDUSTRIES AS A WHOLE HAVE CHANGED TREMENDOUSLY SINCE THE LATE 70S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE SETTING HIGHER STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE FOR SERVICE CONTRACTORS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES, AND THEY ARE DEMANDING GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY. NOW MORE THAN EVER A CONTRACTOR WITH A WELL EDUCATED AND TRAINED WORKFORCE WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE, AND WELL EDUCATED AND TRAINED EMPLOYEES WILL HAVE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND GREATER JOB SECURITY. IN ADDITION, ONGOING ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY, TRAINING AND WORK PERFORMANCE STANDARDS IMPLORE US TO EVALUATE OUR OWN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND REDEFINE OR ENHANCE THEM ACCORDINGLY. AS SUCH, THERE ARE NEW AND IMPROVED WAYS TO ACCOMPLISH THE SCETT FUND'S EMPLOYEE TRAINING OBJECTIVES THAT ARE BETTER SUITED TO THE SERVICE CONTRACT INDUSTRY OF 2011 AND BEYOND. ELEMENTS OF THE NEW APPROACH AFTER EXTENSIVE REVIEW AND ANALYSIS AND IN ORDER TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES, THE BOARD HAS ADOPTED A NEW APPROACH WITH THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF MAKING THE SCETT FUND THE PREEMINENT WORKFORCE TRAINING ORGANIZATION IN THE SERVICE CONTRACT INDUSTRY; A ONE-STOP-SHOP, IF YOU WILL, FOR TRAINING NEEDS. THIS NEW APPROACH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS: 1. TO INCREASE OUR CAPACITY TO DEVELOP AND DELIVER EFFECTIVE TRAINING PROGRAMS, THE SCETT FUND HAS AFFILIATED WITH THE LIUNA TRAINING & EDUCATION FUND ("LIUNA TRAINING") EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2011. IN OPERATION SINCE 1969, LIUNA TRAINING IS AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AND ACCREDITED LEADER IN WORKER TRAINING AND EDUCATION WITH 70 AFFILIATED TRAINING CENTERS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. LIUNA TRAINING IS A USGBC CERTIFIED TRAINING PROVIDER THAT HAS SEVERAL LEED CERTIFIED INDIVIDUALS ON STAFF. LIUNA TRAINING WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE SCETT FUND ON AN ONGOING BASIS TO DEVELOP AND OPERATE STATE-OF-THE-ART EMPLOYEE TRAINING PROGRAMS. LIUNA TRAINING IS AN EXPERT IN AREAS SUCH AS WORKFORCE TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT, DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING CURRICULUM AND MATERIALS, EDUCATION AND TRAINING METHODS AND TECHNOLOGY, ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATION, SKILLS STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING-THETRAINERS, MINORITY OUTREACH, AND COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS. LIUNA TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE INDEPENDENTLY ACCREDITED AND SELECT CURRICULA ARE LEED CERTIFIED PROGRAMS. REFLECTING THE HIGH QUALITY OF ITS PROGRAMS, LIUNA TRAINING HAS RECEIVED MANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS FROM AND PROVIDED WORKFORCE TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR VARIOUS FEDERAL AGENCIES INCLUDING THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, NATIONAL INSTITUTES FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, U.S. JOB CORPS, AND U.S. FOREST SERVICE. 2. THE COLLECTIVELY BARGAINED CONTRIBUTION RATE FOR SCETT FUND PARTICIPATION WILL BE STANDARDIZED AT 20 CENTS FOR EACH HOUR FOR WHICH AN EMPLOYEE COVERED BY THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT RECEIVES PAY. FOR MANY CONTRIBUTING EMPLOYERS, THIS WILL BE A DIFFERENT CONTRIBUTION RATE. THE NEW CONTRIBUTION RATE WILL BE PHASED-IN SO AS NOT TO CONFLICT WITH EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS IN SUBMITTING BIDS ON CONTRACTS. THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR WHICH AN EMPLOYER SUBMITS A BID ON OR AFTER APRIL 1, 2011. FOR EXISTING SERVICE CONTRACTS (INCLUDING OPTION YEARS) AND FOR NEW SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR WHICH EMPLOYER BIDS WERE SUBMITTED EARLIER THAN APRIL 1, 2011, THE CURRENT CONTRIBUTION RATE WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY THROUGH THE TERM OF THE SERVICE CONTRACT. 3. THE TRAINING REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM IS BEING PHASED-OUT. EFFECTIVE FOR SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR WHICH AN EMPLOYER SUBMITS A BID ON OR AFTER APRIL 1, 2011, TRAINING REIMBURSEMENTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FROM THE SCETT FUND. FOR EXISTING SERVICE CONTRACTS (INCLUDING OPTION YEARS) AND FOR NEW SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR WHICH EMPLOYER BIDS WERE SUBMITTED EARLIER THAN APRIL 1, 2011, THE CURRENT REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM WILL BE CONTINUED SO AS NOT TO CONFLICT WITH EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS IN SUBMITTING BIDS ON CONTRACTS BEFORE APRIL1, 2011, BUT WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SUBSEQUENT CONTRACTS. 4. THE SCETT FUND WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY TRAINING VIDEOS AND OTHER TRAINING MATERIALS FOR USE IN CLASSROOM TRAINING AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING OF COVERED EMPLOYEES. THESE MATERIALS WILL BE EXPANDED AND UPDATED ON AN ONGOING BASIS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF LIUNA TRAINING. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE TRAINING VIDEOS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE (THAT IS, THROUGH THE INTERNET). OTHER "DISTANCE LEARNING" METHODS WILL ALSO BE EMPLOYED AS APPROPRIATE. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4 | 5. THE SCETT FUND WILL EXPLORE ALL OPTIONS FOR DEVELOPING CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS THROUGH WHICH EMPLOYEES WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR AN INCREASING NUMBER OF POSITIONS UNDER SERVICE CONTRACTS. THESE PROGRAMS WILL INCLUDE TRAINING PLANS, TRAINING MATERIALS MEETING APPLICABLE STANDARDS, TESTING MATERIALS, AND APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATIONS. 6. THE SCETT FUND WILL PROVIDE TRAIN-THE-TRAINERS ("TTT") PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRAINING INSTRUCTORS FOR COVERED EMPLOYEES. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EMPLOYEE TRAINING DEPENDS HEAVILY ON THE QUALITY OF THE INSTRUCTORS AND TIT PROGRAMS ENSURE THAT INSTRUCTORS ARE PERFORMING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. 7. THE SCETT FUND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH CONTRACTORS TO DEVELOP HIGH QUALITY TRAINING PLANS, INCLUDING CUSTOMIZED PLANS AS NECESSARY TO MEET THE NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES AT A PARTICULAR JOB SITE. 8. THE SCETT FUND WILL PROVIDE TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AT PARTICULAR JOB SITES UPON REQUEST. 9. THE SCETT FUND WILL HAVE A STAFF OF INSTRUCTORS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT PROGRAMS WHERE APPROPRIATE. 10. THE SCETT FUND WILL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A CENTRALIZED SYSTEM FOR MAINTAINING RECORDS OF EMPLOYEES' TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE MATCHING OF EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR CONTRACTORS TO LOCATE QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES. 11. THE SCETT FUND WILL DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A CLEARINGHOUSE ON WORKFORCE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL AGENCIES FOR SERVICE CONTRACTS. SUBMITTING TRAINING PLANS AND BUDGETS EMPLOYERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO SUBMIT TRAINING PLANS AND BUDGETS TO THE SCETT FUND AS IN THE PAST. NORMALLY THOSE PLANS AND BUDGETS WERE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED BY DECEMBER 31ST OF EACH YEAR TO ALLOW THE SCETT FUND STAFF AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS THEM WITH THE SUBMITTERS. THIS TIMETABLE WAS DELAYED SOMEWHAT BY THE RE-DESIGN PROJECT. EMPLOYERS ARE NOW REQUESTED TO SUBMIT THEIR TRAINING PLANS AND BUDGETS BY MARCH 1, 2011. AGAIN, AS DISCUSSED EARLIER IN THIS MEMORANDUM, THE TRAINING REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM IS BEING PHASED-OUT, SO REIMBURSEMENTS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR TRAINING UNDER CONTRACTS FOR WHICH AN EMPLOYER SUBMITS A BID ON OR AFTER APRIL 1, 2011. FOR EXISTING SERVICE CONTRACTS (INCLUDING RENEWALS) AND FOR NEW SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR WHICH EMPLOYER BIDS WERE SUBMITTED EARLIER THAN APRIL 1, 2011, THE CURRENT REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM AND CONTRIBUTION RATE WILL BE CONTINUED UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT/CONTRACT EXPIRES. THE SCETT FUND STAFF, WITH LIUNA TRAINING'S ASSISTANCE, WILL REVIEW ALL TRAINING PLANS AND OFFER ADVICE ON HOW THE SCETT FUND'S PROGRAMS CAN BE BEST USED TO IMPLEMENT THE EMPLOYER'S PLAN. A CLOSING NOTE AS STATED ABOVE, THE SCETT FUND AIMS TO BE THE PREEMINENT WORKFORCE TRAINING ORGANIZATION FOR EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS IN THE SERVICE CONTRACT INDUSTRY. GOOD COMMUNICATION AMONG THE SCETT FUND, CONTRIBUTING EMPLOYERS, AND PARTICIPATING UNIONS WILL BE THE KEY TO OUR COLLECTIVE SUCCESS. THE SCETT FUND IS ALSO PREPARING TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND ITS COMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER INTERACTIONS WITH YOU. YOU WILL BE RECEIVING MORE INFORMATION FROM THE SCETT FUND AND ITS NEW WEBSITE WILL BE UNVEILED SHORTLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS MEMORANDUM OR MORE GENERALLY ABOUT THE SCETT FUND IN GENERAL, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT SCETT FUND ADMINISTRATOR BETH VIA OR SCETT FUND DIRECTOR MARSHALL WOODARD. THE SCETT FUND'S ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 304-724-5060. THE ADDRESS IS 109 KIMBERWICKE DRIVE, SOUTH, CHARLES TOWN, WEST VIRGINIA 25414. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN AND SUPPORT OF THE SCETT FUND. TOGETHER, WE ARE IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OUR WORKERS AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE SERVICE CONTRACT INDUSTRY |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 | BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT THE TRUSTEES MEETING REVIEWS THE 990 RETURN |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | THE BOARD REVIEWS ANNUALLY |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | THE 990 REPORT IS AVAILABLE AT OUR OFFICE |
| FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G | LIUNA TRAINING: TOTAL EXPENSES 120,613. CLERICAL: TOTAL EXPENSES 18,996. ZENITH ADMIN FEE: TOTAL EXPENSES 42,400. OTHER: TOTAL EXPENSES 29,435. |
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