The Connecticut Automotive Glass Work and Flat Glass Work Board has been working through the issue of licensing auto glass repair technicians for more than a year now, and at the meeting held on Friday, December 17, there was an indication that the board may have to take up similar issues with the flat glass industry.

Ed Reilly, business manager of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers Local 15, approached the board with inquiries about the licensure of its members with regard to doing flat glass and glazing work. Bob Martin, a consultant with the Connecticut state department of education, recently endorsed the Iron Workers' apprenticeship program for the FG-2 glazier's license. Martin wrote to Richard Hurlburt, the director of occupation and professional licensing division of the department of consumer protection, indicating that the program meets the requirements of FG-2 glazier apprenticeship.

The Connecticut Glass Dealers Association (CGDA), however, expressed concerns to the board regarding the amount of time and quality of on-the-job training the Iron Workers Apprenticeship would provide. The argument, provided by Kevin McMahon, is that the apprenticeship in question does not provide the proper on-the-job training to be qualified to be an unlimited flat glass glazier. Driving the CGDA concern is the possibility that someone could become licensed, knowing only one type of glazing while later moving into another line of business within the glass industry without being licensed or properly trained for the new range of work.

The board determined that a separate licensing for iron workers or specialty glazing segments may be necessary, yet seemed wary of getting involved in another licensing argument so quickly. The board advised the Iron Workers Union to have those members who are in the application process to be grandfathered into the FG-2 glazier license to fulfill the paperwork requirements before tackling a new licensing issue.