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MISSION STATEMENT MCA of Metro Washington is the leader of the union mechanical construction and service industry in the Metro Washington area. Together with its union partners it will promote the professionalism, quality, cost-effectiveness, owner/user benefit, and productivity of union construction and service through education, labor relations, public relations and government affairs. VISION STATEMENT MCA of Metropolitan Washington envisions a local construction marketplace in which it plays such a valuable role that mechanical construction and service contractors feel that it is a business necessity to belong and participate. Mechanical Contractors Association Of Metropolitan Washington 2008 STRATEGIC PLAN VISION STATEMENT MCA of Metropolitan Washington envisions a local construction marketplace in which it plays such a valuable role that mechanical construction and service contractors feel that it is a business necessity to belong and participate. MISSION STATEMENT MCA of Metro Washington is the leader of the union mechanical construction and service industry in the Metro Washington area. Together with its union partners it will increase market share, promote the professionalism, quality, cost-effectiveness, owner/user benefit, growth and productivity of union construction and service through education, safety training, labor relations, public relations and government affairs. PRIMARY ISSUES The leadership of the MCA identified seven primary categories of overriding concern to the membership in the near term. These are: labor relations; recruitment and training; education; legislative/lobbying; customer perception/industry image; networking and ethics. The following Strategic Objectives speak to these areas: STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 1. MCAMW will leverage our strong and cooperative relationship with Plumbers Local Union 5 and Steamfitters Local Union 602 to enhance our members= competitiveness, productivity and ability to understand and exceed the expectations of construction and service users and owners. A. For fiscal 2007 – 2008, the Industry Improvement Committee is charged with: 1. Working to “clean up” the language of both agreements, and where possible and practicable, making the language of both agreements coincide. A draft document shall be available by the spring of 2010; 2. Developing a list of “most frequently asked questions” regarding gray areas in the agreements, developing bi-lateral rulings in re: these questions, and publishing the aforementioned rulings to the membership; B. Through management’s legal counsel, we will clarify “management rights” in during negotiations and union elections: 1. What can we communicate to workers during contract ratifications? 2. Can contractors give incentives to union employees to encourage them to vote in a ratification election? 3. What can contractors do to encourage participation in union elections? C. During 2008, we will seek to strengthen relationships with the Locals by hosting various social functions including having a semi-formal dinner twice a year with MCAMW Board of Directors & Local Business Agents invited. D. By 4/1/08, MCAMW will cause to be performed a “Market-Share Study funded by the Industry Fund. This study will be repeated annually. Said study shall endeavor to establish the volume of Construction in the metro area over the past 5 years and how much of it went union. E. The Association recognizes the major importance of the CAUSE program in promoting strong relations between the Association and its unions. Accordingly, we will continue our support CAUSE financially and through the involvement of our trustees, staff and members in 2008. 1. During 2008, MCAMW will seek to incorporate into the CAUSE Agreement one of the following: a) a fixed duration (number of years) for the agreement; or, b) a termination provision to the Agreement which requires several months’ written notice; 2. MCAMW will encourage CAUSE to become more active in “bottom up” organizing. 2. MCAMW will work with its Local Union to fully implement the UA Standards of Excellence. A. In 2008 we will educate our members as to the provisions of the Standards of Excellence. B. We will emphasize the need for members to correctly utilize the Separation Notices and Apprenticeship Report Cards. 3. MCAMW will seek to increase the quantity and quality of incoming apprentices and journeymen and will remain active and visible in promoting equal opportunity and continue to provide the best possible training for all trades people in the workforce. A. MCAMW will participate in multiple apprentice recruiting program efforts. We will: 1. Board to meet with Apprenticeship Committee in January 2008. 2. Support and encourage Apprenticeship Committees to open satellite VA. School by 2008; in So. MD by 2010; in No. MD by 2012 or as a possible alternative, the apprenticeship committee is encouraged to research the practicability of remote schooling. 3. Ask the union to give the MCA a list of everyone who applied for apprenticeship but was not accepted, to give the applicants an opportunity to be hired as a helper. 4. Review the recruitment polices of both Apprenticeship Committees 5. Encourage the Apprenticeship Committee to widen the window for apprenticeship applications and change the cumbersome interview process; B. For 2008 we will promote and provide training for: 1. Foremen by offering an instructional training course developed and facilitated by John Koontz, MCAA, commencing Sept. 2008 thru Nov. 2008; 2. In addition we will seek to develop supervisory training programs in conjunction with both unions. 3. MCAMW will ask the Local Training Directors to notify the Association (at least 30 days in advance) of any journeymen training/continuing education programs so we can notify our members & encourage them to participate. 4.Through our Service Bureau, we will encourage all service journeymen and service contractors to be Star Certified & Qualified by hosting one promotional program featuring MSCA and UA reps in 2008. 4. MCAMW will assist the staffing of its members with the highest caliber managers, supervisors, administrative and clerical workers, and work to insure that contractors have the ability to perform all of the work in the jurisdiction with qualified employees. A. In 2008 we will participate in no less than 8 College Career Fairs throughout the area, acquiring resumes for distribution to the interested members. 5. MCAMW will, in partnership with Local Unions 5 & 602, promote the union mechanical industry in order to maintain and increase market share; and will promote the Association in order to encourage membership growth and participation A. It is the goal of the Association that by 2008 we will reduce the current level of absenteeism. To that end, by January 1, 2008, a sub-committee (Lou Spencer & Steve Mack) will have developed a form for absenteeism to be sent to the members to report (and convey it is a board requirement under the Code of Ethics) on a monthly basis to the Association. 6. MCAMW will work with government legislative and regulatory agencies at the local, state and national level to promote the interests of its members in the most effective manner. A. We will work together with the subcontractor Coalition to promote legislation which is in the best interest of the union subcontracting community; we will request that the Coalition consider introducing public and/or private Prompt Pay legislation in Maryland. B. We will revitalize MCAMW’s Code & Licensing Committee. C. In 2008, we will identify all boards & and governmental bodies that impact mechanical contracting; D. In 2008, we will prioritize those groups upon which we want representation and promote contractor members to sit on those committees; i.e HVAC, Plumbing, MD Board of Industrial Trades via the State Board of Licensing & Labor and the VA State Contractors. E. In 2008, the Industry Improvement Committee will be tasked with the following: 1. Identify all licenses required for mechanical contractors in the MCAMW jurisdiction. 2. Identify what reciprocity, if any, that currently exists. 7. MCAMW will work to encourage the highest ethical standards on the part of its members and the union mechanical contracting industry. A. The Code of Ethics will be prominently displayed in the offices of the Association. 8. MCAMW will constantly seek ways to make the association, its volunteers and staff more effective in providing value to the membership. A. It is the position of MCAMW that attendance by staff, board and committee members at various, relevant educational seminars and conferences are a benefit to the association and its members. Accordingly, we will continue to provide financial reimbursement for attendance at said conferences and seminars in a manner and to the extent established by the Board; B. We will continue to promote and fund the Rewards Incentive Program for members who are actively involved in committees, leadership, etc. C. We will establish a 3 to 5 person subcommittee to re-write/update MCAMW’s Bylaws to be presented to the Board by Sept. 2008. D. By June 2008, MCAMW will establish a Plumbing & Gas Fitting Council within the Association. E. By June 2008, MCAMW will establish a Young Executives Forum HISTORY OF THE MCA of METRO WASHINGTON      One hundred and seventeen years ago the leading master steamfitters in the Nation's Capital formed an association to identify themselves as responsible contractors and employers of the competent craftsmen as a service to the design and construction profession.      Today, that Association still flourishes. It still identifies outstanding contractors and employers of the area's finest journeymen in the plumbing and pipefitting trades.      Although this Association has changed its name four times to reflect the advancing technology of our industry, the continuity of its operation and service has remained constant. The Master Steam Fitters Association of Washington, DC. was formed on July 29, 1889 and was changed to the Heating, Piping and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, Inc in 1918. This Association changed its names in 1954 to Mechanical Contractors D.C. Association, Inc. then to its present name Mechanical Contractors Association of Metropolitan Washington, Inc. in 2000. The Association started out with six (6) members: W.W. .Briggs, Heating & Ventilating; E.J. Febrey; Walter Higgins; Hubbard Manufacturing Company; Johnson & Morris; and Zellers Company. The group's first officers were George Zellers, President; Jerome Hubbard, Vice President; and Thomas Eagan, Secretary.      The Industry Fund Trust was formed in 1963 through provisions in the collective bargaining agreement between MCDCA, Local 602 and Local 5. Its purpose is to provide necessary funds for conducting public relations, public education as applied to the plumbing, heating, piping and air conditioning industry and promotion of stability of relations between labor and management for the union mechanical contracting industry.      Our Association, with the cooperation of Plumbers Local No. 5 and Steamfitters Local No. 602, has played a significant role in the advancement of the construction industry in this section of the United States, each also making history in bringing their segment of local industry from a position of immaturity and conflict to one of professionalism, compatibility and dependability, from the early and fundamental processes to highly sophisticated mechanical systems involving computers and electronics, automation on all types of construction, private and public.      Each of these area labor and management groups was also involved in the development of the national organization with which each is affiliated: Plumbers Local 5 and Steamfitters Local 602 with its national building trades union, the United Association and the MCAMW with the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. Interestingly, each of the national organizations were found in the same year….1889. The history and development of today's partners in CAUSE parallel the history and development of this country. Reflection on the background of these groups points to how they came together in the strong, progressive organizations they are today.      From the early 1920's through World War II, the Washington area also lived through some wide swings in construction activity. A recession in 1921-1922 was followed by a rise in construction activity in the mid 20's. This was followed by the 1929 crash which, of course, resulted in a very serious period of unemployment and depression. Beginning in 1933, the recovery program brought about the construction of many government buildings and this pattern continued until World War II began. The war brought private residential construction in DC almost to a standstill. However, the 40's were still boom years, due largely to America's involvement in the war. Major military installations were established in the DC area along with related medical facilities. Following the war, with minimum change over time, conversion to a civilian economy resulted in many major construction projects for utilities, sewer and water treatment, schools, churches, shopping centers, apartments and many other commercial and industrial buildings. The boom continued. In the 1970's, developments brought significant changes to the construction industry. The oil crisis, inflation, high interest rates, costs of land and money for construction, high contract settlements, inefficiencies, technological changes, the owners' increase demand for cost effectiveness….all brought on a new surge of competitiveness for the union contractor….a challenge that both labor and management are still meeting today…successfully.      This Association, over the years, has been in the forefront of progressive changes to the industry, including positive attitudes of education of its members and employees. Their approach to Labor Management Relations has been used as a model throughout the country.      Through the years, it has required the combined talent, skill and teamwork of the architect/engineer, the contractor and the union mechanical contractor, to erect a building and put it into operation. This is particularly true with the even more intricate and complex mechanical systems in the handsome modern structures of our Nation's Capital. This experience, integrity and know-how represented throughout this Association have been carried over from the 19th Century into the 21st Century, where our member contractors continue to face triumphantly new challenges in this ever changing market-place.