Legislative Advocacy

Throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, the MCAMW is dedicated to improving and defending laws and regulations that affect our local members. Our focus is prevailing wage reform, worker misclassification and theft, prompt payment and procurement.

The MCAMW, along with our Local Union Partners, have a proud history of joint advocacy — we actively campaign and advocate together on issues that promote and preserve our industry. To further the mission, the MCAMW established the Political Action Committee (PAC) in 2017 to support county and state legislators who align with legislative priorities that impact the welfare of the union mechanical industry.

The MCAMW is also an active member of the Alliance for Construction Excellence (ACE) — a coalition of premier construction specialty contractor associations, allied to create awareness of the value of quality construction. The members of ACE represent over 1,200 specialty construction contractors employing more than 57,000 employees.

Legislative Efforts

Maryland General Assembly Bill SB0259 & HB0611 Heads to Final Approval
Annapolis, Maryland — Maryland Senate Bill SB0259 cross-filed with House Bill HB0611 Procurement – Prevailing Wage – Applicability, have passed both chambers.
The Bill expands Prevailing Wages to state-funded “Mechanical Service Contracts,” which are contracts to service construction-related systems, such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration and elevators.
Coalition stakeholders include The Building Trades; Mechanical Trade Unions, including but not limited to UA, IBEW, IUEC, Sheetmetal SMART 100, among others; Mechanical Contractors Association of Metro Washington, including 188 signatory contractors; Mechanical Contractors Association of Maryland, including 80 signatory contractors; National Electrical Contractors Association of Washington DC Chapter (DC, MD and VA), including 180 signatory contractors; and National Electrical Contractors Association Maryland, including 70 signatory contractors.

Stakeholders contend that by expanding the scope of Prevailing Wages to mechanical systems service contracts, the bill represents a powerful local job creation tool, incentivizing good jobs and outstanding workforce training for local residents.
According to over three dozen studies on prevailing wages, this bill will: increase productivity, increase safety measures and keep Maryland payroll money in Maryland. Studies also confirm that prevailing wages do not increase overall construction or maintenance costs.
Prevailing wages encourage “local hiring” and promotes workforce training in our own backyard. At a time when there is a skilled labor shortage, Maryland can lead the way in securing the most talented workers in the region. For continuity, the bill aligns the new Maryland mechanical service contract provisions with the parallel federal program, the McNamara–O’Hara Service Contract Act of 1965 (SCA).