Featured Resources

Quantifying the Value of Union Labor in Construction Projects

A new report by Independent Project Analysis (IPA), an independent international construction project engineering and research firm, shows that union mechanical contractors were 15% more productive than non-union contractors, with a more than 40% reduction in risks of cost and schedule overruns. MCAA members can download the full report, including methodology.

Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime—A Primer for the Construction Industry

This planning tool helps you determine the costs associated with unplanned events, circumstances and factors that may impact the outcome, productivity and schedule of construction projects. New for 2020: a chapter highlighting the benefits of sharing native critical path method (CPM) schedule files.

WebLEM

WebLEM is the industry’s most reliable authority for comprehensive labor units for typical project tasks. Quickly search for and retrieve information. WebLEM is reviewed and updated to reflect the latest products and joining methods. You will need your MCAA.org username and password to log in to WebLEM. For WebLEM access questions, please refer to the WebLEM Access FAQs page.

National Service and Maintenance Agreement

The National Service and Maintenance Agreement is an agreement negotiated and administered by the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry (UA) and the Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) and is a signed contract between the UA and individual mechanical service contracting firms who apply and qualify. The Agreement is a nationally recognized tool that helps contractors provide quality, consistent service to their customers throughout the country and helps reclaim lost market share.

Of Interest

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference provides field leaders with the skills they need to be business- and results-oriented managers focused on growing company profits and brand, and now there’s another reason to attend – financial assistance from the United Association’s (UA) International Training Fund (ITF) in the form of a $5,500 grant. Registration is now open for the first 2024 Field Leaders Conference from June 17 – 19 in Philadelphia, PA.

June will be here before we know it, and so will MCAA’s first Field Leaders Conference of the year. Those who attend will return with the skills they need to be business- and results-oriented managers focused on growing company profits and brand. Grow your field leaders’ skill set. Register your team today!

Watch for a full recap in next week’s National Update. In the meantime, enjoy these memories.

Student chapter members have returned from MCAA24 in Orlando and many are looking to finalize their summer employment plans. Get your position noticed by posting it on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board, which is targeted to student chapter members looking for an internship or their first job upon graduation. These students had an exceptional week at the convention and are eager to join the mechanical contracting industry. Post your job today to gather resumes of interested students.

As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting your livelihood and setting the stage for a bright future, MCAA has secured the services of Longbow Public Policy Group to advise our MCAA Government Affairs Committee (GAC). GAC Chair, Jim Gaffney will be passing along information relative to our industry on a regular basis.

Contractors looking to save time and money may do well to invest in electronic tablets. When successfully deployed, tablets can deliver real-time information to those in the field. MCAA’s Electronic Tablet Use in Construction reviews the steps involved in determining a successful deployment strategy to help contractors get started with electronic tablets or resolve any bumps in their current process. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA invites you to participate in the 2024 National Issues Conference for a deep-dive into the key regulatory and legislative issues affecting the union construction industry. Along with our partners in the Construction Employers of America (CEA), we will host regulators and representatives from Congress for their expertise and insights on a variety of topics. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the latest information that impacts your business from the nation’s capital! Register today!

Arden Building Companies, LLC, an MCAA member, recognized some of the women of working for its companies during Women in Construction week. MCAA is pleased to share these profiles, which showcase the variety of roles held by women in our industry. Read on to learn more about them and the “aha” moments in their careers.

The UA and MCAA recently submitted comments on the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed enhancements to the national apprenticeship system. The UA and MCAA strongly support provisions in the rule which will bolster successful registered apprenticeship programs and the safety and welfare of apprentices.

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Get ready for an exhilarating journey into the forefront of welding technology! Join us at the NCPWB Technical Conference/Committee Meeting to explore the innovations shaping the future of pipe welding. You will experience cutting-edge presentations that delve into the latest innovations and challenges in the welding industry. Don’t miss out…register today!

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Featured Events
April 22 – 23, 2024

The NCPWB Technical Conference highlights the latest in welding education and technology. Discussions also address changes to codes and other technical information.

May 6 – 8, 2024

The Construction Employers of America (CEA) – comprised for this conference of MCAA, SMACNA and TAUC – will be hosting this year’s CEA National Issues Conference, covering legislative and regulatory policy issues.