Local affiliated association executives and MCAA staff came together July 28-31, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to educate, network and share industry best practices and experiences. The conference kicked off with an update from MCAA CEO John Gentille, MCAA President Brian Helm, MCAA COO Tim Brink and MCAA Executive Director, Executive & Conference Services Melissa Funyak. UA Assistant General President Mike Pleasant shared a UA update along with information on the UA/MCAA Joint Strategic Planning Committee with Co-Chair Mark Rogers.

Jim Estabrook of Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C., explained how to use the Industry Funds Operation Guide and LMCC Funds to help ensure trusts are operating properly. He explained best practices and uses of funds, as well as questionable practices.

Our partner with Ice Miller, Ryan Poor, and Ed Kommers, MCA of Western Washington, reviewed MCAA’s Collective Bargaining Guide, a value-added tool and resource available to all members free as a benefit of membership. Additionally, Scott Strawbridge, Mechanical Contractors Council of Central CA, explained what happens when bargaining between labor and management hits an impasse.

Additional education sessions covered MCAA’s Career Development and Women in the Mechanical Industry initiatives, MCERF, IFEBP services, technology, association management best practices, and the changing cultural makeup of today’s workforce and how innovation evolves from multiple viewpoints. Beyond the sessions, executives had time to explore MILWAUKEE TOOL headquarters.

The conference concluded with current AEC Chair, Tony Saporito (MCA of New York) stepping down and the introduction of Ed Kommers (MCA of Western Washington) as the new AEC Chair, Rick Lundvall (MCA of Rockford) as the Vice Chair and Chip Martin (CPMCA) as the new Program Chair.

The executives were proud to present John Gentille, MCAA CEO, with the first-ever John R. Gentille Excellence in Leadership Award, highlighting the members’ appreciation for the leadership he has provided.

The next AEC Best Practices Conference will be held on July 26-29, 2020.

Your field leaders are professionals who build people as much as they do projects. Do they have the skills needed to motivate people, use influence over authority, and mentor, coach and empower their crews? Mark Breslin’s presentation at the Field Leaders Conference offers new ideas, strategies and tools to help them enhance crew performance. Mark is speaking in both locations, so choose your preferred city to learn more and register now!

Your field leaders are the face of your company. Are they prepared to communicate effectively, bridge conflict and personality clashes, and protect your company’s image? Kevin Dougherty’s presentation at the Field Leaders Conference provides the tricks and tactics they need to get even the most difficult people eating out of their hands, plus other ideas for improving communication with crews, other subs, management and owners. Kevin is speaking in both locations, so choose your preferred city to learn more and register now!

3M Fall Protection has announced an immediate stop use and product recall of the 3M™ DBI-SALA® Nano-Lok™ edge and Wrap Back Twin-Leg Self Retracting Lifelines. The twin-leg Nano-Lok edge is part of a personal fall protection system and connects two self-retracting lifelines/devices (SRL’s/SRD’s) directly under the dorsal d-ring of a worker’s harness. It is intended to be anchored at foot-level, and is designed for sharp edge applications. The twin-leg Wrap Back Nano-Lok is intended for wrapping around an anchor and incorporates a similar energy absorber. 3M has determined that in the event of a fall and under certain conditions, the energy absorber may not properly deploy which could expose the worker to serious injury or death.

Recall Notice

Your company’s bottom line, and its ability to obtain future work, is at risk each time you hire a subcontractor. Companies whose subcontractors consistently perform the industry’s necessary safely functions well have a much easier time securing future work. So how do you go about finding safety-conscious subcontractors? MCAA’s Guide to Subcontractor Safety Management simplifies the process by providing a system for subcontractor evaluation.

You will learn:

• How to objectively select subcontractors that are committed to jobsite safety
• How to assist your subs through the process of establishing and implementing the programs, policies, procedures, and safe work practices necessary to consistently perform their work safely
• How to verify and document that the necessary safety and health measures have been established, and are consistently implemented

Download Guide

Give your field leaders the skills they need to focus on growing themselves and those around them, which will benefit company profits and brand, when you send them to the Field Leaders Conference. They will return with an action item list, a fresh perspective on what they do and how they do it, an education on the latest tools and construction resources, and a network of their peers from around the country. Choose your preferred city – it’s the same education, just two different a locations – to learn more and register now!