Organization: MCAA

COMING JULY 24: Inside MCAA Podcast

Welcome to Inside MCAA, The Blueprint to Mechanical Contracting, the podcast dedicated to unveiling the strategies and resources that power success within the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. Hosted by renowned Customer Experience Coach and NEI Instructor Frank Favaro, each episode dives deep into the wealth of educational tools, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts that define MCAA.

Join us monthly as we explore how MCAA supports its members with cutting-edge insights and industry updates, helping navigate the dynamic landscape of mechanical contracting. From legislative advocacy to fostering trusted partnerships, Inside MCAA offers a behind-the-scenes look at the initiatives driving innovation and growth in the field.

SAVE THE DATE: July 24, 2024

EPISODE 1: Rick Gopffarth, SVP of Preconstruction for Dynamic Systems and the National President of MCAA.

MCAA & ASSP Formalize Collaborative Relationship to Advance Worker Safety

After years of mutual collaboration, MCAA and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) have formalized the relationship with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) designed to provide greater access to resources, strengthen advocacy, and create safer jobsites around the country.

Earlier this year, Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA Executive Director of Safety, Health and Risk Management, welcomed ASSP CEO, Jennifer McNelly to keynote the annual safety and health conference in Tucson, AZ. MCAA members heard from McNelly on leadership, culture, and her personal career experiences. McNelly received a standing ovation from conference attendees in a very memorable experience for all involved. 

“We recognize the benefits of collaboration to improve occupational safety and health practices while elevating the voice of our profession,” said ASSP President Pam Walaski in a statement. “Together we strive to strengthen advocacy efforts, implement programs and create standards that reduce worker illnesses, injuries and fatalities.”

Our work together will widen the access to safety professionals through greater involvement in MCAA’s Safety & Health Conference – one of the longest-running construction safety conferences. The annual event offers training and education courses designed to improve safety practices among mechanical contractors.

Timothy J Brink, MCAA CEO said, “Reflecting on our years of mutual effort and shared goals, I’m excited to announce MCAA’s formal alliance with ASSP, marking a significant stride towards enhancing workplace safety nationwide. This collaboration unites MCAA & ASSP in a commitment to elevate safety standards and disseminate vital knowledge to countless construction jobsite professionals.”

For more information, view ASSP’s press release here.

Advances in Oil-Free Compressors

In the air- and water-cooled chiller markets, oil-free compression technology is emerging as a more efficient, quieter, more easily applied, and easier-to-maintain alternative to legacy screw compressors. For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users of mission-critical chillers in large HVAC applications, oil management adds costs and complexities to system designs—which typically result in declining energy efficiencies throughout their lifecycles.

Currently available oil-free compressors rely on costly magnetic levitation (maglev) bearings, which tend to decline in performance in warm climates and complicate system design. In recent years, environmental regulations and sustainability initiatives have driven design changes in air-cooled chillers. OEMs and industry stakeholders are pursuing the next generation of oil-free compression technologies that can achieve high operating efficiencies and simplify application complexities while supporting the imminent transition to lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants.

Emergence of Oil-Free Compression

Air- or water-cooled chillers provide essential cooling—and heat recovery in many cases—in data centers, health facilities, and other large buildings. Because of the high-tonnage cooling requirements of these applications, large screw compressors have traditionally been deployed. While reliable and robust, screw compressors pose oil management challenges:

  • Maintenance and upkeep costs and requirements
  • Declining energy efficiencies and performance over time
  • Increased risk of performance degradation and potential chiller failure

In recent years, air-cooled chillers have been adopted, primarily in response to concerns about water availability and sustainability. Although an air-cooled chiller with screw compression and a flooded evaporator can deliver efficiency gains, the need for oil return and management mechanisms significantly increases system design complexities. A similar system designed with an oil-free compressor can provide the same performance benefits without the added oil management complexities, conserving water and reducing environmental impacts while improving application reliability.

The annual energy consumption of an air-cooled chiller is an important factor in determining both lifecycle costs and sustainability footprint. Chiller and compressor selection starts by matching a building’s cooling load with chiller capacity. Then, the system’s lifecycle costs or return on investment is calculated, including estimated operational and maintenance costs.

Air-cooled chiller and oil-free compression solutions deliver the highest possible energy efficiencies without sacrificing reliability or introducing unnecessary operational complexities. Compressor modulation technologies can provide significant efficiency gains over the operating envelope and allow precise load matching in both full- and part-load conditions. Moreover, an air-cooled chiller solution can achieve these goals in some of the most demanding design conditions, such as the high-lift, warm-climate cooling load requirements found in many data center installations.

With the global phasedown of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and high-GWP refrigerants, the HVAC industry is moving toward new, lower-GWP refrigerant alternatives. The Environmental Protection Agency has set a maximum GWP of 700 for the chiller sector, which will drive the market toward emerging A2L alternatives—many of which have lower flammability designations under ASHRAE classifications.

Upgrading Existing Technology

Today’s oil-free compressors, designed with maglev technology, require multiple permanent electromagnetic bearings to levitate the compressor rotor (i.e., shaft). Radial and axial proximity sensors are needed to regulate the position of the rotor, and sophisticated, on-board, compressor controls are required to maintain reliable, frictionless operation. In the event of a power disruption, the compressor is no longer energized, and standard auxiliary (nonmagnetic) bearings are needed to maintain low-speed operation. This inherent design feature can increase compressor costs and application complexities.

Oil-free compressors with maglev bearings can experience performance-related limitations:

  • Insufficient envelope range for high-lift conditions (i.e., significant cooling in high ambient temperatures)
  • Reliability concerns and efficiency loss in part-load, turndown conditions
  • Prone to surging (i.e., flow reversal) and choking (i.e., maximum flow) in stop/start conditions
  • Short cycling, which can impact cooling performance

Current oil-free technology relies on the integration of a compressor, on-board controls, and a variable frequency drive. But this preconfigured architecture can present design customization challenges for OEMs who are unable to decouple the compressor from the controls and drive. In hot, humid climates, for example, this inflexible architecture could result in on-board electronics issues—potentially increasing maintenance, threatening operational reliability, and limiting chiller applicability.

Oil-free centrifugal technologies are raising the standards for chiller performance—delivering high-lift reliability, improved efficiency and sustainability, and a broader application range for the next generation of air- and water-cooled chillers. For example, Copeland’s oil-free centrifugal compressor leverages frictionless Aero-lift bearing technology to optimize energy efficiency, simplify design complexities, and maximize the performance of air- and water-cooled chillers in demanding conditions—and in full- or part-load cooling scenarios. Aero-lift bearings enable the Copeland oil-free centrifugal compressor to operate independently—without reliance on electromagnetics, proximity sensors, and complex controls. Compared to existing screw compressor technology, the Copeland oil-free centrifugal compressor delivers significant energy efficiency gains in full- and part-load conditions.

For more information, visit www.copeland.com.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Working at Heights Safety & Health Resources

Working at heights continues to be one of the most dangerous parts of construction and service. Each year falls are the leading cause of workplace fatalities and fall protection is the most cited OSHA violation. MCAA’s Working at Heights resources, which include training on Aerial Lift Safety, Fall Prevention and Protection, Ladder Safety, and Scaffold Safety, help keep workers safe, while model programs on fall protection and fall rescue simplify OSHA compliance.These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Aerial Lift Safety

Fall Prevention and Protection

Ladder Safety

Scaffold Safety

Model Safety Programs

Explore the the full range of resources for mechanical service contractors, including resources that are also of interest to mechanical construction and plumbing contractors, using the blue Find A Resource bar on our website or browse our collection of 700+ safety and health resources.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

Connect With the Latest Training from Trimble and Ridge Tool Company at MCAA.org

The Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of MCAA’s website connects our contractor members with training opportunities available from the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new webinars and training opportunities across their product lines, services, solutions or web pages. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Trimble
Trimble’s services don’t end after the sales transaction has completed. We are committed to partnering with your business to ensure that you are on the path to success. We offer instructor-led classroom and onsite experiences that blend product demonstrations with hands-on exercises and virtual instructor-led training to help you maximize the benefits of your new software as fast and as easy as possible.

Ridge Tool Company
Learn about the RIDGID RP 351, our in-line standard press tool, featuring a brushless DC motor that is capable of over 100,000 press cycles.

Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

Be sure to visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area for all the latest offerings.

Find the Latest from Autodesk, Inc. and Morris Group International in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

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

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Autodesk, Inc.
Success in a changing market comes from your ability to adapt while doing more with less. With improved collaboration throughout the project lifecycle, savings in time and money, and new capabilities like precision prefabrication, BIM makes the difference between surviving and thriving. Learn how the integrated tools in the AEC Collection can help you achieve better business outcomes.

Morris Group International
Pressure reducing valves (PRVs) are a vital component in managing water pressure in a building. See how MGI ConTrols® PRVs can do this! MGI ConTrols is a Morris Group International brand.

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

Connect With Additional Manufacturer/Supplier Training

Save yourself time and let MCAA connect you to the latest Manufacturer/Supplier member’s training opportunities. Visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of the Resource Center to get started. 

Simplify Remote Monitoring & Maintenance

Installing smart products like the SC Argus™ Pro suite from SLOAN (an MCAA24 benefactor) allows facility managers to monitor and maintain products remotely, saving time. These products also reduce water usage, improve sustainability, and contribute to a healthier, more hygienic restroom environment.

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

Expand Your Hiring Pool at GFF24 – Seattle

This fall, students from 30+ MCAA student chapters who are interested in a career in mechanical contracting will be looking for the perfect employment match for their summer 2025 plans. Be sure to be in the room for the most untraditional job fair around and meet students who are interested in getting out of their own backyard and exploring new parts of the country for an internship or their first position post-graduation.

(Photo from GFF23 with students in matching blue shirts.)

We’ve done away with stationery and stiff booths and instead offer a relaxed and casual breakfast that puts the focus on making impactful connections.  Identifiers will be distributed to signify if you’re offering an internship (yellow beads), full-time job (green beads), or if you’re just there for the bacon breakfast (purple beads).  Employers are encouraged to wear a company shirt and likewise students will all be wearing matching gray GFF shirts to easily stand out.

GFF Job Fair 101 for Employers
Example: Looking to Hire an Intern

  1. Wear a company shirt to signify you’re an employer.
  2. Attend the Job Fair Prep for Employers Session (15 minutes of best practices).
  3. Check in at the Employer Desk to add your company to the Digital Employer Board.
  4. Grab YELLOW beads.
  5. Mingle around the room and look for someone in a matching gray shirt wearing yellow beads…. Congrats – you’ve found a potential employee!
  6. Say hello, use the tips from the Prep Session, and start your conversation.
  7. Trade information via provided digital business card to continue your conversation the week following GFF24.
    Optional: Head over to the Interview Breakout Room for a quiet place for a quick on-site interview.
  8. Enjoy the bacon themed breakfast and meet additional students. 

New for 2024: Pop-up corners will be utilized during designated windows of time to call out specific items of interest such as geographic location or specialized career paths. 

Please do not bring trinkets, handouts, or backdrops. Everyone will be moving around the room throughout the event.

Registration is complimentary for MCAA contractor members for the duration of this three-day conference, including the job fair, meals and all offsite activities. 

GFF24 Program Highlights

Thursday, September 26th

  • GFF Alumni Breakfast
  • Welcome from MCAA President, Rick Gopffarth
  • Moving the Needle Panel
  • Mastering the Swing of Social Etiquette
  • Topgolf and Dinner

Friday, September 27th

  • Job Fair Prep for Employers
  • Job Fair Breakfast
  • Innovation – An Intertwined Future Keynote with Tanmay Bakshi
  • MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions Tour
  • Dinner at the Seattle Aquarium

Saturday, September 28th

  • The Mechanical Puzzle
  • Building Your Chapter Roundtables
  • Trivia Answers & Prizes

Congratulations to Daniel DeSoto, Recipient of the Trimble Future Estimator Scholarship

The Trimble Future Estimator Scholarship was developed to recognize a student interested in a career as an estimator within the mechanical contracting industry.

For the past few years, Trimble has donated complimentary use of the Trimble Estimation MEP software for MCAA Student Chapter Competition teams. Likewise, this scholarship is awarded to a Student Chapter Competition Final Four team member.

Daniel graduated in May from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Construction Management. This summer, he jumped back into the classroom in pursuit of a Masters, this time at the University of California, Berkeley. During his time in the student chapter, Daniel served as Student Chapter President and helped his team to a second place finish for the 2022-2023 project and a first-place finish for the 2023-2024 project during his senior year. Daniel previously interned with MCAA member, Pribuss Engineering.

“My involvement with the MCAA student chapter has given me lifelong friendships, career opportunities, and personal and professional development. I have made great relationships through the MCAA club at CalPoly by spending hours together working on the competition, which has created a bond almost like family since we spent so much time together. We know each other inside and out. MCAA has also helped me develop personally and professionally by teaching me what it takes to succeed in this industry and providing a guide for how to be a leader. One of the biggest takeaways is that building relationships is extremely important.

Last summer, I did estimating work for a mechanical contractor (who I met through my chapter involvement). After using all the software and enjoying the process, I began to realize that I could work on a lot more projects at a time. I really enjoyed the fast pace of everything as well as the amount of responsibility given to me from day one. I have always really loved to compete; this is part of the reason I engaged in the Student Chapter Competition. Estimating is similar to this process, except for the fact you are competing against real companies. I really grew to love this process by the end of my internship and can’t wait to see what my future in estimating will look like. I hope to someday be a chief estimator producing accurate estimates and creating value for the company I work for.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Daniel on this prestigious scholarship and thank Trimble for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

MCAA Government Affairs Update for July 15, 2024: The Latest Developments Impacting Our Industry

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.

On Friday, July 12, 2024 MCAA Lobbying Firm, Longbow Public Policy Group provided the following information:

MCAA Issues and Interests 

Project Labor Agreements

MCAA Joins CEA in Letter Defending Project Labor Agreements

On June 26th, ahead of a House Oversight Subcommittee hearing the next day entitled, “Cutting Competition in Contracting: The Administration’s Pricey Project Labor Agreement Mandate,” MCAA helped the Construction Employers of America (CEA) prepare and submit a detailed statement defending Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) generally, as well as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council’s final rule on using PLAs for large-scale federal construction projects estimated at $35 million or more. In the letter, CEA explained opponents of PLAs were just using the hearing to “rehash tired arguments about PLAs that have been thoroughly discredited by presidential administrations of both parties, federal regulators, and credible scholars.” The letter detailed how the arguments against PLAs have been thoroughly debunked as recently as the Treasury Department’s final rule regarding “Increased Amounts of Credit or Deduction for Satisfying Certain Prevailing Wage and Registered Apprenticeship Requirements.” In that final rule, Treasury rejected the false assertions that PLAs increase costs and reduce the hiring of local contractors, minorities, women, and veterans on federal construction, as well as assertions that PLAs compel workers to become union members. The letter also notes exhaustive studies discrediting the assertion that PLAs increase the cost of federal construction projects. The letter was entered into the hearing record by Subcommittee Chair Gerry Connolly (D-VA). 

The hearing went as expected. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Vice President of Regulatory, Labor, and State Affairs Ben Brubeck and Aric Dreher of Cianbro, a member of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), asserted that PLAs undermine recent federal investments in infrastructure and clean energy, result in project delays, increase project costs by 12-20%, and exacerbate the construction labor shortages since only 11% of workers are union members. House Republicans used the hearing to call for passage of the “Fair and Open Competition Act” and Rep. Clay Higgins’ (R-LA) Congressional Review Act resolution overturning the FAR Council’s final PLA rule—both of which MCAA is actively lobbying against. The CEA letter MCAA helped to prepare proved useful in clarifying the record because only two members supporting PLAs attended the hearing—Subcommittee Ranking Member Connolly (D-VA) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)—and after submitting our letter into the record, Connolly had to leave early due to an apparent COVID exposure. MCAA also contributed to the defense of PLAs at the hearing because the one minority witness defending PLAs at the hearing, Jacob Snyder of Enerfab, quoted extensively from MCAA’s Independent Project Analysis (IPA) Study confirming 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, and a 4% reduction in total costs versus non-union projects. MCAA’s efforts before and after the hearing prevented it from being the catalyst opponents of PLAs hoped it would be.

Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage

District Court Partially Enjoins Davis-Bacon Modernization Rule

As the MCAA policy team continues fighting off appropriations riders to curtail Davis-Bacon, legislative efforts to reverse the Labor Department’s final MCAA-supported Davis-Bacon Rule, we experienced a legal setback on Davis-Bacon. On June 24th, U.S. District Court Judge Sam Cummings of the Northern District of Texas sided with the AGC and issued a preliminary injunction precluding enforcement of portions of the Davis-Bacon rule. Specifically, he found that the Labor Department likely went beyond its authority by expanding coverage to truck drivers and material suppliers, reasoning that the Davis-Bacon Act only applies to “mechanics and laborers employed directly on the site of the work.” Cummings also found that the Labor Department did not have the power to apply prevailing wage requirements to contracts that are silent on such requirements. Judge Cummings must still issue a decision on the merits of the challenge to the entire rule. And he will do so subject to the Loper Bright ruling directing him not to defer to the Labor Department’s interpretation of whether the rule is a lawful exercise of its authority under the Depression-era Davis-Bacon Act.  

Registered Apprenticeship

Key Committee Chair and Ranking Member Press Labor Secretary Su to Detail How Reversal of Chevron Deference Doctrine Will Impact the Pending Apprenticeship Rule and Other Regulatory Efforts

Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises overturning the Chevron deference doctrine, the Chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) sent a letter to Labor Department Acting Secretary Julie Su asking how the decision impacts the Department’s regulatory efforts, including the pending rulemaking on “National Apprenticeship System Enhancements,” about which MCAA filed joint comments with the UA expressing a range of concerns. In particular, Senator Cassidy said the pending apprenticeship rule turns a “two-page law into 135 pages of new regulatory requirements” and “drastically expand[s] regulatory burdens on states and apprenticeship sponsors, discourage[s] voluntary participation in the national apprenticeship system, and inject[s] political ideology into the national apprenticeship system through new diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.” Both letters press Secretary Su to detail how DOL will change its current regulatory practices in response to this critical change in federal administrative law.

DOL Announces New Grant Awards to Expand Registered Apprenticeship into Clean Energy 

As we continue to engage the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on the proposed rule on National Apprenticeship System Enhancements, the Department continues providing federal funding to expand apprenticeship programs. On July 11th,  DOL announced $244 million in awards through two grant programs to help modernize, diversify, and expand the Registered Apprenticeship system into growing U.S. industries, including, among others, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and supply chains. Nearly $195 million will be provided though the second round of grant funding under the Apprenticeship Building America Initiative, while $49 million will come through the second round of the competitive portion of the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants program, which helps states and territories advance Registered Apprenticeship as a talent development strategy and create post-secondary education career pathways. This followed a separate DOL announcement awarding over $39 million in State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants to 46 states and territories to increase the capacity of Registered Apprenticeship programs across key industries, including clean energy and transportation.

Independent Contractors and Misclassification of Workers

MCAA continues fighting in Congress to prevent the reversal of the Labor Department’s MCAA-supported final rule clarifying the classification of workers under federal wage and hour law making it harder to classify workers in our industry as independent contractors instead of employees. Like our other regulatory victories, this rule is also facing litigation and is subject to new risks in the courts following the Supreme Court’s reversal of the Chevron deference doctrine. With each passing day of this session of Congress, our confidence grows that we can prevent a legislative reversal of this rule, but we are far less certain it will withstand the many court challenges pending against it following the Loper Bright decision.

Pension Reform

Biden Nominates Deva Kyle to Be Next PBGC Director 

On the pension reform front, the most significant development is that President Biden nominated attorney Deva Kyle to be the next Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) Director to replace former Director Gordon Hartogensis, who stepped down at the end of April. Kyle is at New York union-side law firm Cohen, Weiss, and Simon, LLP, where she specializes in employee benefits. Kyle began her career as an attorney at the PBGC, where she became assistant chief counsel for large-exposure litigation and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. She then served as staff director in the PBGC’s Office of Policy and External Affairs and as acting Deputy Chief of Negotiations and Restructuring where she helped lead PBGC’s single and multiemployer insurance programs. In 2015, Kyle was detailed to the Treasury Department where she helped craft the Department’s Multiemployer Pension Reform Act program regulations and processes. Once the program was established, Kyle worked with the special master to oversee the first team of analysts, actuaries, and attorneys. Kyle also understands the legislative dynamics around pension reform because in 2017, the PBGC detailed her to serve as tax counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee, advising its members and members of the now-defunct Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans on retirement policy and law. As her confirmation proceeds, we are hopeful that we will soon have a new PBGC Director who understands that need for further pension reform and possesses the legal and political experience to advance it.

House Ed/Workforce Subcommittee Hearing on EBSA with Administrator Gomez

At the end of June, the MCAA team was busy preparing for and responding to a June 27th House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions hearing with Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) Assistant Secretary Lisa Gomez. During the hearing, Subcommittee Chair Bob Good (R-VA) criticized Gomez’s leadership and accused the Biden Administration of using EBSA to “promote their woke agenda.” In particular, Good singled out several rulemakings, including the EBSA’s 2022 MCAA-supported final rule on Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights. MCAA aided in the defense of this rulemaking.  

Heat Injury and Illness Rulemaking 

White House Concludes Review of Heat Injury and Illness Proposed Rule

As the MCAA policy team continues to engage on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed rulemaking on “Heat Injury and Illness in Indoor and Outdoor Work Settings” we wanted to be sure that you saw that on July 2nd, the White House announced it completed its review of the proposed rule ahead of its publication in the Federal Register and released unofficial text of the various components of this massive rulemaking: (1) the regulatory text of the rule; (2) the proposed rule’s background, health effects, risk assessment, and explanation of proposed requirements; and (3) the proposed rule’s preliminary economic analysis. In addition to these materials, OSHA also released a fact sheet on the proposed rule in both English and Spanish. While the Biden Administration’s Spring 2024 Regulatory Agenda for the Labor Department indicates that this rule will be published next month, the fact the DOL has already released the aforementioned documents indicates that they may formally publish the proposed rule in the Federal Register earlier than next month. This will kick off a 120 day comment process. MCAA is already collaborating with the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) to prepare thorough and thoughtful comments about this sweeping regulatory effort. CISC represents a wide array of the largest associations in both the union and non-union construction and maintenance industries and serves as a forum for advancing shared concerns about health and safety issues across these associations.

Decarbonization

President Biden Signs ADVANCE Act into Law

On the decarbonization front, we wanted to be sure that you saw that on July 9th, President Biden signed the MCAA-supported “Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act” into law. This legislation boosts U.S. domestic nuclear energy production by: (1) directing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to develop processes for expedited review and licensing of nuclear reactors and fuels; (2) supporting the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors; and (3) streamlining the regulatory requirements for micro-reactors. In addition, the bill directs the NRC to report to Congress within six months on manufacturing and construction for nuclear energy projects detailing existing licensing issues and requirements, examining the requirements for nuclear-grade components in manufacturing and construction for nuclear energy projects, and identifying safety aspects of advanced manufacturing processes and advanced construction techniques that are not addressed by existing codes and standards.

House Passes Bills to Block DOE Energy Conservation Standards on Dishwashers and Refrigerators

Also on the decarbonization front, on Tuesday the House passed: (1) H.R. 7700, the “Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act,” legislation to block efficiency standards for dishwashers, by a vote of 214-192; and (2) H.R. 7637, the “Refrigerator Freedom Act,” legislation to block efficiency standards for refrigerators, by a vote of 212-192. Additionally, Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) introduced two separate Congressional Review Act resolutions to overturn Energy Department (DOE) energy conservation for circulator pumps and consumer water heaters. 

Other Interesting Things Since Our Last Report 

Week of July 8 – July 12, 2024

Thursday, July 11th

  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $20 million to 13 workforce development organizations in California, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania through the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program, which supports expanding the development of apprenticeship programs, labor standards, workforce development collaborations, occupational and cross-training programs, and other resources for workforce development in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector. Activities funded under this competition include: (1) targeted apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs; (2) education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students; (3) regional industry and workforce development collaborations to address water utility employment needs and coordinate candidate development; (4) integrated learning laboratories in secondary educational institutions; and (5) leadership development, occupational training, mentoring, or cross-training programs that ensure incumbent drinking water and wastewater utility workers are prepared for higher-level supervisory or management-level positions. 

Wednesday, July 10th

  • The House Appropriations Committee voted 31-25 along party lines to advance the fiscal year 2025 Labor-Health and Human Services appropriations bill to the full House for a vote. The legislation proposes to cut the Biden Labor Department’s budget by 23% from its current levels. The proposed cuts include 12% reductions in the budgets for both the Wage and Hour Division—which enforces federal prevailing wage law and independent contractor classification standards under the Fair Labor Standards Act—and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The bill would also cut the National Labor Relations Board’s funding by $200 million and includes policy riders that would block enforcement of the Biden Administration’s final independent contractor rule, as well as completion of the pending proposed rule on National Apprenticeship System Enhancements. 
  • The House Appropriations Committee advanced the fiscal year 2025 Energy-Water spending bill in a 30-26 vote. The bill provides $59.2 billion in discretionary funds and decreases Biden Energy Department (DOE) funding by $312 million, but also provides a $9 billion increase for advanced nuclear reactor demonstration projects. The Committee also approved an amendment from Energy-Water Subcommittee Chairman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) that would restrict funding for implementing DOE conservation standards for manufactured housing, air conditioners, consumer conventional cooking products, and electrical distribution transformers.
  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is preparing to sue the three largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) over their tactics for negotiating prices for drugs like insulin following a two-year investigation into whether the companies steer patients away from less-expensive medicines. The FTC lawsuits will target PBMs’ business practices related to rebates brokered with drug manufacturers. News of the pending lawsuits follows the Biden FTC’s July 9th release of a long-awaited report on pharmacy benefit managers blaming these companies’ outsized market power for increased drug costs for patients and the demise of independent pharmacies. 
  • The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Fact Sheet 2024-25 to provide frequently asked questions related to which entities must apply for registration for the Clean Fuel Production Credit under the Inflation Reduction Act that is available beginning on January 1, 2025. The IRS issued a notice on May 31st providing guidance on the registration procedures for the Credit, including how to apply for registration and what information a clean fuel producer must submit with its application.
  • The Transportation Department’s Maritime Administration announced $8.75 million in Small Shipyard Grant Program awards to 15 small shipyards in Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington. The funds will help shipyards modernize, increase productivity, and expand local job opportunities. Grant recipient funding will support, among other priorities: (1) a project to increase lift capacity and serviceability in Tampa, Florida; (2) worker apprentice and training programs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and (3) the purchase of construction equipment including cranes, welding systems and paint spray booths at shipyards in several states.

Tuesday, July 9th

  • During a House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions hearing entitled “Confronting Union Antisemitism: Protecting Workers from Big Labor Abuses,” Chair Bob Good (R-VA) accused labor unions of being “beholden to the radical Left instead of the workers they represent” and cited union support for anti-Israel efforts following the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel. He noted that union member objections to unions’ conduct Good described as antisemitic led to a lawsuit by United Auto Workers members. Good claimed that, “as Jewish workers have recently experienced, current federal labor law and Supreme Court precedent fail to adequately protect individual employees’ right to refrain from union activity.” Good also stressed that unions sent $27.5 million in direct donations to President Biden, compared to less than $360,000 for Trump.

Week of July 1 – July 5, 2024

Friday, July 5th

Wednesday, July 3rd

  • A federal judge partially delayed the Federal Trade Commission’s noncompete rule—which is set to take effect on September 4, 2024—for a handful of employers. Wednesday’s order limits the preliminary injunction to plaintiffs in the case—Ryan, LLC, a tax services and software provider in Texas, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, the Texas Association of Business, and the Longview Chamber of Commerce—but does not extend to the member companies of those groups. The judge is expected to issue a ruling by August 30th regarding whether to issue a full, nationwide injunction against the rule and will have to consider the legality of the FTC’s rulemaking in light of the Supreme Court’s reversal of the Chevron deference doctrine.

Tuesday, July 2nd

  • The White House announced $504 million in funding for 12 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) to accelerate the growth of innovative industries. The Tech Hubs program—authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act—is focused on fostering innovation, creating new jobs, and supporting economic development in previously underinvested areas. The White House notes that the funding awarded to these 12 Tech Hubs will position American workers, businesses, and communities to lead the industries of the future, such as clean energy, semiconductors, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and more. Examples of Tech Hubs receiving new funding under the Tech Hubs Program include: (1) the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy Tech Hub, which aims to help the U.S. be a global leader in advanced energy, with a focus on cyber-secure grid resilience technologies (GRT) and improving the clean energy supply chain by expanding opportunities for developing, testing, and deploying exportable electricity technologies with approximately $45 million in Tech Hubs awards serving South Carolina and Georgia; (2) the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub, which aims to enhance regional semiconductor manufacturing capabilities while ensuring economic opportunity for underserved communities with approximately $40 million in Tech Hubs awards serving New York; (3) the Nevada Tech Hub, which aims to build a self-sustaining and globally competitive full lithium lifecycle cluster at the University of Nevada, Reno, spanning extraction, processing, manufacturing, and recycling with approximately $21 million in Tech Hubs awards serving Nevada; (4) the Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy Tech Hub, which aims to help the U.S. become a global leader in developing and commercializing autonomous systems for use cases ranging from agriculture and pipeline inspections to regional transportation with approximately $51 million in Tech Hubs awards serving Oklahoma; and (5) the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub, which seeks to solidify Colorado’s global leadership in quantum information technology (QIT) to enable progress in areas such as artificial intelligence, climate technology, and healthcare with approximately $41 million in Tech Hubs awards serving Colorado and New Mexico.
  • U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana James Cain preliminarily enjoined the Department of Energy’s pause on natural gas exports. Judge Cain ruled that DOE failed to justify why it needed to pause approvals to review the process by which it permits projects and agreed with a challenge from 16 Republican-leaning states that DOE failed to consider their concerns about the “impact on national security, state revenues, employment opportunities, funding for schools and charities, and pollution allegedly caused by increased reliance on foreign energy sources.” The Biden Administration has not yet indicated if it would appeal the ruling. 
  • New analysis revealed that construction workers are four times more likely to commit suicide than the average American—and more than any other occupation. Construction workers are also six times as likely to die from suicide than on-the-job injuries and in just 2022 alone, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 6,000 construction workers died of suicide across the U.S. Data also showed that nearly 50 per 100,000 male construction workers committed suicide, as did roughly 25 per 100,000 female construction workers—the tops of any occupational group. 

Week of June 24 – June 28, 2024

Friday, June 28th

  • President Biden sent a letter to Congress requesting roughly $4 billion in emergency funding to address the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, as well as recent tornadoes in the Midwest, wildfires in Hawaii, and hurricane recovery needs across the country. Of the nearly $4 billion request, President Biden sought $3.1 billion for the Transportation Department’s Emergency Relief Fund to cover the cost of repairing and rebuilding highways and roads that were damaged in recent disasters, as well as the cost of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Notably, the President called on Congress to cover 100% of the federal cost share for rebuilding the Key Bridge, “consistent with the response to past bridge collapses.” The President also requested: (1) $700 million for Housing and Urban Development grants; (2) $79.5 million for the Coast Guard; (3) $33 million for the Army Corps of Engineers; and (4) $25 million for the Department of Labor. 
  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced more than $123 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for improvement projects at 235 airports in 35 states and the District of Columbia. This second round of Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants fund a variety of projects such as construction of new and improved airport facilities, repairs to runways and taxiways, maintenance of airfield lighting and signage, and purchasing equipment needed to operate and maintain airports. An interactive map containing all the grant awards is available here.

Thursday, June 27th

  • The House Appropriations Committee Republicans released draft text for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Energy-Water spending bill that the subcommittee will mark up today. The bill—which funds the Energy Department, Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and other related agencies—provides an overall increase of $999 million over FY 2024 funding levels. Republicans highlighted the draft bill’s $1.8 billion increase for nuclear energy, which they said includes support for small modular reactor demonstration projects. The bill also increases support for mining production technologies necessary to increase domestic production of critical minerals. A summary of the legislation is available here.
  • The House Appropriations Committee Republicans released draft text for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Interior-Environment spending bill that the subcommittee will mark-up today. The draft bill provides a total of $38.5 billion in non-defense funding for the Biden Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Forest Service, and most portions of the Interior Department. Total funding under the bill is $72 million below FY 2024 enacted levels and $4.4 billion below President Biden’s budget request. In addition to a 23% cut for environmental programs and management, the bill would prohibit the EPA from imposing a fee on methane emissions from oil and gas producers. The bill also requires the Interior Department to resume quarterly offshore oil and gas leases and prohibits any funding from being used to cancel such leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. A summary of the legislation is available here.
  • The Energy Department (DOE) issued a request for proposals (RFP) for $2.7 billion to increase domestic sources for low-enriched uranium (LEU) to ensure an adequate fuel supply to maintain the current fleet of U.S. reactors and build a strong base to supply future deployments of new nuclear technologies. RFP applicants may propose projects that expand the capacity of existing enrichment facilities or fund development of new facilities. DOE intends to sell the LEU to utilities operating U.S. reactors to support clean energy generation and eliminate reliance on Russian imports. DOE plans to award two or more contracts under the RFP, which will last for up to 10 years. Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. EDT on August 26, 2024. The RFP is available here and more information regarding DOE’s efforts to develop nuclear fuel supply chains for existing and future reactors is available here.
  • House Education and the Workforce Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) announced that Rep. Michael Rulli (R-OH), who recently won a special election in Ohio’s 6th Congressional District, has joined the committee and will serve on the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development

Wednesday, June 26th

Tuesday, June 25th

Monday, June 24th

  • The Treasury Department announced new financing initiatives to support affordable housing development. Specifically, the initiatives include: (1) a new Treasury program administered by the Community Development Financial Institutions fund to provide an additional $100 million over 3 years to support the financing of affordable housing; (2) an effort to provide greater interest rate predictability to state and local housing finance agencies; and (3) a call to action for the Federal Home Loan Banks to increase their spending on housing programs.  The announcement corresponded with a new Treasury blog post on “Rent, House Prices, and Demographics” discussing the fact that housing costs have risen faster than income over the last 2 decades, housing demand has outpaced housing supply since 2000, and that substantial fixes will require federal legislative and state and local actions.
  • Reuters reported that a shortage of skilled labor and nagging inflation from strong wage growth on the U.S. Gulf Coast are pressuring liquefied natural gas developers and delaying some projects from reaching a financial go-ahead. With labor costs jumping as much as 20% since 2021, the fate of some projects has become less certain. The Reuters report cited Golden Pass LNG, one of the largest U.S. projects, which has been largely halted after its main contractor ran $2.4 billion over the original budget and filed for bankruptcy. Reuters also noted that Sempra LNG has revisited selecting Bechtel Corporation to build the Cameron LNG expansion projects to reduce costs, and it has also reduced its stake in a Texas project, Port Arthur LNG, citing higher construction costs. 

Around the Country 

Northeast 

  • On July 10thThe Hill discussed a series of political earthquakes that have shaken New Jersey’s Democratic machine over the last year, including: (1) the indictments of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Democratic power broker George Norcross; (2) the failure of New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy’s U.S. Senate bid; and (3) a federal judge throwing out a ballot design, colloquially called “the line,” that upheld the power of the state’s political machine. The changes have been rooted, at least in part, in a generation of younger Democrats—like Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ)—who have sought to challenge the party’s old guard. 
  • On June 28th, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the final schedule for the sale of commercial wind energy leases on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Central Atlantic Ocean in Lease Area OCS-A 0557 and Lease Area OCS-A 0558 offshore of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Lease Area OCS-A 0557 consists of 101,443 acres and is approximately 26.4 nautical miles from the mouth of the Delaware Bay, while Lease Area OCS-A 0558 consists of 176,505 acres and is approximately 35 nautical miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The lease sale auction will be held online and will begin at 9am ET on August 14, 2024.
  • On June 27th, the Senate Leadership Fund, a group tied to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), announced a $24 million ad buy in Pennsylvania to aid Republican Dave McCormick in his bid to unseat incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA).
  • On June 25th, Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, defeated conservative businessman Mario Fratto in the Republican primary for New York’s 24th Congressional District and will face Democrat David Wagenhauser in November.

West

  • On July 10th, incumbent Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT) appeared headed for a recount in the Republican primary race in Utah’s 2nd Congressional District.

Northwest 

  • On June 26th, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Biden Justice Department, as well as the Washington Department of Ecology, announced that they reached an agreement in principle with King County, Washington and the City of Seattle that commits the local governments to significant expansion of the work they agreed to perform in 2013 to reduce discharges of untreated combined sewage and stormwater into Lake Washington, Lake Union, the Duwamish River, and Puget Sound. The modifications include: (1) significant improvements to address overflows and the option to include outfalls at the King County’s Mouth of the Duwamish Wet Weather Treatment Facility; (2) increasing water storage by one million gallons at the West Duwamish/Terminal 115 CSO Control Project; (3) the provision of almost $300 million in loans under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (WIFIA) Act for the Ship Canal Water Quality Project; and (4) enhancing storage facility projects to increase stored volumes of wastewater at Montlake and University.

Midwest 

Southeast

Southwest

  • On July 8th, the Labor Department announced $810,703 in proposed penalties against Quala Services LLC, a tank cleaning company based in La Porte, Texas, after an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation prompted by an employee’s fatal injury in December 2023. OSHA cited Quala Services, whose employees clean tankers used to transport hazardous waste, with seven serious violations and failing to ensure that atmospheric testing was done inside the tank where the employee died.
  • On June 25th, Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) led 22 members of Congress in requesting the Biden Energy Department add Texas to the areas serviced by proposed federal corridors for electrical transmission. In May, the Biden Energy Department announced ten proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors that, if implemented, could make federal funds available to expand grid capability in those areas. However, Texas, which relies on the self-contained Electric Reliability Council of Texas, was not among the proposed sites.
  • On June 25th, the House Ethics Committee said it was reviewing separate accusations against Texas Republican Reps. Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt alleging they violated ethics rules by using campaign funds to pay membership dues at private social clubs. The committee released findings that Rep. Jackson’s campaign committee paid over $6,800 in membership dues to the Amarillo Club, a fine dining club and gym in downtown Amarillo, and separate findings that Rep. Hunt’s campaign paid over $5,400 in dues to the Oak Room, a private social club in Houston.

COMING SOON: Inside MCAA Podcast

Welcome to Inside MCAA, The Blueprint to Mechanical Contracting, the podcast dedicated to unveiling the strategies and resources that power success within the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. Hosted by renowned Customer Experience Coach and NEI Instructor Frank Favaro, each episode dives deep into the wealth of educational tools, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts that define MCAA.

Join us monthly as we explore how MCAA supports its members with cutting-edge insights and industry updates, helping navigate the dynamic landscape of mechanical contracting. From legislative advocacy to fostering trusted partnerships, Inside MCAA offers a behind-the-scenes look at the initiatives driving innovation and growth in the field.

SAVE THE DATE: July 24, 2024

EPISODE 1: Rick Gopffarth, SVP of Preconstruction for Dynamic Systems and the National President of MCAA.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s New Worker Safety & Health Resources

New workers are often the most vulnerable to accidents and injuries. MCAA’s New Worker Safety & Health Resources assist contractors in providing training on how to identify common hazards in the mechanical industry, and how to protect themselves from those hazards. Topics covered include stop work authority, pre-task planning, PPE, working at heights, fall protection, fall prevention, power tool safety, hazard communication, housekeeping, and emergency procedures. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

New Worker Safety Orientation

Safety Manuals

Safety Programs

Explore the the full range of resources for mechanical service contractors, including resources that are also of interest to mechanical construction and plumbing contractors, using the blue Find A Resource bar on our website or browse our collection of 700+ safety and health resources.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

MCAA, NECA, SMACNA & TAUC Sign Strategic Alliance Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a landmark event, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) along with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA), and The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC) officially signed a strategic alliance agreement on July 10, 2024.

The importance of all four associations coming together emphasizes the combined commitment to collaboration and innovation through all facets of the construction and maintenance industry. The agreement solidifies a unified front among these prominent organizations to address industry challenges and leverage collective strengths. It also highlights the value of cohesive efforts in advocating for policies that support the growth and stability of the construction sector at national and regional levels.

By working together MCAA, NECA, SMACNA and TAUC aim to develop and promote best practices, enhance safety standards, and drive technological advancements across their respective sectors.

David Long, CEO of NECA said, “Today’s agreement represents a pivotal moment for our industry. By uniting four leading trade associations, we are reinforcing our dedication to collaboration and innovation across every aspect of the construction and maintenance sector. This enables us to address the complexities of modern construction more effectively and deliver unparalleled value to our members and their clients.”

Timothy J. Brink, CEO of MCAA, echoed this sentiment, stating, “MCAA is thrilled to enter into this Strategic Alliance Agreement with NECA, SMACNA, and TAUC. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in unifying our efforts to address the critical issues impacting the construction and maintenance industry. Together, we will drive innovation, enhance safety, and foster growth for our unionized contractor members, ensuring the continued leadership of America’s construction capabilities on the global stage.”

Aaron Hilger, CEO of SMACNA conveyed, “Trade associations set a high bar for what it means to work together for the benefit of everyone. SMACNA is pleased to formalize ways that we will collaborate with our colleagues to advance practices and procedures that will grow our professions and help the people dedicated to building a better America and world.”

Daniel Hogan, CEO of TAUC, added, “This agreement is a great step forward for the construction and maintenance industry, and formalizes something we have known for a long time – we are at our best when we work together. TAUC is all about collaboration, and bringing all of these associations together will benefit all of us in the industry for years to come.”

The strategic alliance is expected to deliver tangible benefits to the members of MCAA, NECA, SMACNA and TAUC by fostering a collaborative environment that encourages the sharing of knowledge and resources. This alliance is poised to set a new standard for industry cooperation and pave the way for future innovations.

About MCAA

In the intricate landscape of mechanical contracting, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is a one-of-a-kind cornerstone of expertise and reliability. With a legacy that spans more than 130 years, MCAA is the trusted guide for over 2,700 firms in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, piping, mechanical systems and HVACR service. Through member-driven resources, comprehensive education, and strategic partnerships, MCAA empowers members to shape a future of unparalleled innovation and growth.

About NECA

NECA is the voice of the $225 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across North America. NECA’s national office and 118 local chapters advance the industry through advocacy, education, research, and standards development. Go to www.necanet.org for more information. 

About SMACNA

SMACNA is an international trade association representing 3,500 contributing contractor firms and is a leader in promoting quality and excellence in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry. SMACNA members are responsible for effectively delivering the clean air Americans breathe in offices, homes, and hospitals; for many of the attractive facades you see on today’s stadiums and office buildings; and for the comfortable, healthy, and safe living environments in which our citizens live out their daily lives. SMACNA has national offices in Chantilly, Va., outside of Washington, D.C., and on Capitol Hill.

About TAUC

The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC) is the premier national trade association for the 21st century union construction and maintenance industry. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate in advancing and enhancing the value of union construction and a voice to the industry, government, and public.

David Left Will Join the MCAA Staff

MCAA extends a warm welcome to David Left, who will join the staff as MCAA’s new Associate Director, Registration & Housing on July 15. David is a seasoned events professional with a background in consulting and event management, specializing in room blocks. He graduated from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, where he began his work in the events industry.  With a proven track record of successfully overseeing large-scale events, David brings a wealth of experience in ensuring seamless and tailored experiences for members. Committed to fostering enduring relationships, David consistently strives to exceed expectations by combining meticulous attention to detail with a member-centric approach. MCAA is pleased to welcome David to the staff and to the MCAA family.

Foundations of Field Leadership Course 4

This is an ONLINE course.
Tuesdays 9/17-11/5, 11:00am-12:30pm EST

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW BY TOPIC

  • The Field Leader’s Role
  • Productivity & Goal Setting
  • Documentation & Communication
  • Planning & Scheduling
  • Relationships
  • Safety & Compliance
  • Technology As A Tool
  • Leadership

MCAA & NFPA Are Empowering Electrical Safety for Mechanical Service with New Training & Education

MCAA has joined forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to offer resources and tools customized and curated to specifically address and mitigate risks related to electrical safety posed to MCAA members, including physical, compliance and financial risks. Crafted by NFPA’s trusted subject matter experts, this content will provide actionable information and strategies to help you and your team keep pace with the ever-changing regulatory environment, identify potential hazards and shortfalls, and markedly improve safety for your employees, customers, and their workplaces and communities.

Depending on your needs and goals, we offer different levels of educational programs from introductory to more in-depth and on-going programming—and it’s all at a discounted rate.

See the brochure for offerings and discounts, then request more information at nfpa.org/mcaa-nfpa.

If you have questions that aren’t addressed here, please contact Raffi Elchemmas.

Foundations of Field Leadership Course 3

This is an ONLINE course.
Thursdays 9/12-10/31, 2:00pm-3:30pm EST

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW BY TOPIC

  • The Field Leader’s Role
  • Productivity & Goal Setting
  • Documentation & Communication
  • Planning & Scheduling
  • Relationships
  • Safety & Compliance
  • Technology As A Tool
  • Leadership

Members Can Now Join a MCAA Peer Group

Participating in industry peer groups not only offers a valuable platform for fostering relationships and exchanging expertise within a supportive community but also represents a proven best practice adopted by many successful MCAA contractor members. These groups provide professionals with an opportunity to benchmark their performance, exchange best practices, address common challenges, and gain strategic insights from industry peers.

MCAA has partnered with Maxim Consulting Group to assist in placing our members into existing peer groups and facilitate the establishment of new ones. If you’re interested in joining a peer group, please complete our survey.

Preview New Talent & Enhance Relationships at a UA Organizing Blitz

MCAA member contractors and local affiliates are encouraged to participate in an upcoming UA organizing blitz. This is a great opportunity to share the benefits of working for a union contractor and enhance the labor/management relationship. Read on to learn more, then register for a blitz near you.

The UA uses organizing blitzes to ensure it is prepared to meet the growing demand for craftspersons. During the blitz, you will visit jobsites, supply houses, gas stations, offices of non-union contractors, and other areas that are frequented by non-union mechanical and plumbing employees.

How Contractors Will Benefit

Organizing blitzes present an opportunity to speak directly to the individuals being organized. These conversations let you share the benefits of working for your company. You also get a sneak preview of upcoming talent.

You will also have a chance to answer questions and dispel any myths non-union contractors may have heard about what it is like to be a union contractor.

How Local Associations Will Benefit

Local association executives who participate in a blitz will better understand how the UA operates. They will enhance the labor/management relationship and be better able to support their contractor members’ participation.

Upcoming Organizing Blitzes

  • Eastern Region: New Brunswick, NJ, July 21-26
  • Central Region: Indianapolis, IN, September 8-13

Don’t miss this opportunity to support the UA, ensure the availability of craftspersons for your upcoming projects, and build your knowledge of UA operations.

Find the Latest from Winsupply and LAARS, a Bradford White Company in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

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

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Winsupply
Because we bring national buying strength to local support directly to you.

LAARS, a Bradford White Company
The Laars MagnaTherm® FT high efficiency condensing boiler is equipped with a robust Laars CF-TechTM firetube heat exchanger, a precision high turndown (up to 20:1) combustion control and the Laars Tru Trac® oxygen trimming system all precisely controlled by the Laars Linc® touchscreen control. The Laars MagnaTherm FT was recently named Commercial Boiler of the Year by Contractor Magazine.

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

Connect With Additional Manufacturer/Supplier Training

Save yourself time and let MCAA connect you to the latest Manufacturer/Supplier member’s training opportunities. Visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of the Resource Center to get started.