July 6, 2007 Volume 108 Number 13
Six unions
form Mechanical Allied Crafts in Oregon
Six mechanical industry unions have pledged to
bring “a new era of customer commitment” through the
creation of the Mechanical Allied Crafts Council.
The council was established earlier this year
by the general presidents of the Electrical Workers, Elevator Constructors,
Insulators & Asbestos Workers, Iron Workers, Sheet Metal Workers,
and the Plumbers and Fitters.
Oregon is one of the first states in the nation
to have a MAC Council up and running. “It’s
a way for us to market ourselves,” said John Endicott, business
manager of Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 and president of the Oregon
MAC Council. “No one can match us in training and quality
work. We want the customer to know that they’re getting the
best bang for their buck.”
For
now, the Oregon MAC Council will meet quarterly. Last month it elected
officers. They are Endicott, president; Len Phillips, business manager
of Sheet Metal Workers Local 16, secretary-treasurer; Kevin Jensen,
business manager of Iron Workers Local 29, recording secretary;
and Executive Board members Stan Danielson, business manager of
Asbestos Workers Local 36, Barry Mitchell, business manager of Electrical
Workers Local 48, and Mike Casley, business manager of Elevator
Constructors Local 23.
The
MAC unions adopted a “jurisdictional warranty” in order
to resolve any issues of job assignments quickly, effectively “and
out of sight of the owner.” The warranty includes a memorandum
of understanding, work assignment procedures, and a “no work
disruption” warranty. That will be handled through pre-job
meetings with contractors and unions.
If
jurisdictional problems arise, there is a written mediation and
arbitration process in place at the national level to resolve the
issue in a few days.
Endicott
said that each state council will customize national policies to
fit their needs locally.
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