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.