MCAA National Update for July 6, 2015
Help Your Field Leaders Focus on the Bottom Line
How Do You Build Effective Field Leaders?

What's New in Jobsite Technology? During the Field Leaders Conference (Baltimore, MD, October 14-16),your field leaders will learn about all the latest devices and technologies that are being used on the jobsite from Chris Haslinger, the UA's Director of Training. These technologies, which the UA is featuring in its new training efforts, include BIM, CAD, Field & Glue 360 on iPads, 3-D laser scanners, robotic layout devices, virtual reality eyewear and augmented reality. Haslinger, who has been involved with training since joining the UA's Local 50 in Toledo, OH, will share the knowledge he gained from helping the UA develop technology in its training initiatives. He helped develop the Green Energy curriculum, coordinated the UA's sustainable technology programs, energy audits and retrofits and increased utilization of technology and HVAC evaluations. Space is limited, so make sure your field leaders register for this valuable conference.

Arc Flash Training Webinar Scheduled 

 

The Arc Flash Safety Training Webinar can help your employees minimize the risks of working around electricity. Plan to have your employees (who have yet to take the training) sign up for the next webinar on July 30, 8:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. This training is specifically designed for mechanical and service employees who are exposed to electricity from HVAC work, electrical maintenance, troubleshooting, voltage testing, fuse testing, verifying a zero energy state, infrared imaging, etc. It is also designed for those employees who manage or supervise electrical workers and safety/engineering professionals who manage the company's Electrical Safe Work Practices program. Presented by the Hilgeman Group, the session covers all applicable OSHA and NFPA requirements (including the new NFPA revised 70E requirements that took effect on January 1), best practices and provides participants with real-world accident information to reinforce the training. 
Registration is Now Open for MSCA 2015

Participate in Peer Groups at MSCA 2015


At the MSCA 2015 Educational Conference (Colorado Springs, CO, October 18-21), attendees will have several opportunities to join peer group roundtable discussions on the most pressing issues experienced by service contractors. There will be 18 different roundtable groups to select from with topics including Unique Sales Ideas/Sales Tips and Tactics, Growing Your Maintenance Base, Recruiting Service Technicians, Disruptive Technologies in HVAC, Crisis Management, and Optimizing Internal Communications. There will also be a special session in which attendees will be grouped by company size to discuss the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the HVACR and plumbing industry and their impact on business decisions that set up your company for success. These sessions are a great source of knowledge and will provide valuable insights on your business, but you must be registered for MSCA 2015 to attend. Sign-up online or view the conference brochure and registration form to register and learn more about what you can expect from the conference. Contact Sobeida Orantes with registration questions.

Pension Reform Phase 2 Progress is Slow, Steady


MCAA is continuing to reach out to lawmakers on key committees in both houses of Congress to help keep the Solutions Not Bailouts proposal for Phase 2 of multiemployer pension reform on track for consideration later this year. Lawmakers are continuing to consider the MCAA and NCCMP coalition proposal to allow multiemployer pension plan trustees more options for restructuring plans to avoid the risks associated with pension plan asset volatility. New plan designs would reallocate that risk more fairly.  MCAA is sharing the MCAA/Horizon analysis of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) insolvency projections with legislators to make sure any further increases in PBGC insurance premiums keep to a minimum to help pay for PBGC's new partition authority for orphan beneficiaries in critical and declining plans, but not so steep or sudden as to drive health plans out of PBGC insured defined benefit plans altogether.

Meetings on Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces EO 


MCAA staff continues to meet with Administration officials and key Congressional Committee staff on the Administration's Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order 13673 to ensure the EO's procedures are workable for agencies, prime contractors and subcontractors. MCAA and the QCA coalition have proposed a major subcontractor naming approach so that the agency contracting officer and new labor compliance advisor directly evaluates the legal compliance certifications of the prime contractor and all major subs in the original prime contract pre-award responsibility process. This approach will avoid the many pitfalls for both primes and subs that would follow from the proposed regulations' flow-down evaluation of subs by the primes at the time of subcontract award.  MCAA is working with staff of key committees to identify options for improvements in the EO in time for the public comment deadline (July 27, 2015) on the proposed regulations. 

MSCA Dispatcher Training Helps Your Bottom Line


Join MSCA for the Dispatcher Professional Development Training Program (in St. Louis, MO, September 14-15, 2015). Service dispatchers are your company's primary representative with the client, serving as the epicenter of great customer service. Therefore, investing in these team members is just as critical to their success in their job function as it is to your bottom line. This two-day training will help new and experienced dispatchers understand their true role in the company and advance their careers as they contribute to your company's success. Class size is limited, so register today. Contact Sobeida Orantes with registration questions.
The MCAA National Update is a weekly publication of the 
Mechanical Contractors Association of America.
Questions? Contact Ann Mattheis, Editor, or call 301-869-5800.
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