The Ontario Construction Report – March 2009 – PAGE OCR 7
For example, in 2007 the Association Partners and Executive Officers. awareness within their operations.
MCAO
actively supported (both financially and in The MCAO Safety Group program is “The focus is on peers coming together
principle) two industry-leading test cases. another initiative that has been ongoing for to share best practices with regard to
Continued from page OCR6
One related to Safety Policy/Regulations, nine years now. By acting as a facilitator, safety,” Coleman added. “Through the
–––––––––––––––––––––––
the Modern Niagara Case; and a second the association has helped its member firms program, they collectively learn new tech-
pertaining to CRA policy arising out of the receive over $6 million in rebates, but most niques for achieving a safer workplace.”
The Mechanical Contractors Associa- Thunder Bay area.  importantly, through this extremely valu- One of the major issues now facing the
tion of Ontario (MCAO) represents more By the end of 2007, the Thunder Bay able peer exchange program, members sig-
than 340 companies province-wide in a case had been resolved with a final ruling nificantly improved safety performance
–––––––––––––––––––––––
Please see page OCR 4
network of 14 affiliate zones. It is a voice fully in favour of the Association. The
for its members through representation on Modern Niagara Case received approval
committees and councils and is involved in for appeal before the Supreme Court of On-
legislation matters pertaining to the indus- tario as well as for formal intervention sta-
try
Congratulations
. The association also acts as a political tus by MCA Ontario.
lobby group. Also in 2007 the MCAO implemented
“One of our major purposes is labour re-
to the
revised policy with respect to the operation
lations,” explained Stephen Coleman, ex- of its Standard Provincial Welding/WTF
MCAO.
ecutive vice-president of MCAO. “Since program.  Further policy amendments are
we hold the bargaining rights for our com- now in the works – for adoption in 2008 in-
panies we administer and interpret the col- cluding the elimination of annual MCAO
lective agreements and arbitrate any labour Welding Procedures’ Ticket Testing re-
disputes.” quirements by the TSSA; and adoption of
MCAO was established in the mid-six- a continuity log approach to ensure
ties when contractors in Ontario recognized welders’ qualifications.
the need to collectively address provincial The Association’s actvities also have a
matters. In 1978, the Labour Relations Act strong educational component. Confer-
introduced province-wide bargaining with ences and workshops are available to intro-
regard to the collective agreement. Where duce members to the current issues facing
once there were 14 agreements, there is the industry. There is management training
now one. A mandate was established and that includes courses in Estimating, Project
the association became the accredited Em- Management, and Healthcare Construction.
ployer Bargaining Agency for Mechanical There are also seminars covering standard
ICI Contractors in Ontario. practices and contracts. And an annual con-
Most member companies are union ference offers unique networking, as well
shops, and the Association continues to as business and information sessions of
work on building upon a strong relation- value to all members.
ship it currently shares with its labour part- The Association is continually active at
ners, The United Association of Plumbers the legislative level. In 2008, for example,
and Steamfitters of the United States and the McGuinty government introduced
Canada (UA). “Every major company is a amendments to the Workplace Safety and
Venshore Mechanical Ltd
member and many mid-sized companies as Insurance Act, making WSIB coverage
Industrial Contractors & Pipe Fabricators
well, but we also have a lot of smaller com- mandatory for everyone working in con-
1019 Northern Ave
panies who we equally represent,” Cole- struction by 2012, including Partners and
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7C 5L6
man said. “Our members come to us for Executive Officers who are not exposed to
advice on issues, and we also look for is-
807-623-6414 fax 807-623-5357
worksite hazards. In November 2008, in
sues that we can address or defend on a col- concert with other sectors of the industry
www.venshore.com
,
lective basis, because of the impact they the MCAO, lobbied strongly to get the
Safely Serving Your Industry With Pride in Workmanship
can have on everyone.” original wording changed to exempt certain
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