Following is an overview of key initiatives and activities of the Association over the past year:
  

• Though not a bargaining year, MCAO was extremely active during 2008 on a number of “Labour Relations” fronts, including reaching a mutual resolve with the UA to the “Bad Faith Bargaining Action” initiated in 2007; restructuring the representation to, and chairmanship role, within our provincial negotiating committee; filing an “Unfair Labour Practices Action”, in defence of our standing ICI agreement, with respect to a major Co-Gen Project in the Niagara area (along with formal intervention in a related dispute/sector determination action initiated by the IBEW on the same project); working with legal counsel towards the filing (in early 2009) of an “Accreditation Application” with respect to work across Ontario, in the Extended (non EPSCA) Power Sector; and, in concert with the UA National Office, working towards development and implementation of a “Standard Disciplinary Policy” – for adoption in Ontario, as well as across Canada, by all UA Members and Contractors.

A major review, focused on identifying what the Association/Membership would like to achieve through MIAC (The Mechanical Industry Advisory Committee) was also initiated early in the year/completed ahead of MIAC’s  reactivation following resolve of the above noted Bad Faith Action.  In relation to this, the UA and MCAO  agreed (in early 2009) to hold Local Joint Labour/Management meetings (in each Local/Zone) for the purpose of clearly identifying key action necessary to ensure unionized market share retention and expansion in the immediate future.

• MCA Ontario continued to work towards a significant improvement in both its overall relationship with and level of representation to Ontario’s Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).  A proposal was developed for the elimination of annual testing of welders; and implementation in its place of either a two year testing policy or continuity log approach to ensuring welder qualifications.  Several joint TSSA – related meetings/initiatives with other industry parties (including the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) and Ontario Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors (ORAC)) were either held during the year or planned for early 2009.

• The Association was also extremely pleased during the year, to have been in a position to provide financial support to a number of very great causes and initiatives – each of value/importance in their own way, to our industry.  Contributions were made to the Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation (CMCEF); the Mechanical Contractors Education and Research Foundation (MCERF);  as well as the mesothelioma facility/department of Princess Margaret Hospital – that specializes in the detection and treatment of this very serious asbestos exposure – related condition.

• Continuing with our newly established tradition of “taking our summer Board of Directors Meeting on the road”, our  July 2008 Board Meeting was held in sunny/warm Windsor Ontario; combined with a meeting of the  Mechanical Trades Bargaining Committee (MTBC); and the assistance/gracious hosting of MCA Windsor and its Board of Directors.

• Our Annual General Meeting and Conference was held in early May, in the south of Portugal; and attended by over 200 delegates and their spouses.  This unique annual industry forum/event again proved to be extremely informative and memorable for all.

• Late in the year, work was initiated by the Association, in relation to the establishment of a “Provincial Licensing Program for Master Plumbers”; in place of licensing formerly handled by individual Ontario Municipalities.  A major void in public health/safety protection exists without such licensing.  The first of several planned meetings on this matter was held in early 2009.

• Also during the year, a detailed review was conducted, with the assistance of the Association’s Auditors, in relation to streamlining our approach to managing our bookkeeping/accounting activities; and embracing a more efficient/consistent approach to completing annual audits on MCAO operations, as well as the operations of both MIAC and the WTF (Welding Test Fund).  The Association also hired a new Director of Membership Services (in late November), in order to help keep up with/more effectively deal with the many ongoing responsibilities and initiatives of the organization.

• In September, the Supreme Court of Ontario released a decision, directing that the industry leading “Modern Niagara Safety Act Case” be reheard by a lower Court.  The final decision of the lower court resulted in all charges being dropped against the Company.  Having become directly involved in this case (as a formal intervener; financial contributor to the defence; and via submission of an affidavit on behalf of the industry), the Association was extremely pleased with this outcome – in the interests of both Modern Niagara, an the industry overall.

• To significantly increase our  presence and effectiveness in addressing adverse existing and future proposed policy within Ontario’s WSIB System, in July, the Board of Directors approved the retaining of Mr. Les Liversidge (a lawyer/specialist in the WSIB area) as a formal MCAO representative to the COCA WSIB Committee; as well as to key bureaucrats and government authorities responsible for the WSIB System.  Les’s assistance and effectiveness, since coming on board in this role, has been dramatic.

Some of the matters he has addressed on our behalf todate include:  excess earnings policy; CAD-7 review/revision; CSAO governance/restructure; the new “Accreditation Program”, injured worker reinstatement policy; as well as “the scream for accountability to the funders/underwriters of the system that came in late 2008 from the membership of the new/recently established construction industry “Task Force on Workers’ Compensation”.

• MCA Ontario’s “Safety Group Program” again this year proved to be an extremely valuable peer exchange/safety awareness forum for member firms; as well as a way of softening overall WSIB costs – due to the rebate (shared among the program’s 2007 participants) totalling $758,856.75.

• As in the past, the Association continued to “be there for the membership” in providing advice and assistance to individual member firms on an ongoing/daily basis, with respect to the successful and efficient operation of their business.

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