• Upon completion of Province-wide Negotiations with the UA (initiated in early February), a Memorandum of Agreement was reached between MCAO and the Ontario Pipe Trades Council (OPTC) - for the three year renewal of our ICI Provincial Collective Agreement; including annual wage increases of approximately 2.5 percent. The final/printed agreement was thereafter prepared/distributed to the membership, by year’s end.

• Efforts continued, on an on-going basis, to recoup weak/lost markets - via our joint Labour-Management Committee (MIAC – the Mechanical Industry Advisory Committee). These efforts included an all trades initiative targeting the multi billion dollar Sewage and Water Treatment Market; and a focus on addressing specific needs in other markets/zones where work activity has recently slumped.

• MIAC was also extremely active, throughout the year, in a number of other areas of mutual interest and value to Management and Labour, including initiating the development of a “major marketing campaign” aimed at both improving market share; as well as improving the image and awareness of our industry and its services. Major announcements in relation to this initiative; and formal implementation - are expected by late 2005/early 2006. MIAC also played host this year, to Owner/Clients – at the 2004 Ann Arbor “Train the Trainer” Industry Day, held in early August.

• Our Provincial Standard Welding Procedures Testing Program was also expanded and enhanced during the year, in order to streamline the payment of all test fees; and improve the use/effectiveness of the Program – which as been in place now since 1999.

• Working jointly with key officials at the Province’s Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), by mid year, we had completed development and release (for use by all Member Firms), of a Generic “MCAO Quality Assurance Manual” (now required for all Ontario Contractors working in the area(s) of Fabrication/Installation and Erection of Piping Systems; and/or Repairs/Alterations of Boilers and Pressure Vessels). This Manual was developed with the aim of meeting new TSSA requirements in the most effective and efficient manner possible. In partnership with the UA, MCAO also completed development over the year, of a “training curriculum/credentialing system” for “Oil Pipefitters” - which has also since been approved for implementation by TSSA.

• The results of our on-going campaign (over the 2002 – 2004 period) for major change in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s (WSIB’s) “enforcement practices” are now being directly realized through the embracement by the WSIB of new policy and procedures in this area; as well as the Ministry of Labour’s recent direct/joint action with Revenue Canada towards curtailing Underground Economy activities. Our support of a related/leading industry test case on enforcement practices – continued throughout 2004.

• The Association also lent its support to a number of other industry leading matters before the Courts/Ontario Labour Relations Board, including “The Kennedy Group Case” (aimed at retaining the strength of Ontario’s current Construction Lien Legislation); and a key Substance Abuse Test Case being spearheaded by MCA Sarnia/the Sarnia Construction Association.

• MCAO remains an extremely strong supporter of Management Education; and has continued to lend broad assistance, impact and monetary support to the Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation (CMCEF) – which has developed and expanded a number of key/valuable educational resources, programs and initiatives for use by the industry across Canada.

• Along with other major organizations, MCAO was also a major contributor to the restructuring of Ontario’s Bid Depository System - leading to the creation (effective July, 2004) of the newly established “Construction Bid Depository of Ontario” (CBDO). A new (10th Edition) set of rules and the hiring of provincial promotion/administration personnel for the new body were also implemented in October.

• The Association’s commitment to Safety continued on several fronts; including our involvement with a number of CSAO sponsored Trade Committees/ initiatives; as well as our Safety Group Program - that this year realized some $1.4 million in rebates to MCAO Member Firms.

• We also expanded our involvement, in support of MCA Canada, on a number of National/Federal Legislative matters (including EI reform to enhance/provide for mobility within the industry); and in this regard, we increased our presence and level of direct activity at CCA (the Canadian Construction Association).

• An Annual Recognition Award Program was initiated by MCAO in 2004, known as MCAO\'s “Mechanical Industry Achievement Award” – which will be presented to industry contributors annually, at our AGM; in recognition of outstanding commitment to the Association and Industry-wide interests.

• Maintaining on-going presence and involvement with senior provincial government politicians and opposition party members also remained a key role/activity over the past year- ensuring legislative matters impacting on the day to day business operations of our membership are effectively addressed.

• By years end, preparations were well underway for the 2005 Edition of MCAO’s Annual Conference/AGM – which has grown to become an excellent opportunity/forum for members form all corners of the province to meet, learn, interact and exchange problems and solutions pertaining to both their individual operations; as well as the industry on whole.

back to top