Member Benefits

As a member of MCA Chicago, you will be part of one of the oldest, most prestigious contractor associations in the country. The MCA has been the voice of the mechanical contracting industry in Chicagoland since 1888. The association’s staff of experts will help you with lobbying, bargaining, labor force recruitment, educational offerings, networking opportunities, interaction with government officials, handling disputes and more.

Membership in MCA Chicago is open to companies regularly engaged in mechanical contracting in Cook County, Illinois, any neighboring county, or any county included in the territorial jurisdiction of UA LU 597, with basic interests compatible with those of the association.

  • MCAA Membership

    When you join MCA Chicago the association pays your dues to belong to the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA).  Throughout the year MCAA sponsors events that bring you opportunities to:

    • Network
    • Learn
    • Build relationships with others in your industry
    • Develop skills that will help your business become more successful every year

     

    Your membership in MCAA represents a value of up to $15,000 depending on your individual pipefitter hours.

  • Education

    As a union contractor, it is assumed that you and your people work smarter because you are better trained, giving you the edge over the open shop.  The mission of MCA is to:

    • Provide ongoing educational opportunities
    • Offer university quality classes and workshops
    • Present classes for everyone from the foreman to the CEO
    • Use highly regarded, experienced professionals as teachers
    • Furnish senior level management classes to assist with skills and knowledge to survive
    • Keep members up-to-date with the latest building technology
    • Present professional development hours towards continuing education requirements

     

  • Labor Relations

    As the voice of Chicago’s union mechanical contracting industry, MCA Chicago keeps labor relations at the top of its list of priorities, working closely with the leadership of the United Association Pipe Fitters Local 597 to protect the interests of working men and women while providing contractors with the best trained personnel in the industry.

    MCA Chicago and Local 597 share a common goal – to educate workers and contractors – and that goal has forged a strong bond between labor and management. MCA contractors play many active roles in effective labor/management communications:

    • They bargain the Area Agreement, Industrial Agreement and Service Agreement with Pipe Fitters’ Local 597.
    • They jointly oversee the Apprenticeship Program and the Service Apprentice sub-committee.
    • They are the management representatives to the Joint Arbitration Board, which negotiates all contracts, allocates increases, and handles all disputes with Local 597.
    • They are management trustees, who, along with representatives of Local 597, set operating policies for the $150 million Welfare Fund, $1 billion Pension Fund, 401(k) Plan, and the LMCC (Substance Abuse Testing Plan).

     

    With such high levels of interaction and cooperation, it is easy to see why MCA Chicago and Local 597 have logged over 100 years without a strike or work stoppage.

  • Committees and Technical Services

    Voice in the Industry

    MCA represents the mechanical contracting industry at a number of joint meetings with allied professional and trade organizations.  Active participation in MCA enables members to become better acquainted with and understand problems for piping contractors.

    As a member you will benefit from activities the Association performs on behalf of the entire industry and provide your input.

    • MCA is the bargaining agent for employers with Local Union 597.
    • MCA members jointly oversee the apprenticeship program.
    • MCA members are trustees of union benefit funds.
    • MCA members represent the industry to a number of professional groups, from architects and engineers to specification writers and more.
    • MCA members and staff provide building code input at local, regional and national levels.
    • Our members meet with regulators and elected officials to provide input on the laws and regulations that govern our industry before they are enacted!

     

  • Government Relations

    MCA Chicago believes in a proactive approach to government relations, advocating on behalf of our members before federal, state and local bodies and includes our members in the decision-making process.

  • Career Development

    MCA serves as a sponsor to three MCAA student chapters, Bradley University, Illinois State University, and Purdue University, providing scholarships and networking opportunities to students looking to start careers in the industry.

    We offer several opportunities for you to get in touch with our students, who will be the future of the industry and assets to your company. As an MCA Chicago member, you will be able to:

    • Speak at student chapter meetings
    • Host jobsite visits
    • Attend student chapter events such as career fairs and golf outings
    • Meet students at our regular business meetings
    • Login as a member to access the MCA Career Center, which contains student resumes for internships and full-time employment

     

    Beyond local involvement, student chapters participate in the annual MCAA Student Chapter Summit and in competition teams at the MCAA Convention.

    As an MCA Chicago member, you may apply for internship grants, provided by MCAA.

  • Recruitment

    Through advertising, outreach efforts, education offerings and a close working relationship with Local Union 597, MCA  Chicago aggressively works to ensure member contractors of a continued supply of skilled piping professionals.

  • Application

    To request an application, please fill out the form below, or call 312-384-1220.