Member Benefits

As a member of MCA of 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 to steer your destiny through lobbying, bargaining, labor force recruitment, educational offerings, networking opportunities, interaction with government officials, handling disputes and more.

Membership in MCA of 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.

Benefits as an MCA of Chicago member include:

  • MCAA Membership
    As a member of MCA of Chicago, you are also a member of the national MCAA organization.

  • 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 of Greater Chicago is to provide ongoing educational opportunities. MCA’s nationally recognized, award-winning Construction Education Institute offers university-quality classes and workshops for everyone from the foreman to the CEO in our new state-of-the-art LEED Gold facility. Class offerings now top 100 each year and are taught by highly regarded professionals with years of experience.
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  • Government Relations
    MCA of Greater Chicago believes in a proactive approach to government relations, advocating on behalf of our members before federal, state and local bodies and including our members in the decision-making process.
  • Career Development
    As a mechanical contractor, you will eventually have need for an intern and/or a full-time hire. MCA of Chicago serves as a sponsor to three MCAA student chapters, providing scholarships and networking opportunities to students looking to start careers in the industry. Your membership with MCA of Greater Chicago allows you to network with these promising students.
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  • Recruitment
    Through advertising, outreach efforts, education offerings and a close working relationship with Local Union 597, MCA of Chicago aggressively works to ensure MCA member contractors of a continued supply of skilled piping professionals.


  • Labor Relations
    MCA of Greater Chicago works closely with Local Union 597 to maintain one of the strongest labor/management relationships in the country. That relationship, along with the association’s dedication to finding ways to reduce overall crew costs, ensures member contractors greater worker satisfaction, while their clients receive quality construction at a competitive price.
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  • Marketing
    In today’s busy, high-tech world, word of mouth is not enough to ensure any contractor’s continued success. Every MCA of Chicago initiative includes a marketing component to support it. The association is dedicated to promoting the skill and quality of member contractors, and retains Nehlsen Communications, an integrated-marketing and public relations firm, to find and capitalize on opportunities in public relations, advertising, Web strategies, and union marketing partnerships.
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  • Committees and Technical Services
    Our most active contractors get the most value from our organization. MCA of Greater Chicago has over a dozen committees, each dealing with a vital aspect of your business. Do you have a problem that needs to be addressed? There’s a good chance that an MCA of Chicago committee already exists that is working in that area.

    Examples include:
    - Arbitration
    - Career Development
    - Certified Welding Bureau
    - Engineering Codes and Technical Task Force
    - Governmental Relations
    - Green Building
    - Industrial
    - IT
    - Management Methods
    - Meetings and Events
    - Safety
    - Service

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