(PRWEB) January 8, 2006 -- New Jersey’s six leading mechanical trades have joined together to create the first of its kind statewide Mechanical and Allied Crafts (MAC) Council of New Jersey, announced Richard Dressel, the group’s newly elected president.
“ Our goal is to become an active, leading voice to improve our industry and provide better service to our customers, who are owners, developers, contractors, corporations and the community-at-larg... ”
The organization will serve as a central resource for mechanical tradesmen and women, who total approximately 40,000 from throughout the state. Affiliated entities include the sheet metal workers, pipe trades, asbestos workers, iron workers, electricians and telecommunications workers, and boilermakers, providing skilled workers on New Jersey’s leading construction projects.
“With New Jersey’s deficit at $5 billion, coupled with the immediate need to create construction and permanent jobs, we envision MAC to be a driving force that contributes to the restoration and revitalization of our state’s economy,” said Dressel.
MAC also plans to establish a comprehensive political outreach program that includes voter registration efforts, membership awareness and a political action committee (MACPAC). “Our goal is to educate the community as well as local, state and federal officials regarding the benefits of skilled labor, training and prevailing wage,” he explained. “We want to encourage our entire membership to become active in each of New Jersey’s communities and help make life better for those around them.”
As a non-profit, self-funded organization, the council has established and accepted bylaws and elected four new officers. They include Dressel, as President, who is Business Manager of IBEW Local 164; Thomas J. Manning, Vice President, who serves as Business Manager of Steamfitters, Pipefitters and Apprentices Local 475; Joseph Sellers, Jr., Secretary/Treasurer, who is Business Manager of Sheet Metal Workers Local 19; and Ed Fedorko, Recording Secretary, who is Business Manager of Asbestos Workers Local 89.
30 Local Unions Representing 40,000 Workers Committed to Advancing MAC Initiatives
MAC includes more than 30 local unions representing all counties throughout New
Jersey, including the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; Sheet Metal Workers International Association; International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers; International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers; and International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers.
Currently, MAC members are providing a skilled workforce on numerous prominent projects throughout New Jersey, including Xanadu in East Rutherford, Borgata expansion in Atlantic City, Devils Arena in Newark, and Children’s Hospital of Robert Wood Johnson in New Brunswick, among others.
“The MAC is committed to maintaining a level of productivity among each of New Jersey’s mechanical and allied trades that renders a job on or ahead of schedule, and within budget,” said Dressel. “Our goal is to become an active, leading voice to improve our industry and provide better service to our customers, who are owners, developers, contractors, corporations and the community-at-large. Our ultimate goal is to make a difference in New Jersey’s construction industry.”
In addition to fostering a cooperative effort among its members and builders, contractors and government officials, MAC is committed to becoming a leading advocate in the areas of apprenticeship and safety training, jurisdictional matters, and related labor issues. The council’s top priorities are providing joint Occupational Safety and Health Administration training to preserve safer worksite conditions and advocating drug- and alcohol-free worksites.
“The construction industry as a whole – from commercial, industrial and residential developers to builders and contractors and customers – is now requiring advanced safety training and drug-testing,” explained Vice President Manning. “MAC members will support and advance these initiatives throughout our industry. These efforts will translate into significantly reduced insurance premiums as well as safer jobsites for workers, customers, government entities and schools.”
Membership in the MAC Council of New Jersey is open to all labor unions representing journeymen and women and apprentices who are employed by union contractors. Meetings are held monthly. There is an annual dues fee and a centralized political action committee.
Established in 2006, the Mechanical and Allied Crafts Council of New Jersey is dedicated to fostering a cooperative effort among its 30 member organizations and builders, contractors and government officials. MAC is committed to serving as a leading advocate in the areas of organizing, apprenticeship and safety training, jurisdictional matters, and related labor issues. Affiliated entities represent approximately 40,000 sheet metal workers, pipe tradesmen and women, asbestos workers, iron workers, electricians and telecommunications workers, and boilermakers, providing skilled labor on New Jersey’s leading commercial, industrial, residential and publicly funded construction projects, including schools. For more information, please call 201-265-1700.
