Assuring mechanical contractors that the United Association will grow and expand as never before, UA General President Martin Maddaloni promised to back his message with the power inherent in the union’s $50 billion pension fund.
“Nonunion competitors can still undercut us by avoiding paying prevailing wages and benefits, and circumventing workplace regulations,” Maddaloni said during the Mechanical Contractors Association of America’s 109th Convention, Feb. 21–26, in San Francisco. “We’re going to have to use every bit of leverage we have when it comes to protecting our work. Sometimes that means forcing corporations and construction buyers to do what we think is in their best interests.”