Key Services
PMCA is committed to providing valuable services and resources to member contractors. From supporting positive labor/management relationships, to offering professional development opportunities, to promoting the industry, PMCA helps members get the most from their membership.
SUPERVISORY & LEADERSHIP TRAINING
PMCA conducts several project manager seminars per year at no charge to the membership.
LABOR NEGOTIATIONS
PMCA members are signatory contractors with United Association Local 290 Plumbers and Steamfitters and we partner with them to provide several key services for the workforce. Every three years PMCA coordinates labor negotiations with UA 290 to set labor rates and benefits packages for our workforce.
OSHA LEGAL SERVICES
We have an attorney on retainer who specializes in OSHA issues who can provide free legal assistance to our member companies.
PENSION PROGRAMS
The pension program for our workforce is conducted through a trust jointly directed by PMCA and UA 290.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Policies enacted by state and local governments can have significant impact on our industry. PMCA is actively engaged on these fronts for our members. In addition to our staff and member volunteers, PMCA utilizes a contract lobbyist to maintain a visible and effective presence at the state capitol and with local governments. PMCA representatives sit on boards, commissions and task forces and are a leading voice in construction issues. Issues range from licensing, workers comp, and contracting laws to prevailing wage and economic and workforce development have been our traditional areas of interest. Areas of increasing engagement now include healthcare, environmental issues and energy retrofit. PMCA members sit on important state regulatory bodies such as the Plumbing Board, Mechanical Board, Boiler Board and State Apprenticeship Council.
INDUSTRY RESEARCH
The association conducts research for use in negotiating labor agreements. PMCA’s staff also attends conferences and workshops and reviews reports and studies to stay on top of issues and trends affecting the industry and relay that back to the membership.
PUBLIC & COMMUNITY RELATIONS
The membership of PMCA firmly believes that we are all part of the greater community. We actively support a number of charitable organizations and are a major sponsor of the B.U.L.L. Session auction and golf tournament that supports 9 children’s charities. We also work with our local schools and workforce agencies to promote careers in the trade. PMCA actively supports efforts to promote public safety through the use of licensed contractors and plumbers.
PUBLICATIONS & ONLINE DIRECTORY
One of the most important publications is our online contractor directory that is part of this website. This is a feature used by construction professionals and the general public alike and is a centerpiece for promotional outreach by PMCA and UA 290.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
PMCA partners with UA 290 to recruit, train and continuously educate the best workforce in our industry. Our workers enter a five-year union apprenticeship program and learn through both classroom and on the job training. After graduation they sit for various licenses and certifications. Continuing education is required to keep current with building codes and industry products and procedures.
Classroom instruction occurs at one of our state-of-the art private training centers that PMCA and UA 290 have partnered to create and operate specifically for this purpose. Our main training center is in Tualatin. Smaller regional centers are located in Astoria, Brookings, Bend/Redmond, Coos Bay, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Medford, Salem, The Dalles and Eureka. By developing our own training facilities we are able to ensure that our workforce gets the best training and continuing education possible. The funding and management of the training program and centers is jointly conducted by PMCA and UA 290.
SPECIAL EVENTS
A key goal of the Association is to break down barriers between our members and open up dialog and develop a spirit of camaraderie and cooperation. One of the ways PMCA brings the industry together is through social events like our Holiday party, golf tournament and annual B.U.L.L. Kids Night.
ASSOCIATION AFFILIATIONS
To further our member interests and provide additional benefits PMCA is an active member of a number of other organizations and programs. These include the following organizations – and links to them can be found on our Resource Links page:
- The Apollo Alliance
- Community Workforce Boards
- Emerald Cities Collaborative
- The Construction Industry Crime Prevention (CICP) Program of the Northwest
- Greater Portland Construction Partnership
- IAPMO
- Oregon Tradeswomen
- OSU Construction Engineering Management Program
- Portland Public Schools Career & Technical Education Advisory Board
- Portland Workforce Alliance
