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Number One Choice By / Natalie Bruckner
4 » Partners in Progress » www.pinp.org
When it comes to winning bids on sheet metal jobs for complex projects, owners and general contractors turn to the most trusted sub-trades—those that have well-trained craftspersons who perform outstanding work, and also have a reputation for completing these projects safely, on time, and on budget. That’s why SMACNA contractors and skilled craftspersons at Local 206 in San Diego have become the number one choice for complex projects in their area. “We have the best apprenticeship program, and the best skilled and trained people to get the job done,” says David Gauthier, business manager at Local 206. “I like to play devil’s advocate sometimes and remind the general contractors that if they pick up a non-union contractor again, they will have the same headaches. I really don’t mind reminding them of their past mistakes.” This honest, upfront attitude has resulted in what can only be described as an exemplary partnership between Local 206 and its signatory contractors—a relationship that is recognized beyond SMACNA and SMART. But securing those complex projects requires more than a solid reputation and partnership; it also requires a strong and skilled workforce, and on that front, Local 206 and its signatory contractors are dialed in. “Our communication is strong when it comes to upcoming projects,” says Robin Callaway, project executive at ACCO Engineered Systems. “SMART may not be in on the actual labor loading needed, so we share with them the details of the project. For example, we inform them that it will be a 50,000 hour project that could fall in this window of time, and we project a workforce of X number. That allows the union to put together a strategy on recruiting new apprentices and making sure they have a skilled workforce ready to meet the proposed construction schedule, should we be awarded the project,” It’s a strategy that Callaway says is supported by all the union contractors in the area. By candidly providing that information to the Local, they can all prepare accordingly for the next 12 months and beyond. This approach has helped ACCO secure some significant jobs. One example is the 35,000-capacity San Diego State University Aztec Stadium in Mission Valley. “We were able
