ROCKVILLE, Md. - Because of the complexity of the collective bargaining relationship in the specialty construction industry, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and the Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) developed the 2006 edition of the MCAA Collective Bargaining Guide and Legal Analysis to help contractors understand the subject.

Written by nationally recognized labor and employment law experts Michael Boldt and Ryan Poor, from the Ice Miller law firm in Indianapolis, the guide covers the essential details in plain English. It is designed to tell construction company executives and association bargaining personnel just what they need to know when it comes to collective bargaining and labor contract administration.

For each topic covered, the guide includes a concise list of subjects; quick and concise definitions; an explanation of why a topic is important; practical tips for hard bargaining situations; information to help plan bargaining objectives; a variety of forms, including tips on how to make the best use of them; and troubleshooting help, with a CD digest of all the federal labor and employment laws that have bearing on the employment relationship, including links to compliance assistance at the federal enforcement agencies.

The guide also has legal compliance assistance, in the form of Web links that allow immediate access to a variety of sample EEO/AA policies, required forms, and jobsite posters.

For more information, visit www.mcaa.org.

Publication date: 02/06/2006