Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) President Curtis Harbour addressed delegates during a general session of the United Association’s 41st General Convention on Aug. 18, joining labor leaders and industry representatives from around the world at the event, held Aug. 17-21 in San Diego.

The convention drew 4,034 delegates and featured remarks from United Association General President Mark McManus, Assistant General President Mike Pleasant, General Secretary-Treasurer Derrick Kualapai, North America’s Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey, Canada’s Building Trades Unions Executive Director Sean Strickland, Connect Trade Union (Ireland) General Secretary Paddy Kavanagh, actor and SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin, and others. The program also included a session dedicated to mental health and the UA Pipe PALS Committee.

During the convention, delegates reelected McManus to a third term as General President. In a convention news release, McManus said he looked forward to continuing to grow both the organization’s market share and membership while strengthening the future of the union. He cited the UA’s apprenticeship and training programs, organizing efforts, and the work of its members across the United States and Canada.

Harbour’s remarks focused on the strength of the partnership between MCAA contractors and the United Association and the opportunities ahead for the union mechanical construction industry.

“Five years ago, we talked about surviving together,” Harbour said. “Today, we’re talking about leading and thriving together.”

Throughout his remarks, Harbour emphasized the collaborative relationship between labor and management, crediting that partnership with helping strengthen the industry and create opportunities for future generations.

“The relationship between the United Association and MCAA has never been stronger,” Harbour said. “Not because we’ve avoided difficult conversations. Quite the opposite. It’s because we’ve had them. We’ve sat around the same table. We’ve challenged each other. We’ve listened to one another. And then we’ve gone to work. That’s what partners do.”

Harbour highlighted areas where MCAA and the UA continue to work together, including leadership development, safety, mental health initiatives, workforce recruitment, and preparing the industry for opportunities in advanced manufacturing, semiconductor facilities, energy projects, and data centers.

Harbour also congratulated McManus, Pleasant, Kualapai, and the UA leadership team on their election and recognized the organization’s historic membership growth.

“More than 400,000 members. The largest membership in the history of the United Association,” Harbour said. “That didn’t happen by accident. It happened because generations of UA leaders believed in investing in apprenticeships, in training, in organizing, and most importantly, in people.”

In his opening address to delegates, McManus highlighted the UA’s continued investment in training and workforce development, noting that the organization invests approximately $250 million annually, in private funds, for training and currently has nearly 70,000 apprentices preparing for careers in the piping trades.

“Over the last five years our commitment to excellent training and organizing established the foundation for our future,” McManus said. “We set the gold standard when it comes to training.”

Harbour also addressed the opportunities and challenges facing the industry, including the growth of advanced manufacturing, energy projects, healthcare construction, semiconductor facilities, and hyperscale data centers. While acknowledging the impact emerging technologies will have on construction, he emphasized the enduring value of skilled craft professionals.

“Technology will continue to evolve, but craftsmanship will endure the test of time as it has in the United Association for over 140 years,” Harbour said.

Mental health was another theme highlighted throughout the convention. Harbour praised the industry’s growing commitment to supporting workers both on and off the jobsite.

“Buildings matter. Projects matter. But people matter most,” Harbour said. “That’s why I’m so proud of the work we’re doing together on mental health.”

Looking ahead, Harbour encouraged continued collaboration between contractors and labor leaders to meet workforce demands and capitalize on opportunities across the construction industry.

“I hope we say we transformed our industry,” Harbour said. “That we recruited thousands of new craftsmen and women. That mental health became as important as physical safety. That we embraced technology without ever losing sight of craftsmanship.”

McManus echoed the convention’s themes of unity and service in his closing remarks, recommitting the UA’s leadership team to representing members with professionalism, integrity, and purpose.

“We stand here today united in purpose, united in pride, united in family because that’s exactly what we are,” McManus said.

Harbour concluded by thanking UA members for their partnership, professionalism, and craftsmanship and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to address the convention.

“On behalf of every MCAA contractor across North America, thank you for your partnership,” Harbour said. “Thank you for your professionalism. Thank you for your craftsmanship.”

The convention reflected the shared commitment of the United Association and MCAA to workforce development, training, safety, mental health, and strengthening opportunities for the next generation of skilled professionals across the union mechanical construction industry.