黑洞社区

The Heating and Ventilating Contractors鈥� Association (HVCA) is to run an approved list of labour agencies. Those that meet the Association鈥檚 criteria will be part of a new formal alliance.

The HVCA expects the alliance to launch this spring. Agencies that are part of the framework will be recognised by the HVCA as reputable for use by members.

President John Miller also said the HVCA is still working with the ECA and Select in Scotland to develop a single working rule agreement covering the mechanical and electrical sectors.

鈥淧robably the principal issue yet to be fully resolved is the precise nature of the infrastructure required to administer a combined agreement,鈥� said Miller, pointing out that the Joint Industry Board for electrical contracting had 鈥渘o locus whatsoever as far as the mechanical sector is concerned鈥�.

鈥淗VCA members remain resolute in their belief that a new, purpose-built framework is required to accommodate new relationships, new working practices and new technologies,鈥� he said.

Miller also stressed that this initiative was being treated entirely separately from the discussions on convergence that had been taking place between the ECA and HVCA, around 鈥渙ur shared vision of a single organisation to represent mechanical and electrical contractors鈥�.

He explained that a survey had been mailed to every ECA and HVCA member to gauge views on two central issues. 鈥淔irstly, we have asked them to support the concept of convergence. Secondly, we have asked them to support the formation of a Convergence Board that will examine the members鈥� views and produce a model for a single organisation upon which the membership can, in the fullness of time, be consulted.

鈥淭he outcome of the survey, while in no way binding in itself, will be reported to the Councils of the two Associations at their meetings in March and April, at which time some decisions may be taken that could have a great deal of significance for the sector,鈥� said the president.