NUICA President Chris Grando recently addressed attendees at the Insulators Union Conference in Anaheim, California, sharing a clear message about the future of the mechanical insulation industry: stronger relationships between labor and contractors are built through collaboration, communication, and a shared commitment to growth.
During his remarks, Grando emphasized that successful partnerships require continued effort from both sides.
“I've learned that successful partnerships and relationships don’t happen by accident. They’re strengthened through honest communication, they’re sustained through collaboration, as Terry mentioned. For too long, we’ve been told that labor and management are adversaries. I don’t believe that’s who we are. I believe we’re partners. Partners who occasionally negotiate, not negotiators who occasionally partner. That’s why this year, when we gathered for our conference, I chose one simple theme; and that’s collaboration before negotiation.”
That idea — collaboration before negotiation — reflects an important principle for NUICA and the industry as a whole. Labor and contractors are most successful when they view one another as partners working toward the same goal: strengthening the mechanical insulation industry and creating opportunities for the people and businesses within it.
Partnership plays an essential role in driving growth. When contractors and union leadership work together on recruiting, training, market development, and advocacy, the entire industry benefits. Open communication allows both sides to better understand challenges, share experiences, identify opportunities, and develop solutions that move the industry forward.
The message from Anaheim was clear: the future of mechanical insulation will not be built by labor or management alone. It will be built through partnership.
Click Here To Listen to the Full Speech