ARCA/MCA Southern California

On October 16, 1939, the Airconditioning and Refrigeration Contractors Association of Southern California (ARCA) was established. The first Executive Director of ARCA was Henry Ely, a Los Angeles Attorney specializing in the construction industry. Shortly thereafter, on January 1, 1940, the first collective bargaining agreement between United Association Local 508 and ARCA was signed. This Agreement provided for a work jurisdiction of all aspects of heating, ventilation, airconditioning, and refrigeration. This scope of work included all HVACR work: service, remodel, construction, and all other related type work. Today’s Southern California ARCA contract with the United Association can be traced back to this 1940 collective bargaining agreement. Presently, ARCA has several collective bargaining agreements throughout Southern California with the United Association. In the late 1970’s, ARCA became associated with the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA and MSCA), hence today’s ARCA/MCA Southern California. During its long history, ARCA has had three Executives, Henry Ely, James Burge, and the current Executive Vice President, Richard J. Sawhill.

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