ECA paves way for convergence with the HVCA

The ECA has unveiled plans that could see convergence with the HVCA by 2010. Both trade associations began consultation with member firms in September, with a formal proposition for convergence to be introduced in the spring of 2008 if members are in favour.

“We are at a very early stage in the process,” said ECA director David Pollock. “We would have to have agreement from members of all sizes, from single discipline firms to those that offer both mechanical and electrical services.”

Pollock said that while the possibility of the ECA and HVCA coming together has been discussed many times over the years, there is now a view that the time is right. “There is increasing client demand in the market for m&e solutions. It makes sense, then, that trade associations should arrange themselves in such a way as to help members provide those solutions.”

With the m&e trade unions now together under the Unite banner, Pollock thought it helpful for employers to “be symmetrical to the union position.” Employers would then be less vulnerable to Unite playing one part of the industry off against the other.

There is a belief among the officers of the ECA and HVCA that a representative body for the whole of the building services sector will carry more weight in lobbying than individual groups. “The government is creating expectations on sustainability, regulation and accreditation and it makes sense for us to operate coherently on that,” said Pollock.

The decision to consult the membership of the ECA and HVCA on convergence was validated at Council meetings in July. Initial letters will be sent out in September. A report on the findings will follow and, if members support the plan, a formal convergence plan will be put forward in spring 2008. Convergence could take place in 2010.

“We would need a significantly positive response from the members for Council to move forward,” said Pollock. “As well as the papers going out in the next few weeks there will be discussions at regional level.”

Pollock is convinced that members, including electrical-only firms, will see the benefits of an increased resource pool, more influence and greater lobbying power.

The issue of Scotland remains. The HVCA represents the whole of the UK but Scottish electrical contractors are members of SELECT. “SELECT, and the plumbers [APHC and SNIPEF], will, I believe, be invited as observers and we would want them to be very closely involved in our deliberations,” said Pollock.

The ECA represents some 2800 firms, while the HVCA has around 1400 members.