Seca

SECA VISION: To Revive, Restore & Reform Union Electrical Contractors to Compete in The Global Economy

REVIVE: To Return to Consciousness or Life, Make Flourish
No matter whether your market share is 65% or 5%, the economic climate is working to erode your market share and profits. All businesses are looking to reduce costs to the lowest levels possible. Industry giants dictate that suppliers of services must compete to price levels that actually are not worth the risk. How can this be? Because there is someone out there pricing the work cheaper. We must deal with this. If it has not impacted you significantly yet, it will. SECA wants Contractors to waken from complacency and recognize that “business as usual” will not be successful in the future. For Contractors that have already been impacted, SECA seeks to provide an atmosphere in which to flourish.

RESTORE: To Bring Back to a Former or Original State
What experienced Contractor doesn't long for “the good old days”? In those days, a Union electrical contractor was able to sell the fact that he had better quality and better trained technicians. The customers recognized that the price difference was worth it. In recent years the price gap between Union Contractors and the competition has widened to the point that customers do not perceive enough value to justify the difference. SECA wants to help Contractors to reduce that gap and get back on the customer’s radar screen.

REFORM: To Improve or Correct What is Defective
When Contractors complain about the relationship with the IBEW, our customers are not insulated from this. Thus when we try to sell ourselves as a better alternative, we have lost credibility. Revive and Restore involve returning to things that have worked and/or are familiar. These are not unknown and, thus are comfortable. Our greatest challenge of Reform must lead to new attitudes, approaches, understanding, respect and communication that often are absent in the traditional Contractor / IBEW relationship. In fact, it is the SECA position that a “relationship” no longer exists. Too many influences from the outside have inserted third and fourth parties into the relationship. SECA wants Local Contractors to develop a relationship directly with their Local Union.

Great athletes engage in epic battles during the contest yet, once the contest has ended, they often have respect for their rivals talent and spirit to the extent that they help each other get better. They can develop friendship, yet still when pitted against each other, want to win the battle. Contractors and the Union need to transform their thinking of the negotiating process. Michael Jordan and Karl Malone did not have to become mortal enemies to meet on the basketball court and try to win. By conducting professional negotiations and avoiding personal confrontations, Contractors can help reform the bargaining process to the extent that once settled, both sides can help the other to become better.

By meeting and getting to know one another, we often find that we share many of the same goals and values. When respect is developed, individuals can strongly disagree on issues yet discuss them honestly without adverse affects on the relationship. SECA seeks to emphasize the need for, and promote, mutual respect. This comes from direct, frequent and honest communication. No more operating from rumor or innuendo. No communication through third parties…direct communication on labor issues, new ideas, disagreements and sharing successes.

Is this only a dream? In some areas with some people, it may never happen. But, by working, striving and focusing efforts toward these goals, it will become a reality in more and more places. SECA wants to help that happen for you.