SCDCL and UCON Unite at Morongo to Strengthen Union Partnerships

Union contractors, SCDCL leadership, and labor representatives came together at Morongo Casino for a two-day event aimed at deepening collaboration and planning for the future of union-contractor partnerships. The event opened with an evening of networking, followed by a strategic meeting the next morning, where key stakeholders discussed how to expand opportunities for union members and reinforce the long-standing relationship between organized labor and the construction industry.

Contractors play a vital role in building and maintaining critical infrastructure throughout the region. Their continued commitment to union labor not only supports fair wages and safe job sites, but also strengthens the industry as a whole by ensuring access to a highly skilled and reliable workforce. This event underscored the importance of aligning goals across labor and management to meet the growing demands of development in Southern California and beyond.

Discussions were led by Jon P. Preciado and the Southern California District Council of Laborers (SCDCL), with strong representation from United Contractors (UCON), including Emily Cohen, Lucia Mixon, Derek Borghi, and Clay O’Neal. Additional presentations and insights were shared by leaders from the California State Council of Laborers, Construction Laborers Trust Funds, Pacific Southwest Administrators, the Center for Contract Compliance, the Laborers Training School, LIUNA Tri-Funds, and the LIUNA Pacific Southwest Region.

Participants included representatives from LIUNA Locals 89, 300, 345, 585, 652, 783, 1184, 1309, and 1414. They were joined by a wide array of partnering union contractors, including Guardian Traffic, G & F Concrete, Urban Habitat, Marina Landscape Inc., VPC - Veteran Pipeline Construction, Pierre Landscape, High-Light Electric, Ferreira Construction Co., Inc., JMH Engineering and Construction, Inc., Toro Enterprises Inc., Teichert Construction, Pipe Tec, Inc., Western Paving Contractors Inc., Mike Bubalo Construction, Mauldin Construction, Odigos Construction, J & M Concrete Contractors, Horizon Underground Inc., Doty Bros Construction Co. - Meruelo Enterprises Inc., Frontier Kemper Constructors, Inc., The Conco Companies, and Cell-Crete Corp.

The event demonstrated the continued strength and relevance of contractor-labor partnerships. By bringing together those who build and those who represent the workforce, the group reaffirmed their shared mission: to create sustainable career paths, deliver high-quality projects, and ensure a thriving future for the construction industry.

SCDCL extends its sincere thanks to all who participated and contributed to the success of this event. The conversations started here will continue to shape the path forward for labor and industry alike.