Underground Construction - June 2021 - 39

DCA 60th Anniversary
A new and well-attended session of the convention was a
labor panel discussion. Union leaders encouraged finalizing
a national labor agreement, saying that this could reduce
grievances significantly.
Don Miller was elected president of the association in 1969.
Other officers were Edwin Gabrielse, first vice president; Paul
Thibodaux, second vice president; and Murry Loftis, Gas Lines
Inc., treasurer.
In 1969, the DCA labor committee successfully concluded a
national agreement with the Laborers' International Union. In
general, the volume of distribution work was down in 1969.
The 1970 convention was again held in Freeport following
the PLCA convention. That year, DCA members formed the
distribution pipeline committee to work as a liaison with the
federal Office of Pipeline Safety.
New officers elected were Edwin Gabrielse, president; Warren
Muncie, Universal Pipeline Constructors, first vice president; Bob
Lyons, Michigan Trenching Service Inc., second vice president;
and Murry Loftis, treasurer.
With distribution construction generally down for the second
year in a row, members began to look at related areas in which
they could use their expertise. Presentations on installation of
telephone and electrical lines were a key part of the 10th-annual
convention in Coronado, Calif. Representatives of American
Telephone and Telegraph Co. and San Diego Gas & Electric Co.
indicated that underground installation of these types of lines
was increasing.
Officers elected at the 1971 convention included Murry Loftis,
president; L.R. Young Construction Co., first vice president; Allan
Coolsaet, R.L. Coolsaet Construction Co., second vice president;
and Bob Brogan, GET Construction Co., treasurer.
Focus on safety
Safety was the focus of the 1972 convention, held in Honolulu
immediately following the PLCA convention in California. New
federal safety and health regulations went into effect in 1971,
and the convention was geared to deal with this important topic.
An employee safety manual was released by the DCA safety
committee. The director of the Office of Pipeline Safety
indicated that, in general, pipeline construction work was being
performed safely. The area director of OSHA discussed the
ramifications of the Occupational Safety Act.
New officers were Allan Coolsaet, president; M.H. Cook,
M.H. Cook Pipeline Construction Co., first vice president;
Stewart Kniff, Van Ess Company, second vice president; and
Dick Comstock, Tarnow Pipeline Co., treasurer.
New labor agreements were announced at the 1973
convention in Las Vegas. An agreement between DCA and the
United Association contained a special provision for plastic
pipe. The association also negotiated new wage rates with the
Laborers International Union.
M.H. (Bill) Cook, M.H. Cook Construction Co. was elected
president. Other officers for 1973 were Stewart Kniff, first
vice president; Dick Comstock, second vice president; and Bob
Bricker, Henkels & McCoy Inc., treasurer.
Fuel availability was a major topic of discussion at the 1974
UCONonline.com | JUNE 2021 39
convention in Key Biscayne, Fla. Fuel supplies varied from area
to area, but the situation was eased somewhat by state and
federal allocations for energy-related construction activities.
Other concerns included a trend to include utility and pipeline
firms in compensation suits for negligence damage claims, and
tightness in supply of new construction equipment.
New officers for 1974 included Stewart Kniff, president;
Dick Comstock, first vice president; Bob Bricker, second vice
president; and Gerald Snyder, Pace Pipe Line Co., treasurer.
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