Association for Locators

[GWJ_CAS]

OK, I have read public and private messages about the various issues and concerns over NULCA and the lack of involvement and representation by the average locator.

I pose these questions;

Would you like to start an association by and for Utility Locators and associated trades?

Would the members of this forum take an immediate an active roll in creating and getting an association of this type off the ground?

If so, there are some possibilities on the horizon. Such an organization could be chartered to ensure that field personnel are at the helm and if it is run professionally, could have significant impact on the industry.

I have some suggestions on what to name such an association, please look at these and vote for your favorite, or suggest an alternate name....

[ProfessionalLocator]

OK, I have read public and private messages about the various issues and concerns over NULCA and the lack of involvement and representation by the average locator.

I pose these questions;

Would you like to start an association by and for Utility Locators and associated trades?

Ans: Yes

Would the members of this forum take an immediate an active roll in creating and getting an association of this type off the ground?

Ans: Yes, with my identity protected as I see retribution from many employers. Unless of course your are hiring.

If so, there are some possibilities on the horizon. Such an organization could be chartered to ensure that field personnel are at the helm and if it is run professionally, could have significant impact on the industry.

I have some suggestions on what to name such an association, please look at these and vote for your favorite, or suggest an alternate name....

Ans: Gotta look at those acronyms carefully, do not want another North American Marlon Brando Look Alike association, NAMBLA.

[FiosKing]

im 100% in

[AULupstate]

Underground Utility Professionals Association - UUPA

Utility Locators Association - ULA

National Utility Locators Association - NULA

Association of Utility Locators - AUL (my personal favorite by the way, HA!!!!!!)


I don't really care about acronyms but something LIKE THIS, oh yeah, 100%. Wait though. I'm Management but I still Locate and my office is my truck (IN THE FIELD), am I still able to be part of this????????????

[yahoo]

yes to both questions for me!!!!

[Dave72]

I bet you guys would have a hard time finding people to actually put up info at work and stand proud and loud for this.
Seems the Walmarting of locates has been going on too long.. too much low bidding stuff makes managers scared of any kind of 'associating'

Jeepers, whats next.. fair pay ?? Time to nip this in the bud..

[ctdon1952]

National Association of Damage Prevention Specialist. NADPS

[RD_Wrangler]

I'm in.

[ProfessionalLocator]

I bet you guys would have a hard time finding people to actually put up info at work and stand proud and loud for this.
Seems the Walmarting of locates has been going on too long.. too much low bidding stuff makes managers scared of any kind of 'associating'

Jeepers, whats next.. fair pay ?? Time to nip this in the bud..

There would be the same objection, in addition to the others written about on this matter, as there would be to participation in this forum.

But today is the internet age and almost every locator has internet access if not at home then at a public library. Got library in your work area? Then stop there for lunch. (Libraries also make good locations to wait out the weather).

With an online website you can have download membership forms, apply for membership online, read articles, everything you need to recruit a membership. The website location can be spread by work of mouth or written on the bathroom wall. On small pieces of paper that are casually left around the office. Locators talk to their fellow locators all the time by phone, the word gets around.

[Mke]

uhhh, two things.

First, How about Association to Protect Utilities, that way the acronym is APU, like the guy who works the KwikiMart... Just a thought.

Second is, I keep seeing people assuming this is going to be a Union. I'm in it if the Association is for the betterment of of the Locators, and the Industry, but not if its a Union. I know that it is a fine line to dance, but I would like the Association to be something companies want, not something the companies are forced to have.

So in other words......

Yes,

and

Yes,

Mke

[AULupstate]

What about DPSA, Damage Prevention Specialists Association or ADPS, Association of Damage Prevention Specialists.

Covers EVERYONE. Contract, Private, S.U.E.

I'm with Mke though, on the whole union 'assumption'.

This should be for the Betterment of Locators, Getting the word out there that what we do EVERYDAY is important, dangerous and really for the protection of the public, NOT just generating revenue for 'the company', That skill and experience should OVERSHADOW production, the 'warm body' syndrome and the UTTER STUPIDITY of 'five way' locates in under 10 minutes (used as an example).

I know there is more but I just can't think straight enough at the moment to write a concisive list.

[GWJ_CAS]

What about DPSA, Damage Prevention Specialists Association or ADPS, Association of Damage Prevention Specialists.

Covers EVERYONE. Contract, Private, S.U.E.

I'm with Mke though, on the whole union 'assumption'.

This should be for the Betterment of Locators, Getting the word out there that what we do EVERYDAY is important, dangerous and really for the protection of the public, NOT just generating revenue for 'the company', That skill and experience should OVERSHADOW production, the 'warm body' syndrome and the UTTER STUPIDITY of 'five way' locates in under 10 minutes (used as an example).

I know there is more but I just can't think straight enough at the moment to write a concisive list.

I really like the ADPS moniker, it fits all forms of locating and damage prevention.

I also want to be clear that this IS NOT INTENDED as some sort of unionizing, it is a specific organization for the betterment of the trade, to provide a voice for the LOCATOR.

I strongly encourage the creation of bylaws that keep real locators at the helm of the organization. Do not exclude membership of company owners, but preclude them from executive board seats (i.e. Chairperson, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer) and exclude them from the position of Executive Director, but allow them a standard board seat IF ELECTED to it by the rank and file members. The idea is not to make mortal enemies of the company owners, but to find a way to ensure communication and sharing of ideas and initiatives.

I am advocating that NULCA dedicate a board seat to a field locator with some bylaws that ensure the locator is authorized by his company to serve and attend all meetings just as one of the company execs would. It would sure be beneficial if this ADPS organization could get off the ground and elect or appoint a rep from the group to serve as the locator on the NULCA board. That would certainly garner attention and lend credence to this new group. Moves like that also get you a seat at the CGA table and other organizations like NUCA, AGC, and so on.

I am going to revise the name pole to include the ADPS moniker.

[ProfessionalLocator]

I really like the ADPS moniker, it fits all forms of locating and damage prevention.

I also want to be clear that this IS NOT INTENDED as some sort of unionizing, it is a specific organization for the betterment of the trade, to provide a voice for the LOCATOR.

I strongly encourage the creation of bylaws that keep real locators at the helm of the organization. Do not exclude membership of company owners, but preclude them from executive board seats (i.e. Chairperson, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer) and exclude them from the position of Executive Director, but allow them a standard board seat IF ELECTED to it by the rank and file members. The idea is not to make mortal enemies of the company owners, but to find a way to ensure communication and sharing of ideas and initiatives.

I am advocating that NULCA dedicate a board seat to a field locator with some bylaws that ensure the locator is authorized by his company to serve and attend all meetings just as one of the company execs would. It would sure be beneficial if this ADPS organization could get off the ground and elect or appoint a rep from the group to serve as the locator on the NULCA board. That would certainly garner attention and lend credence to this new group. Moves like that also get you a seat at the CGA table and other organizations like NUCA, AGC, and so on.

I am going to revise the name pole to include the ADPS moniker.

I would like to make it clear that those who spoke off the prospects of a union were not referring to the intentions those promoting or of any intention of their own to form a union.

What was being written about was the owners of the locate companies considering such an organization a potential threat. Their fear will be that the founders choose a professional organization name much as the Fraternal Order of Police did to disguise an organizing effort. Even if they are confident that the founders have no intention of organizing a union they will fear that years from now those that do will gain positions of control within the organization.

My take is that the operators of the locate firms, though not all as we have seen here, will figure they make money without such an organization so crush it and take no chances.


I also see this proposed organization as an organization promoting professionalism. I also suggest doing so discreetly, remember we have all been warned not to publish who we are on this forum just becasue there is opposition to locators discussing matters among themselves. If there are those that oppose this forum then you can imagine the opposition to a professional organization.