Strength in Numbers: The Story of PDF
A can of paint, a stepladder, and desire—at the turn of the century, painters needed little more to start a business. Today that paint, considered hazardous material, is tightly regulated; that ladder must be built to OSHA standards; and the desire? Well, it must be strong enough to chart a course through dozens of regulations and to adapt to the many changes
taking place in the industry. Six far-sighted contractors detected this transformation more than 25 years ago. Despite being business competitors, they decided to band together for their common good. The date was July 30, 1974; their legacy is the Painting and Decorating Foundation. Since then, PDF has represented all of the St. Louis area union painting, wallcovering and drywall taping contractors that are signatory to the collective bargaining agreement with Painters District Council #2. As an industry advancement fund, PDF serves the contractors and their employees through educational programs, advertising, lobbying and social functions. PDF also provides resources to the local construction industry, architects and the general public. "What has happened over the years," explained Edward C. Smith, President of Hartman-Walsh Painting Company, "is that PDF has evolved as the industry has evolved." And what an evolution it has been. "Today painting is scrutinized as much and maybe even more than other professions by OSHA, EPA, DNR and other regulatory agencies," said Smith. Over the years, he added, "it became apparent to the PDF that we needed to educate ourselves." Establishing an Identity
Before PDF could assume a leadership role it had to establish its identity and prove its usefulness to more than the original six contractors who founded it. The founders, and the companies they worked at that time, included John Hinrichs of John H. Hinrichs & Son, Ivan Knopf of Knopf Brothers Painting, Richard Koslow of Shield Painting Co., Bob Latta of Busch and Latta Painting, Bernie Slattery of Slattery Painting, and Marty Walsh of Hartman-Walsh Painting Co. Under the leadership of its first three directors, Irv Below, Bill Knopf and Rick Moran, PDF waged a public awareness campaign. In the 1970's many contractors were unfamiliar with industry funds, which operate from a small levy placed on union hourly wages. Early on, PDF published a contractor directory and used print and television ads to make the construction industry and the general public aware of its existence. "There is no work force like our contractors," said PDF Executive Director, Dan Wienstroer. "We believe that our workers have the highest training, the best quality and the most time efficiency in the painting and decorating industry." Partners with the Union
As a group of contractors, PDF has made significant efforts to build closer ties with Painters District Council #2. "We're partners with the union," explained Wienstroer. This fact became apparent in the subject of one of PDF's first public relations campaigns: the 'sundown' shift. Print ads, television commercials, and even match books proclaimed the willingness of union contractors to work the evening hours more convenient for many businesses without demanding high overtime rates. The 'sundown' shift existed as a testament to greater labormanagement cooperation. "In their wisdom, [the industry leaders] decided we were losing a lot of work for people who were willing to do it," said Wienstroer. "The message was: we're flexible; we're willing to work with you." That flexibility only existed because of the common ground between union employees and contractors recognized in the collective bargaining agreement. Taking a Leadership Role
As PDF entered its teenage years, it reached a new level of maturity under the leadership of Charles Wallace. "He took PDF to another plateau," said Wienstroer. Joining PDF in 1987, Wallace focused and developed the organization during the next decade. Wallace recalled that when he began at PDF, it "didn't have a lot of direction. We were not involved with other groups in the construction industry in St. Louis." "Over the next years," he said, "we became known as one of the industry leaders in St. Louis and across the country." With its many educational programs, lobbying efforts and connections with the local construction industry, Wallace extended the reach of PDF before he left in 1997. Reluctant to boast, Wallace is quick to share his success with longtime PDF Administrative Assistant, Ellen Fahy. "She did everything," he said. "We formed a good team." Wallace also credits the many trustees who have served on the PDF Board. "We had very progressive boards," he said. "We grew into a really dynamic organization." During Wallace's tenure PDF purchased its own building in Overland and continued its public relations campaign in newspapers and billboards. More significantly, PDF began educational and lobbying efforts. Education and Training
As government regulation increased and the construction market changed, "We realized that we needed to educate and promote professionalism," said Joseph Ward, Jr., President of Joseph Ward Painting Co. "We started a lot of management training." PDF conducts five or six seminars each year, on topics such as estimating, foreman productivity, estate planning and blue print reading. PDF also provides its members and their employees with access to computer training and with safety instruction throughout the year. Employees of PDF contractors are educated in the Apprenticeship/ Journeyman Training School. "Contractors have a lot of input on what is taught," explained Tim Klotz, Apprenticeship Coordinator. This input allows for more efficient and better training of employees. PDF awards a cash prize, known as the James Barron award, to the best apprentice in each class. A scholarship program funded by PDF also encourages apprentices to supplement their trade skills with business training at local colleges. "As an organization, the PDF tells [the training school] what we need to disseminate to our workers," said Smith. "We're getting this information out in a much more efficient way than if each contractor had to do it themselves." This close cooperation between the union and the contractors creates time and money savings for all concerned. Best of all, this training comes at no additional cost to contractors. "There are not many organizations in which the contractors have everything given to them," said Wallace. "Some of them get more worth than what they pay in." PDF contractors receive additional training and information through a quarterly newsletter, The Finishing Touch, and a monthly fax newsletter. Sam Washington, President of CCR, Inc., noted that contractors are paid back for their investment in PDF. Even better, he added, "it doesn't make any difference what size you are." All contractors are considered partners in PDF and are eligible for all benefits. Impact on Legislation
PDF members also gain strength in numbers through their efforts to influence local, state and federal laws affecting their industry. PDF cooperates with a half dozen other trade associations in the St. Louis Area Contractors Association. This group keeps a professional lobbyist in Jefferson City, a fact which makes PDF "a force to be reckoned with," according to Wallace. "Within three years [of starting lobbying efforts] legislators were getting in touch with our representatives," said Wallace. "They wanted to know how we felt about [particular issues] before they went forward." As a result of one early success concerning workers compensation, Wallace knew that PDF had 'arrived' as an industry fund. Missouri contractors had long subsidized non-union worker compensation payments through the large payments they made to the fund as a result of high union wages. Successful lobbying earned PDF members credits for the higher salaries they paid. "That gave union contractors a lot more money in their pockets at the end of year," said Wallace. Other legislative victories include the passage of a prompt-payment bill, forcing the state of Missouri to pay invoices within a specified time. More recently guidelines for lead paint removal have been tightened and the licensing procedures for abatement contractors have been established. PDF has successfully lobbied to raise the estate tax threshold, making it easier for contractors to pass their businesses on to their children.
