The Mobile Crane Operators Group (MCOG) is the oldest industry partnership of the Southern California Contractors Association. The two groups joined in May of 1995. This partnership has proved beneficial for both, in terms of increased strength within the industry and improved problem solving ability.

The efforts to provide crane operators with a cohesive air quality management program, certification training for operators, improve rental service contracts and indemnity protection are only a few examples of the benefits of this partnership.

The crane operators have a long history in Southern California, coalescing as an organization as part of the California Trucking Association in the 1970s. During the 1980s MCOG reformed a special negotiating committee to work with Local 12 of the Operating Engineers International Union. The merger with SCCA in 1995 strengthened the group's industry position in this and other areas.

The biggest challenge to the crane industry has been the myriad of air quality regulations from the California Air Resources Board. MCOG members are regulated under as many as seven different programs — often with the same piece of equipment falling under one, two or three different and sometimes conflicting rules.

MCOG is leading the crane industry in compliance with existing regulations, such as the portable equipment rule, and in fighting for a fair shake in the coming off-road diesel regulation.

Before this the issue was crane operator certification, with MCOG working with Local 12 of the Operating Engineers to develop an accredited training and certification program. The result was that virtually all of the operators in the MCOG fleets have passed certification requirements, offering qualified and safe manpower for their customer’s projects.

MCOG President Lee Steinberg
Vice President Neal Goodale
Secretary Ron Hill
Treasurer
Immediate Past President Sam Meyer
Second Immediate Past President Seth Hammond