About Us
The PDCA of Hawaii membership includes active unionized painting, decorating, waterproofing and industrial coating contractors, associate manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and dealers and affiliate contractors with a multitude of skilled and bonded employees across the state. The PDCA of Hawaii promotes the unionized painting industry and their commitment to give back to the community by helping with beautification of buildings as community service projects. The PDCA of Hawaii is affiliated with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), District Council 50. DC50 represents Hawaii’s construction finishing trades, including the Painters Local Union 1791, Glaziers Local Union 1889, Floorlayers Local Union 1926, Drywall Finishers Local Union 1944, and Shipyard Workers Local Union 1941.
Mission Statement
PDCA of Hawaii is a Council of the Painting Contractors Association and an Affiliate of the Finishing Contractors Association International whose missions are dedicated to the success of painting and decorating contractors through ethics, education and excellence.
Founded in 1884, the Painting Contractors Association (PCA) is a national trade association dedicated to the success of painting and decorating contractors through ethics, education, and excellence. PCA is recognized and supported by many industry manufacturers and suppliers as the premier organization committed to helping professional painting and decorating contractors improve their business.
PCA is the only trade association dedicated to the success of the nearly 310,000 painting contractors in America and Canada. PCA offers contractor members many opportunities to develop and grow through participation in education programs, attendance at local networking meetings, use of PCA Industry Standards and much more.
History of the PCA
The Painting Contractors Association (PCA) traces its long history to 1884, when it was established by a group of contractors. The first name of PCA was the “Master House Painters Association of the United States and Canada,” and its first home was New York City. Its mission was fourfold: to solve industry abuses, to fix a defective apprentice system, to address problems with unsatisfactory materials, and to promote the “skill, honorable reputation, and probity” of the Master Painters.
In 1890, the Association’s name was changed to “The Master House Painters and Decorators Association of the United States of America.” In 1903, “and Canada” was restored to the name, and, in 1904, the title was amplified to read “International Association of Master House Painters and Decorators.” At Richmond, in 1903, it was voted to conduct the 20th convention in Toronto, Canada, at which time a Canadian Association was organized. For the next 30 years, the Canadian representatives were very active in the affairs of the International Association, with two of them being elected to the Presidency. The Canadian affiliation was ended with great regret on both sides of the border in 1933. This was due to legal complexities of the Association sponsoring the National Code Authority in the early days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s .New Deal. National Recovery Administration.
On June 4, 1928, under the laws of the State of Illinois, PCA was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation. That year, the name was again changed, this time to the “Master Painters and Decorators, Inc.” On March 8, 1937, at the annual convention in San Antonio, Texas, the current name, Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA), was adopted. This change was in response to a group of members who felt that the term “Master Painter” implied an organization of craftsmen rather than an association of businessmen, and did not accurately describe the type and scope of the work they performed. At that time, the Bylaws were changed to designate state associations as Councils of the National, while city groups would be Chapters of the Councils. Chicago Council retained its status as both Chapter and Council. In 2019, PDCA changed its name to Painting Contractors Association (PCA).
Throughout its long history, PCA has retained sight of several basic objectives:
- To advance the industry for both contractors and associates.
- To be a conduit for communication among contractors, associates, and the trades.
- To provide beneficial services to members that cannot be obtained in small groups or individually.
- To be the official voice of the coating application industry.
- To promulgate an attitude of ethical responsibility in business.
National PCA offices were first moved from their original home in New York City to a new location in Philadelphia. In 1954, headquarters were relocated to Chicago. In 1975, PCA was moved to Falls Church, Virginia, and, in 1989, to Fairfax, Virginia. Finally, in 2003, the organization moved to its present home in St. Louis.
(PCA history courtesy of Finishing Contractors of Chicago)
Code of Ethics
An expression of proper conduct in the pursuit of our profession as related to our customers, our fellow contractors, our employees, our association, and to the public.
Obligation of the Contractor
- To provide painting and decorating services in a professional business-like manner with both craftsmanship and up to date techniques.
- To protect, preserve and decorate homes, edifices, facilities and all other public and private property with the most progressive and efficient means and materials.
- To maintain regulatory, insurance and licensing requirements in the areas we conduct business.
Obligation to the Public
- To conduct our business operations according to the highest professional and industry standards.
- To provide innovative solutions which enhance value.
- To faithfully fulfill all contracts.
- To expand our knowledge through the constant study of best business practices and utilization of the latest technical advances in our profession and industry.
- To conduct one’s self in a professional manner at all times.
- To follow federal, state, and local tax laws and regulations.
- To adhere to federal, state, and local laws and administrative regulations regarding the use and disposal of paints, coatings, and related materials.
Obligation to Our Fellow Members
- To encourage the free exchange of ideas.
- To meet with fellow members and promote all the precepts of this Code.
- To present a broad and favorable image of our profession and industry at all times.
- To promote equal treatment of all members.
- To oppose any discriminatory practices.
- To not disseminate misinformation or derogatory information concerning our association or related entity, member or industry organization.
Obligation to Our Employees
- To provide opportunities for training, employment, career advancement and economic security in a progressive manner to all those who would apply themselves.
- To provide a safe working environment by establishing good safety practices in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and administrative regulations.
- To follow federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
Obligation to Our Organization
- To promote the spirit of this Code and the objectives of our profession and industry through creation of and participation in Councils, Chapters, Forums, all association entities and industry related groups.
- To establish and maintain the highest level of reciprocal respect and goodwill with all segments of the industry.
- To promote our association to customers, prospective members, the industry, and related groups.
Industry Standards
PCA developed its Industry Standards to make the painting and decorating industry transparent to both painting contractors and consumers.
PCA Industry Standards:
- Provide the measure by which the quality of wall coating work can be evaluated by the consumer.
- Protect the contractor by establishing limits on the extent and verifiable uniformity of a project.
- Protect the consumer by requiring work that is free from defects, deficiencies and significant variations of coating applications.
- Save contractors time and money when used and referenced in painting work bids and contracts.
The Standards discuss a range of issues that commonly become the subject of misunderstandings, or in extreme cases, contract disputes and provide guidance for both the contractor and the layman concerning how such differences can best be avoided.
All participants in the architectural, engineering, design, construction, and painting & wall-covering industry benefit from the use and circulation of the PCA Industry Standards. All consumers benefit from the use of PCA Standards by those they contract with, to provide best value for their painting and decorating expenditures.
PDCA of Hawaii Board of Directors
