Journal - UA Organizers and Training Leadership Defining a Common Goal for - Local 230, San Diego
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION MAY/JUNE 2019
journal
Defining a Common Goal for
UA Organizers and
Training Leadership
Page 8
The Heart of the UA
Local 383 Retiree
Volunteers in the
Galápagos Islands
Gary “Jughead” bushes—which they call “Mora” —that have
Jones began his spread across 20 percent of the islands. Other
career in the United intrusive plants include Lantana and guava.
Association with Birds are broadcasting the seeds of these plants
Steamfitters Local across the islands, and if left unchecked, they
218, which is now would eradicate all of the native species.
Local 777, State of Connecticut. He moved to Brother Jones said, “In May 2018, I went for
California in 2000, and in 2011, after 41 years two weeks. It was like stepping into another
with the UA, he retired from Plumbers and world! It was stunning and such an experience to
If you—or someone you Pipefitters Local 393, San Jose, CA. Brother live in one of the most isolated regions in the
know—have given gener- Jones said, “After I retired, I just felt that I highlands. The group leaders instructed us on
ously of your time and labor wanted to do more with my life. I had a strong the importance of endemic plants. Every day
for a good cause or have sense to do something which would give me a was exciting and physically challenging. Using a
rewarding experience.” machete, I cut back invasive weeds. I planted
been involved in extraordi-
Gary Jones looked into volunteering. He pineapples and picked fruit in the forest. We cre-
nary charitable activities, discovered an organization called UBELONG, ated compost with cow poop we collected. The
we want to know about it. which is an international volunteer community. part I enjoyed the most was working in the nurs-
Participants can volunteer in a vast number of ery. We planted seedlings and then transferred
All submissions for this categories, such as business, health care, caregiv- them to the forest.”
page should be made ing, education, food security, and law and The goal of the organization is to remove the
through your local Business human rights, to name just a few. The programs invasive plants and introduce 5,000 to 10,000
Manager, who will forward are very affordable and geared toward people native plants to the islands each year. Addition-
them to the office of who want to make an impact in a community. ally, at the nursery, they are growing bananas
“There were many choices in many countries,” and pineapples to help the indigenous people
General Secretary-Treasurer
Brother Jones said, “but I was attracted to one sustain a livelihood. Moreover, they are assisting
Pat Kellett. Submissions in particular in the Galápagos Islands, 600 miles coffee growers by planting native shade trees
can be emailed to off the coast of Ecuador. Before I went, I re- around the coffee growers’ fields, because the
UA-journal@uanet.org. searched and read as much as I could about the coffee crops need shade to thrive.
Images should be high islands at my local library.” “I left feeling a definite sense of accomplish-
resolution (300 dpi). The Galápagos Islands are known for their ment, and I was proud of all of the work we got
large number of endemic plants. The volcanic done. I am already looking to volunteer in a dif-
Please include as much islands are located on either side of the equator ferent country this year, and I will make sure to
information as possible, in the Pacific Ocean and are part of the Repub- continue to do this to help people around the
lic of Ecuador. Over the years, they have suf- world.”
as well as photographs,
fered from invasive plants such as blackberry
preferably in color.
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION JOURNAL • MAY/JUNE 2019
2
VOLUME CXXI, NUMBER 4 (ISSN 0095-7763) MAY/JUNE 2019
journal
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION
Contents
FEATURES DEPARTMENTS
Defining a Common Goal Report of General
for UA Organizers and President
Training Leadership
8 Mark McManus
A comprehensive overview Educating Congress
of the 2019 Pipe Trades on the Benefits of
Training and Technology Nuclear Energy 4
Conference and Organizers
Seminar. 8 Editorial: General
Secretary-Treasurer
United We Build—North Pat Kellett
America’s Building
Our Future is in
Trades 2019 Legislative
Good Hands With
Conference
Rep. Abby Finkenauer
UA delegates attended 6
NABTU’s 2019 Legislative
Conference to hear from Local Union Reports
numerous 2020 Presidential
Activities of UA members
candidates. 18
across the United States
and Canada 34
In Memoriam
General President Mark
McManus is saddened to
announce the passing of
former Director of
Training George Bliss. 31
18
George Bliss
The UAWeb Internet address: http://www.ua.org
Postmaster: Address changes should be sent to Publications Office, The United Association Journal, Three Park Place, Annapolis, MD
21401-3153.The United Association Journal (ISSN #0095-7763) is published nine times a year by the United Association,Three Park Place,
Annapolis, MD 21401-3153. Periodicals postage paid at Annapolis, MD, and additional mailing offices. Printed in U.S.A. Publications mail
agreement no. 40033123. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to P.O. Box 2601, 6915 Dixie Rd, Mississauga, ON L4T 0A9.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Educating Congress
on the Benefits of
Nuclear Energy
(Editor’s Note: General President Mark McManus presented powerful testimony before Mark McManus
the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources during a hearing on U.S. General President
Leadership in Nuclear Energy. Excerpts from this testimony follow.)
My name is Mark McManus, and I am the General men and women who perform this work, and we spare
President of the United Association of Journeymen and no expense when it comes to their skills development.
Apprentices of the United States and Canada (UA), In my experience, the U.S. nuclear utilities that
which represents America’s union plumbers, pipefitters, employ members of the UA and other building trades
welders, sprinkler fitters, and HVACR technicians. On unions share our passion for safety and training and have
behalf of the more than 350,000 members of the UA, I cultivated a culture of safety in the U.S. nuclear industry
want to thank you, Chairwoman Murkowski, Ranking that is without equal anywhere in the world. Since the
Member Manchin, and members of the Committee for mid-1980s, we have worked closely with nuclear utilities
the opportunity to testify about the future of U.S. nuclear to ensure that our members are trained to the specific
power and the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA). needs of our nuclear plants. One of the ways in which
I was especially pleased to accept this invitation to testify, we have accomplished this is through the Nuclear
because I believe that the kind of bipartisan leadership Mechanic Apprenticeship Process, or N-MAP, which
featured in today’s hearing and in the development of was developed by a tripartite committee of international
NELA is what is necessary to address the energy and building trades unions, contractors, and nuclear utilities.
environmental challenges facing our country. There are three basic elements to N-MAP. First,
It is well past time that we turned the page on any the apprenticeship programs of the relevant crafts—i.e.,
lingering irrational fears of this carbon-free energy source pipefitters, electricians, boilermakers, millwrights, iron-
that already provides 20 percent of our country’s electric- workers, and sheet metal workers—are reviewed to
ity—50 percent of electricity in Illinois—and hasn’t ensure that individuals who complete our programs
injured or killed a single person in the more than a emerge with the fundamental knowledge and skills
half century we’ve consumed it. necessary to work in a nuclear facility. Second, the
The truth is that nuclear energy is already safe, cost- apprenticeship programs themselves perform annual
effective, and reliable, and the development of advanced self-assessments to identify and correct any deficiencies
nuclear technologies made possible by NELA would in the delivery of the requisite training. The nuclear
make it even more so. The UA believes that proactive utilities and contractors also have the chance at this
federal leadership in this area is critical and that the pub- stage to weigh in with any concerns arising from jobsite
lic-private partnerships facilitated by NELA—and the experiences. Third, and finally, N-MAP includes an
demonstration projects arising from those partnerships— equivalency process to verify, through experience or
will help to achieve the goal of reestablishing U.S. preem- examination, the knowledge and skills of craftspeople
inence in nuclear energy. who did not complete a traditional apprenticeship.
A major reason for the nuclear industry’s excellent In addition to working with the UA and other building
safety record is the top-notch training of the building trades to ensure that our training is responsive to the
trades craftspeople to whom these facilities are in large needs of the nuclear industry, nuclear utilities use Project
part entrusted. The UA is proud to represent many of the Labor Agreements, or PLAs, to protect their investments
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION JOURNAL • MAY/JUNE 2019
4
“The skilled workers that Mark McManus represents are the ones that are
actually going to be building the technologies we are talking about today.”
– Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)
and secure reliable access to the best-trained skilled labor produce major benefits for the regional and national econ-
available. PLAs, which cover more than 80 percent of the omy as well. Consider the fact, for example, that a single
98 reactors currently in operation in the United States, new nuclear plant requires hundreds of new plant compo-
leverage established referral systems administered by the nents, along with 300 miles of electric wiring, 44 miles of
building trades in the area to verify the qualifications of piping, 400,000 cubic yards of concrete, 130,000 electric
the men and women who are dispatched to components, and 66,000 tons of steel. Needless to say,
nuclear facilities. orders of this scale are going to put a great many manufac-
PLAs are also exceptionally valuable tools for planning turers to work—all hopefully in the United States of
and coordinating construction, modification, and mainte- America—while requiring many of them to expand their
nance projects at nuclear plants. PLAs establish uniform operations and hire additional people.
terms and conditions for all of the trades and site con- Once a nuclear plant is up and running, several hun-
tractors on the project. In other words, on a nuclear pro- dred direct permanent employees are required to operate
ject involving several crafts and contractors, PLAs ensure it, and, again, these are well-paying jobs. And, each year
that there are consistent rules and procedures concerning the plant continues in operation, the local, regional, and
wages and benefits, work schedules, overtime, holidays, national economy will continue to reap direct and sec-
and other issues, thereby promoting stability and maxi- ondary economic rewards.
mizing efficiency over the life of the project. Let me close by offering one last recommendation
The construction of a new nuclear plant is a career- to the Committee: don’t stop at NELA. Nuclear energy
defining opportunity for the men and women in this carries the potential to substantially improve our energy
country who make a living in the trades. At its peak, con- security, dramatically reduce our carbon footprint, and
struction of a new nuclear plant tends to employ upwards deliver tremendous benefits to our economy. To fully re-
of 3,500 workers, virtually all of whom are paid family- alize that potential, I believe that we need to take a hard
supporting wages and benefits. For a real-time example look at every reasonable opportunity to expand nuclear
of the job-creating potential of nuclear power, look no power, including by encouraging the development of
further than the ongoing work on the two new nuclear projects through common-sense reforms to permitting
reactors at Plant Vogtle in Georgia. At this very moment, and more readily available loan guarantees, and by ex-
there are 7,000 workers on the project, and when con- ploring all possible avenues to prevent unnecessary or
struction reaches its peak, the number of workers will rise premature closures of existing nuclear plants and units.
to approximately 9,000. Senators, these are the kinds of
well-paying clean energy jobs that Americans have been
waiting for.
Any time several thousand workers descend on an area
for a large-scale construction project, the people and busi-
nesses that call that area home are going to see an enor-
mous economic impact. The visiting workers rent local
rooms, patronize local restaurants, shop at local stores,
fill up at local gas stations, purchase tickets to local movie
theaters, and much more. These projects, of course,
UNION PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, SPRINKLERFITTERS, STEAMFITTERS AND SERVICE TECHS
5
EDITORIAL
Our Future is in
Good Hands With
Rep. Abby Finkenauer
Patrick H. Kellett
General Secretary-Treasurer
At the recent Legislative Conference of North Amer- Many of those in Congress this session are new to
ica’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), we heard from politics on the national level, but that is not necessarily a
many candidates who are running in 2020 for the Presi- bad thing. They are bringing a spirit of youth and vitality
dency of the United States. It was great to hear from that has the potential to rejuvenate a legislative body
them, but that’s not what I took away from the confer- that has become somewhat mired in the past. Tradition
ence. Instead, I found the most moving and inspiring is important, of course, but these new faces are bringing
remarks came from one of our own, Representative fresh ideas and enthusiasm that is contagious.
Abby Finkenauer, a member of Congress from Iowa’s We know that not all of their ideas are realistic, but
1st Congressional District. Abby is the daughter of a we have to give them credit for starting a long overdue
UA pipefitter, and she has strong union values that she’s conversation about a lot of issues that will be important
taken to Congress as one of the youngest members ever. to our future as a nation. It will be interesting to see how
She spoke to both the entire NABTU conference, as that conversation evolves and where these new members
well as during our annual UA luncheon. Her words gave take us.
me great hope for the future, especially when she said, Politics are dominating our airwaves and that can be
“Fighting for working families is fighting for my family.” tiresome and frustrating. The expansion of social media
Elsewhere in this issue of your UA Journal, we present a into every corner of our lives is at times overwhelming
full report on the NABTU conference that includes and inescapable. While there are clear benefits to the way
Rep. Finkenauer. social media connects us, there’s also a downside to the
Right now we are living through difficult times. We are constant barrage of what can often be too much informa-
polarized as a nation here in the United States. Families tion. We all need to exercise discipline—and a healthy
and friendships have been torn apart by opposing political dose of skepticism—in how we react to social media.
views and that is discouraging. As UA members, we know We should take care in how we digest all that we see on
that what unites us is far stronger than what separates us, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other media sites.
but it is hard to remember that when tempers flare and One good thing that social media does is help us stay
opinions are so strong on every side. But listening to in touch with our UA brothers and sisters. That connec-
Abby Finkenauer, with her hopeful, positive message, and tion is both powerful and important in that it helps to
her enormous pride at being able to represent working reinforce the bonds of solidarity that are so critical to a
men and women in Congress, should reassure us that in strong union.
fact our country is in very good hands. It’s also great that the economy is still booming and
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION JOURNAL • MAY/JUNE 2019
6
GENERAL OFFICERS
Mark McManus,
General President
Patrick H. Kellett, Michael A. Pleasant,
General Secretary-Treasurer Assistant General President
GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
Patrick M. Dolan, Jr., Kenneth J. Broadbent, Daniel C. Hendrix,
District No. 1, Connecticut, District No. 2, District of Columbia, District No. 3, Alabama, Arkansas,
Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, North Carolina,
New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia, and West Virginia Oklahoma, South Carolina,
Vermont Tennessee, and Texas
Steven S. Breitlow, Stanley M. Smith, Steven Morrison,
District No. 4, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, District No. 5, Alaska, Arizona, District No. 6, Canada,
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Director of Canadian Affairs
Nebraska, North Dakota, South Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico,
Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming Oregon, Utah, and Washington
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
James P. Moss, Mark Buss, Bradley M. Karbowsky,
Executive Vice President Administrative Assistant to the Administrative Assistant to the
General President General President
Christopher A. Haslinger, Terence N. Snooks,
Administrative Assistant to the Administrative Assistant to the
General President General President/Canada
DIRECTORS
David L. Barnett, Thomas G. Bigley, Virgil “Ed” Boone,
Director of Pipeline and Director of Plumbing Services Director of Trade Jurisdiction
Gas Distribution
Robert J. Lamb, Brett C. McCoy, Michael P. Mulvaney,
Director of Information Technology Director of Metal Trades Director of Energy and Infrastructure
James G. Pavesic, James E. Tucker,
Director of Education and Training Director of Organizing and Recruitment
INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
work is good for most of our members. It Lance J. Albin, Richard N. Allen, D. Shawn Broadrick,
Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Delaware, District of Columbia,
doesn’t appear to be slowing down, and we Louisiana, and Mississippi Wyoming Maryland, Virginia, and Sprinklerfitters
want to keep it that way. Energetic young Kevin P. Carden, David J. Donato, Darren D. Jones,
leaders like Abby Finkenauer are doing Michigan New Jersey and Pennsylvania Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma
their part to make that happen. We need William P. Meyers, Jr., Roger D. Morgan, John J. Murphy,
Illinois Florida New York
many more Abbys in Congress, in state
Bruce A. Myles, Richard L. Oliver, Michael E. O’Mara,
houses, in legislatures, and on town coun- Newfoundland and Labrador, Georgia, North Carolina, and Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and
cils if we are to continue our upward Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island,
New Brunswick, and Qualit
South Carolina Nebraska
growth. The UA will be doing its part to Control Council of Canada (QCCC)
make that happen all across this country. Kenneth R. Ruggles, Greg Sayles, Russell “Corby” Shelton,
Ohio and West Virginia Minnesota, North Dakota, Texas
We will be calling on members to help South Dakota, and Wisconsin
us in this effort, and we know you will Scott Smith, Kurt W. Steenhoek, C. Daniel Watts,
be there. Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Plumbing Connecticut, Maine,
Oregon, and Washington Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
So there is much to look forward to in Rhode Island, and Vermont
the coming months and years. Even as the Heiko P. Wiechern,
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba,
harsh rhetoric of divisiveness swirls around Saskatchewan, Yukon, and Mainline Pipeline
us, let’s not give into it, but instead, renew
our commitment to one another as union SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVES
brothers and sisters and as Americans.
Larry S. Bulman, Stephane Favron, Anthony Gallagher,
That will keep us strong. General Office Quebec HVACR Services
William “Chad” Gilbert, Wendell Hibdon, William P. Hite, Jr.,
Pipeline and Gas Distribution Energy and Infrastructure Organizing
Chris C. Inghram, Robert R. Johnson, Derrick Kualapai,
Organizing Indiana and Kentucky California and Hawaii
Phillip F. Martin, Mike Mikich, Greg Mitchell,
Welding/Training Pipeline and Gas Distribution Ontario
Jason Nicholas Pope, Sr., Joseph A. Rohrer, Sr., Lawrence A. Slaney,
Organizing Organizing Training/Canada
David L. Tolley, Phil Trucks, Jr., Terry Webb,
TVA Tennessee GPC, NMA, and Fabrication/Canada
Official Publication of United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the
Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (AFL-CIO)
UNION PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, SPRINKLERFITTERS, STEAMFITTERS AND SERVICE TECHS
7
Defining a Common Goal for
UA Organizers and Training
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION JOURNAL • MAY/JUNE 2019
8
Leadership
General President Mark McManus General Secretary-Treasurer Pat Kellett
Director of Education and Training Jim Pavesic Director of Organizing and Recruitment
Jim Tucker
On February 19, for the first time in history, the UA’s educational leaders and organizers came
together in San Diego, CA, to attend their respective three-day conferences. The premise behind
holding the Pipe Trades Training and Technology Conference (PTTTC) and the Organizers
Seminar simultaneously was to encourage collaboration between the two entities to reach a com-
mon goal—to grow this organization. In the afternoon, all of the delegates attended the General
Session at which General President Mark McManus, General Secretary-Treasurer Pat Kellett,
Administrative Assistant to the General President Chris Haslinger, Director of Organizing and
Recruitment Jim Tucker, Director of Education and Training Jim Pavesic, National Recruitment
and Outreach Coordinator Laura Ceja, and Special Representative Jason Pope addressed the
delegation. Tuesday night featured opening night for the technology expo entitled, “Technology
Driving Success,” as well as the vendor expo, which included some of the industry’s major contribu-
tors. At the technology expo, Organizers and training attendees saw firsthand next-generation
technology concepts, as well as innovative tools, machinery, and software currently being used in the
field. The Opening Session, which included a panel discussion highlighting the successful alliance
between organizing and training in Minnesota, was attended by both groups the morning of
Wednesday, February 20, and was moderated by Assistant Director of Education and Training Ray
Boyd (see sidebar, page 13). Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) President
Mike Brandt (at the time of the conference) also addressed the delegation. Following the Opening
Session, everyone dispersed to their respective workshops, which continued all day Thursday.
UNION PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, SPRINKLERFITTERS, STEAMFITTERS AND SERVICE TECHS
9
Administrative Assistant to the General
President Chris Haslinger
Ellen Boardman, O’Donoghue and Organizing leadership: From left are Special Representatives Bill Hite Jr. and Jason Pope, Director of Organizing and Recruitment Jim Tucker,
O’Donoghue, spoke about labor law and and Special Representatives Joe Rohrer and Chris Inghram.
retaining membership.
During the General Session, General Presi- doing, it’s not going to work.”
dent Mark McManus spoke to the delegates The General President spoke about current
about the overall growth within the United As- challenges regarding growth, notably the reluc-
sociation. He said, “No matter how many jobs tance of some contractors and local union lead-
we capture, or how many apprentices we have, ership to get involved with organizing. He also
or how well we are doing with training initia- pointed out the shortsightedness associated with
tives, we can always do better. Every generation the lack of enthusiasm that some Training Di-
will have this challenge of expanding the market rectors and Coordinators have about bringing in
share of the United Association. Within the new members who aren’t going to go through
next two-and-a-half years, we’ve asked the the traditional five-year apprenticeship program.
Business Managers to get a little out of their General President McManus said, “I believe
comfort zones and to push their organizations in the traditional five-year apprenticeship, and I
on a growth initiative. If we expand our market believe it is the backbone of this organization.
share, the members will come. If there is not However, the growth of this organization can-
buy-in from a local union, it will never happen. not just depend on apprenticeship. We have to
It states in the Constitution of the United Associa- organize quality individuals as well.”
tion that the Business Manager is in charge of Retention was another topic that the General
the entire local union, not just a portion of it. President addressed, stating, “If we don’t em-
Beginning July 1, we will be collecting the dime brace those individuals who are being organized
for organizing, just as we do for the ITF (Inter- in and are not going to go through the tradi-
national Training Fund). However, I’m more in- tional five-year apprenticeship program, then
terested in where the hearts and minds of the basically, the only thing we are doing is training
Business Managers and Training Coordinators them for the non-union.”
are, because if there isn’t buy-in at that level, and General President McManus highlighted
they don’t believe in what the Organizers are (continued on page 12)
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION JOURNAL • MAY/JUNE 2019
10Jim Coyne, Local Union 130, Chicago, IL, Business MCAA President Mike Brandt (at
Manager, said, “In Chicago, about four years ago, the time of the conference)
we went to our membership and spoke about spoke at the Opening Session
Bob Lynn, Local Union 50, Toledo, OH, Organizer, how great it was that we had all of these tower about the success of the part-
stated, “I want to commend the administration for cranes in downtown, but we were ignoring resi- nership between the UA and the
putting organizing on the same par as education dential service work and residential new con- MCAA. He said, “Of all of the
and political action. … I would encourage the Edu- struction. I had my Business Agents report on one initiatives that make up the UA
cation and Training Department to look into putting thing in the next union meeting, the non-union and MCAA, the most important
COMET in the first year of apprentice training, so in their respective areas, and I did it right before partnership and collaboration
they understand the importance of organizing and our annual wage and benefits allocation. We saw has been to improve the safety
that bringing in people who are in our business is we were getting killed. We called it the target and health of our members.”
important. At Local 50, we do it, and then we offer a fund and allocated funds to it, and it helps us
COMET booster class in the fifth year. I would also with advertising, and it helps with organizing.
encourage the UA to develop a mentoring program. Tell the members the truth, and they will get it.”
We are doing this at Local 50, and it has been very
successful and has helped with retention.”
UNION PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, SPRINKLERFITTERS, STEAMFITTERS AND SERVICE TECHS
11Special Representative Jason Pope, Organizing, and National Recruitment and
Outreach Coordinator Laura Ceja gave a presentation involving the online portal
for the UA recruitment and organizing brochures. It was stated that these mate-
rials are available at no cost to Organizers and Training Directors/Coordinators
once they request an account and are given access to order and customize the
brochures. Both Sister Ceja and Brother Pope credit the success of this initiative
to the collaboration between training and organizing. “Having both depart-
ments involved in this process is what has made this initiative successful,” they
Organizer Arielle Blount, District Council 16, LU 364, Colton, CA, asked how many said. “We share a common goal—to bring new members in.” Training Direc-
brochures she could order, and the answer was, “As many as you need.” tors/Coordinators can request an account at www.UAJoin.org.
the benefit of bringing in people the non- many members who experienced hardships over
traditional way. He said, “When we want to
bring in individuals who already know they
want to be pipefitters, who know they want
to be plumbers or HVACR service techs or
sprinklerfitters, we don’t embrace them. How
do we know they want to be in the trades? Be-
the past year. He stated that the third-floor UA
Conference and Training Center has been an
overall success and will be overseen by Admin-
istrative Assistant to the General President
Chris Haslinger, who is currently putting to-
gether an entire catalog of course offerings.
“ For the next two-
and-a-half years,
Director of Educa-
cause they’ve been doing it for five or 10 years. General Secretary-Treasurer Kellett reported tion and Training
We can offer a career with continuing educa- the statistics for the UA Welding Program of-
tion. We cannot continue to operate the same fered in Aurora, IL; Portsmouth, OH, (since Jim Pavesic and Di-
way we’ve operated for the last 20 or 30 years June 2018); and Meridian, CT, (since February
and expect our market share to increase or 2019). He said, “The UA Welding Program has rector of Organizing
expect our International to grow.” been an excellent example of the success created
The General President stated that every Di- through strong communication between Or-
and Recruitment
rector and every Administrative Assistant at UA
Headquarters is engaged in organizing, and it
ganizers and training professionals, and I’d like
to give a shout-out to Pipefitters Local 597 and
Jim Tucker will be
has to be that way at the local union level as to all the folks who have been involved in the working together to
well. “As we bring in folks who have different program’s success. Since January 1, 2017, 122
skillsets,” he said, “it will become critical for the pipe welders have been trained, and 426 UA do everything pos-
training professionals to decipher where they pipe certifications have been obtained. There
will best fit into our programs. For the next has been a 91 percent weld test pass rate, 100 sible to grow this
two-and-a-half years, Director of Education percent local union placement rate, and a 94
and Training Jim Pavesic and Director of Or- percent retention rate.” organization in the
ganizing and Recruitment Jim Tucker will be
working together to do everything possible to
Director of Organizing and Recruitment Jim
Tucker started his presentation by stating that
traditional and non-
grow this organization in the traditional and he never understood why local unions overlook traditional way.
non-traditional way.”
General Secretary-Treasurer Pat Kellett out-
lined the success of the UA Charitable Fund
Trust and its ability to ease the burden for so
12
the non-union guy who is working right across
the street, but instead focus most of their atten-
tion on recruiting apprentices. He concluded,
(continued on page 15)
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION JOURNAL • MAY/JUNE 2019
”
– General President Mark McManusFrom left are President Bruce Pylkas, Total
Mechanical Services, St. Paul, MN; Business
Manager Scott Gale, Plumbers Local 15, St.
Paul, MN; Training Director Chad Burk, Pipe-
The Success of an Alliance Formed in Minnesota
fitters Local 539, Minneapolis, MN; Lead During Wednesday’s Opening Session, the alliance formed between organizing and training in Minnesota was
Organizer Joe Monk, MN Pipe Trades; and the topic of conversation. Assistant Director of Education and Training Ray Boyd was the moderator for the panel
International Representative Greg Sayles.
consisting of International Representative Greg Sayles; Lead Organizer Joe Monk, Minnesota Pipe Trades; Training
Director Chad Burk, Pipefitters Local 539, Minneapolis, MN; Business Manager Scott Gale, Plumbers Local 15, St.
Paul, MN; and Bruce Pylkas, President, Total Mechanical Services, St. Paul, MN.
International Representative Greg Sayles said, “We get together several times a year—the Organizers, Business
Managers, Agents, and Training Coordinators—and the message is always the same. It’s about growth and market
share. We talk about what we can do to help one another succeed.”
“It all starts with communication,” Lead Organizer Joe Monk said. “Right now, I’m working with nine different
local unions, and each Training Coordinator has a set of standards. I get that, but I said to them, ‘Just put yourself
in my shoes for one second. I know how complex some of those standards are. Once you multiply that by nine, I
have a lot to remember.’ Greg [Sayles] had us work with the Training Coordinators, and we looked at how mem-
bers were being accepted into their programs through direct entry. If the process was three pages long, and it
looked like an isometric drawing, we knew we had to dial it back. We are all responding to what the General Pres-
ident is asking, which is to grow this organization.”
The question was asked by moderator Boyd, “What are you hearing from your contractor base regarding or-
ganizing?” Lead Organizer Monk responded, “They don’t want jurisdictional issues. If you’re trying to partner with
a contractor, and those business models don’t match up, it’s a problem.”
Assistant Director of Education and Training Training Director Chad Burk, Pipefitters Local 539, said, “We use direct entry through the organizing effort, and I
Ray Boyd moderated the panel about the think it’s very effective. I haven’t seen a big difference between a person organized in through direct entry or one
successful collaboration between organizing
who is going through the traditional apprenticeship avenue. The success of an apprentice stems from the commit-
and training in Minnesota.
ment the apprentice makes in his or her training.”
Brother Burk continued with a response to a question about the retention of apprentices. He stated that their
apprenticeship policies are apparent at Local 539, and that aids in the retention of apprentices. He said, “If appren-
tices are aware of what the rules are, they are successful. We rotate apprentices so they work in different environ-
ments and for different contractors. We also have it in our policies that if an apprentice wants to move, or if he or
she feels that they aren’t getting properly trained, they can put in a transfer request.”
Joe Monk added, “We can bring in new members and contractors, but we still depend on the rank-and-file to
welcome these folks. Everyone has to be on board. Consider placement and a mentorship program. HVACR service
technician placement and mentoring are crucial. Utilize your Organizer to help with finding a good contractor fit.
To a certain degree, we can explain how things work, but the understanding of company policies and procedures
needs to come from mentorship.”
Business Manager Scott Gale, Plumbers Local 15, St. Paul, MN, added, “We sit down with our Organizers. The Or-
ganizers have done the research and have met these individuals, and they are the ones who can help with fit and
can talk about strengths and weaknesses. We assess experience, and we have adapted our training program to be
able to offer a more customizable path for a person with experience. We try to identify what they’ve done in their
previous work experience. What it comes down to is having an honest conversation with the individual.”
Bruce Pylkas, President, Total Mechanical Services, St. Paul, MN, said, “I wear two hats, the contractor hat and
the JATC hat, and as a contractor, I have some great folks who were organized.”
International Representative Sayles also attributes a lot of Minnesota’s success to the fact that everything oper-
ates under the pipe trades umbrella. He said, “I’m responsible for the Organizers through the pipe trades. In Min-
nesota and Wisconsin, we have 10 Organizers and 16 local unions. If we have an issue somewhere, I can move the
whole group there. Also, the relationship we have with our contractors is second to none.”
Business Manager Scott Gale concluded, “If you don’t take the risk of direct entry, you won’t have success. Greg
[International Representative Sayles] takes a lot of the roadblocks away for us. Sometimes, there is additional
work, but it is well worth it. We will continue to work to make it successful.”
UNION PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, SPRINKLERFITTERS, STEAMFITTERS AND SERVICE TECHS
13UA Communications Director Kristin Fleckenstein is shown interviewing International
Representative Kurt Steenhoek regarding the UA Water Quality Program.
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION JOURNAL • MAY/JUNE 2019
14Training Specialist Mike Hazard and ITF Veteran Advisor Nicole Jeup man the VIP booth at the vendor expo.
“Because it’s easy.” He continued, “We just put work—the Business Manager, the Training
up a sign that says, ‘Open Apprentice Enroll- Coordinator, the members, and the contractors.
ment.’ I wanted to do a blitz here. How many If you take any one of those folks away, it won’t
workers do you think we could have touched in work. The number-one barrier to any type of
one day? Every gas station we go to, we should organizing happens when there isn’t a plan for
be talking to a worker. As I go on jobsites and someone after they’ve been organized. There
talk to a third- or fourth-year non-union has to be a strategic plan of why you are bring-
worker, I have been hearing that we have Or- ing someone in.”
ganizers who are telling them that they have to Director of Education and Training Jim
wait until they have five years of experience be- Pavesic stated that we need to recover the mar-
fore they can be organized. That’s crazy. If we ket share that we have lost over the last 30 and
don’t want to succeed, we won’t succeed. 40 years. He said, “It’s clear we need to bring
Cheryl Ambrose, Health, Safety and “You have to have four components in a local qualified individuals into the UA to combat the
Environmental Administrator union that buy into organizing to make it (continued on page 17)
UNION PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, SPRINKLERFITTERS, STEAMFITTERS AND SERVICE TECHS
15“ Provisional journeyworkers are indi-
viduals with at least five years of
experience. We have their skills
evaluated. We shouldn’t be using
testing and evaluations to keep
people out. These tools should be
used to evaluate where they are
and to give us the guidelines to see
where we can make improvements.
They all have marketable skills. It’s
our responsibility to figure out what
training they need, and then, to
offer it to them.
16
”
– Director of Education and Training Jim Pavesic
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION JOURNAL • MAY/JUNE 2019Participants from District Council 16
workforce shortages involving pipefitting, Both groups benefited from comprehensive
plumbing, HVACR, and sprinklerfitting. If you workshops offered on Wednesday and Thurs-
think we can cover these shortages with travel- day. Organizers were privy to workshops enti-
ers, I’ll tell you right now—the traveler pool is tled, “Legal updates,” “FOIA Requests/Davis-
drying up. It’s incredible that we now have Bacon,” “Internal Organizing,” and “H2B
plumbers who are traveling. That’s the kind of Visas,” to name just a few. Some of the new
work we have now. Growing your local unions is workshops offered to Training Directors and
critical. We have several avenues that will help Coordinators and Business Managers in-
you do that. cluded, “Supporting Women in the Trades,”
“Provisional journeyworkers are individuals “Recruitment Resources and Strategies,” “Im-
with at least five years of experience. We have plementing the UA Water Quality Program,”
their skills evaluated. We shouldn’t be using “Starting and/or Expanding Your UA Service
testing and evaluations to keep people out. Technician Program,” and “Accelerating Your
These tools should be used to evaluate where Training with Technology.” Additionally, there
they are and to give us the guidelines to see were courses associated with running training
where we can make improvements. They all centers, such as “Apprenticeship Regulatory
have marketable skills. It’s our responsibility to Updates.”
figure out what training they need, and then, The overall success of bringing Business
to offer it to them. This way, training or a lack Managers, Training Directors, Training Coordi-
of training doesn’t become a roadblock. Trust nators, and Organizers together was evident
me; they want the training. The Business throughout the conference, as everyone received
Manager will hold the provisional journey- a greater understanding of one another’s roles.
worker card, and after they’ve completed the By working together, the UA can increase its
training, they will become a full journey- membership and gain market share, which will
worker.” Additionally, Director Pavesic re- result in securing the future of the UA for
viewed several options of direct entry outlined generations to come.
in the National Guideline Standards.
UNION PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, SPRINKLERFITTERS, STEAMFITTERS AND SERVICE TECHS
17United We Build
North America’s Building Trades Unions
2019 Legislative Conference
The 2019 North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) Legislative Conference was held
April 8-10 in Washington, D.C., where leaders—including 2020 Presidential candidates, members
of Congress, and Wall Street and energy executives—addressed U.S. building trades members. The
theme for this year’s conference was United We Build. Monday, April 8, was set aside for a Call-to-
Action Service Day that included three projects. Volunteers helped clean up debris on the grounds
of the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH), worked with the National Park Service to handle
an assortment of tasks on the National Mall and around the Vietnam War Memorial, and worked
together to assemble care packages for members of the military. The building trades volunteers
accomplished a lot in one day and were happy to be able to assist in these important projects. An
“Update on NABTU Opioid Task Force and Local Initiatives” workshop was also held on Day
One. The conference plenary sessions began on Tuesday, April 9, and concluded on Wednesday,
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION JOURNAL • MAY/JUNE 2019
18P re s
ident S A BT U
e a n M c G a r ve y, N
General President
Mark McManus is
pictured with the
April 10, with the afternoon designated Honorable
Abby Finkenauer
for the delegates to lobby building trades (IA-01).
issues on Capitol Hill. Tuesday afternoon
offered an opportunity to attend various work-
shops that included “Building Trades Apprentice-
ship Readiness Programs: Strengthening Apprentice
Diversity, Recruitment and Retention,” “Workers’ Capital &
Infrastructure: Creating Jobs and a Secure Retirement Through Industry Partnership,” and
“NABTU Safety and Health Committee and CPWR Initiatives,” to name just a few topics. On
Wednesday afternoon, a special UA luncheon was held to honor the UA Legislator of the Year,
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.
UNION PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, SPRINKLERFITTERS, STEAMFITTERS AND SERVICE TECHS
19The Massachusetts Building and Construction Trades Council and the Massachusetts Girls in Trades were the
recipients of the 2019 Mark H. Ayers Community Achievement Award for creating life-changing careers and
leading the nation on gender equity and inclusion.
General President Mark McManus, General translate into good jobs
Secretary-Treasurer Pat Kellett, and Assistant for our members. … That is Sec TU
re t a
r y-Tre r, NAB
General President Mike Pleasant, along with why we are here, brothers and a s u re r B re n t B o o k e
other UA dignitaries from across the United sisters. This is why our voices are
States, were among the more than 2,000 dele- important.”
gates and industry leaders who attended the In NABTU President Sean McGarvey’s
conference. Day One speakers included Repre- keynote address, he said, “Our theme this
sentative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Governor year is United We Build. Those three
J.B. Pritzker (IL), Speaker of the House Nancy words—united, we, and build—separate
Pelosi (CA-12), Mike Sommers (President and and all-encompassing, define the building
Chief Executive Officer, American Petroleum trades, and define our values and who we
Institute), Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler are. From our platform, structure, and work,
(AFL-CIO), Alexander Acosta (United States to our voice, power, and action, these words
Secretary of Labor), Representative Abby also represent where we’re going and who
Finkenauer (IA-01), and Jamie Dimon (Chair- we’re becoming.” President McGarvey
man and Chief Executive Officer, JPMorgan stated that he senses a reinvigoration that
Chase & Co.). The common topic in all the the building trades has not seen in years,
speeches was the crumbling state of our infra- and he gave examples of what has been
structure and the critical need to rebuild the in- accomplished in the last year and what has
frastructure of our future by working in unity to already been done so far in 2019. He said,
invest in and support the middle class and its “Looking back over the last year, we have
working families to create a stronger America. a lot to be proud of—our mobilization, in
NABTU Secretary-Treasurer Brent Booker particular. Time and again, you stood up for
discussed the building trades’ need to be at the our members, our work, and our future.”
forefront of providing solutions for the state of Brother McGarvey stated that what
our infrastructure. He said, “Members of Con- members of the building trades need is a
gress must be educated on the state of our crum- real deal with real long-term committed
bling infrastructure and the critical need for investment and real action on infrastruc-
innovative solutions. They must understand that ture. He described it as “a real deal that not
the building trades need to be at the forefront of merely chases the next whim, but that em-
providing those solutions.” He proceeded, “The powers American workers to build our in-
more we continue to stand up with the demand frastructure for the next century in a safe
of accountability, the more we can expect it to (continued on page 23)
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION JOURNAL • MAY/JUNE 2019
20Spe )
ake -1 2
r of t (C A
h e H o u s e N a n cy P e l o si
I)
Mik
(A P
eS
mm
te
u
tit
o
ers ns
, Pr
esid u mI
Speakers ent &
CEO, A m erica n Pet
ro l e
Honorable Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), United Honorable J.B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois, spoke Honorable Alexander Acosta, United States Secretary
States House of Representatives, spoke about his about what he will do and has already done to of Labor, said, “I am proud that we have built a
mission to increase economic opportunity and his build a thriving economy and strong state of Illi- stronger relationship between the Department of
support for the building trades. He stated that nois during his time as Governor. He said, “During Labor and the building trades. ... Without infrastruc-
since he started in Congress in 2017, he has stood my campaign, I promised to raise the minimum ture, without factories, without farms, we cannot
by people fighting for jobs and as a strong leader wage to $15 an hour, and in my first month, I prosper. It’s your jobs, your skills, your industries
of standards. He said, “I have been an ardent passed and signed it. This is a historic victory, and that lay the foundation for America, and we need to
supporter of unions my entire life. Supporting Illinois became the first state in the Midwest to do acknowledge that. … The nation exists so that its
hardworking Americans and their rights for fair it.” He continued, “My administration is now citizens prosper, and you prosper by creating path-
wages, good working conditions, and fair hours working on multiple fronts on policies that will lift ways to safe, good, family-sustaining jobs.” He
should not be a partisan issue. Workers built up up every middle-class family in Illinois. … I will spoke about the concept of a safe job and what he is
this country with their sweat and hard work, never be the Governor who balances the budget on doing to create a safer working environment. He
which built the greatest country the world has the backs of working families; instead, we are sta- said, “Your work demands significant skill and expe-
ever known.” He continued, “I am working to bilizing our state’s finances and putting our state rience, and it can be dangerous, and there are laws
ensure that we invest in America and the people on firm fiscal footing by asking millionaires to pay in the book to protect you. I take the enforcement of
who build it. I have stood by your side advocat- more and giving tax relief to the middle class. This these laws very seriously.” He continued, “I’ve
ing for apprenticeships so we can train the next will help working families in every corner of Illi- asked OSHA to hire more inspectors and to focus
generation of skilled workers, and for every sin- nois and change the arc of our state’s finances for- those inspections on those employers that, based on
gle Davis-Bacon vote, I have been and will be by ever.” He closed by stating, “I want my tenure as our data, have higher injury rates. In the past two
your side.” Governor to be defined by our work to create real fiscal years, the total number of inspections has ac-
lasting opportunity for the middle class and for tually increased. … Both years exceeded 32,000 in-
those who are striving to get to the middle class.” spections, which is higher than fiscal year 2016.”
UNION PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, SPRINKLERFITTERS, STEAMFITTERS AND SERVICE TECHS
21Speakers
Honorable Abby Finkenauer (IA-01), United States
House of Representatives, is the first woman and
first family member ever elected from a United As-
sociation family to serve as the U.S. Representative
for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District. She described
her upbringing as a daughter of a union member
and spoke about her road to winning the seat in her
state of Iowa. “The whole reason I decided to run
for Congress a couple years ago was because it was Jamie Dimon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, JPMorgan Chase & Co., participated in a question-and-
personal. My dad was a union pipefitter/welder,” answer forum with the President of North America’s Building Trades Unions, Sean McGarvey. In an answer
she said. She also spoke about policies that support to what his forecast is for the economy in the next six, 18, and 36 months, he said, “America has the best
working families. She said, “After the last few hand ever dealt of any country on the planet, but having said that, I have to acknowledge that growth has
years, it is time that we actually invest in our com- been 20 percent over the last 10 years, and it should have been 40 percent, and you have to ask why.” He
munities and states across the country with an in- continued, “That difference between 20 percent and 40 percent is a lot of the reason why incomes have not
frastructure package that we have kicked down the gone up so much, why we can’t afford social safety nets, and why we should have more money to put into
road, year after year.” She continued, “We’re going education and apprenticeships.” He brought up infrastructure in his answer, stating, “If you say you want
to make sure that we’re talking about investing in to rebuild a broken bridge that may fall and kill people, it takes 10 years on average to get the permits.
trade schools and apprenticeship programs—union What have we done in America that we can’t get our act together?” He continued, “I’m trying to get some
trade schools and apprenticeship programs. As you of these other issues on the table—education, infrastructure, and healthcare—so when we improve those
all know, there is a difference. The difference is the things, our economy is going to be much better, and everyone will benefit. I think it’s critical we roll up our
wages. The difference is retirement. That’s what sleeves and fix these issues.”
drives me every single day, and it is the biggest
honor of my life to get to do this on this level and to
have the backs of working families who have been
ignored for far too long.”
THE UNITED ASSOCIATION JOURNAL • MAY/JUNE 2019
22The Colorado State Building & Construction Trades Council awarded the Diabetes Research Institute with a check for $14,480 in a Special Dad’s Day presentation.
and timely way, a real deal that creates good on NABTU workforce development, stating,
jobs, strengthens our economy, advances tech- “You’ve set the gold standard of apprentice-
nology, and secures our energy independence.” ships and workforce training that’s helped
Liz Shuler, Secretary-Treasurer,
He also commented on NABTU’s world-class America’s workers climb the ladder of oppor-
AFL-CIO, thanked all building
registered apprenticeship system. He said, “Over tunity.” She spoke about the power in unity,
trades General Presidents for
the last two years, we’ve registered nearly 12,000 stating that we should strive for oneness
their mission and their dedica-
new apprentices, exceeding the highest level of by trying to find a path that unifies, rather
tion to the labor movement. She
new registered apprentices in 10 years.” He con- than divides. She said, “Our diversity is our
said, “We are in good hands.”
tinued, “We also have over 150 thriving appren- strength. Our unity is our power. … Let’s build
She continued, “Building infra-
ticeship readiness programs that continue to a stronger America, together, in unity.”
structure will help build our
flourish throughout the country, graduating Mike Sommers, President and CEO of the
labor movement. … Creating
thousands of students, the majority of whom are American Petroleum Institute (API), was the
jobs means that training and
women and minorities.” industry representative for the first day. He
new people are coming into our
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was said, “We are producing more energy in more
trades.” She asked, “Did you
welcomed by all NABTU delegates. She stated places than at any time in our country’s history.
know the labor movement is the
that the middle class is made possible by the … Our research shows that building the infra-
second-largest provider of
union and listed many successes of the build- structure we need to keep pace with record en-
worker training in the U.S. be-
ing trades, including the apprenticeship pro- ergy production can support up to a million
hind the military? It’s our best-
grams. She said, “America’s builders do not jobs every year.”
kept secret, but it shouldn’t be
only build the infrastructure of America; we He then addressed the importance of the
our best-kept secret, not when
build a stronger workforce, a stronger middle partnership between API and NABTU, stating,
millions of families are burdened
class, and a stronger America, because Amer- “The partnership between API and NABTU is
with the cost of college, going
ica’s middle class has a union label on it.” She more important than ever. The energy industry
into debt only to see their chil-
spoke on the importance of infrastructure for depends on the safest, best trades skilled workers
dren struggle to climb the eco-
the middle class, stating, “The most expensive that you represent, and I’m proud to join you. …
nomic ladder. We need to let
maintenance is no maintenance.” She contin- Our work together reinforces so many of our
more people know that there is
ued to speak about the $1 trillion plan that the mutual priorities, like ensuring safe operations,
an earn-while-you-learn model.
Democratic majority is ready to use. She said, creating jobs with middle-class sustaining wages,
It’s called an apprenticeship.”
“Build, build, build! Build the human infra- and building infrastructure to support long-term
structure of the future. Build the social capital economic growth. Those aren’t just priorities
of our democracy. Build sustainable and re- shared by our two industries; those are priorities
silient systems for the future.” She also spoke (continued on page 25)
UNION PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, SPRINKLERFITTERS, STEAMFITTERS AND SERVICE TECHS
23You can also read
