August 31 Business Manager Update
Brothers and Sisters,
On behalf of the officers and staff, we wish you all a safe and happy Labor Day.
LABOR DAY
Just a reminder that the Labor Day Parade and Rally are canceled this year. Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894 to pay tribute to the American Worker, such as all of our brothers and sisters in Local 98. The office will be closing at noon on Friday and reopening on Tuesday morning in observance of the holiday.
MEETINGS
We hope to have a Special Called meeting sometime in September. Please keep an eye out for an email blast. All distributed allocations are posted on our UA Local 98 web page (UALocal98.com) and went into effect the first week of June 2020. All Retiree Meetings are cancelled until further notice. E-Board meetings are getting back underway on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. If you need to contact or see the board please call V.P. Jim Cools at 734-307-9841.
ELECTIONS
Are you registered to vote? You can check your voting status by logging on to the Secretary of State website mvic.sos.state.mi.us. You can’t bitch if you don’t vote! The candidates we are supporting and, most importantly, who will support us are now found under the About section under Political Action on our webpage. Click on either the Build Trades List or our Local 98’s list. Local 98 will continue backing both party’s candidates who have proven to be true Union supporters. We will continue to update our endorsement list as the election nears.
COVID-19
Any concerns with COVID-19 safety protocols or lack of PPE contact the Safety Hotline number at 313-340-7339.
Michigan residents have access to free with no copay required COVID-19 testing for members and family. Located at the old State Fair Grounds on Woodward and 8 Mile Road in Detroit, you must call for an appointment at 313-230-0505, our code is 289488PL.
UNION HALL
The Union Hall is open to essential foot traffic only at the West entrance. Masks are required and you need to make an appointment to visit. Remember, the Training Center can be used.
We would like to welcome our new office administrator Kristina Lodovisi. I believe with her technical skills, military service, as well as being well versed with politics in our area, she will be a big help once she is settled in.
SUB APPS/OOW Changes
Please fill out SUB Apps electronically now. This can be found on the web page under the Benefits section. The new OOW list is also available at the top of the webpage, just follow the instructions. If you’re still having unemployment issues call BAs Gary Glaser or Tom McWilliams. For any member issues dealing with benefits contact Jon DeRoo at 248-762-9238. If you are less than a year from retiring, please set a meeting with Jon today.
LICENSE RENEWAL
For all continuing education opportunities call Training Coordinator Paul Baker at 248-585-1435. BAs Gary Glaser and Tom McWilliams are now admins on the Must/Most program, contact them if you need help.
Good/Welfare
We would like to congratulate Brother Ronald Hutchinson who completed his Apprenticeship and is now a Journeyman. Welcome Brother!
We would like to congratulate the 2020 scholarship winners Gary Glaser III, Erika Lindsay, and Katelynn Wiessner.
We are looking for Residential and Service Plumbers at this time. This is a great opportunity to expand and grow, as many members are looking to retire. If you know anyone working Non-Union or is a past member that may be interested, have them call Organizer Rob Moses at 248-763-2187.
In Memoriam
On behalf of the family of Joseph L Sposita on his passing August 12th , his surviving son Brother Tony Sposita and the rest of our family wish to thank you all for the condolences and phone calls. A great write up was done by the Building Trades Editor Marty Mulcahy in the last paper. What can you say when calls and letters of sorrow are sent from the General Presidents office to the men and women working and retired across this great country. R.I.P. Joe you deserve it.
In Brotherhood, Carlo Castiglione Business Manager Plumbers Local 98