Business Manager Update 1/6/2022
Brothers and Sisters,
Happy New Year! I hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday season and everyone is refreshed and ready for the year ahead. Much of our information is now online and also tied to our Training Center at ualocal98.com.
MEETINGS & Union Hall
The next Union Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 10th at 7:00 pm. The meeting will take place indoors at our Union Hall and all Covid restrictions in place will be adhered too. Masks are required WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE VACCINATED.
Retiree Meetings
The next Retiree meeting will be Wednesday, February 9th from 12pm – 2pm at the hall. Please note, any existing Covid-19 protocols are still being adhered to for these meetings.
By-Law Updates
As required by the UA Constitution, we have to update our by-laws to reflect the changes from the International Convention. President Jimmy Cools and the By-Law Committee will be meeting regarding these changes. If you have any suggestions regarding new by-laws please contact President Jimmy Cools at 734-307-9841, or you can write your idea down and drop it off at the hall. All ideas must be submitted by February 10th in order for the committee to have time to review the suggestions.
Education Opportunities
For continuing education opportunities or classes, you can contact Training Center Coordinator Ryan Lyle at 248-585-1435.
COVID-19 Information & Vaccine
In our industry, we have many Brothers and Sisters working in hospitals, surgical centers, and other healthcare facilities. Any facility that is a Medicare/Medicaid facility is required to comply with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Interim Final Rule. The CMS Rule requires all staff, including anyone contracted to work in the facilities, to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu. We have received confirmation letters from Ascension, Henry Ford, and Trinity Health Systems. More are soon to be added. You must get vaccinated in order to work at these places, as well as many others. This has nothing to do with the vaccine mandate that is currently at the Supreme Court. It is still your choice; all I can suggest is contact your doctor and educate yourself. The contractors are running out of options to place non-vaccinated members to other jobs they may not have, eventually a lay-off will be harder to obtain.
Please visit ualocal98.com/covid-update-3 for the most current COIVD-19 updates.
SUB Apps/OOW/Benefits
You have 48 hours to report being out of work and to fill out a SUB app. Once you have proof of unemployment, please send that to the hall at [email protected] or directly to Jon DeRoo at [email protected] so he can set you up in the SUB system. It is your responsibility to check your location on the list. Make sure your contact information is up to date as well as MUST and other certifications. If you have any problems with state agencies involving unemployement, or questions on MUST models and staying current, please contact Gary Glaser or Dan Nixon and hopefully they can help you get that resolved.
Dues
It’s that time of year again for your Yearly Dues Payment to receive your Free Gift! The 2022 gift is your choice of a hi vis green or black Full Zip Hoodie or a regular Hi Vis green or black Hoodie. Letters have gone out and you should have already received yours. Retirees receiving a pension from Local 98 are eligible if they are currently on or sign up for the Pension Auto Deduct Dues Program. To pay your dues or for any questions please call the hall at (248) 307-9800 or, after hours, call Jon DeRoo at (248) 762-9238.
In Memoriam
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Brother Mark Finlayson who passed away on December 8, 2021 and Brother David Burton who passed away on December 28, 2021. Brother Robert Whyte passed away on December 24, 2021. Our sincere condolences to his son, Brother Doug Whyte, and the rest of his family and friends.
Good/Welfare
Welcome to our newly elected business agents. Dan Nixon has Oakland County and Brighton and can be reached at 248-752-3702. Rufus Hamilton has western Wayne County and can be reached at 313-542-2758.
A special thanks to outgoing agent Larry Delehant. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
We are currently looking for Residential and Service Plumbers. 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 solidarity I remain, Carlo Castiglione Business Manager Plumbers Local 98