Business Manager Update 10/18/2021
Brothers and Sisters,
Time is flying and it is already almost time for nominations for officers and delegates. Please note all of the important dates coming up here at Local 98. We have nominations on November 4 and election day is December 2. Mark your calendars and be sure to participate if you are eligible and let your voice be heard.
MEETINGS & Union Hall
***SPECIAL CALLED MEETING***
The next Union Meeting will be a Special Called Meeting on Thursday, November 4 at 7:00 pm at the Union Hall in order to nominate Officers and Delegates for the December election for Local 98. Please see below for more information on the offices up for election.
UNION ELECTION INFORMATION
Local 98’s Officer and Delegate Elections – At the Special Called Meeting on Thursday November 4th, 2021 Nominations will be held for the following offices: (1) Business Manager; (1) Financial Secretary-Treasurer; (4) Business Agent; (1) President; (1) Vice President; (4) Executive Board; (1) Recording Secretary; (3) Examining Board; (3) Finance Committee; (1) Inside Guard; (16) Delegate. Article 3 Section 1 of Local 98’s Bylaws defines eligibility for running for office: “Journeyman members eligible to hold office must have been in good standing in the local union for a period of two (2) years prior to the election. Section 121 of the U.A. Constitution 2016 Edition.” If a member has any questions on his/her eligibility or the Union Election Process, please contact Financial Secretary-Treasurer Jon DeRoo at (248) 762-9238.
The regularly scheduled Union Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 11th at 7:00 pm in person. We will also be distributing turkeys to the members at this meeting. 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 as too many of our members are not adhering to the CDC recommendations as I thought.
E-Board Meetings
E-Board meetings are the first and second Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm. If you need to contact or see the board, please call V.P. Jim Cools at 734-307-9841.
Retiree Meetings
The next Retiree meeting will be Wednesday, November 10th from 12pm – 2pm at the hall. Please note, any existing Covid-19 protocols are still being adhered to for these meetings.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Plumbers Local 98 Training Center is NOW accepting applications for our Apprenticeship Program through December 31, 2021. If you know anyone who is interested, please direct them to the Training Center’s website plumbers98tc.org/apprenticeship.
For continuing education opportunities or classes, you can contact Training Center Coordinator Ryan Lyle at 248-585-1435.
DUES
You can pay your dues online, over the phone, or by mailing in a check. You can also set up auto-payments. If you have any questions or need to pay dues, please contact Kristina at 248-307-9800 ext. 4 or Jon DeRoo after hours at 248-762-9238.
NOTE ON DISABILITY/RETIREMENT
If you are filing for Social Security Disability you will need to file for your Local 98 Disability Pension at the same time in order to make sure you get all of your pension checks. Social Security normally takes at least a year and sometimes a lot longer. If you file for your Local 98 Disability Pension at the same time, when you receive your award from Social Security, we will be able to pay you all the retro money owed. If you are less than a year from retirement, we suggest you set up a meeting with Jon DeRoo prior to your retirement date.
IN MEMORIAM
Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and family of Brother Frank “Jeff” McMahon who passed away on October 13, 2021.
COVID-19 Information & Vaccine
Please visit ualocal98.com/covid-2 for the most current COIVD-19 updates.
Our International is pushing for all employees and members to be vaccinated throughout our industry, at the halls, work places, and especially our training centers. I am just giving fair warning that anything in Washtenaw for training , apprentice contests, or any UA funded events will soon be mandating that you must have a vaccine for Covid-19. As I said this is coming sooner rather than later. In the meantime please wear a mask if you are not vaccinated. Over 700,000 Americans have now died. I may not be able to convince all of you as there is so much misinformation out there, I can only hope we can all stay safe until this thing runs it course.
SUB APPS/OOW CHANGES/BENEFITS
SUB pay is hit and miss as we are experiencing manpower adjustments. It is always a go for medical or COVID related injuries. It is your responsibility to fill out a SUB App when you are laid off, you have 48 hours to report a layoff. Call the Agent on the Books or come down to the hall to fill out a SUB App. It is your responsibility to make sure you are on the out of work list and your contact information is correct. If you’re still having unemployment issues call BAs Gary Glaser or Tom McWilliams. Both officers are administrators on the Must/Most program, contact them if you need help.
For any issues that are unresolved at BeneSys, please get the name of the person you are dealing with and contact Carlo, Jon, or the Union Hall immediately.
GOOD/WELFARE
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