Business Manager Update 11/1/2021
Brothers and Sisters,
When this article gets to you, we will have our nominees set for Local 98’s Officers and Delegates. Please visit our website for a list of nominees and see below for voting information. We will be listing the nominees in the next issue.
UNION ELECTION INFORMATION
Nominees for Local 98’s Officers and Delegates were set after the deadline to get this issue to press. You can find a list of our nominees on our website, ualocal98.com. Election Day is Thursday, December 2, 2021. Polls will be open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, all eligible members in line at 7:00 pm, closing time, will be allowed to vote. In order to vote a member must identify themselves by showing their driver’s license, plumbing license, or UA book. If they have no such identification they may vote if seven members in good standing identify them as a member of this local. The results will be read after the polls close that same evening at a Special Called Meeting.
Eligibility – Journeymen members to vote must have been a member in good standing of the local union one year prior to said election. An apprentice in good standing is eligible to vote immediately after complying with Section 148 of the UA Constitution 2016 Edition and also must secure a Michigan State Journeyman Plumber license. 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.
MEETINGS & Union Hall
The next Union Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 11th at 7:00 pm in person. It will also be Turkey Night so 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.
***SPECIAL CALLED MEETING***
There will be a Special Called Meeting on Thursday, December 2 at 7:00 pm after voting closes at the Union Hall to read the election results. Please see above for information on the election. The swearing in ceremony will be held the following week at the regularly scheduled Union Meeting.
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.
GRADUATES
Congratulations to Brother Luke Garcia who completed the apprenticeship program on October 19th and is now a Journeyman.
RETIREES
Congratulations to Brother William Benscoter on his retirement. May this be the best chapter of your life.
IN MEMORIAM
Our deepest condolences go out to the friends of family of Brother Felix Charlier, who passed away on October 13, 2021, and Brother Philip Thomas, who passed away on October 20, 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