Brothers and Sisters,

Local 98 has had an influx of non-union shops coming into our jurisdiction lately. These are 2 very large projects and we will need your support. Soon, I will be asking you to take the mornings off to protest these jobs.  Every time we have full employment we lose work, it’s time we support ourselves and our contractors. I told you all a long time ago we need to save ourselves and the calvary is not coming. So, Foreman, Workers, Apprentices & Retirees will all be asked to take a hit financially but it is for all our sakes. We have not worked out all the details on a mass picket but you will know when we do.

Make your favorite place your workplace, tell your friends about our apprenticeship program which is open now till July 31, 2022. To learn more and apply please visit Plumbers98TC.org/Apprenticeship.

You’re running out time to renew your Plumbing License. Don’t be that person! The State of Michigan renewal notices have gone out for Journeyman and Apprentices. It has moved to online for renewal, go to aca3.accela.com/LARA this site may not be compatible with some mobile devices. If needed you can receive help at the training center or the Union Hall (make sure to bring all your information).

MEETINGS & Union Hall

The next Union Meeting will be held-on Thursday, May 12^th at 7:00 pm. The meeting will take place indoors at our Union Hall and all.

Special Called Meeting will be held-on Thursday, May 19^th at 7:00 pm for the Allocations of Monies.

Retiree Meetings

The APRIL RETIREE MEETING is Wednesday, May 11^th from 12 pm – 2 pm.

SUB Apps/OOW

By the time you read this I hope SUB Pay will be halted as we are now bringing in travelers. Until then, 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] so we can set you up in the SUB system. We are now able to offer Direct Deposit on SUB Pay. You should have received a letter in the mail with the form for Direct Deposit on SUB Pay. Please return that to the hall and note that it takes 30-60 days to set up. It is your responsibility to check your location on the Out of Work 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 unemployment, or questions on MUST models and staying current, please contact Gary Glaser at 313-580-0148 or Dan Nixon at 248-752-3702 and hopefully they can help you get that resolved.

Benefits

We have exciting news as we now have a dedicated BeneSys employee at the Union Hall to help with benefit issues. His name is Andrew Hill and he will be at the hall daily. As we make this transition Financial Secretary Jon DeRoo will still be receiving the calls coming into the Union Hall benefits line and Andrew will be receiving the calls coming into the Local 98 dedicated number at BeneSys. That number is (248) 641-4988 for those members who may not have known. Andrew and Jon will be working together to create a process that assures members issues get addressed quickly and properly. Jon will report this progress at the monthly Union Meetings.

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 questions or want to pay your dues by phone, please call the hall at (248) 307-9800 ext. 3.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

All of the information regarding the scholarships available through Local 98 and the UA can be found on our website, ualocal98.com/scholarship. These scholarships are open to the dependents of our members who are seeking a higher education. Please note, the UA scholarship deadline is June 9, 2022. The deadline for the Local 98 Scholarship is June 30, 2022, but it is best to get your application submitted sooner rather than later.

In Memoriam

Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Brother Andrew Weinrauch who passed away on April 6, 2022 and Brother Bruce Wichlacz who passed away on April 13, 2022.

Retirees

Congratulations to Brother Robert Thomas who recently retired. We hope you have nothing but happiness in your retirement years.

Good/Welfare

With all the crazy things going on in DC I want to just say great things are happening with our current President, yep, I said Biden and Bi-Partisan support. The U.A. is picking up $153 billion directly towards our work. Just one small job for Detroit Public schools a 900-million-dollar project that is currently being bid out. The information is posted on our web page ualocal98.com/2022uaLegislativeOverview/  please read it and share.

Macomb County Adopt-A-Highway week is April 23rd thru May 1st. Join us on April 30^th as we clean up our stretch of I-94. Please call BA Gary Glaser (313)580-0148 for more information and to sign up so we can assure we have adequate equipment for the number of volunteers. This is a great volunteer opportunity for any high schoolers in need of volunteer hours.

ATTN: HOCKEY PLAYERS!

Plumbers Local 98 is looking into forming a hockey team to play league and tournament hockey. Any member interested in playing hockey for Local 98 please contact BA Dan Nixon. Call or text 248-752-3702 or email [email protected] for more information.

Springtime is here! Time to get on the field and play some softball. If you are interested in playing for the Local 98 Softball Team, please contact Manager Jeremy Pitts at (586) 405-9425. In addition, the UA National Softball Tournament held in Cincinnati, OH on the weekend of June 24^th – 26^th is a fully vaccinated event. I have been reassured the vaccine mandate will stay in effect. If you are COVID Vaccinated and would like to play, please contact Rob Moses at (248) 763-2187.

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