Business Manager Update 4/19/2021
Brothers and Sisters,
On behalf of your officers and staff, we hope everyone is healthy and staying vigilant. Please continue to wear your mask and wash your hands. There is less than a week left to renew your State of Michigan Plumbing License. Failing to do so could result in a fine and having to retake the Plumbing Examination.
MEETINGS
****Special Called Meeting*** for wage allocation is scheduled for Thursday, May 13th at 7:00 pm. This meeting will be held outside at our Union Hall and all Covid restrictions are in place using social distancing and masks. Please contact your Business Agent and give them insight on the possible ideas you may have for new monies.
Please note June’s Monthly Meeting will be on the third Thursday of the Month due to the State Convention. June’s meeting will take place on Thursday, June 17th at 7:00 pm in person, outside at our Union Hall and all Covid restrictions will be in place using social distancing and masks.
E-Board meetings
E-Board meetings are the first and second 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.
Retiree Meetings remain cancelled: The President of the retiree association is still working on a detailed plan dealing with restarting these meetings back up.
OTHER EVENTS
As of this moment, the State Pipe Trades Convention is on for the second week in June. Your delegates have met and are ready to represent us. We continue to wait for an update on the National Convention.
LICENSE RENEWAL
Almost out of time to renew your State of Michigan Plumbing License! If it’s due for renewal this year, it will expire on 4/30/21. It is online and you can renew by going to https://aca3.accela.com/LARA (note mobile devices may not work with new site). If you are a Master and a Contractor for the same company, you may be able to have your fee waved. Any other questions EMAIL [email protected].
For all continuing education opportunities or classes, call Training Coordinator Ryan Lyle at 248-585-1435.
BAs Gary Glaser and Tom McWilliams are admins on the Must/Most program, contact them if you need help.
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 Lodovisi at (248) 307-9800 ext. 4 or on her cell at (248) 331-7232.
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.
COVID-19 Information & Vaccine
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 you can go to the website Michigan.gov/protectmicommision. Or, if you would like to be a part of the conversation and join a workgroup, you can reach out to [email protected] or michigan.gov/covidvaccine for locations or information regarding COVID-19 updates. WEAR YOUR MASKS! Any concerns with COVID-19 safety protocols or lack of PPE contact the Business Agent in the area or the Union Hall.
Additional information on vaccination sites is available on our website, please visit ualocal98.com/covid.
UNION HALL
The Union Hall is Open by APPOINTMENT ONLY. Properly worn masks are required. There is a COVID-19 questionnaire that MUST be filled out by everyone entering the Union Hall.
SUB APPS/OOW CHANGES/BENEFITS
Due to influx of travelers, SUB pay is closed to all except for medical or COVID related injuries. It is your responsibility to fill out a SUB App when you are laid off. SUB Apps should now be filled out electronically. This can be found on the web page under the OOWL section. If you’re still having unemployment issues call BAs Gary Glaser or Tom McWilliams.
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.
Insurance Pharmacy Drug Card Change
Our new prescription Benefit Manager is Costco Health Solutions. They will provide you with full-service pharmacy benefits at more than 64,000 retail Pharmacy stores Nationwide. You DO NOT have to use a retail COSTCO pharmacy. However, you do not need to be a member to use their pharmacy. To find an in-network Pharmacy near you, please visit: www.costcohealthsolutions.com. We still exclude the use of Wal-Mart or Sam Club’s for our prescriptions. Your Pharmacy benefit allows you to fill your 90-day generic medications at any retail Pharmacy. If you have further questions call customer care hot line at-1-877-908-6024.
As always please get the name or badge number of any representative you may talk to.
IN MEMORIAM
Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Brother Richard Yeager who passed on April 3, 2021
GOOD/WELFARE
Business Agents Gary Glaser and Tom McWilliams, along with Organizer Rob Moses, would like to thank all the volunteers who showed up to support the community by removing 100 bags of trash from the highway for Macomb County’s Adopt-a-Highway week.
Cleveland Cliffs (AK Steel) update: No more onsite witnessed drug tests! Cliffs is now accepting offsite MUST drug tests administered within the last 6 months. They retired the old legacy AK Steek barred list. If you were previously banned from AK Steel, your name can be submitted for reinstatement. Any questions call BA Gary Glaser.
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