Business Manager Update 5/16/2022
Brothers and Sisters,
We would like to congratulate all the apprentices who competed in last week’s State competition. I am pleased to announce Brother Mike Wendell on taking home 1st place in the State of Michigan Apprentice Competition and to Brother Matt Burns for being a finalist in the welding event. We appreciate all those who helped train these great apprentices and a special shout out to Ryan Lyle, Robert Murley, Chis Opalka and Paul Baker for turning out such tuff apprentices.
We would like to give a heartfelt Thank You to Apprentice Erin Garavaglia, Local 98 Instructor Chris Opalka, and Retiree Joe Montagano for spending two days at the 14th Annual Michigan Construction Career Days held out at Operating Engineers Local 324. We received visits from over 5,400 young people from 7th-12th grades across the state. We do these events every week it seems like, if you have time to volunteer, please contact the agent in your area.
Have you checked out our website? Announcements, information on meetings, links to your benefits the Training Center, and more can be found there. Go to UALOCAL98.COM to see what’s happening.
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.
MEETINGS & Union Hall
Special Called Meeting will be held-on Thursday, May 19th at 7:00 pm for the Allocations of Monies.
The next Union Meeting will be held-on Thursday, June 16th at 7:00 pm. The meeting will take place indoors at our Union Hall.
Retiree Meetings
The APRIL RETIREE MEETING is Wednesday, June 8th from 12 pm – 2 pm.
PAC Updates
We normally do not get involved in a primary race in politics unless we see a need or an ally of the past who needs our support. I believe you all have met our Office Professional Kristina Lodovisi by now, she is a tuff woman who is a Veteran and has a strong Union background. Please support her in the upcoming primary as she runs for a State Representative in the new 14th District. Which covers all of Center Line and a portion of Warren and Detroit. For other candidates your PAC committee has indorsed, we will be finalizing our endorsements soon and updating the website. Your voice, your vote! Do not wait for the last minute to know your candidate.
Education Opportunities
**Applications now being accepted. 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.
SUB Apps/OOW
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
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 Andrew and Jon will be working together to create a process that assures members issues get addressed quickly and properly.
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.
In Memoriam
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of our Brother Terry Harmer who passed away on 3/1/2022 who was the brother of Brother Robert Harmer. Also, we are sadden to announce that Matt Glaser of IBEW Local 58 and the brother to Apprentice Brother Peter Glaser and cousin of BA Gary Glaser passed away on 5/10/2022.
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.
Good/Welfare
Gary Glaser would like to thank all the 98 Brothers that came out and helped with our Adopt-A-Highway project. It turned out to be a great morning weather wise and we were able to pick up over 100 bags of trash on I-94. It’s always an excellent way to get together and give back to our community. Thanks again to all of those that attended for sharing some of your weekend with us for a great cause! Tom Hamann, Tony Szalkiewicz, Michael McCroy, Walter Charboneau, Peter Glaser, Paul Smith, Rob Moses, Rufus Hamilton and Jon DeRoo. Special thanks to Peter Glaser and Dennis Richards for supplying the Incident Clear van complete with flashing lights and arrows!
With all the crazy things going on in DC I want to just say great things are happening with the U.A. we are 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.
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.
ATTN: All Golfers!
Join us for the 44th Annual Detroit Plumbers Local 98 Scholarship Fund Golf Outing on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Sponsorships and Foursomes are now available. Please visit ualocal98.com/44th-golf for more information or call Jon DeRoo at (248)762-9238 to sign up.
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