Business Manager Updated 6/28/21
Brothers and Sisters,
Your officers, staff, and I would like to wish everyone a safe and joyous Independence Day. There was an error in regards to the retiree meeting in the last issue. The next retiree meeting is Wednesday, July 14th. Please note the correct date.
MEETINGS & Union Hall
As of June 22nd the covid restrictions were lifted and the Union hall is allowed for the use of members again. You no longer need an appointment and business as usual. The next Union Meeting will be held on Thursday, July 8th at 7:00 pm in person. The meeting will take place indoors at our Union Hall and any Covid restrictions still in place will be adhered too. Masks are required if you are not vaccinated. We hope you will join us before each Union Meeting during the summer months at 5:00 pm for a BBQ. Thank you to Chef John Bolter and all the apprentices who helped set up and breakdown afterwards. On that note, we will be returning to our previous Union Meeting requirements for Apprentices. Apprentices are required to attend TWO Union Meetings Per Quarter.
E-Board Meetings
E-Board meetings are the first and second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m., although the E-Board meeting for July 1 is cancelled due to the holiday. If you need to contact or see the board, please call V.P. Jim Cools at 734-307-9841.
Retiree Meetings: The meetings have restarted! Any existing Covid-19 protocols will be adhered to. They are continuing to exercise caution so everyone can remain healthy and safe. The next Retiree meeting will be Wednesday, July 14 from 12pm – 2pm at the hall.
SCHOLARSHIP GOLF OUTING
Tickets are now available for our 43rd Annual Scholarship Golf Outing which will be held August 14, 2021 at Marsh Oaks Golf Course. The cost is $90 per golfer and tickets can be purchased by calling the hall. For more information on the outing please contact Financial Secretary Jon DeRoo at 248-762-9238.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
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 Lodovisi at (248) 307-9800 ext. 4 or on her cell at (248) 331-7232.
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. Any concerns with COVID-19 safety protocols or lack of PPE contact the Business Agent in the area or the Union Hall. Only MIOSHA can change work site COVID rules or the owner can specify as well, so please adhere to any changes at job sites.
Additional information on vaccination sites is available on our website, please visit ualocal98.com/covid.
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.
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.
Plumbers Local 98 Training Center is NOW accepting applications for our Apprenticeship Program, through July 16, 2021. If you know anyone who is interested, please direct them to the Training Center’s website plumbers98tc.org.
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