February 22, 2021 Business Manager Update
Brothers and Sisters,
On behalf of all your officers and staff, we hope you and your family are safe and healthy.
MEETINGS
Union Meetings are still on video due to the hall being closed. The next video will be posted on Thursday, March 11th at 7:00 pm. This is a State of the Union address covering the past year. I hope when it’s done you have all the information that has been requested by some of you. At that time the old video from February 11th will be pulled down. You can access this video on our Local 98 website at the member section under Member Zone. The next video Union Meeting after that will be April 8th at 7:00 pm. This will be the unfortunate norm until May, hopefully we can be outside and try to get some time together. For virtual meetings we will follow the same rituals and officer reports as usual. We will have to trust our elected officers, E-Board, and Committees to keep a transparent look at things down here. All bills will be previewed by the Finance Committee and recently our Executive Board. If you feel a need, you can set an appointment to ask questions.
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.
DUES
We are updating the systems at the hall to streamline the dues payment process. As of now you can pay 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. You should have received a letter about the status of your Union Dues and about the 2021 Dues Gift Program earlier in the year. For those of you who took advantage of this program, the 98 dues jackets are coming in weekly. Please call first to make sure we have your size available.
COVID-19 Information & Vaccine!
The most important web site we can give you for information pertaining to COVID-19 is as follows: Michigan.gov/protectmicommission. Or, if you would like to be a part of the conversation and join a workgroup, you can reach out to [email protected] or www.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.
Vaccines! Plumbers Local 98 is covered in Detroit as an essential worker and if you are job related to the city of Detroit (this means any plumbing job in the city you may be working on) you can call 313-230-0505 between 9am & 8pm M-F to schedule an appointment at the TCF Center.
UNION HALL
The Union Hall is CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC. You will need to schedule an appointment to come to the hall. Properly worn masks are required. There is a COVID-19 questionnaire that MUST be filled out by everyone entering the Union Hall. All the officers are continuing to work remotely.
SUB APPS/OOW CHANGES
It is your responsibility to fill out a sub app when you are laid off. Please fill out SUB Apps 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 member issues dealing with benefits contact Jon DeRoo. If you are less than a year from retiring, please set a meeting with Jon today.
NOTE ON DISABILITY
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 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, then when you receive your award from Social Security, we will be able to pay you all the retro money owed.
POLITICS
The UA has launched a new grassroots activism tool. The new tool allows us to directly engage our elected officials on all kinds of issues. Right now, we have two campaigns open: one urging a comprehensive infrastructure package with strong labor protections, like prevailing wage and PLAs; and the other urging an all-of-the-above approach when it comes to energy.
You can find these campaigns and more tools to find your elected officials or pieces of legislation at www.uagetinvolved.org/take-action.
We can’t hold our elected officials accountable unless we make our voices heard. It only takes a minute to take these simple actions to keep the UA strong.
LICENSE RENEWAL
Time again to renew your State of Michigan Plumbing License, It is online go 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.
IN MEMORIAM
Our heartfelt and deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of our brothers who have recently passed. Brothers William Pote and Ethridge Ford both passed on February 16, 2021.
GOOD/WELFARE
We all wish to congratulate Bother Ryan Lyle for taking up the challenge and become Plumbers Local 98’s Director of Training. We wish you the best in leading our future apprentices to a better way of life and Brother hood. Brother Paul Baker has agreed to stay on for a bit as we transition.
This month Plumbers Local 98 is partnering with Representative Lori Stone to promote her Diversity Toy Drive. The goal is to provide toys that are inclusive to the diverse community that Beaumont serves. As we know representation matters and children should have books, toys and dolls that represent them! You will find a link to an Amazon wish list on our Facebook page and the 98 websites with suggested items. However, all diverse and representative toys, dolls, books, and games are appreciated. You can drop off your donation at the hall.
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