March 16th, 2020 Business Manager Update

Membership Meetings
The next E-Board Meeting is the 2nd of April at 6p.m.and again on the 16th prior to the Union meeting.*

The next Regular Union Meeting will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 16, 2020, we will start with the State of the Union address and then revert back to a regular meeting at 555 Horace Brown Drive, Madison Heights, MI 48071.

Brothers and Sisters,

I am terribly sorry for the short notice on the closing of the Union meeting last week, not even the government is prepared to understand the full effect of this virus that is plaguing our world. My fear is this is just the beginning of a long battle with no quick end in sight.

It reminds me of another past President of our country who felt the Aids Virus was not a big deal, we all know how that went and the carnage that soon followed due to ignorance and a pompace set of morals. Proof that history will repeat itself everytime we choose to let it. Our next meeting is addressed above, please check all of our media outlets like the 98 Web page, Face Book or call the hall to see if there is no cancellation of that meeting. We will also have our Morgan Stanley Representative Jason May, come to speak to you on the changes to our Defined Contribution plan this summer. It’s that time again for your 2020 Plumbing License Renewal, it can be done ONLINE ONLY! For detailed instructions and requirements, please visit www.michigan.gov/bcc. Or go to 98 The training Center and they will assist you.

Our Local 98 PAC committee has come out in support of past V.P. Joe Biden for President of the United States , with all the twisted things that Washington and our great state has done to the working class and every Local Union in this country, it did not take long to come to this conclusion . That does not mean in any way shape or form we have shut the door on the Republican Party, we will always back anyone who stands with the working people of our state of Michigan and this country just like we have done in the past. You stand with us or against us!

All working members and retirees should have received a new open enrollment form to change your insurance coverage to a different plan, if you are happy with your current plan you do not have to do anything. BeneSys is still our plan manager and feel free to contact Jon or myself at the hall for any questions you may have or that may arise from the mailing you received.

We have currently frozen any new apprentice applications at our Training Center as we try to figure out a potential start date for a new class.

We have started to clean up the Out of Work List and if you were unavailable to work or did not return a call you have been moved to the stay list or injured list. Please keep your Safe to Work Modules current as we have a lot of automotive work on the horizon. The Training Center is putting on some Med Gas and others classes soon as Detroit and the Ann Arbor areas are looking to do a lot of work in the hospitals this spring. As far as SUB pay goes it is assessed week to week, if we have work to man and have to find travelers or retirees, we stop it.

We are looking for Residential and Service Plumbers at this time, so if you know anyone working Non- Union or is a past member that may be interested in us. Have them call 98’s Organizer Rob Moses at the hall or on his cell phone 248-763-2187.

The new U.A. Union cards are available at the hall when you pay your 2020 Union dues, these cards are good for 2020, 2021 and 2022. If by chance you are in arrears and you are struggling financially, please contact the hall and make arrangements. We do not want to fine anyone for something that can be avoided. Sorry to say but we have run into problems with the new UA cards as there is no way to know if a person is current. Jon has been able to make a second card to be carried to our meetings as well as job sites, this second card can now be stamped monthly or yearly as we have done in the past. Now all of our members and stewards on the jobs will not have to waste time calling the hall to see if another member is current.

Our hope is this will not only stop accidental reinstatement fee’s from occurring but this will help examining board members at union meetings who are at the door checking cards to lessen any confusion.

Don’t miss out on our agreement with the Detroit Land Bank Authority. Local 98 members can purchase home or building in the Land Banks Holdings for half the list cost. Go to www.buildingdetroit.org to see what this is about or contact the hall for details.

The new Log books are in so grab only what you need for your job. We are rounding home on the printing of new Contract books so hopefully, we will have them available soon.

THE APRIL UNION MEETING AND E-BOARD MEETING HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE 3RD Thursday, April 16th due to schedule conflicts.

The U.A. is conducting a new Contractor Seminar on March 25th and 26th at Local 636 Training Center. It is canceled and will be brought back when the green light is given to have meetings again.

In Brotherhood,

Carlo Castiglione
Business Manager, Plumbers Local 98

Condolences
Our deepest sympathies go to the family and friends of Norma Boyer, who passed away February 20, 2020. Norma is the mother of Retiree James P. Boyer.

Hanging Up Their Bibs
Congratulations to the members who will retire effective March 1, 2020: Tim McCabe, thank you for your service and enjoy your retirement.

Retiree Meeting
Join the Retirees for their next meeting Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 12 pm at the Union Hall, 555 Horace Brown, Drive, Madison Heights. We encourage all retirees to attend our meetings held on the second Wednesday of every month at the Local 98 Union Hall.

Northern Retiree Meeting
We will meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month; the next meeting is Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 10 am at Wadham’s Country Kitchen, 2838 Stable Drive, Kimball 48074. For more info call Ron DeRoo at (810) 305-2781.

Thumb Area Meeting
There is a monthly meeting for Local 98 members in our Northern thumb area. The meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 6 pm at the Blue Water Convention Center, 800 Harker St., Port Huron 48060. For more info call Jon DeRoo at (248) 762-9238.

Workers Assistance Program, Recovery and Relationship/Divorce Support Groups
This program is not only for medical and/or personal issues, please call C.J. Harrison, Work Life Strategies at 248-545-8301 for an appointment.

Out of Work List Changes/ SUB Pay
All working members will be required to complete a SUB application within 48 hours of their lay-off to ensure placement on the Out of Work List. If you are out of work due to Unemployment, Disability or Workers Compensation, please contact BeneSys at 248-813-9800 to verify your continued Insurance eligibility.