October 26th Business Manager Update
Brothers and Sisters,
We hope you and your family are safe and healthy. For our hunters – don’t go light in the land of plenty, score big, and return home safe.
MEETINGS
The next Union Meeting will be Thursday, November 12th at 7:00 pm. We will be moving the meeting to a virtual platform. Please note we are back to our normal meeting time. For virtual meetings we will follow the same rituals and officer reports as usual. Some sensitive information, such as organizing campaigns, may not be discussed virtually. The confidentiality of our business matters has to be our priority. All wage allocations are posted on our UA Local 98 web page (UALocal98.com) and went into effect the first week of June 2020.
I am sorry to report that our annual “Turkey Night” as well as the kids “Christmas Party” are both cancelled, unless a miracle happens and the plague dissipates.
Retiree Meetings are still cancelled until further notice. E-Board meetings are the first 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.
ELECTIONS
Check out our website for the most current endorsed candidate list. The list can be found under the About section under Political Action on our webpage. Local 98 will continue backing both party’s candidates who have proven to be true Union supporters. If you do not see your candidate it may be possible they have not requested a letter of support or are running in an uncontested race.
If you are voting by mail and haven’t mailed in your ballot yet, please DROP IT OFF IN YOUR BALLOT DROP BOX TODAY. Visit the Political Action webpage for a link to find your nearest drop box.
If for some reason you may not agree that Joe is the proper choice as president, please remember our Senators and Representatives as well as Judges all the way to clerks. Remember Associate Builders and Contractors Association, a.k.a. ABC Contractor, (that’s the guys that don’t like us in case you didn’t know) has backed the other guy, to get a national Right to Work Law passed in this country. As I write this the GOP are pushing another right wing conservative judge to the supreme court that means our Unions are going to be further decimated by there decisions.
Over the past week we have had several visits from the Biden Campaign to our hall. The first being Dr. Jill Biden speaking, followed by the Biden Campaign Bus handing out Biden swag. It’s always great to see presidential campaigns in Michigan and even better when we get to be a part of it.
COVID-19
Anyone that knows of a Local 98 member or spouse that has died of Covid-19, please have the surviving partner or family member contact the Union hall as the U.A. has an extra bereavement fund to assist unfortunate families in their time of need. Due to HIPPA laws we cannot make first contact with the families ourselves. So please help out our member’s families.
Any concerns with COVID-19 safety protocols or lack of PPE contact the Business agent in the area or the Union Hall.
Michigan residents have access to free with no copay required COVID-19 testing. You can find the testing sight nearest to you by going to www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/ and clicking the Find a Test Sight button.
UNION HALL
The Union Hall is open to essential foot traffic only and the West doors will continue as our main entrance. Masks are required and you need to make an appointment to visit. There is a COVID-19 questionnaire that MUST be filled out by everyone entering the Union Hall. Remember, the Training Center can be used.
SUB APPS/OOW Changes
SUB Pay will remain closed until our travelers or job calls slow down. Please fill out SUB Apps electronically now. 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.
LICENSE RENEWAL
For all continuing education opportunities or classes, see below or call Training Coordinator Paul Baker at 248-585-1435. BAs Gary Glaser and Tom McWilliams are now admins on the Must/Most program, contact them if you need help.
RETIREES
Congratulations to Brothers Nacos Kovanes, Donald Kelly, and Daniel McCabe who have all recently retired. May all the years ahead bring you happiness and relaxation.
IN MEMORIAM
Our deepest sympathies go out to the friends and family of Brother Gerald Schilke who passed away on October 10, 2020.
Good/Welfare
Congratulations to Brother Zachary Richardson and his wife Michelle on their wedding, best of luck to you both.
We now have a hearing Benefit added to our Insurance package starting September 1st of 2020 through Nations Hearing. This is for opt out members as well. Please watch your mail for the information, or call 877-241-0703 M-F. 8am-8pm, or visit nationshearing.com/local98.
We would like to thank the following Sisters who took time out of their Saturday to do a video conference for Women in the Trades and Represent Local 98; Mandy Morrison, Dawn Melancon, Dana Sheets, LaPonda Davis, Adrienne Bennett, Raven Henderson and Jennifer Ross-Spare.
We are looking for Residential and Service Plumbers at this time. 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