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Quarterly Newsletter (Summer 2007) Volume 10, Issue 2 |
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Things continue to move at a fast pace here
at the union halls and training centers. Although there are no huge projects
currently under construction in our jurisdiction, the majority of the
contractors remain busy and skilled manpower is still in demand, especially
those members with welding and service skills. We continue to upgrade and
improve the training centers and hope to have all projects completed by the end
of the year. Projects under way this summer in Kaukauna include:
- A completely operational system in the basement that
includes a steam boiler, chiller, cooling tower, multiple heat exchangers
and various types of controls that will allow hands-on instruction for
systems install and operation as well as test and balance.
·
Installation of a control cabinet for
the in-floor heating system in the foyer.
In-floor heat has become commonplace in the residential and commercial
arena, and this will assist the training of our members.
- Installation of a working med gas system with outlets and
control cabinets being permanently installed in the blue print reading
room.
- Work is ongoing in the plumbing room with the final
product to include a science lab and a service lab.
- A sub arc-welding machine complete with a turntable and
positioner/gripper obtained on a grant from the
United Association has been delivered and will be installed in the
basement.
- A new pipe cutter, an additional beveling machine, and
two turntables have been added to the
There have also been two meetings to
date of the Residential/Light Commercial Committee, which is comprised of both
contractor and union representatives. After much discussion on the difficulties
we face in this arena, all parties agreed to keep the committee in place.
Currently, we are focusing on establishing a uniform residential/light
commercial agreement that would be implemented local wide and identifying other
tools that will assist in our efforts to gain market share. No changes will be
made to the current agreement without proper ratification by the membership.
A meeting was also held between the
Local 400 officers and Executive Board and members of the MCA Board of Directors
to discuss common industry concerns such as current and projected workloads,
training, safety and customer concerns. Local 400 presented a survey that will
be sent to all signatory contractors asking for their input on the quality of
training, the market recovery fund, the referral system, evaluation of the work
force provided by the Local, etc. This information will be used in our efforts
to provide the best-trained and qualified craftsmen in the industry and ensure
our members continue to have quality work opportunities with good benefits. All
parties agreed that the relationship between Local 400 and the contractors was
very favorable at this time and served as an asset in efforts to secure work.
These are just a few of the items we
have been working on over the last couple of months. The officers and staff
continue to work hard each day, and with every decision that is made, they
never lose sight of the primary goal--good jobs and benefits for the members.
If we are going to be successful, your input is essential.
See
you at the next union meeting.
Mark Buss, Business Manager
As predicted earlier this year, the
surge in manpower requests has continued through the first half of 2007. Not only have we had many requests from local
contractors, but the call for help from all over the country has been a regular
occurrence. Fabshop opportunities remain
to be that one facet of our industry that seems to be most in demand and
hardest to fill. Field work in both the
plumbing and pipe fitting trades also continues at a relatively steady pace.
Current and future employment may be in direct correlation with the skills and
certifications you may possess, so please refer to the schedule of classes
available for the upcoming fall semester that is included in this issue.
We recently had our mid-year report
with the financial managers of the Local 400 Money Purchase Pension Plan. All
four managers reported modest returns for the first six months of 2007. The
average was approximately 4-5% with a projection in the high single digits by
year’s end.
The Market Recovery Fund is continuing
to operate, albeit at a limited basis.
As reported in previous issues, Local 400 firmly believes in the value
of this program, but can only participate at the level of the current
contribution rate.
Elections for Local 400 officers and various
committees are right around the corner, so now is the time to consider becoming
more involved in your local’s affairs.
Taking on the responsibility of serving in one of these capacities is
both challenging and very rewarding! The
strength of our local depends on the active participation of its members.
Fraternally,
Greg Choudoir, Assistant Business Manager
Summer is almost over and we have
nearly completed two barges this year. We just started on the third barge in
the middle of July. Unfortunately, a lake freighter went aground, so they pulled
a lot of shipbuilders and welders from the new construction projects to
complete the repairs.
The company recently had a picnic in
the yard so we could show our families the first barge we built this summer.
Over 500 turned out to tour the barge and the yard.
This month, we have two Marine Pipefitters retiring; Dennis Henry with 37 years at Bay
Ship and Ronny Tanck with 42 years of service from
Peterson and Bay Ship. Nearly 80 years of experience in the ship building
industry between the two. The entire Marine Group and Local 400 staff would
like to congratulate these two members on their years of service; we wish you
both a long and healthy retirement.
We hope the remainder of your summer is
safe and enjoyable!
Respectfully,
John Britton
Marine Group Pipefitter Steward
Green Bay/Marinette Area
With summer’s end fast approaching,
construction projects requiring UA craftsmen are still in demand.
Marinette-Marine Ship Yard has increased their manpower needs due to recent
orders from the U.S. Government. Foreign countries are touring the yard and may
be ordering vessels built at the Marinette yard as well. This would only mean
more work for our members.
We have been receiving phone calls
almost on a daily basis from individuals interested in the piping industry.
Some are graduates of various welding schools with basic pipe welding skills,
while others are more advanced. If we’re going to man our work, we’ll need
qualified members to do so. With increasing demands for high quality pipe
welders in our industry, it is essential that we pursue every option.
The nuclear shut down schedule will
begin in September with many opportunities within the
Check out the website for complete
details at www.ua400.org for upcoming area
work and job opportunities.
You may have noticed on your 298 Pension
statement that your projected benefit has lowered since your January ’06
statement. This is due to the $96.00 multiplier being decreased to $78.00 as of
1/1/07. The actuarial firm can only project your benefits using current rates.
If you did not receive your statement, let me know. Also the cash-out option
has been eliminated as of Jan. 1, 2008. Everyone who retires after 1/1/08 will
still have up to a 50% cash-out option on hours contributed ending 12/31/07.
Morgan-Stanley is now a Plan investor and should begin by year’s end. Trustee
Don Schmeisser has recently stepped down. We would
like to thank Don for the many years of service he has put forth on the
committee.
Project Heat’s On
will be in need of volunteers this October, please take a moment to read the
notice in this newsletter issue.
Finally, if there is anything I can do
to assist you, please don’t hesitate to call.
In Solidarity,
Jeff Knaus, Business Agent
Employment in the District 2/3 area
continues to be excellent; currently, we have one plumber on disability and one
fitter on the bench. J F Ahern fab shop is working two shifts with overtime and
is still looking for welders. J F Ahern has also put more men at the Fond du
Lac WWTP, Cambria ethanol plant, and Columbia St. Mary’s hospital in
Some upcoming projects are
206 Pension Trustees met on July 31st.
Topics of discussion were: how to divide up the hourly pension contribution
increase, transferring the Diversified Stock Fund Assets to another investment
firm, and the possibility of increasing the multiplier, which has not increased
in five years. I will give a report on the pension meeting at our August Union
Meeting.
There is a full slate of Night School
classes scheduled for the
Brother Tom Widzinski
has recently retired. Best wishes to Tom in his well-deserved retirement.
I hope everyone has a great Fall; and hopefully, we will see you at the monthly union
meetings and night school classes.
Fraternally,
Steve
Acheson, Business Agent
The summer of 2007 was an eventful
summer for Local 400. This summer, the local held its first accelerated welding
program for the Fabricator apprenticeship program. The apprentices were
eligible to attend 80 hours of weld training at the local’s training facility
in the months of June and July. From all the early comments, this program looks
like a very nice success story from both the apprentices’ and contractors’
perspectives. I would like to thank the instructors of the program: Matt Beach,
Andre Stewart and Kevin O’Connor--they did a wonderful job.
Local 400 also received the first-ever UA
grant for a sub-arc welding machine, manipulator and turntable. The Training
Department will start classes with this equipment in the near future.
A considerable amount of expensive work
was completed this summer on a number of training systems in the local’s
training facility, weld shop and classrooms. For the 2007 – 2008 school year,
in both day and night school classes, and for members who come to the training
facility to upgrade their skills, there will be some changes as to how the
classes will be administered. Students and members will be responsible for the
clean up and care of their work area, tools, books and supplied materials for
their classes. Local 400 has always prided itself on the ability to train its members
to the highest level with little or no additional cost to the members. Our
membership has graciously, for a number of years, made this a reality with the
Education Fund contribution. With the implementation of these new rules, it
should facilitate a better learning environment and ensure our training center
will be state-of-the-art for years to come.
This is starting to sound like a broken
record, but from all of my conversations with UA personnel in
In closing, I would like to thank the
membership, instructors, officers of the local and the contractors for their
continued emphasis on training. It feels great to be part of a pro-active
organization whose members have the entire membership’s best interest at heart,
not just their own.
Jim Clark, Welding Coordinator
The summer of 2007 has found several
improvements at the Kaukauna and
Looking at the equipment we have for
training purposes at our 2 training centers really is an eye opening experience
for “older” journeyman like myself. If you have not
been to a union meeting for a while, you should think about coming early and
taking a walk around and seeing some of the training equipment our apprentices
have to learn their selected trade.
FOND
DU LAC COMPUTER LAB
We have a
state-of –the-art computer lab that has had little or no use in the last few years.
It may just be a sign of the times, as most of our apprentices have been using
computers for several years and have no need to take basic or advanced computer
classes. For a few semesters, some retirees came in and learned basic computer
skills, but that has seemed to come to an end. The last few semesters we have
not gotten enough people to be able to run a class, so we will try once more.
We either need to start using it as a computer classroom or convert it to a
conventional classroom.
MED
GAS
If you are interested in taking a med
gas class in either
VALVE
REPAIR
We have a list of people that want a
basic valve repair class. There are still a few openings, so if interested,
call to sign up. We are considering rolling that right into an advanced class
(if there is enough interest). The class would run two nights a week for four
hours and at least one Saturday.
Anyone that has an EPRI valve repair
card that will be expiring needs to come in for 8 hours of training and take
and pass a 50-question test. So please check your card and call me to get on a
list.
NIGHT SCHOOL
NOTE: If
you need a refresher for your
first aid card, you will only need to come to the first 2 nights of the First
Aid / CPR class. Please call to sign up if you need to keep it current.
FOND DU LAC
Computers Basic/Intermediate: 21-24 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Teacher and night TBA.
Monday Nights Beginning September 10, 2007
Tube Bending: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30.
Tuesday Nights Beginning September 11, 2007
Welding: 30 Hours 5:30 – 8:30. Instructor Don Prickette.
First Aid/CPR: 15 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Gold Cross Ambulance.
Wednesday Nights Beginning September 12, 2007
Copper layout/Soldering and Brazing: 30 hours 5:30-8:30. Instructor Rob Harlan.
Thursday Nights Beginning September 13, 2007
Welding: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Instructor Tim Tabbert.
Kaukauna
Monday Afternoons Beginning September 10, 2007
Drawings - Prints - and Iso’s: 30 hours 12:30 – 3:30. Instructor Jim Clark.
Monday Nights Beginning September 10, 2007
Welding: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30.
Soldering and Brazing: 21 hours 5:30 – 8:30.
UA Heritage: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Instructor Henry Schmidt.
First Aid/CPR: 15 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Gold Cross Ambulance.
Basic Electricity: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Instructor Terry Grose.
Tuesday Nights Beginning September 11, 2007
Welding: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30.
Rigging: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30.
Instructor
OSHA Construction Safety: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Instructors Chris Warren and Ryan Murphy.
Relay Logic and PLC: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Instructor Brad Le Greve.
Wednesday Afternoons Beginning September 12, 2007
Welding: 30 hours 12:30 – 3:30. Instructor Tim Lindahl.
Wednesday Nights Beginning September 12, 2007
Welding: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30.
First Aid/CPR: 15 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Gold Cross Ambulance.
Steam Boiler Theory, Setup and Operation: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Instructor Bob Stammer.
Tube Bending: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Instructor Kyle Schneider.
Blueprint Reading for Plumbers: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Instructor Tom Evers.
Thursday Nights Beginning September 13, 2007
Welding: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30.
Steamfitter Technology: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Instructor Travis Martin.
AutoCad Level II: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Instructor Shawn Kinney.
Blueprint Reading for Fitters: 30 hours 5:30 – 8:30. Instructor Scott Wenger.
Steve
Shew
WPTA
Organizer
(920)
232-4916 phone
e-mail: uaplumber@yahoo.com
Kyle
Croft
WPTA
Organizer
920-858-5496
phone
920-398-1329
fax
e-mail: uafitter400@yahoo.com
Understanding
Your Health Plan
Bring up the
topic of health care today, and you are sure to get a response from almost
everyone and more than likely it will not be favorable. With cost increases
averaging 12% - 15% nation wide and out of pocket expenses constantly on the
rise, it is no wonder all of us are complaining about health care. Enter the
Local 400 Health & Welfare Trustee, an individual that has voluntarily
taken on the responsibility of trying to manage coverage and costs in an arena
that is, quite frankly, out of control. A person who, by accepting the
position, takes on more responsibility and potential liability than the average
person will ever realize, and all for no pay! That being said, let’s check some
facts:
1)
The rate of inflation nationally
is approximately 12% for health care costs and 15% for prescription drugs. The
Trustees for our Plan have maintained a combined inflation rate of
approximately 7% over the last two years.
2)
Maximum out-of-pocket expenses
have not increased for the last three years, while at the same time, there have been increases in coverage for items such
as well childcare, hearing aids and some testing procedures to detect life
threatening illnesses such as cancers. The Trustees have just recently
authorized dollar bank reimbursement above the Plan maximum limits for well
childcare, vision hardware, orthopedic shoes and inserts, and hearing aids.
3)
Under the direction of the
Trustees, the Plan has gone from virtual zero net reserves in 2001 to
approximately 8.2 months of net reserve as of July 2007. That’s around 9
million dollars. Industry experts claim 12 months of net reserve is the
standard for a “healthy” plan. We are well on the way.
4)
The Trustees continually strive to
improve the Plan’s financial position by monitoring the investment guidelines
and reviewing the performance of health care and prescription drug providers in
efforts to minimize cost increases while providing the participants with a wide
range of in-network providers.
5)
The Trustees have continued to
support and maintain a retire subsidy of 37%, on average. Many other plans have
eliminated retiree subsidies in efforts to cut costs.
Given the
enormous challenges of operating a health care plan in today’s environment, I
believe our Trustees, both labor and management, are doing an excellent job.
Next time you see one, instead of complaining, you may want to say “thank you”.
Mark
Buss, Committee Chair
Apprenticeship
Contest
You may have read it in the UA Journal
– the apprenticeship contest is back. The contest has individual craft
competition for plumbers, welders, sprinkler fitters, pipe fitters and HVAC
techs. The regional contest for the 4TH District, which is comprised
of 11 states, was recently held at the Local 597 Training Center in
The training coordinators from
throughout the state will be working on putting together competition in all the
craft categories for next year. The plan is to hold the contest in conjunction
with the Wisconsin Pipe Trades convention, which is scheduled to be held in
ELECTIONS
Yes, it has been almost three years already,
and election of officers, trustees and committee members is coming up fast.
Though all positions are open to members in good standing as spelled out in the
UA Constitution and Local Bylaws, there will be vacancies created due to
retirement for the following: Business Agent (District 1), Executive Board,
Health & Welfare Committee and the Local 400 Money Purchase Plan Pension.
The August union meeting has been
scheduled as a Regular/Special meeting for discussion and vote on having a mail
ballot. If a mail ballot is approved, nominations will take place at the
October meeting. If not, nominations
will take place in November.
All members that are eligible are
encouraged to consider serving the Local by running for these or any other
position that may interest you. The officers, trustees and committee members
have a huge impact on the future of our Local.
November
Meeting Date Change
The Regular
Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 21st has been changed to
Wednesday, November 14th.
Please make
note of the change and plan to attend.
Upcoming Events
SIGN
DEDICATION CEREMONY
September 19TH, 2007 - 6:45
PM
Local 400 has a new
sign out front, courtesy of labor provided by volunteers, apprentices, night school
instructors and the training/welding coordinators.
Construction of the
sign was used as a night school project to teach pipe math, fitting, and
welding.
AZCO, Piping Systems,
Team Industries, Bassett Mechanical, Tweet Garot and Fergusen Supply also made contributions in the form of
donated materials, bead blasting and painting. Thanks to a generous donation
from the Brazzale family: Dawn, David (400 member),
Amy, and Heidi, lighting has been installed so that all those traveling Highway
41 will be able to view the craftsmanship of the “UA 400” sign at night.
There will be a short
ceremony prior to the September union meeting to dedicate the sign in the
memory of Brother Ned Brazzale. Please mark your
calendar to attend.
Project Heat’s
On Program 2007
Service Technicians, Plumbers,
Steamfitters, Apprentices & Journeymen are needed for home heating
inspections. For the past fourteen years, Local 400 has provided this much-
needed community service for the low income/elderly homeowners of
Brown
Co. Volunteers: will meet at the
Outagamie
Co. Volunteers: will meet at the Local 400 Training Center in Kaukauna.
ALL AREAS WILL START AT 8:00AM
AND FINISH AROUND 12:00 NOON
These elderly homeowners need Local 400
Service Technicians’ expertise. In most cases, this is the only way their
heating system will be checked for a cracked heat exchanger or simply cleaned
to operate more efficiently. We’ll pair up a Service Technician with a
construction Journeyman or Apprentice in order to better service the homeowner.
Please consider helping these senior citizens, you may be saving a life.
In
Solidarity,
Jeffrey
P. Knaus Steve
Acheson
Local
400 Business Agent Local
400 Business Agent
Project
Heat’s On Coordinator
Retirement
Open House for Greg Choudoir
At
the June Union Meeting, the membership approved expenses for a retirement open
house for Greg Choudoir. Greg will be
retiring after his term ends at the end of 2007.
Members,
please mark your calendar for the Open House, this will be your only notice:
You're
Invited!
Please Join Us
as We Offer Our Best Wishes to Greg Choudoir On His Retirement!
Friday,
November 2, 2007
Refreshments
& Hor'deurves
2:30-6 p.m.
Presentation 5
p.m.
Local 400
RSVP by October 10 to Shirley at 920-462-0400
Salvation Army
Dates and times to be determined in November.
If
you’re interested in participating, please call Jeff Knaus at 920-462-0404.
Last Revised: August 2007