What is a Union? Why join one?
Our union was established for one reason, to protect the workers in our industry.
When workers join together we develop a better industry for all! Together we promote better wages, benefits and working conditions.
"United we bargain, divided we beg"
A union is an organization of workers joined together for a common purpose, for mutual aid and protection, to engage in concerted activity and collective bargaining and to elevate the conditions of life and labor.
The union is strength in numbers and the power of a group of like minded people, joining together for a common purpose. But it is something even greater, it is the solidarity of brothers and sisters joining together for the benefit of all workers. Joining together to better the plight of all human beings who must give their time and efforts to provide for their families.
The union is a family of workers bent on providing for, and protecting our families.
We are all in this together! Union membership is for everyone!
Union Leadership
- Union members elect all officers in their own local unions.
- Union members vote on all contract issues.
- Union members decide all important policies.
- Union members discuss and decide all actions taken by majority votes.
- Union members have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
Union Education
Our members are recipients of some of the best training in the industry. We offer state of the art training through our registered journeyman and apprenticeship training programs. The United Association has helped develop the finest instructor training program in the world. Most of our instructors are enrolled in, or graduates of, the five year instructor training program. In addition to training, all of our instructors come from the industry. These experts give their time and experience willingly to better the trade and industry.
Training is our hallmark, our legacy, our future!
Union Solidarity
We are a family because we do the same work. We share a common bond, the piping industry. Whether service or construction, we all make our living from the same trade. Our union brothers and sisters stand united in making this trade a valid, viable way to make a living for generations to come.
The union protects our trade!
Union Strength
The union is for everyone!
Our strength comes from the diversity of our workforce. We have many crafts in the piping trades that call the United Association home. We are strong because we are the dominant force in the piping and service industry. We are strong because we represent most of the skilled craftsman in our highly technical trade. We are strong because we have over 200 contractors statewide who hire union employees. We have the strength and stability of being affiliated with an organization that has represented our trade for 111 years. Where union strength truly comes from is the collective bargaining process and our ability to get and enforce a contact. The true difference between represented workers and other workers is that we work under a
Contract
Our rights under the law to collectively bargain give us all the strength and security to protect our trade, our jobs and our families.
Because they have a contract the workers know what is expected of them by their employer. Workers feel secure knowing what their wages and benefits are, and that they are protected by a contract.
Employers by signing a contract feel secure knowing, the union will provide them with experienced, trained, secure employees. They also know what is expected of them and their employees.
A contract offers security for all.
