plumbers, steamfitters & hvac service technicians local ... 2014.pdfnext day. please make sure...

Plumbers, Steamfitters &HVAC Service Technicians

Local Union No. 440

Plumbers, Steamfitters &HVAC Service Technicians

Local Union No. 440

CelebratingOver

110 Years of Service!

3747 S. High School RdIndianapolis, IN 46241

Phone:(317) 856-3771

Fax:(317) 856-7547

Toll Free:(800) 872-0155

Job Line:(866) JOBS440Training Office:(317) 856-6426

Training Office Fax:(317) 856-0591Kokomo office:(765) 452-4866

Columbus office:(812) 372-8313Muncie office:(765) 282-7344

www.ualocal440.org

Table of ContentsBusiness Manager’s

Report......2Business Agents’

Reports.....3-7Training Director’s

Report...8Announcements

& etc... 9-11Health & Welfare

12

Upcoming Dates to Remember

Monday, October 27 4:30pm Officers & Stewards Meeting7:00pm Monthly Union Meeting

Monday, November 24 7:00pm Monthly Union MeetingThursday, November 27 Thanksgiving - all offices closedFriday, November 28 All offices closed

October

2014

2014 Annual Picnic & Health Fair

James (Bubba)Johnson

Business Manager’s Report

James (Bubba) [email protected]

As we enter into the final quarterof 2014, even though we are still experi-encing unemployment, the work picturein our jurisdiction and surrounding areasis showing definite signs of improve-ment. As has historically been the casewelders are in high demand; however,as you will read in the business agentreports, there have also been severalpipefitter and plumber opportunities inthe recent weeks.

One of the biggest concerns anowner has when planning projects is theavailability of manpower. We all realizethe importance of manning our own ju-risdiction, but equally important is help-ing our UA brothers and sisters man theirwork during peak times.

Local 440 members have shownover time the willingness to go where thework is. I want to thank each and everymember who has taken a job on the roadand also encourage those unemployedto consider the same.

NEW TRAINING BUILDINGFunding for the erection of a

7,500 sq. ft. training building was ap-proved by the body at our August unionmeeting. The willingness of the mem-bership to appropriate the funds is a tes-tament to the value that Local 440 putson training; not just for our apprentices,but journeymen alike. We advertise our-selves as the best-trained, most quali-fied craftsmen in our industry and whena need arises we put our money whereour mouth is.

In 1988 there was a need for ad-ditional classroom space, and the mem-bership stepped up. By 1997 we hadoutgrown our existing weld shop and themembership approved the needed fundsfor a major expansion that included thecurrent brazing room and weld shop. In2004 more training space was onceagain needed and the Local leased ad-ditional space to the Training Departmentfor computer labs.

When the new facility is complete– scheduled for April 2015 – we will havetripled the size of our space dedicated totraining. I commend the membership forcontinually appropriating the required fundsto provide space that can be leased to ourtraining program and solidifying our futuresuccess. More details of the new facilitycan be found in the Training Director’sReport on page 8.

UA CELEBRATES 125 YEARSOctober 11th marked the 125th anni-

versary of the UA. On that date in 1889 theUnited Association of Plumbers, Gas Fit-ters, Steam Fitters, and Steam Fitter’sHelpers of the United States and Canadaheld its first convention. Although thestruggles have been many, the benefits ofcoming together to protect the rights ofworking men and women have been great.

From safe working conditions, tothe end of child labor, to holidays, week-ends, and the 40-hour work week, laborunions have created a society that respectsand values the working class. Not onlythose of us who proudly carry our cardstoday, but every working man and womanowes a great deal to those who fought forthe conditions that seem common placetoday.

I encourage you to read the special125th anniversary edition of the UA Journalwhich proudly details the history of our or-ganization and demonstrates the modelthat will ensure our continued success wellinto the future. With each of us doing ourpart - from the UA staff, Local 440 staff, tothe craftsmen in the field – future genera-tions of UA members will carry on this greattradition of standing up for what is right anddecent for working people.

It makes me proud to be a memberof such a great and worthwhile organiza-tion!

Business Agents’ Reports CelebratingOver


The eastern area has been slow, butthe opportunities for travel card work havereally been on the upswing. Evansville hasbeen able to put many to work at I.U. andGood Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes.Travel card work is available in other statesas well. Contact us if you are interested ingoing.

A recent study found that over 60%of union members didn’t understand oreven know what common constructionwages are about. Common ConstructionWage is the wage paid to constructionworkers on publicly funded projects, basedon the market rate, and is established by alocal independent board. Why does it mat-ter? The Common Construction Wage law,or as it is sometimes referred to the Pre-vailing Wage law, sets a level playing fieldfor all contractors and protects local wagesand benefits for all Hoosier workers. Thislaw prevents out-of-state contractors fromundercutting Indiana contractors withcheaper, less skilled labor. The law encour-ages the use of Indiana workers and con-tractors on projects funded by our tax dol-lars. This law creates thousands of jobs forIndiana workers each year.

Indiana’s long-standing and highlysuccessful Common Construction law is atstake in this election. Those currently inpower with the majority at the Statehousewant to repeal it. This will have the effect offurther driving down wages and sending ourtax dollars out of state.

Elections matter. Your vote mattersas do the votes of any of your family mem-bers. Make sure your voice is heard onNovember 4th. Reach out to your localsenators and representatives and ask themwhere they stand on this important issue.

Recently all members were sent aletter concerning the beneficiary that you

have on file for the local death benefit. Itseems that there is some confusion onexactly what benefits we have here at440. In addition to your Local death ben-efit of $3,750.00, you as a member havea death benefit from the U.A. valued byyour years of service and a death ben-efit with the health and welfare fund inthe amount of $11,500.00 for a workingmember and $4,500.00 for a retiree.

You were also sent a notice aboutaccidental and dismemberment benefitfor $3,000.00 from American Income Lifeinsurance Company. Remember, if youhave any status changes such as a newmarriage, to update all of your benefi-ciaries. If you have questions pleasecontact us.

In closing this month, we can alldo our part to hold the costs down to ourHealth and Welfare Plan. When you goto the doctor and need an MRI ask aboutgoing to a facility other than a hospital.There are many facilities out there thatprovide the same services at a lowerprice that will save expense to our planand lower your copay; if you are pre-scribed drugs, ask if there is a generic.

Another way to save is go to thedoctor and get a physical exam eachyear; it is picked up at 100 percent andcould catch a condition that can be cor-rected and may actually save your life.There are admittedly some exams whichare unpleasant, such as a colonoscopy,but in some cases our members haveput them off and unfortunately are nolonger with us. You can help the plan sim-ply by looking after yourself.

Michael A. BrooksBusiness Agent

Michael A. [email protected]

Business Agents’ Reports

Jack E. Neal, [email protected]

Jack NealBusiness Agent

I believe the annual picnic wasa great success again this year. Theweather started a little chilly but by theday’s end it was a beautiful day withplenty of good food, old friends andmany activities for the kids. Prepar-ing for a picnic, or any other functionfor the local, is not an easy task. It is alot of work and it may seem like it runsitself, but that’s not the case. I wouldlike to thank all the volunteers (mem-bers and spouses) that helped makeour picnic a success!

As of this writing work in theeast central area of the State is stillproceeding forward - not as fast aswe would like to see, but things arelooking up. We have had a better yearthan last year and next year should beeven better.

Ball State University has awage setting coming up in October.It sounds as if they may have severalprojects coming down the pike, in-cluding a new hotel. Johns Manvillein Richmond is looking at a niceproject, and Anchor Glass in Winches-ter is looking at a furnace rebuild.

We have had some projectsgo out for bid recently, but have yet topin down the names of the success-ful contractors. Some of the projectsthat will be moving forward in the areaare Ball Hospital (IU Health) in Munciewith many remodeling projects, SugarCreek in Cambridge City, and the ArcHotel in Muncie.

Work out-of-town has taken off withmany opportunities for our members to getout to work. These calls may come up at amoment’s notice and when the call comesin you must be ready to go. The call maynot be available the next week or even thenext day. Please make sure if you committo go that you show up on time and repre-sent Local 440 with pride.

Just a reminder, when you completea job out of town please notify the UnionOffice that you are no longer working. If youdo not, we will not know that you are avail-able for the next travel job and you may notbe called.

An important issue at hand is theNovember 4th General Election. It is im-perative that we, as members of TheUnited Association, continue to take amore active role in the policies and poli-tics that affect our membership. We canno longer just sit on the side line and com-plain. The importance of voting cannot beoverstated, especially when it comes toour working lives.

There is a great deal at stake forus in every election. Since this is an off-year election there is a prediction of verylow turnouts. This is the time every last oneof us must get out and vote and vote forour livelihood. We will not win the controlof the House and the Senate in Indiana thisyear, but we, and we will, stop the supermajority in House and the Senate if we doour part and VOTE!

www.ualocal440.org - Pay dues, check recent member and retiree news,read current and past issues of the newsletter, check the Jobline, find out whereyou are on the bench, and so much more!


CelebratingOver


John P. Beaman, Jr.Business Agent

See ya at the meeting,John P. Beaman, [email protected]

Work on the Westside is still steady.Following is a summary of the contractorsand jobs that are going on the Westside.

Freitag-Weinhardt seems to havepicked up some. The Maintenance side atIngredion has a four-day shutdown takingplace as I’m writing this article. They hiredan additional thirty hands for this project.The Belmont WWTP is well into the firstphase, scheduled to finish around the endof November. The crew size at that time willreduce somewhat rolling into phase 2, thenstabilize and continue well into 2015.Freitag also has some small projects at IPLHarding Street.

BMWC’s work at Eli Lilly remainssteady. Normally the Alliance’s work loadpicks up around the end of the year as theannual budget comes to an end. There’s alot of talk about a large project at the LillyTech Center that could start in the first quar-ter of 2015. Also for BMWC, it sounds likethe shutdown at Crystal Clean is going tohappen. The Plant suffered considerabledamage during a recent fire, but fortunatelythere were no reported injuries. It soundslike some of the hands dispatched to theshutdown could hang on for the needed re-pair.

Bowen Engineering’s big job atSouthport WWTP is still waiting on someengineering changes. Bowen has trans-ferred a handful of pipefitters and appren-tices to the project. The large bore processpiping should start early first quarter of2015. They still have a considerable amountof work for CTE.

We are still waiting on IPL to awardthe natural gas conversion project forunits 5, 6, and 7 at Stout Power Plant.The conversion will be a sizable projectextending well into 2015. The new Com-bined Cycle Plant at Martinsville will alsobegin early next year. As soon as wereceive information on weld procedureswe will make it available to Local 440welders. The Local is committed to pre-certifying as many welders as we can,so that as the jobs ramp up, our weld-ers will be ready to go.

Travel Card work is booming! Re-finery and Power Plant work is off thecharts. Local 440 has members work-ing in many different states. I am proudto say that not a day goes by that one ofus in here doesn’t get some positivefeedback on our hands taking care ofbusiness out there! As the tide turns andwork picks up here we will do our bestto help the locals that have helped us.

Here’s wishing all you guys andgals a safe and productive hunting sea-son! Like always, we need pictures forthe outdoor section. So if you shot it,caught it, or grew it, send us a picturewith a short caption and we will makeyou famous.

It’s hard to believe, but the holidays will soonbe upon us. From the Officers and Staff ofPlumbers, Steamfitters and HVACR ServiceTechnicians Local 440, we would like to wisheveryone a very Happy Thanksgiving.


Jamie FifeBusiness Agent

Jamie [email protected]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I would like to start this month’sarticle out by saying THANK YOU to allthe volunteers that helped make thisyear’s picnic another successful one! Itwas great to see everyone enjoying them-selves and the wonderful weather we hadthat day! I think moving the date on thepicnic has been a success; and it reallydisappointed me the dunk tank was can-celled this year, “NOT”!

Well it’s hard to believe but deerseason is upon us again already. I amgetting my gear ready and chomping atthe bit to get in the woods! Good luck toall you guys and gals this year on killingthat “Big Buck”.

Now on to the work picture workin the North. The Chrysler work haspicked up enabling HMH to recall somejourneymen at the North Plant. There areadditional projects coming up at the otherChrysler Plants. Other work in the Northjurisdiction has slowed down with theschool work finishing up.

There is no word on when theMaplehurst project in Lebanon will go outfor bid. This would be a really nice projectto land, and a few of our contractors arelooking into it as we speak. There are afew other projects that have been let but

have not manned up. We are anticipat-ing some calls on the Job Line soon.

Let’s talk about Travel Card work.Travel card work has really “blown up” inthe past few weeks. We currently haveover 140 welders, fitters, and plumbersout on travel card. There are still severaloutages requiring manpower and wehave been struggling to fill these calls.Most of the outages are in combinationlocals so they are taking fitters and plumb-ers to fill the calls. If you are interested intraveling – plumbers or fitters - please callus and let us know.

Also don’t forget that most ofthese projects require OSHA-10 cards tobe issued within the last 3 years. If yourcard is more than 3 years old you willmore than likely need to update it. Mostprojects are accepting OSHA-30 cardsissued within the last 10 years.

Everyone be safe in the woods thisyear and “Happy Hunting”! Also don’t for-get to get out and VOTE in the upcomingelection. We need more labor friendlypeople elected this year!!!

Recently RetiredMichael L. Thibodeau 8/01/2014Richard K. Baker 8/01/2014Steven M. Bowman 9/01/2014Jay F. Coleman 9/01/2014Edward M. Davis 10/1/2014Larry A. Giles 10/1/2014William R. Johnson 10/1/2014Ronald G. Masters 10/1/2014

CelebratingOver


Fraternally,Robert R. [email protected]

Bob StienekerBusiness Agent

Business Agents’ ReportsWork in the South is holding steady

with a definite up side coming in the futuremonths. Our contractors were successful onjobs at Johnson Memorial Hospital inFranklin, Major Hospital in Shelbyville, andat various Cummins projects in Columbus.Work on these projects should be startingin the coming weeks. Contractors shouldhire for each of these projects as well asthe TOA project in Mooresville where somework has happened and once the buildingis erected more will be breaking loose.

An update on the IPL project inMartinsville, the ground breaking ceremonyhas taken place and the initial contractawarding has taken place. Stone andWebster was awarded the procurementpackage on the project and they have beenin contact with the Building Trades. They aregoing to pre-job in the next few weeks, af-ter which we should be able to get a cleareridea on when work will be getting under-way. All indicators are pointing to a lateMarch to the middle of April before they starthiring fitters and welders, with the big hirecoming in early June of 2015. We havebeen in contact with representatives ofStone and Webster and look forward toworking with them on this project.

I am sure that we will have a needfor Certified Riggers on this project as wellas jobs on the road, so get in touch with the

training department to get registeredfor this certification. If we can’t pro-vide the certified people, the work willbe awarded to someone who can.

On the political side we areonly weeks away from Election Dayand we can’t enforce enough theneed for all members to get informedand to vote. This election is beingforecasted as a low turn-out cyclewhich, if everyone votes, could workin our favor. I know that there areraces out there that can be turned ifwe can get out and vote. Now morethan ever we need friends in the as-sembly who are looking out for ourinterests. With RTW laws in place, thenext attack will be common-wage aswell as un-employment benefits.When we are in the minority themountain is tall, but when fighting thesuper-majority the mountain seems tohave no peak. We have to win backsome seats in the assembly to evenhave our voices heard. So…..

VOTE!!

Congratulations to the winners of the Local 440 Golf Tournament:

First Place Team: Tony Smedley, Richard Wise, Tom Clark, Bob DraughnSecond Place Team: Doug Smith, TJ Johnson, Adam Stewart, Korby KempThird Place Team: Don Bough, Marc Clark, Brian Kriech, Charlie Austin

Longest Drive: Tony Smedley (<49), D. Gillespie (50-64), Don Wright (65+)

Closest to Pin: Zach Brawner, Tony Smedley

Training Director’s Report

Don [email protected]

Don BoughTrainingDirector

Brothers and Sisters,

Fall is upon us and the leavesare starting to turn. Soon the colors onPatoka Lake and other areas acrossthe state will be in full bloom. The farm-ers are hard at work with what I wouldguess is a bumper crop. This is cer-tainly one of my favorite times of year.The only problem is the weather that iscertainly just around the corner. I hopethat the farmer’s almanac is wrong withthe “worse than last year” prediction.

The apprenticeship programnumbers are slowly on the rise andschool is in full session. The best partof belonging to our organization is thatwe all pay into the training fund throughcollective bargaining. That means thatupgrade training is either free or at aminimal cost for books. We have agreat training center with some of thebest instructors and programs. We of-fer skills and certifications to make usall more valuable. Everyone should takeadvantage of every opportunity to comein and upgrade their skills.

We are deep into the designphase of the new training facility build-ing. It’s going to be 75ft. wide by 100ft.long and 20ft. tall to the lowest end of asingle span single slope roof. It will belocated south of the weld shop andopen up into the parking lot with a truckdock. Our plan is to have complete me-

chanical systems in the building that are notthe buildings primary source. The ability toassemble, disassemble, and rebuild thesesystems will give us some much neededhands on training capabilities. We will alsobe able to work from scissor and boom liftsand hope to get all apprentices qualifiedon these pieces of equipment. Also, we willhave the ability to roll a carry-deck insidefor rigging in bad weather.

Local 440 is hosting the District #2Apprentice Contest the first week of Junein 2015 and plans are to have the new build-ing open and ready to use at this great event.I hope it’s not too soon to start asking forretirees that might want to volunteer for theevent. It takes quite a few volunteers to pullthis event off, and we want to show the restof the district once again that Local 440 isa first class operation.

I leave you with this quote:

“It is to the real advantage of every producer,every manufacturer and every merchant tocooperate in the improvement of workingconditions, because the best customer ofAmerican industry is a well-paid worker.”

—Franklin D. Roosevelt

Don’t forget to buy American at everyopportunity ! ! !

Med-Gas Update Exams: Saturday, December 13, 2014 (must register by November 14). Note: Ifyou allow your 2005 Med Gas Installer certification to go past 1 year from the expiration date, youwill have to take the entire class and the original 100-questions exam to renew your certification.

Upcoming Classes:CFC Certification 12/06 & 12/13 SaturdaysForeman Training 1/27/15-5/19/15 Tuesdays Test: 5/19/15Industrial Rigging 2/28/15-4/11/15 TuesdaysMed Gas 1/28/15-3/25/15 Wednesdays Test: 4/11/15NCCCO Signalperson 1/28/15-3/25/15 WednesdaysNCCCO Signalperson 1/29/15-3/26/15 Thursdays

Obituaries

Annoucements

Donald G. Rood, 81, of Kokomo, passed away January 16, 2013 (we were recentlynotifed of his passing). He was a retired plumber, and was initiated on September 25,1951.Bob Byram, 86, of North Vernon, passed away September 3, 2014. He was a retiredrefrigeration, and was initiated on July 15, 1970.James C. Koch, 46, of New Palestine, passed away September 7, 2014. He was ajourneyman steamfitter, and was initiated on June 22, 1993.Lawrence J. Martin, 84, of Indianapolis, passed away September 15, 2014. He was aretired plumber, and was initiated on July 25, 1962.Fred E. Zerbe, 73, of Kokomo, passed away September 19, 2014. He was a retiredpipefitter, and was initiated on June 1, 1998.Fred G. Hancock, of Mooresville, passed away September 25, 2014. He was a retiredsteamfitter, and was initiated on August 13, 2001.

CelebratingOver


Dues Rates Eff. 1/1/15 Building Trades Metal TradesUnder age 65 $30.00 $29.00

Age 65 on or after 1/1/07 $25.00 $24.00

Age 65 1/1/02 – 12/31/06 $24.00 $23.00

Age 65 before 1/1/02 $20.00 $19.00

The Dues Rates Schedule for 2015 is listed below. Only the Under Age 65rates change, the rest of the rates remain the same.

Get a Flu Vaccine Every Flu Season!If you missed the opportunity to get vaccinated for the flu through the Plumbers andPipefitters Local 440 Health Fair you can go to your pharmacy, doctor, health de-partments, and many other places; or you can go to Health Map Vaccine Finderhttp://vaccine.healthmap.org/Influenza is a very contagious respiratory disease that infects the nose, throat, andlungs and can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, or even death. Pneu-monia and bronchitis are examples of serious flu-related complications, and canworsen conditions like diabetes, asthma, and heart and lung diseases. Healthypeople can become very sick with the flu and experience serious complications, notto mention the possibility of missing work and creating medical expenses. Everyperson 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine each year. It takes abouttwo weeks after a vaccination for your body to develop full protection against the flu,www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine so, now is the time to get a vaccination.The flu viruses are constantly changing, so each year there is a new variety of the flu-bug to get vaccinated against, so it is necessary to get a vaccination each yearduring this time of year. You can help protect yourself and your family from the spreadof the Flu, and avoid missed school, missed work, and additional medical expensesby getting your flu shot this month.

-CDC Center for Disease Prevention-SCM & Co., Inc.

2014 Picnic Winners

Member Door Prizes Robert Monday iPad AirRobert Dickinson TVTyler Billerman iPad AirJerry Brinkman TVJohnny Jones Weber gas grillCharles McCarnes Jr. Weber gas grillAaron Rich 4-Piece Power Tools setBradley Napier Pressure WasherGlendall Petty Chain SawChris Whittaker Dewalt Jobsite radioTyler Stieneker Gander Mtn gift cardJordan Lassiter Gander Mtn gift cardJohn Donald Dick’s Sporting Goods gift cardSean Heflin Dick’s Sporting Goods gift cardRon Harris Local 440 gift bagGeorge Poynter Local 440 gift bagLucas Griffin Local 440 gift bagRichard Huber Local 440 gift bagKristopher Canner UA Lunchbox

Adult Door Prizes Gabe Britton GuestElizabeth Knoblock GuestCassity Fisher GuestRichard Howrey MemberJerry Brinkman MemberPaul Kurek MemberJack Crowder MemberAlison Bauer GuestRynn Evans GuestTyler Piersall GuestChild’s Name Member’s Name

Kids Door Prizes Max Williams Josh WilliamsOwen Armstrong Chris ArmstrongTrey Keith CandlerEthan Carr Kevin CarrDeSean Ayro Herbert AyroGeoff Carr Kevin CarrPayton Syester Kenneth SyesterMackenzie Giger Anthony GigerEliza Stafford Stephen StaffordLayla Schott John E Schott

Cornhole Danny Ault 1st PlaceRyan Jarboe 1st PlaceJack Davis 2nd PlaceGarry Rennier 2nd Place32 registered

Fish-a-Thon Connie Parris Catfish 25-3/4"John Delgado Bass 14-1/2"John Lawson Bluegill 9-1/4"

50/50 Luke Hollin $830Health Fair drawing $100 gift card Andre Veal Anthony VealHealth Fair drawing $100 gift card Danny Thompson Jr. Danny Thompson Jr.Health Fair drawing $100 gift card Jackie Underwood James UnderwoodHealth Fair drawing $100 gift card Tracy Durham Robert HintonVolunteer Raffle Jane Hutchins

CelebratingOver


2014 Picnic

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDIndianapolis, IN

Permit No. 7159

Plumbers, Steamfitters, & HVAC Service Technicians Local 4403747 South High School RoadIndianapolis, IN 46241

Health & Welfare

Benefit Areas Sept’14 % Paid Oct ’13 - Sept ‘14 12 Mo %In-Patient Hospital $315,456.87 20.20% $3,823,010.30 20.53%Outpatient Hospital $420,824.56 26.94% $4,246,890.78 22.81%Diag, X-ray,Lab $114,531.67 7.33% $1,386,085.67 7.44%Prescription Program $293,963.94 18.82% $3,915,176.80 21.03%Rx Drug Admin Fee $14,414.43 0.92% $14,414.43 0.08%Surgical $93,375.92 5.98% $949,945.41 5.10%Other $85,770.14 5.49% $1,653,181.62 8.88%Physician $52,525.14 3.36% $529,587.18 2.84%*Prescriptions $37,738.06 2.42% $384,769.39 2.07%Psych/Sub Abuse $32,406.78 2.07% $277,637.03 1.49%Dental $60,681.16 3.89% $864,912.11 4.65%Vision $13,240.36 0.85% $193,122.30 1.04%Disability $18,029.90 1.15% $239,422.03 1.29%Life Benefits $4,500.00 0.29% $79,000.00 0.42%Taxes $4,365.32 0.28% $61,976.81 0.33%

TOTAL $1,561,824.25 100.00% $18,619,131.86 100.00%

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