Local 32 Political Action Committee

The United Association Constitution states:
"We must assist in electing to public office
only those favorable to the cause which we espouse,
which is the cause of human freedom and in doing so,
elect our friends and defeat our enemies."

Who are the members of Local 32's Political Action Committee?

Why does Local 32 have a Political Action Committee?

The need for Local 32 to have a PAC stems from a couple of cold hard facts. First, not all politicians have a sense of what it is like to actually have to get up and go work for someone, every day, for most of our lives. Secondly these aforementioned politicians tend to take care of their friends, which is usually to the detriment of working folks. Thinking people in Local 32 realize we need to participate in the democratic process and help elect our friends to public office. This way we can try to make working folks lives better and at the very least stop the erosion of the rights which our forbearers in the labor movement won for us.

Many working people take for granted some of the most basic issues, such as child laborlaws, the forty-hour work week (anyone out there like weekends?), health and safety laws and many, many more. Many people take for granted other, real, tangible things, which make up our lives today, such as roads or electrical power. Many of these things were financed by the public during a time when people realized how important an infrastructure was to have a efficient and vibrant economy. These things are not luxury items. To have an active economy, they are crucial. Infrastructure is important to attract new businesses, to foster growth of existing companies and also to make our lives as working people more comfortable. Many people believe our infrastructure, just fell out of the sky…the roads have always been here…the power grid has always been here…people have always used bathrooms and not outhouses.

And to compound the lack of awareness many people have of the steps it has taken us to get out of the stone age, most people blame government for all the ills of society. Many fail to realize that our form of self government has propelled us to heights which other people on planet earth can only dream about.

And that very image of government seems to keep most regular Joe's from participating in a system, which without his participation, is doomed to implode and eventually fail.

And many people do not realize how electing the right or wrong people to public office can effect their everyday working lives.

This is why Local 32 has a PAC. The Political Action Committee of Local 32 strives to provide a voice for Local 32 members in three distinct ways.

1. Pressing ahead with voter registration of LU32 Members.
2. Providing voter information on issues which have been determined by the PAC to effect our working lives as pipe trades workers.
3. Sitting down with elected officials or those which aspire to elected office with the intent of educating them on issues which are important to us as pipetrades workers.

The Political Action Committee of Local 32 will pursue legislation and political activities which affect our members in three primary areas:
Wages, Hours, and Working Conditions

Proposed Legislative and Regulatory Agenda to be Pursued By UA Local 32 Plumbers and Pipefitters

1. There should be absolutely no attempt to institute any form of right to work legislation or referendum either nationally or locally.
   Position Paper on "Right to Work"
   


2. " There should be absolutely no weakening of any provisions of the Davis- Bacon Acts or related acts at any level of government.
   Position Paper on "Davis/Bacon, Prevailing Wage"
   


3. There should be absolutely no infringement on the licensing of crafts affiliated with Local 32 by other crafts. Local 32 also strives to expand and protect the Plumbing license and certifications to ensure that all phases of Plumbing and appropriate codes are covered by the license/certification. We also advocate the institution a pipefitters license that would include all applicable work and codes under the Pipefitters license/certification.
   Position Paper on "Craft Licensing and Codes"
   


4. Establish and enforce a common set of apprenticeship standards for Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship.
   Position Paper on "Apprenticeship"
   


5. We support negotiated union only project labor agreements which are approved by UA32.
   Position Paper on "Project Labor Agreements"
   


6. Provide protection from being forced to accept low wage jobs when an employee is injured.
   Position Paper on "Workers Compensation"
   


7. Bid shopping by general contractors of sub bids is a common and unethical practice which is and should be stopped by legislative authority especially in the public works arena.
   Position Paper on "Bid Shopping"
   

Process for Candidate Endorsement From the Local 32 Political Action Committee

1. Contact Local 32 PAC Chairman Eric Gilbreath at email Eric to set an appointment with our Political Action Committee and to receive a Local 32 Candidate Questionnaire.
2. Return the Questionnaire to the PAC Chair at least one week prior to your scheduled interview.
3. The Committee will recommend a response, which will be taken up at the next regular union meeting.
4. At that time the membership will debate the issue and take the necessary action.
5. The candidate will be notified of the outcome within the next week.

2008 PRESIDENTIAL CAUCUS TRAINING
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