Officers and Members of Local 32, circa August 1900
United Association Local 32 is a 110 year old Labor Organization who's only function is to improve the lives of pipe trades workers. That's right. We are Organized Labor (ie... A Union).
For those of you who don't know or have a preconceived idea of what that means, read on. You may learn something.
Definition: Union; a number of persons, societies or states, or the like, joined together for their mutual aid and benefit.
United Association Local 32 Vital Statistics
Originally started to bring decent wages and working conditions to a trade which had neither, Local 32 has also brought many other benefits over the years. Benefits such as training opportunities, medical and retirement plans not to mention dignity, respect and an equal seat at the table of our industry are all proof that when pipe trades workers pull together, we have a positive impact on our industry.
Our members are career professionals who take their trade seriously. To them, this is not just transitory part time work. That is why we would challenge anyone in the unorganized sector of this industry to match us in skill, productivity, craftsmanship and downright ingenuity. When there is a tough job to do, the folks that know call our contractors because they know we will get the job done right the first time.
Another equally important part of who we are, is that we are an organization run by and for pipe trades workers. Our leadership comes from the folks who have had their hands on the tools. The elected officers and staff of Local 32 are tradesmen and tradeswomen first.
Do we have our critics? Who doesn't?
Are we perfect? Are you?
Local 32 is a human run democratic organization with a history that our members are proud of. We have, like all organizations, our share of warts. That's just part of being human. But anyone who can not or will not recognize our positive impact on our industry is ignoring the truth.
If, after reading the above, you work in the pipe trades, are a true craftsman, have a good work ethic, and wish to challenge yourself in the pipe trades, give us a call. Slackers need not apply. This organization is about work.. that's right...good old fashioned hard work, and about using your head to get it done.
See More About Joining or read on.
United Association Local 32-Seattle was chartered by our parent Organization, The United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) in August of 1889. With over 400 UA Locals in the United States and Canada, this organizations locals represent over 300,000 pipe trades workers. Workers just like you. The members of the UA are the best paid and most skilled workers in the construction industry.
Now that you know where we have been, here is a little bit about where we are going.
At Local 32, we believe that the security of our future in the pipe trades lies in 3 areas.
- Training:
Our industry is constantly changing and we have to keep up with the
latest technologies. Some of the systems and methods that are being
used today cannot be done by just a little on the job training. We have
to keep our skills honed and meet every new method head on.
More About Training Opportunities
- Organizing:
There are employers out there who still believe in the slave/master
relationship. These employers are the enemy of all who work in the industry.
Let's face it, the so called merit shop or merit system is a crock.
The only one who ever benefits from that type of relationship is the
boss because his word is the only one that matters. Democracy in the
work place is a good thing. When people are allowed to have their say,
it challenges them to be their best, because they then have a vested
interest in their jobs. When the shop is run as a dictatorship, no ones
mind is challenged. If you don't think it works like that, why are all
the large mechanical shops in Seattle, Union shops? Why is the United
States the premier economic power in the world. It's because our folks
have a say and a vested interest in how things turn out. We are not
just along for the ride. We sometimes get to drive. Also organized workers
set standards for the industry. If you don't think so, why is it that
when a couple of guys from a nonunion shop join the union and leave,
the rest of the guys still working there get raises. Unions stabilize
industries by working to set standard's which allow workers to become
more that transient workers, that is professionals. Organizing pipe
trades workers is good for the workers, good for the bosses (although
some bosses may never believe that) and good for the industry.
More About Joining - Political
Action: There are people out there that believe that working folks
in this country have made too many gains. An example of this would be
a situation which came about a couple of years ago. One genius in Washington
D.C. thought he had a better idea than the forty hour work week. He
wanted to make it so that you would have to work 80 hours in a two week
period or 160 hours in a month before you were entitled to overtime
pay. To make it clearer, he wanted to get rid of the 40 hour work week.
People who write crap like that need to be fought at every turn. And
if truth be known, that person probably had never worked at a real job
their whole life. We must be politically active to combat meatheads
like that.
More About Political Action