Building Trades Paper – Oct 28th

The officers and staff at Local 98 hope you and your family are enjoying our fall season!  Remember to get out and VOTE!

Announcements, information on meetings, links to your benefits, the Training Center, and more can be found on our web site. Go to UALOCAL98.COM

Meetings & Union Hall.  SPECIAL CALLED MEETING – will be Thursday, November 7th at 7:00pm. This is a Special Called meeting for nominations for officers of all positions at Local 98.  Our regular monthly union meeting will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 7:00pm which will include swearing in of new apprentices and organized members; and annual Turkey night.

The Executive Board meetings are generally held the first Thursday of the month at 5:30pm and before all Union Meetings.

Election of Local 98 Officers & Delegates: Nominations for the offices of (1)-Business Manager, (1)-Financial Secretary/Treasurer, (1)-President, (1)-Vice President, (3)-Examining Board, (3)-Finance Committee, (4)-Executive Board, (4)-Business Agents, (1)-Recoding Secretary, (1)-Inside Guard and (16)-Delegates will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at the Union Hall at 7:00pm. Located at 555 Horace Brown Drive Madison Heights, Michigan, 48071. Nominations may be made in person at this meeting including self-nominations or write-ins. Written nominations should include the address, phone number and UA card number of the nominee. It should be signed by the nominee and must specify the office/position they are running for.  Nominations must be received by the Business Manager prior to meeting by 3:00pm, Thursday, November 7, 2024. The election will be held Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 9:00am-7:00pm at the Union Hall. There will be a candidate meeting following nominations to explain rules for candidates on running an election and campaign lists. To vote in the election all members must be in good standing for 1 year prior to election, and 2 years in good standing to run for an office. Members are asked to bring an ID or Union Card to the polls for verification. In the event of a tie, a run-off election will be held Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 3:00pm-7:00pm at the hall.   

UPCOMING DATES OF IMPORTANCE:  

* Thursday, November 7, 2024  7:00pm  “SPECIAL CALLED MEETING” for nominations of officers for all positions at Local 98;  

* Wednesday, November 13, 2024 Noon – 2pm  Retiree Meeting/Luncheon at Local 98 hall;

* Thursday, November 14, 2024 7:00pm  Regular monthly union meeting, swearing in of new apprentices & organized   members, and annual Turkey Night; 

*  Monday, December 2, 2024 5:00pm-8:00pm  Annual Wrapping Party at hall for Children’s Christmas Party; 

* Tuesday, December 3, 2024 5:00pm-8:00pm Annual Children’s Christmas Party for members and their             families;

*  Thursday, December 5, 2024 9am-7pm  Election of Local 98 Officers & Delegates all positions at the hall;

* Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Noon – 2pm  Retiree Meeting/Luncheon at Local 98 hall;

*  Thursday, December 12, 2024 3:00pm-7pm  Run-off election in the event of a tie (TBD);

*  Thursday, December 19, 2024  Regular monthly union meeting and swearing in of new Officers & Delegates.

Retiree Meetings. The next Retiree Meeting/Luncheon is Wednesday, November 13th from 12pm–2pm at Local 98!

Fall Food Drive:  Local 98 will be hosting a Food Drive at the Union Hall on Saturday November 9^th, 2024 from 9am-Noon. We will be accepting all donations of non-perishable food items and bottled water. No donation is too small or too big. Cash or check donations will be accepted and will be used to purchase more food for the donation. Food can also be dropped off at the hall at the Union meeting or throughout the prior weeks of the food drive. All donations will be delivered to a local food pantry to help those in need. There is a need and we can all help! Contact BA Dan Nixon with any questions. Apprentices who help with the food drive will receive a credit for a Union meeting.

Three Things to Know: 1).  UA members are talking to voters about the importance of this presidential election.  UA Pipe Trade members are out knocking on doors and visiting job sites, talking about the generational infrastructure investments made under @KamalaHarris.  We are working hard to cement our gains and protect our future.  By engaging directly with our communities, we’re ensuring these investments continue to strengthen the UA for years to come.  2). GOP and military leaders rally behind Vice President Harris.  These leaders who know Trump best are putting “Country over Party” because they recognize Harris as the strong, tough leader America needs to uphold the Constitution, strengthen our national security and unite the nation.  3). VOTE UNION this November.  Don’t let Trump’s anti-union policies set us back.  Share our latest post and make sure every UA member checks their registration and makes a plan to vote for pro UA candidates like Vice President Harris.  Together we can protect our jobs and secure a stronger future for all. UAGETINVOLVED.ORG/VOTE  

Attention 98 Hockey Players:  Any Local 98 member interested in playing on the 98 Hockey Team, please contact BA Dan Nixon @ 248-752-3702 for details.

Apprentice Clothing Drive:  The Apprentice Council will be conducting an ongoing Clothing Drive. Anyone who would like to donate new or gently used clothing, winter clothing, winter gear etc. can bring the donations down to the hall during normal working hours or on Union meeting nights. Please contact John Linardakis @ 989-324-8551 or BA Dan Nixon with any questions.

Applications are now being accepted for our apprenticeship program. Learn more at www.plumbers98TC.org/apprenticeship.

Expelled Members: No expelled members this month.

Dues: Check your mail and update your email and contact information at the hall, it’s not your spouse/significant other’s fault your dues fall behind. We have several options to pay your dues; in person, online, automatic deduction from an account and pension deduction for retirees.  Contact the hall for more information. Those of you who read the paper please bring it in and put on your break table.

SUB Apps/Out of Work List. SUB You have 48 hours to report being out of work and to fill out a SUB App whether you qualify for SUB or not. It is your responsibility to check your location on the Out of Work List. We have a dedicated email to send your unemployment certifications and/or backup documents to receive SUB pay.  Please email correspondence to: [email protected]  Make sure your contact information is up to date, as well as MUST and other certifications. If you have any problems with state agencies involving unemployment, or questions on MUST models and staying current, please contact Gary Glaser at 313-580-0148 or Dan Nixon at 248-752-3702.

Benefits. *We have dedicated BeneSys employees at the Union Hall to help with the following issues: Health Insurance, HRA, SUB, Short Term Disability, Eligibility, and Claims. The Local 98 Health Insurance office is receiving the calls coming into Local 98. In order for them to best track all issues please call the hall at (248) 307-9800 and select option #2. If they are on the other line, please leave them a message and they will get back to you promptly. 

2024 Presidential/State/Local General Election: Vote for the Labor Friendly candidates on November 5, 2024 or by absentee ballot. The Local 98 PAC and officers along with BM Carlo Castiglione are proud to announce they are supporting Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz as the President and Vice President candidates in the upcoming 2024 USA Presidential Election!  Local 98 has posted a list of candidates we have endorsed on our website.  An email and a text will also be sent to members. The endorsed list has candidates from both sides of the aisle.

We endorse and support the candidates who support labor, jobs, back Unions and who support the issues of Organized Labor as well as our existence to be heard! Get out and vote!  Encourage your family and friends to vote too!

Local 98 member Nolan Kare is running for Village of Romeo Trustee. Anyone living in Romeo, please let your family and friends know to support and to vote for Brother Nolan Kare for Trustee!  In addition, our brother at Local 636, Val Pod, is running for New Haven Community School Board. We wish them well! 

Worker Assistance Program. Work Life Strategies, LLC. Are available to members and their families to provide counseling services and when needed, a referral to other professionals. Call to talk to a counselor for issues relating to grief, alcohol, drug addiction, bankruptcy depression, marital issues and family counseling. All this is confidential and lead by or health professional C.J. Harrison, you can reach her on her cell @ 313-580-6887. If you cannot go to her office she can do phone conferences, don’t wait ask for help when you feel issues are affecting your life. 

In Memoriam: Let us remember our brothers who have recently passed.  Our deepest condolences and sympathy to the families and friends of deceased Brother Kevin Feddersen, initiated on 10-23-97, he was a 26-year member; Brother Gerald Giddings, he was initiated on 04-22-1965, he was a life member; Brother Dennis Pasqual, he was initiated on 01-13-66, he was a life member; and Brother Edward Spenchuk, he was initiated on 01-16-52, he was a life member.

We are currently looking for Industrial, Residential and Service Plumbers & Apprentices. This is a great opportunity to expand and grow, as many members are looking to retire. If you know anyone working Non-Union or is a past member that may be interested, have them call Organizer Rob Moses at 248-763-2187. Or get online at The Training Center for more information on Apprenticeships.

      In solidarity I remain, Carlo Castiglione, Business Manager Plumbers Local 98