Well, we haven’t posted to the blog in quite some time and it does not mean that there are not many great things happening throughout the New England region with the New England States Pipe Trades Association. Over the next few weeks, we will add some good stories that we hope you find interesting. And remember if you want a career in the pipe trades, you belong with us.

Today I had to write to recognize our recent Veterans Day. Happy Veterans Day to all who have served to protect this great nation. It does not matter what you did or where you served, our Country is grateful for your service. During the past week, I had a unique opportunity to meet with some of our dedicated United Association members that work in the federal submarine base in Portsmouth New Hampshire, UA Local 788, and the private yard at Electric Boat in Groton Connecticut, UA Local 777.

To say the work being done at these yards is fantastic would be an understatement. The professionalism, dedication, and patriotism are on display at every turn. Both of the bases are extremely busy and there are many great jobs available which in the case of many of the members I spoke to, has led to a long-term career with many great benefits. There is a tremendous amount of pipe in these vessels. The work requires our UA members to operate at the highest level workmanship.

The New England States have always played a special role in our Country’s defense. The coastline has long provided not only shipbuilding activities but also very specialized aspects of air and ground defense. Not to mention the area of weapons development. Our educated workforce and yankee work ethic makes the difference and the United Association and its members has been a part of many of these facilities.

But what struck me the most was the commitment to the mission that everyone we met has in playing a special role in the defense of our nation. Every nut and bolt on these vessels are made in America and to be able to get a very small glimpse of the construction of a vessel or to just know that in the dry dock there is a retooling going on understanding this that will provide many more years of security of the country. As a civilian on a visit, I was filled with tremendous pride and awe.

An engineer at one of the facilities told me a story how as they were on a shakedown cruise with a full crew, one thing that struck him the most, was the absolute confidence that the men and woman on board had in the design and construction of the vessel. In fact, he noticed when was trying to be super observant of the performance of the boat, the sailors who’s lunch time it was, were seemingly just concerned with lunch. They were all very confident in the vessels performance.

The United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, Sprinklerfitters, and HVAC Technicians and Apprentices has been proud to be part of Helmets to Hardhats, as well as our own Veterans in Piping Program which are programs that place veterans that are coming out of active service and place them right into careers in the pipe trades. They number in the thousands at this point. We have had a lot of success placing these veterans that already have the structure of the military into a smooth transition into our trades and on to a great career.

When we think about how things around the world change quickly, we all should be very thankful for the men and women serving to protect us and to the workers who support their mission. The NESPTA is proud to play our part, and remember, Everyday is Veterans Day.

Water = Life

Speaking from a scientific point of view, without water there can be no life. As plumbers, we play a special role in that equation. With all of the conservation regulations there are still great concerns that in the future there will be water shortages. It is our role to do what we can to slow that down here in Massachusetts.

In the 30 plus years that I have been in the business I have seen us go from, for instance, 3.5 gallon toilets to 1.6 gallons and even flushometers that only use about a pint of water. I believe that most of us also had concerns that the sewer infrastructure would need most of that additional water to move the sewage through the systems. Which in some places its true.

But more alarming is the real fact that some world cities are facing the possibility of running out of water. Capetown South Africa is most likely the one that is closest. It seems that at some point this summer the may shut the taps off to millions of people. Almost unthinkable but true.

At Local 12 we have been involved in many water reuse systems that have been installed in some large projects. In fact, there is one being installed at the Wynn Casino project in Everett as we speak. There are also working systems downtown where all of the water for the water closets and urinals as well as landscaping are provided by rain water reuse systems.

The plight of Capetown compelled me recently to attend a Massachusetts Plumbing Board meeting and bring up for discussion the use of the IAPMO UPC Code sections dealing with these issues. To my surprise the board had been working on the issues and put out their own draft regulations, that they have since adopted, on water reuse and rain water collection systems. They did a great job and should be commended for their foresight.

It may not be today but I believe that in the near future we will see these systems installed right down to the single-family home. More importantly the work should be done by the licensed plumber.

These regulations are well thought out and come at the right time. The plumbing industry has been there all along doing the right thing to protect our most precious resource. But as most of us still see more and more municipalities declaring water emergencies throughout the commonwealth all throughout the year.

If all of this conservation is going on why are there these apparent shortages? We have done our part as an industry but there are many issues with the aging infrastructure that distributes the water that we install. There are also issues with runoff as we continuously develop the area.

There is a great bill at the State House filed by Rep. Chris Walsh of Framingham that will mandate water reuse systems in housing projects that are over a certain amount. There are many of these projects out there and bills like this need to be taken seriously if we are going to try as an industry to make sure that future generations have the water they need.

We have responded as Plumbers in every way to protect and conserve our water but we need to continue in this direction. There is a quote attributed to Mark Twain that says,

“Whiskey is for drinking but water is for fighting!”

Let’s continue to do our part,

Harry Brett

I wanted to send a personal note as the Business Manager of Plumbers Local 12. If you are receiving this you most likely know who we are – or maybe not. We are the premier membership organization for plumbers and apprentices who want to get the best out of their career. That means good wages, the best training, and paid health insurance as well as a real retirement plan.

Over the past few years we have been able to bring into our ranks hundreds of new members. And our contractors have really been helped by these new members by being able to take on more work. Even work in areas that that the union has not been into for some time.

Plumbing is your career and you should get the absolute most out of it. I am sure that many of you work for some good people but when it comes to benefits, real benefits, they can’t do we can for you and your family.

Health insurance, for instance, can be a struggle for families to afford. Why would you pay for it out of your paycheck when we build it right into the rate. The same with retirement benefits. To get a real retirement benefit is almost impossible; Local 12’s pension plan is over sixty years old and has paid out over millions of dollars to our retirees during that time.

When the best you can get is a three percent match to what you put in a 401K that comes out of your paycheck, the real question you have to ask yourself is “In my early sixties, can I afford to retire?” Can you? The plumbers’ union is equipped to help you get to that retirement and not actually out live whatever money you have saved. Just do the math yourself!

By working with our contractors, we have created our new residential division to concentrate on wood housing. Any kind of housing. Single family homes to six hundred unit developments. So far, it’s been a great success. It has provided me a way to bring in over a hundred new plumbers and apprentices that I may never been able to before.

Many, many plumbers and apprentices have tried to get in over the years and this division, with its paid health insurance and pension plan has been the vehicle to do it. This has opened our doors!

Yes, while it is a different rate, it’s also about the benefits. A wage and benefit package over fifty dollars an hour cannot be beat. Sure, some may be able to get some good cash but benefits are worth and cost money. If you are doing this work for a living, you know this is true.

As I stated earlier, we have taken in hundreds of new members over the past few years- and one thing I hear a lot is “This is nothing like what they told me about you”. I would ask you that if you have not believed anything I have said so far and you know someone that has joined Local 12, ask them. I’m confident that they will tell you that they are happy.

They will also tell you that they pay dues, yes dues. But when dues to our organization can get you and your family the best out of your career, it’s worth it! We all pay dues one way or the other. Church, gym, rod and gun club, whatever it is you pay it because you get something out of it. Just don’t let someone who doesn’t like unions or knows nothing about them tell you what unions do or not do. Stop by sometime and ask for yourself.

The future looks better than ever for our industry. We have worked very hard over the past few years to find ways to break down the barriers and myths that stop plumbers from seeking us out. Nothing make us happier to know that we have made a real positive change in the lives of people in our trade, as well as bringing another good worker to work for our contractors.

We have met so many great people over past few years and I wish we could have put more of you to work, but job opportunities are what drives that and as we grow and with your continued interest, there will hopefully be room for you.

In closing, I want to make one point and that is if you are a plumber in Massachusetts, you belong with us. That goes the same for contractors as well. A portable, well trained workforce that is at your fingertips is something that only union contractors can enjoy. Please enjoy the Holiday Season and make it a point in the new year to call and get the real information about how we can help you.

All the best,

Harry J Brett

1240 Massachusetts Ave. Boston, MA : On Thursday June 15th Plumbers Local 12 welcomed what is most likely the biggest apprentice class that we have ever taken. Reflective of the growth of the commercial business as well as the residential division this has allowed us to create more opportunity to bring new members into the ranks of the Local.

This was a very special night in which these new members brought their families to share in the experience. The union hall that night had most likely over 200 people in attendance. Light refreshments were served.

The swearing in of these new apprentices was officiated by Local 12 President Bobby McCarthy and Business Manager Harry Brett. After the official ceremony the new members and their families were able to tour the Training Facility.

“You have been given a great opportunity here at Local 12 and I strongly encourage you to take full advantage of the instructors and the school over the next five years” said Business Manager Brett. “There is no other plumbing training like this anywhere in Massachusetts!”.

Local 12 has over sixty contractors that employ its members on any given day and being sure that they are able to employ the most highly trained plumbers and apprentices in the industry is key to every ones success. The Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association and Local 12 have always enjoyed a great working relationship.

The new residential division has really taken off. “Local 12 is really excited to be doing more of this work, for many of the plumbers and apprentices that do this, it’s the first time they have had access to health insurance and a pension plan that does not come out of their pay” said Harry Brett. “This is  why the best of the industry is coming to Local 12”.

Plumbers Local 12’s training program has consistently enjoyed a retention rate of over 95% and has produced roughly 500 new journeyman and women just over the last 5 years. We are training the workforce of the future at Local 12.

We wish them all the best as they start their plumbing career!

On Friday May 5th 2017, Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 12 gathered at the Venezia Restaurant in Dorchester to celebrate the Graduation of the 2017 Apprentices. Over 200 friends and family attended the event.

This year’s graduating class had sixteen apprentices that passed all of the competencies that are required at the Local 12 Training Center. “These apprentices have exceeded all of the expectations that were required of them,” said Rick Carter, Director of Apprentice Training.

These apprentices completed over 1200 hours of related training that began as a night program but finished as part of the concentrated day school program. Hugh Kelleher, Executive Director of the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association, stated in his remarks, “All of the reports I have gotten from the contractors have been excellent in regards to what they see in this class coming out of the training center.”

Special Guests included United Association International Representative Dan Watts and General Agent of the Boston Building Trades, Brian Doherty. Doherty commented, “This class represents the very best in what apprenticeship means to the construction industry in Boston, we are the organization training the workers of the future.”

Hugh Kelleher was also recognized for his enthusiastic support of training over the years. He will be retiring at the end of 2017. He was presented a gift from Rick Carter and Harry Brett from Local 12 and Dan Watts from the U.A.

Business Manager Harry Brett summed up the night with his comments. Ranging from the apprentices’ personal commitment to the training program, given the fact that many have families to

 provide for to also laying the solid groundwork for the future success of Plumbers Local 12 and the Contractors. “From my position, I have had the great pleasure of watching these men and women grow from first year apprentices to the journeymen and women that they are today. The future looks excellent with such members passionate not only about becoming the newest plumbers of the Local but real Trade Unionists as well”.

Onward and Upward!!