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