When we are asked “Why work Union?” We can easily reply with a question of our own “Why work anything else?”

The Birth of  the United Association dates back to the year 1889, when a Boston Plumber named P.J Quinlan addressed a brief letter to Richard A. O’Brian, a plumber in Washington D.C “ Dear Sir and Brother,” the letter began, “ I take the liberty of addressing a few lines to you to obtain your views as regards the formation of a United Brotherhood…”

 

The author of the letter would become the first General President and its recipient the first General Secretary Treasure of the United Association.

 

Prior to 1889, plumbers, steamfitters, and gas fitters who were organized were members of independent local unions with either no affiliation, or affiliation with a variety of trades.

 

By 1889, however, with existing organizations declining or becoming devoted to only one craft, local union leaders began to consider other ways to unite national pipe trades journeymen to deal with mutual problems, including how to treat traveling members, build apprenticeship, and provide strike aid.

 

In response to these issues, the United Association was officially born on October 11th, 1889. The original name of the organization was the United Association of Journeyman Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Steam Fitters’ Helpers of the United States and Canada.

 

Union members earn better wages, and benefits than workers who are not union members. On average, union worker’s wages are 28% higher than their non union counterparts. While only 15% of nonunion workers have a guaranteed pension, fully 69% of Union workers do.

 

Four out of Five union workers get health insurance benefits but only half  of nonunion workers do. Unions help employers create a more stable, productive workforce– where workers have a say in improving their jobs.