Volunteering & Political Action
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The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada or "UA" as it is commonly known is a multi-craft union whose members are engaged in the fabrication, installation and servicing of piping systems. There are approximately 326,000 highly-skilled United Association members who belong to 321 individual local unions across North America.
Founded in 1889, the United Association is one of the most respected and influential building trades unions in the U.S. and Canada today. It serves as a collective voice for workers through negotiation and collective bargaining with employing contractor groups. The UA is also a key member of the Building and Construction Trades Department, the AFL-CIO, and the Canadian Federation of Labour.
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. The mission of the AFL-CIO is to improve the lives of working families—to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our nation.
U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA's mission is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.
• National Building & Construction Trades
The Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, coordinates activity and provides resources to 13 affiliated trades unions in the constructions industry. It has 386 state, local and provincial councils in the United States and Canada.
Created in 1908, the BCTD has helped its 11 affiliated building trades unions to make job sites safer, deliver apprenticeship and journey-level training, organize new workers, support legislation that affects working families, and assist in securing improved wages, hours and working conditions through collective bargaining.
In addition, the BCTD works to resolve jurisdictional disputes within the construction trades and builds solidarity by encouraging the formation of local building trades councils.
The New England Mechanical Contractors Association (NEMCA) was founded more than 100 years ago and serves as a rich resource for companies specializing in the installation of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and process piping.
The Massachusetts American Federation of Labor (AFL) and Congress of Industrial Unions (CIO) is the umbrella organization for more than 750 local unions and intermediate bodies, such as joint boards and district councils, whose parent international unions are affiliated with the national AFL-CIO. It is one of 51 state federations operated under a charter granted by the AFL-CIO.
• City of Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester was established as a town on June 14, 1722 and as a city on February 29, 1848. Located in Central Massachusetts approximately 45 miles west of Boston, with a population of 176,000 and the third largest city in New England, Worcester prides itself as an education, medical and research center.
Helmets to Hardhats is a company funded by the Department of Defense to help transitioning military personnel, Guardsmen and Reservists find careers in the building and construction trades.