About UsWelcome to the official Website for UA Local 91 in Birmingham, Alabama
A Union of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Service Technicians
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About the United Association Local 91
The Banner Local of the South
by Harrison “Whiz” Whisenant
In
1899, William McKinley was President of the United States. A year
later, he would be assassinated, and Theodore Roosevelt would be his
successor. It was the turn of the century, and Birmingham was a bustling
city of more than 38,000 inhabitants. Sloss furnace had been in
operation for eighteen years, and the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company
was one of the area’s largest employees. Although organized labor was
going through a lot of “growing pains,” its presence was being felt
across the nation. The American Federation of Labor was only 13 years
old, the United Association of Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steamfitters, and
Steamfitters Helpers had been in existence only 10 years, and in June
1899, Plumbers Local Union No. 91 was chartered.
There is
evidence the Local was originally chartered in 1892, lapsed at some
point, and was re- instated in April of 1899. Local Union 91 appears in
the first issue of the UA Journal in October 1892. By September, 1899,
Local 91 had 26 members.
It was clear from the start, Local Union
91 would lead the way in establishing fair wages and working conditions
in the South. The first delegate to the UA Convention in 1899, and
Secretary for Local Union 91, Charles Barnitz, wrote to the UA Journal
in July 1901: “We had notified the master plumbers of the fact we were
going to work only eight hours after May 1, 1901, and they did not take
to it at once, but did after a few days... and now we have eight hours a
day and seven on Saturday, with $3.50 per day. Not so bad for so far
South, we think.”
This was somewhat of an understatement, since
the average wage earner of that period could expect to make only about
half that much. Some so-called “scabs” were doing plumbing work for as
little as a dollar per day, and many factory workers only earned about
$400 per year, sometimes less.
In Secretary W. M. Cannon’s report
to the UA Journal in April, 1903, he proudly notes: “We are working
only eight hours a day except Saturdays, and it’s a seven hour day, and
$4 is the wages. For all overtime is time and one-half, double time on
Sunday and four holidays. Local is fifty strong and only six helpers.
They are registered and controlled by the local.”
He also notes:
“Of course, Birmingham isn’t all organized yet, but very near it. All
crafts are organized, and not to be for the union in this city, and if
it once becomes known you are against it, you might as well leave. We
believe that union men pay their dues, attend the meetings, and
patronize only union people.”
In February, 1904, Local Union 91
became the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 91. This faithful
spirit of understanding the necessity of organization did not go
unnoticed by the UA, and in August, 1904, the National Convention for
the United Association of Plumbers, Gas and Steamfitters was held in
Birmingham, Alabama. There were approximately 100 delegates in
attendance.
The Convention was a tremendous success and
established Local Union 91 as a most hospitable place to visit. Local
brother William H. Proctor was elected as fourth Vice President of the
United Association. Local Union 91 was presented with a “handsome silver
service” for being the host local for the convention.
Delegates to UA Convention held in Birmingham, August 1904
Local
91 started meeting any place they could find in the early years. Places
such as the Labor Temple Hall on 21st Street and 2nd Avenue in 1904, or
the Eagles Lodge in 1908. It wasn’t until 1942 that the Local had its
own building, the Plumbers and Steamfitters building at 419 1/2 N. 21st
Street. They met every first and third Friday of each month, a tradition
which continued until 1992.
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Plumbers and Steamfitters Building
419 1/2 N. 21st Street, 1942
Through
the years, Local Union 91 has proven itself a leader in efforts to
improve the industry and working standards in Alabama. Now as we stand
at the threshold of another century, the 21st century, our membership
has grown from that small contingent of 26 plumbers, to an active list
of 399 plumbers, pipefitters, and servicemen.
Local 91 represents
the pipefitters at U.S. Alliance paper mill in Childersburg, Alabama.
We have 165 retired members, 38 of whom are lifetime members, or members
having fifty or more years of service. Our apprentice program is second
to none, with dedicated instructors and 70 apprentices. Thanks to hard
work and help from the United Association, our classrooms have the
latest technological training aids to help our future craftsmen to met
the challenges of the new millennium. We have an excellent journeyman
training program to keep our members abreast of the latest advancements
in our trade.
Local Union 91 members have served this nation
honorably in both World Wars, the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and,
also, in the Middle East. They have reached high offices in the United
Association, the Alabama AFL-CIO, and are active in Federal, State, and
Local politics. They are always striving to improve the communities in
which they live. These “good citizenship” practices, as well as the
union principle of a “fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay” have been
handed down from generation to generation. One need only look at the
list of Local Union Officers in 1903 to find names that are still around
today. Names like L. E. Dulion, Jerome Allen, John Tully, and in later
years, H. B. Blackwelder, J. E. Ward, M. E. Burke, and so on.
It
is with great pride that we celebrate our one hundredth birthday, but it
is with great humility that we honor the sacrifices of those who went
before us. As the members of Local Union 91 move into the 21st century,
may we earn the respect of those yet to come. May God bless Local Union
91. May we always understand that through unity, there is strength,
through cooperation, there is progress, and through love for one
another, there is greatness. May it always be, in the words of William
H. Proctor, President, Local Union 91, 1904, “The Banner Local of the
South.”
About the United Association Nationally
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 over 300 individual local unions across North America.
The
United Association has been training qualified pipe tradesmen longer
than anyone else in the industry. The UA boasts the premier training
programs available in the industry today, including five-year
apprenticeship programs, extensive journeyman training organized
instructor training, and certification programs.
Two Nations, One Union
The
bonds of brotherhood recognize no political or geographic boundaries
when it comes to United Association membership. Ours is truly an
international organization with more than 35,000 UA brothers and sisters
located in Canada. Working with the same pride and determination as
their fellow members in the U.S., our Canadian brothers and sisters
continue to demonstrate the high degree of quality craftmanship
necessary to construct the homes, schools, office buildings, refineries,
power plants and industrial facilities necessary to a strong and
vibrant national economy. At the same time, our fellow members north of
the border play an important role in helping to maintain and promote
United Association solidarity as we join together to reap the benefits
of unionism and pride in our united cause.
How Does The United Association Operate?
The
United Association is led by a group of General Officers who are
elected by the delegates at a convention held every five years. Members
who attend these conventions as delegates are elected by their fellow
members at the local union level.
The General Office has many
departments and functions, including Jurisdiction, Organizing, Training,
Legislative and Safety. Each General Officer pledges to uphold the
United Association constitution and to protect the interest and welfare
of all members.
How Many Locals and Members Are In The United Association?
Currently there are over 300 local unions in the United Association, with in excess of 300,000 members.
The
local unions are located in all of the 50 states of America and every
province of Canada. Members are free to travel from one local area to
another to satisfy the needs of local work conditions.
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, such as the
Mechanical Contractors Association of America, and the National
Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors. The UA is also a
key member of the Building and Construction Trades Department, the
AFL-CIO, and the Canadian Federation of Labour.
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