elevated standards | stronger skills | better results
a workforce to be reckoned with
choosing a union workforce
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journeymen training
You can be sure that choosing union will always offer your project a competitive edge.
why choose a union worker?
safety and health
Safety on the job is of critical importance to UA members, their families and our contractors. In fact, job safety is a top priority of the United Association and has been for a very long time. We believe that every worker has a fundamental right to return home from the job in the same shape as when he or she arrived at the workplace.
We also know that a safe workplace is a productive workplace. Contractors who have a strong track record of working safely, with fewer injuries and, most especially, fewer fatalities, will have a competitive edge in the marketplace. Contractors with a strong safety program understand that cutting corners on safety might produce short-term savings, but lead to more accidents, increasing costs in the long run, and damaging their credibility as responsible contractors. The United Association’s Standard for Safety is part of our ongoing commitment to protecting the health and safety of our members and represents a joint labor-management program to promote safe job sites.
We vigorously promote the widespread, formal implementation of this standard to create a workplace culture that puts safety at the forefront at all times. The Standard for Safety covers every aspect of safety on the job, from when to use a cell phone to the importance of OSHA 30, a 30-hour training course certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The standard also reinforces the zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use on the job.
We believe that every worker has a right to go home from the job in the same shape as when he or she arrived at the workplace. We are committed to protecting the safety and health of our members, our contractors, project owners, and the communities in which we work.
core values
The mission of the United Association is to help our members build a better life for themselves and their families. For over 125 years, this has been the cornerstone of who we are and what we stand for. Even as our organization and the world have grown and evolved, we have not changed in our commitment to these core values:
highest standards of training
We promote the highest standards of qualifications and training in our industry so that our members have the skills and knowledge they need to be competitive. We are committed to continuously recruiting and training future generations of world-class piping professionals.
fair wages and benefits
Our members are highly motivated and productive in part because they enjoy fair wages and benefits. Fair wages, along with self-funded health care and retirement plans, are the best guarantee that our members and their families get the quality of life they deserve.
strong industry relationships
We believe fostering lasting relationships with our industry partners, including contractors and project owners, increases job opportunities for our members and results in more successful projects completed on time and on budget.
safety. quality. productivity.
To My UA Brothers and Sisters:
Safety. Quality. Productivity. These are the priorities of our contractors and project owners, and these are our priorities as well. The UA Standard for Excellence ensures we meet these priorities every day. It is the policy we all live by when it comes to implementing the fundamental principles that underlie the work we do. The UA Standard for Excellence policy not only outlines the obligations of UA members on the job, but it also spells out the obligations of our signatory contractors. This policy has been in effect for more than a decade, and it has proven to be very successful in assuring our contractors—and their customers—that the United Association is committed to doing the best job possible. It is our formal declaration of our work ethic, but it is also a guarantee of success for you, our members, in your careers.
By following the Standard for Excellence, you will ensure your future as well as that of our signatory contractors. I encourage you to keep this booklet handy as one of your most valuable tools. When situations arise on the job site that could undermine our commitment to excellence, you can let these principles guide you in resolving problems. On behalf of all your General Officers, I want to thank you for the work you do and for your dedication to our organization. With gratitude for your continued loyalty to our great union,
I remain Fraternally yours,
Mark McManus
General President
committed to excellence
Our policies and standards stand as a formal declaration of our work ethic, but it is also a guarantee of success for our members and signatory contractors.