Fall 2008 - Local 130 UA

Fall, 2008
Vol. 17, No. 4
•• Business Manager’s Letter
•• By James T. Sullivan am excited to open this
••
IQuarterly
issue of the Plumber’s
with a story
••
about a young apprentice
••
whose name has appeared
in several past editions. In
••
the winter issue, we intro••
duced the three top performers in Local 130’s
•• 16th annual Apprentice Contest,
held in June 2007.
•• Each was honored at the November 2007 Union
where they received a plaque and prizes.
•• meeting
Nicholas Hahn, the 1st place winner, as per the conrules, would continue to the State-level competi•• test
tion, which would pit him against apprentices from
•• other Local Unions in Illinois. The spring 2008 issue
that Nick had defended his champion title
•• reported
the state contest, held in April. Again he
•• winning
qualified to move up the ladder to the District 4 UA
apprentice contest, in June 2008. In my
•• Regional
summer issue column I congratulated Nick for
•• another excellent performance. The 4th-year apprenfrom Local 130 had done it again, laying it on the
•• tice
line against contestants – this time from several states
•• – and coming out the champ. I signed off, wishing
good luck at the final, international contest in
•• Nick
August in Ann Arbor, MI.
•• How did Nick do in Ann Arbor? The judge’s score
the day after the contest ended, and I was the
•• came
first person to learn who won. As the UA Vice
•• President for District 4, I knew it would be my job to
announce the winners to a gathering of hun•• help
of apprentice instructors and their families in
•• dreds
the crowded assembly hall. And when I was handed
envelope marked “Plumber” I knew it wasn’t
•• the
going to be an easy task regardless of who the win•• ner was. And I was right. When I spotted Nick’s
name and Local 130 on the paper my emotions
•• choked
back my words and made it difficult to speak.
•• Yes, Nicholas
Hahn from Local 130 had done it once
turning in a written test and plumbing projects
•• more,
over the 3-day contest good enough to earn another
•• 1st place award.
•• As the United Association’s apprentice plumbing
there’s not much more I can say about
•• champion,
Nick Hahn that hasn’t already been said. He has
at every level his talent, skill and determina•• proven
tion to succeed in his craft. But there is a huge mes•• sage in what he accomplished for every member of
Local 130. It not only says something
•• Plumber’s
about the individual but also about the train•• positive
ing effort that was behind him the whole way. For
it is another example of Local 130’s commit•• me,
ment to excellence in training. I’ve said it before and
•• I’ll say it again: We have a top notch JAC training
here. I think we’ve also proven we have
•• program
top notch apprentices and journeymen who are capa•• ble of demonstrating the highest level of profession•• alism.
accomplishment is not only a source of great
•• Nick’s
pride for him and his employer, A-Plus Plumbing
Ill.) but for everyone who helped him
•• (Schaumburg,
along – fellow apprentices, instructors and journey•• men on the job – and deservedly so.
•• To our journeymen plumbers who have apprentices
their wings, this is what I ask you to instill in
•• under
these young men and women: knowledge, hard work
•• and the determination to succeed in their trade. In my
••
continued on page 8
•
Local 130’s Nick Hahn Takes 1st Place
In UA International Apprentice Contest
“If you don’t play you can’t win.”
Do you conjure up this little truism while in line to buy that lottery ticket that’s going to change
your life forever? While you know the odds are minuscule that you’ll be the lucky person, you
assure yourself nonetheless that at least you are in the contest and have as good a chance as
everyone else.
This may have been on the mind of Nick Hahn
when he arrived in Ann Arbor, MI, as one of the
final contestants in the United Association’s
Apprentice Contest. When the contest began,
Nick brought his “A-game” once again. He passed
every test and finished every project on time that
was assigned to him during the difficult, 3-day
competition. He was pleased that he did his best;
however, at no time did the quiet young man think
he had anything “in the bag.”
He didn’t really believe he would win. BUT
WIN HE DID! And when he heard his name
read over the powerful public address in the
crowded assembly hall where UA officials,
hundreds of instructors and their families from
around the nation were gathered, he was as
surprised and excited as anyone. “I was very
amazed and excited — almost shaking,” Nick
admitted.
The 25-year-old 5th-year apprentice had made
everyone in the audience from Local 130 especially proud. Perhaps no one was prouder than
Business Manager James T. Sullivan. As the
Nick Hahn gets to work on a practical project during the UA
Apprentice Contest held in Ann Arbor, MI, the final round of the UA Vice President for Region IV, it was his
duty to approach the microphone and
annual competition.
announce the winning apprentice plumber —
and before opening the envelope, of course, he had no knowledge of the winner’s identity. When
Jim Sullivan opened the envelope he almost choked, one observer noted. He seemed to need a
few seconds to compose himself. Then he ecstatically announced Nick Hahn, from his own
Local Union, as the winner. He congratulated Nick on stage and presented him with a plaque.
“It was really cool hearing my Business Manger announce my name in the arena,” Nick said.
“He was excited, I was excited: It was great!”
Nick’s journey began in June 2007 at the annual Apprentice Contest for Plumbers’ Local 130.
He took first place at this initial competition, which qualified him to move up to the next level.
He continued his winning ways at the state and
regional levels, where the 4th-year apprentice
competed against many 5th-year UA apprentices from other Locals. Did it get tougher
along the way? “Definitely. You see the competition get more intense and skilled as you go
through each level,” Nick said.
To be sure, Nick’s achievement is a feather in
the cap of the apprentice-training program at
Local 130, admitted Training Coordinator
Rich O’Connor. “I’m sure all of Nick’s
instructors feel proud,” he said. Rich, however, noted the huge contribution that so many
members of the industry outside of the training center have made to Nick’s development as
a plumber. His employer (A-Plus Plumbing
Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.) and LU 130 journeymen on the job, he explained, “all helped add
to Nick’s knowledge and character as a
plumber.
“Nick did a great job, and we are super proud
of him,” Rich O’Connor said. He added that
winners in three of the top five categories —
plumber, pipe fitter and sprinklerfitter — came
from Local Unions in UA District 4, which
encompasses the Midwestern states.
continued on page 2
Business Manager James Sullivan congratulates Nick Hahn after
announcing him as the First Place winner in the UA Apprentice
Contest. The winners were announced at the graduation ceremony following the UA’s annual Instructor Training Program.
••
2008 Softball Team Finishes Strong
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••
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••
••
••
••
••
••
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••
••
••
••
•• Local 130’s Nick Hahn continued from page 1
Training Coordinator added: “We want
•• The
apprentices to understand and believe that
•• our
if they follow our lead, do what we ask them
go right to the top. Naturally
•• towedo,wanttheyto can
see our next guy do all the way.”
•• Who will that apprentice be? Cliff Bruckner,
F. Bruckner & Son, as winner of the
•• Charles
June 2008 LU 130 Apprentice Contest can
•• compete at the state level in March 2009.
•• “Everyone has an opportunity to go and comIt’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Nick
•• pete.
Hahn said. “Meeting all the people from the
•• UA and from Local Unions around the counwas a great experience by itself.”
•• try
Hahn will be honored at the November
•• Nick
2008 Local 130 meeting. Congratulations
Hahn, selected as the United
•• Nick
Association’s top apprentice plumber in 2008!
•• And good luck to Cliff Bruckner in 2009.
••
••
••
••
In this Issue…
Local 130 brings home top Award Nick Hahn is again named M.V.P.
••
(Most Valuable Plumber) at Apprentice Contest Finals . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
••
Plumbing Council recognizes a “Dynamic Duo” A special
for years of service from Art Kavanaugh and Griff Gehrke . . .3
Thanks
••
Just when we thought it was safe to enter the water PCA President
••
Al Gehrke discusses stubborn waterborne pool problem . . . . . . . . . . . .4
••
You can put it on the board – 4 times! Retirees at
Annual Baseball Outing see White Sox slam 4 homers in a row . . . . .5
••
A couple of 1933 Fords hijack Classic Car Show
Both cars and drivers remind everyone of wilder times . . . . . . . . . . . .6
••
Bear Down on Nov. 23rd The 15th Annual PIPAC Football Raffle
••
is Nov. 23rd, and plenty of tickets are still available. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
••
New Apprentices apply here When and where applicants
should
go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
••
•• Wear the button every day
•• on the job. Show you are a
••
•• proud union member of
••
Local 130, UA.
The Local 130, UA softball team had another successful season in 2008 losing only two games with the second loss coming in the post-season championship team. Congratulations to all the
“Boys of Summer” pictured here. Bottom Row: Tony Yerkes, Pat Dwyer, Mike Dunkovich, Kevin Course, Steve Lille. Top Row: James T. Sullivan, Business Manager; Chris Anish, Jake Thomas,
Bob Seibert, Manager; Cameron Hahn, Tim Keblusek, Dave Seibert, Dan Seibert, Tom Larsen, Gary Anish, Cliff Bruckner, James F. Coyne, Financial Secretary/Treasurer; Tony Rottman, Brian
Malloy, Bob Nadziejko, Coach.
Joining Nick Hahn (center) in the Winners Circle is (left to right) Bill Lillie, UA Director
of Construction Programs; Patrick Perno, UA General Secretary-Treasurer; James
Sullivan, Business Manager, Plumbers Local 130, UA; and Richard O’Connor, Local
130 Apprentice Coordinator.
While he felt confident he had turned
in his best work at the conclusion of
the competition, Nick never assumed
that he had won anything.
Nick Hahn (center) and other Apprentice Contest winners hold a giant $1,000 check
written by the Copper Development Association for the “Best Copper Project.”
Baseball Outing-Page 5
Plumber’s Quarterly • 2
2008 Car Show-Pages 6-7
UA Certification-Page 10
••
2008 Volunteer of the Year
John J. “Jay” McCarthy
Each year the Plumbing Council of Chicagoland
••
The plumbing industry was saddened to learn
recognizes someone who has generously given of
••
of the recent passing of John J. “Jay”
their time to help others in need.
McCarthy. Jay was the owner of Terry
••
This year the Plumbing Council is proud to honor
Plumbing, Chairman Emeritus of the Plumbing
Griffith Gehrke. As a volunteer who has shared his
••
Council, Past Director of the Plumbing
expertise in plumbing for the past 20 years, Griff
Contractors Association, and Chairman of
••
has donated more than 500 hours of his time to
Local 130 Welfare Fund. In 2007, Jay was recMayor Daley’s Plumbers for Seniors Program as
••
ognized as a member of the Chicago-Area
well as other worthwhile projects. Griff has also
Plumbing Industry Hall of Fame for his many
served as a willing mentor to many plumbing
••
contributions to the plumbing industry. Jay
apprentices who have benefited from his expertise
worked tirelessly to make the industry better
••
and dedication.
and stronger, and he will be greatly missed.
••
The Plumbing Council is pleased to recognize and
Jay was the beloved husband of Pauline; loving
Griff Gehrke as its 2008 Volunteer
•• Recognizing a Career of congratulate
father of Catherine (Robert) Hamaker, John. Jr.,
of the Year!
Carol (John) Glad and the late Bridget Ruggiero;
•• Industry Dedication
dearest grandfather of Nicole, John Paul,
Kavanaugh, Vice President of Kavanaugh
•• Art
Matthew, Nicholas, Adam and Joseph; devoted
Plumbing in Frankfort, was recognized recently
brother of Marlene (Donald) Ripoli, Thomas
•• for years of dedicated service to the Chicago-area
(Laurann), Walter (Mary), Terrence (Cathy) and
industry. “This was a well-deserved
•• plumbing
the late Patricia (the late John) Doyle.
recognition for a man that has served the industry
•• well for many years and in many capacities,” said
•• Plumbing Council Chairman Craig Thomas.
IMPORTANT SCHOLARSHIP
Art Kavanaugh has been in the plumbing industry
PROGRAM DATES:
•• for more than 40 years. He currently serves as the
•• Treasurer of the Joint Apprenticeship Committee
12/01/2008 Applications for the 2008-2009
and also as the Vice Chairman of the Plumbing
academic year will be available.
•• Council of Chicagoland. He has been a member of
(available online at
www.plumbingcouncil.org
the
Plumbing
Council
Board
for
12
years
and
•• served as Chairman from 2004 to 2007. Art has
or by mail)
•• played an important role in the development and
03/01/2009 Deadline for returning applications
of the advertising program that has
•• enhancement
to the Plumbing Council
put the Chicago-area plumbing industry at the
(must be postmarked by March 1st
•• forefront of trade promotion.
Plumbing Council
to be considered)
••
Scholarship
05/01/2009 Scholarship recipients will be notified
(Scholarship recipients will be
••
The Plumbing Council Program is a $2,500 award
honored at a dinner in May 2008)
given annually to a Chicago Journeymen Plumbers
••
Union, Local 130, UA immediate family member
••
(member may also be a legal guardian of the appli- FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR
APPLICATIONS, CONTACT:
cant). Members must be in continuous good stand••
Plumbing Industry Scholarship Program
ing membership and must work for a company
••
c/o Plumbing Council of Chicagoland
under contract with Local 130. Family members of
1400 W. Washington Blvd.
Plumbing
of
the
Plumbing
Council,
staff
the
office
••
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Contractors Association or the Chicago
••
Journeymen Plumbers Union 130, UA and
Phone: 312-263-6612
Plumbing Council Contractors office staff are also
E-mail:
lisa@plumbingcouncil.com
••
eligible. Four scholarships are awarded each year.
Website: www.plumbingcouncil.org
••
••
Safety Incentive Program Winners
••
2008 – 2nd Quarter Drawing
••
•• $500 Gerard Huitink
Erving Lugo
Independent Mechanical Ind., Inc.
$50
Performance Plumbing & Heating
Dave M. Banasiak
$500 Mike Kennedy
Unique Plumbing Company, Inc.
$50
C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co.
•• $250 Bill Wan
Jeffrey Barnas
Great Lakes Plumbing & Heating
$50
Great Lakes Plumbing & Heating
$250
John
Cloherty
F.J.
Kerrigan
Plumbing
Co.,
Inc.
$50
Joseph
Nye
Reichelt Plumbing Inc.
••
Daniel J. Freihage
Waumel Gibson
Dankris Industries, Inc.
$50
Warren F. Thomas Plumbing
•• $250
$250 Gary Krueger
Normal Plumbing Co., Inc.
$50
Timothy Carrion
Brongiel Plumbing Inc.
$100
Arunas
Venckus
Abbott
Industries,
Inc.
$50
John
Wazorick,
Jr.
Performance Plumbing & Heating
•• $100 Kenneth Merkel
Norman H. Mattson
Johns Plumbing, Inc.
$50
C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co.
•• $100 Robert Clark
Ewing-Doherty Mechanical
$50
Jesus Hernandez
Terry Plumbing Company, Inc.
$100
Larry
Kohn
Warren
F.
Thomas
Plumbing
$50
Thomas
Ryan
Central Plumbing Co., Inc.
•• $100 Brian Welch
Jason Berg
C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co.
$50
Warren F. Thomas Plumbing
•• $100 Rich Moroney
Warren F. Thomas Plumbing
$50
John Wojtkiewicz
C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co.
William A. Rouse II
A & H Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc.
$50
John Slais
B & E Aquatics, Inc.
•• $100
$100 Fred Krueger
Northwest Plumbing Company
$50
George Bathauer
Fettes, Love & Sieben
•• $100 Jim Whalen
Jeff Caswick
Plumbing Systems, Inc.
$50
O’Sullivan Plumbing Inc.
Heim
Plumbing,
Inc.
Wesley
$100
Carl
George
Jack
Waters
$50
C.R. Leonard Plumbing
•• $50 Eric Fritz
Plumbing Inc.
$50
Mardez Smith
Great Lakes Plumbing & Heating
•• $50 Michael Richardson Canyon
Jake Thomas
C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co.
$50
J & D Plumbing, Inc.
$50
Michael Eves
Franks Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
$50
Jim Farrell
Canyon Plumbing Inc.
•• $50 Gregory P. Gill
John Pavlich
A & H Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc.
$50
V & L Plumbing, Inc.
•• $50 Walter McCarthy
Capitol Mechanical Ind., Inc.
$50
Jeffrey Schaar
Ewing-Doherty Mechanical
$50
Kurt Hosnedl
Ewing-Doherty Mechanical
$50
Jorge Fraga
Abbott Industries, Inc.
•• $50 Edward Dempsey C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co.
$50
Homer Correa
A & H Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc.
Drunen
Ronald
Van
$50
Joseph
Misch
Great
Lakes
Plumbing
&
Heating
$50
Oak Worth Plumbing Co., Inc.
••
Thomas Gleenso
Barry Thomas Plumbing, Inc.
$50
Juan C. Covarrubias
Pientka Plumbing Co., Inc.
•• $50
$50
Joe Giaccone
Canyon Plumbing Inc.
$50
Max Tenclay
Barry Thomas Plumbing, Inc.
Vincent
Johnson,
Sr.
$50
John
D.
Mannerino
R.
Carrozza
Plumbing
Co.,
Inc.
$50
Plumbing Systems, Inc.
•• $50 Nicholas Mihalko
O’Sullivan Plumbing Inc.
•
Plumbing Council Chairman Craig Thomas (right) presents
Griff Gehrke, of Fettes, Love & Sieben Plumbing & Heating,
with the 2008 Volunteer of the Year award.
Art Kavanaugh (left) is congratulated at a recent industry event
by Plumbing Council Chairman Craig Thomas
Plumber’s Quarterly • 3
•• PLUMBING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY
•• President’s Message
••
Have you ever heard of cryptosporidium? Probably not. Well, according to an
••
article by the Wall Street Journal written by Anna Prior, it is a chlorine-resistant
parasite that is being found in swimming pools and water parks around the
••
country. It is chlorine resistant because it travels in a thick shell. It is found in
human and animal feces and it is easily transmitted through water. Its symptoms
••
are long bouts of diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and
••
low-grade fevers.
••
This past summer in Phoenix, Ariz., 29 public swimming pools had to close for
in order to disinfect them after more than 100 people complained of
•• being sick. There was aalsoweeka series
outbreaks in Utah affecting 2,000 people. Additionally, in 2005
•• in New York State 4,000 visitors at ofa spray
park afterwards sought medical attention.
•• This parasite has a thick outer shell and can survive more than 10 days in a pool at standard chlorinalevels. At these pools and water parks they are employing ultra-violet systems to combat the par•• tion
asites. Utah alone has invested $250,000 in a ultra-violet systems to kill the bug. Eventually, all public
•• pools and parks will have to install such equipment.
•• The following suggestions offer a few ways you can help prevent the spreading and attacking of this
•• parasite:
swallowing pool water
•• 1.2. Avoid
not swim if you have diarrhea
•• 3. Do
Take a thorough shower with soap after swimming
•• 4. Wash hands after using the toilet or changing diapers
•• 5. Take children on frequent bathroom breaks and/or check diapers often
•• 6. Change diaper in area other than poolside and thoroughly clean diaper area.
•• In the wake of the above problems, municipalities are reacting quickly to combat this new outbreak,
ensure safe and healthy public swimming pools. The Centers for Disease Control is working with
•• and
industry representatives and public health officials to write a model aquatic health code. It will be the
•• CDC’s water safety guidelines that state and local agencies will need to enforce. We as contractors need
attuned to this serious situation. In addition, if you work with pools or public water attractions
•• toyoustayshould
keep your customers informed.
•• In a related matter: The late Jay McCarthy was the Co-Chairman to the Health and Welfare Fund of
130. Upon his passing this created a vacancy, and the Trustees of the Contractors’ Association
•• Local
voted me in to take over the position. It will be a great honor and privilege to fill this role.
••
Albert E. Gehrke
••
President
Association
Plumbing
Contractors
••
••
•• City of Chicago Plumbing Inspections
Department of Buildings has changed its requests needed to be acknowledged. The officials
•• The
process for scheduling inspections, and since June agreed, and an acknowledgement is now being
•• has only accepted online requests. Plumbing con- sent to the e-mail account of the person making
working in the city of Chicago have by the request. The Department of Buildings will also
•• tractors
now experienced the new system and have send another e-mail that provides the date for
concerns to the PCA. We have been inspection at least two days in advance.
•• expressed
working to get the message to City Hall that the The Department of Buildings currently has a lead
•• system has some problems. As a result of our time of several weeks for an inspection, which it
efforts, the Mayor’s office put us in touch with has recognized as a concern. As the system is fine•• Alderman
Cardenas and Richard Monocchio, tuned, they feel they can schedule an inspection
Acting
Buildings
Both have been within five business days. The contractors at this
•• helpful and Rich Commissioner.
attended our September PCA meeting gave numerous examples of where even
•• monthly meeting.
five days is not good enough. Peter Ousley and Ed
a meeting that was set up by Alderman Doherty were very understanding and promised to
•• AtCardenas,
Peter Ousley, the Acting First Deputy work on that issue. They did suggest that if you
•• of the Buildings
Department, and Ed Doherty, the requested an inspection more than five business
Project
Manager
who schedules inspections, dis- days out they would try to give you the date that
•• cussed the new system
with PCA President Al you requested. This should help, in most cases, if
Executive Director Dan McLaughlin, you start a job and have a good idea of when you
•• Gehrke,
Roberts, Jim Smith, Mike Eisenhower and will be finished. Additionally, a confirmation e•• Jerry
Tim Kane. It was immediately clear that the mail reconfirming the inspection will be sent two
of Buildings understands the impor- days prior.
•• Department
tance of creating a system that is easy to use, While it is important that everyone work within
and meets the needs of contractors — the new system, it is understood that some prob•• responsive
but also a system that cannot be circumvented.
will continue to arise. If you are unable to
•• City officials immediately acknowledged that more lems
solve a problem electronically, then call Ed
•• outreach and education about the new systems Doherty at 312-744-8146. Obviously if everyone
have been ideal, but a short development time decides to call Ed we then create a new problem,
•• would
was necessary because of the circumstances. so we would ask that you use that number judiis paying the price for actions of develop- ciously. It was also agreed that the PCA office and
•• Everyone
ers, contractors who chose to not follow the code, Executive Director could field questions, sugges•• and inspectors who chose not to enforce the code. tions and complaints and have regular communinoted that, like any new system, there cation with the City Department to continue work•• Itarewasbugsalsoto work
out and so changes may be made ing together on this. In the meantime, access the
of Building’s home page at
•• in the future. We reviewed the entire process with Department
www.cityofchicago.org/buildings
and click on the
Buildings Department.
•• the
red box reading “Inspection Request” in the upper
right hand corner of the page to submit requests.
•• To begin, the PCA requested that electronic
Plumber’s Quarterly • 4
UA Includes
“Industry Day” at
Annual Instructor
Training Program
The annual UA “Industry Day” was held this past
August 13th, at Washtenaw Community College
in Ann Arbor, MI. This Training Program “open
house” was a total success with informative sessions and presentations on the latest products.
With thousands of apprentice instructors from all
over the U.S. and Canada on campus for their
week of “teacher” training, it really drove home
the United Association’s enormous commitment
and investment in assuring top-level apprentice
training for all members. Best of all, a UA Local
130 apprentice, Nick Hahn, won this year’s UA
Apprentice Contest, held in conjunction with the
program. (See related article on page 1.)
(Left to right) PCA President Al Gehrke, Larry Allport, Bob
Abbott, Tom Andrews and Lori Abbott at the UA Industry Day.
Apprentices compete in the UA Apprentice Contest. This final,
international-level competition took place during the UA’s
Annual Instructor Training Program, held at Washtenaw
Community College in Ann Arbor, MI.
One other problem that has surfaced that we can
work to solve is the duplication of requests. It
appears in some cases that the plumbing contractor as well as the general contractor — or in some
cases two people from the same contracting firm
— put in the same request for inspection. This has
the potential to overload the system or at the least
cause some confusion; it also adds many more
requests to sift through. It would help if our
plumbing contractors work with the generals or
owners to determine who is going to request the
inspection.
As more develops on this issue we will keep you
informed. In the meantime, know that the
Plumbing Contractors Association is working
with city officials to handle this issue. It would
also be helpful if you could e-mail PCA Executive
Director Dan McLaughlin with your experiences,
good and bad, so we may relay those experiences
at our regular meetings with the city. Dan’s e-mail
address is pcadanmclaughlin@sbcglobal.net.
••
PENSION FUND NEWS
••
Baseball Outing Retirees See Historic Home Run Fest
••
If the Chicago White Sox bats were silenced early
••
in the post season they were anything but quiet on
••
the afternoon of August 14. On this warm summer
afternoon, an eager group of Local 130 retirees
••
were in the lower grandstand to witness a rare,
••
nearly historic event. Not one, not two, but four
consecutive Sox sluggers sent home runs over the
••
outfield wall in the sixth inning of the game. It was
••
an accomplishment that has been repeated only a
few times in the history of major league baseball.
••
It was nearly too much to handle for the visiting
••
Kansas City pitcher, his manager and, of course,
the scoreboard fireworks attendant! (By the way,
••
five consecutive home runs have never been hit.)
••
This slugfest and a 9-2 victory over the Royals put
the capper on a fun and memorable Baseball
••
Outing, which began with a skydiving exhibition
••
at U.S. Cellular Field by the U.S. Navy Seals.
Everyone assembled at the Union Hall for coffee
••
and donuts and rode together to the park on a char••
tered bus. Each year a great group of retired
plumbers enjoy a day of baseball, fun and fellow••
ship with friends from Plumbers’ Local 130.
••
•• The 401(k) Plan
•• To enroll in the 401(k) Plan, receive additional information on MassMutual’s services or check on your existing account, please contact MassMutual at
•• 800-743-5274. Participants can also get information from MassMutual’s website, www.massmutual.com.
••
New Retirees as of the Last Quarterly
•• Keep Advised of Your
July 2008
August 2008
••
Pension Benefits
James D. Arnold
Melvin H. Bormet
•• John S. Bojan, Administrator of the Pension
Guiseppe Cupola
Carmen J. Covelli
requests that participants of the Pension
•• Fund,
Larry E. Domas
Plan not yet retired, write or call the Pension
September 2008
•• Fund Office at 312-829-1262 to receive their
James Jarrett
John D. Arling
Credit Report. Please review your
•• Pension
Martin E. Matousek
Anthony T. Iacucci
report and notify the Fund promptly of any
Timothy J. Prodyma
or omissions. After reviewing, save the
•• errors
John C. Sobecki
•• report for your records.
Frank H. Spann
••
••
Pension Fund Birthday Greetings
••
Congratulations & Best Wishes to Our Nonagenarians
••
••
Adolph Melone
Irvin J. Zientek
Walter J. Shatkus
••
••
Osvald Enervold
James K. McHugh
Edward M. Best
••
••
••
Edward F. O’Keefe
Clarence H. Ritter
Matt C. Birk
••
••
••
Clifford Schmidt
Lloyd D. Coleman
••
Alex C. Halverson
••
Chester E. Zarr
Salvator A. Fazio
••
Michael A. Dannko
••
••
Raymond E. Boughen
Wilbur F. Froula
••
Francis Griffin
••
••
Richard L. Novaski
James Hilton
••
Roy G. Leo
••
Birthday Greetings
••
continued on page 11
Tom Gavin, Recording Secretary (left), and retiree Jim Rack.
A U.S. Navy Seal skydiver makes a pinpoint landing on the field
before the game.
97 Years
Chicago, Illinois
Birthday – September 4, 1911
88 Years
Barrington, Illinois
Birthday – September 6, 1920
86 Years
Frankfort, Illinois
Birthday – November 18, 1922
91 Years
Boca Raton, Florida
Birthday – November 8, 1917
87 Years
Orland Park, Illinois
Birthday – October 16, 1921
85 Years
Skokie, Illinois
Birthday – September 3, 1923
91 Years
Chicago, Illinois
Birthday – September 5, 1917
87 Years
Safety Harbor, Florida
Birthday – September 13, 1921
85 Years
Orland Park, Illinois
Birthday – September 7, 1923
87 Years
Franklin Park, Illinois
Birthday – September 6, 1921
85 Years
Chicago, Illinois
Birthday – November 22, 1923
87 Years
Western Springs, Illinois
Birthday – October 12, 1921
85 Years
Chicago, Illinois
Birthday – October 17, 1923
86 Years
Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Birthday – October 19, 1922
85 Years
Somonauk, Illinois
Birthday – October 1, 1923
86 Years
Tinley Park, Illinois
Birthday – October 3, 1922
85 Years
Riverside, Illinois
Birthday – September 25, 1923
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THOSE 85 AND OVER
89 Years
Romeoville, Illinois
Birthday – October 9, 1919
88 Years
Burbank, Illinois
Birthday – October 11, 1920
88 Years
Park Ridge, Illinois
Birthday – September 16, 1920
88 Years
Cape Coral, Florida
Birthday – September 22, 1920
Plumber’s Quarterly • 5
•• Oldies Still Goodies!
•• Mike DiFoggio said he’s been racing, wrecking and repairing fast Chevrolets since he was a teenager. He even spent 15 years on the profes•• sional drag racing circuit, but that was a long time ago. These days his hands are mostly on the steering wheel of M. DiFoggio & Sons, Inc.,
•• Crestwood, IL. But he still reserves a little time for his passion.
•• Gordon King never raced cars professionally, but he has done plumbing work for former NASCAR great Fred Lorenzen, who lives in the
area. “I’ve made several plumbing repairs on his home, and we’ve become good friends,” Gordon said. Today he brought his 1961
•• Chicago
Lancer, a recent addition in his life.
•• Dodge
Mandala also has a plumbing company to run these days (D.A.M. Plumbing Co., Melrose Park, IL), but he still loves to spend an occa•• Dennis
sional weekend at shows like the Antique Car Show, held Sept. 20 at the Plumbers’ Hall. On this perfect Saturday afternoon he was joined by
•• his wife Christina, daughter Teddy and son Dennis Jr.
•• On this day all three gentlemen had only one job to do. They were among the owners of about 30 antique car who gathered to show off their
classics and celebrate their love of old cars. Today was just for fun. There were plumbers, non-plumbers, and members of clubs
•• four-wheeled
with names like “Chicago Gearheads” and “Jokesters.” All age groups were represented, from retirees all the way down to kids at least 10 years
•• shy of getting a drivers license.
•• Bob Gibson, 80, went home with 1st place and 3rd place trophies for his two 1933 Fords. The veteran mechanic who made car repair and
•• restoration his life’s work since his discharge from the Army in 1946, was old enough to actually service the old Fords when they were still on
road. Clothed in a pinstripe suit and Fedora cap and accompanied by “Flapper Dancer” Tammie Lombardi, he also recalled how passen•• the
gers of the era dressed.
•• Chris, 10, the grandson of retired plumber John Gall, believes today’s pricey Ferrari or Lamborghini can’t hold a candle to the old cars on the
•• show lot. “I like them a lot better,” he said. Besides his grandfather’s 1977 Chevy El Camino wagon, he said he would like to go home with
•• the bright red 1959 Cadillac convertible. “I like the fins and the big torpedo headlights,” he said. “It was the kind of car Elvis drove.”
•• Unfortunately for Chris, however, Ron Rufo, the Caddy’s owner, isn’t likely to part with his pride and joy (2nd prize winner) anytime soon.
The Chicago policeman and criminal justice instructor
••
simply loves the car that he towed home 17 years ago
••
and completely restored too much to part with. Dr.
••
Rufo said he turned down a $225,000 offer for the
Caddy and a ’59 Pontiac convertible he also owns.
••
This was the second show for Michael Peters’ 1966
••
Olds Cutlass F85, a car he went all the way to
••
Blackwell, OK, to purchase last year. He’s entered the
••
car in a few shows so far, but hasn’t won anything yet.
“For me the real enjoyment comes from just riding. I
••
love driving,” he said.
••
It was the second time for Dennis Mandala and his
••
1968 Chevelle SS. “I know these guys in the ‘plumb••
ing world,’ but I don’t get to see them as gearheads.
It’s all about cars, and there are always good cars
••
here,” he said.
••
“It’s all about cars, and there
••
are always good cars here.”
••
Dennis Mandala, D.A.M. Plumbing
••
••
••
••
••
WHO GOT THE CHECKERED FLAG?
••
••
1st Place
••
Robert Gibson
1933 Ford Roadster
••
••
2nd Place
••
Dr. Ron Rugo
1959
Cadillac
Convertible
••
••
3rd Place
Robert Gibson
••
1933 Ford 4-Door Phaeton
••
••
4th Place
Robert
Fuller
••
1957 Ford Fairlane 500
••
••
5th Place
John Ashmore
••
1969 Chevy Chevelle SS
••
The winning contestants (left to right): Dr. Ron Rufo (2nd place, 1959 Cadillac convertible), John Ashmore (5th
place, 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS), winning team of Tammie Lombardi and Bob Gibson in period costume holding trophies for 1st place (1933 Ford Roadster) and 3rd place (1933 Ford 4-Door Phaeton), and Robert Fuller (4th place,
1957 Ford Retrack Table-Fairlane 500).
Robert Fuller proudly displays the 4th
place trophy he picked up for his 1957 Ford
Fairlane 500.
Bob Gibson’s two vintage 1933 Fords took 1st and
3rd place honors at the Car Show. He was assisted
during the day by Tammie Lombardi. In his 80’s,
Gibson says he stays in shape by keeping his
hands busy under the hoods of the 18 antique
automobiles he has fully restored.
John Ashmore holds the 5th place trophy
for his 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS.
Plumber’s Quarterly • 6
••
Annual Car Show
2008
James Sullivan, Business Manager, addresses guests.
(Left) Jim O’Brien, Custodian; Michael McKewin, son of Local
130 staff member (28 years) Diana McKewin; Diana and
grandson Eric.
(Right) Local 130 member Ken Grigoletti with his wife, Pam,
and children. Ken, from Mokena, IL, drove his 1967 Plymouth
to the Car Show.
Go-carter Dennis Mandala, Jr. hits the track.
(Left) Dennis Mandala, owner of D.A.M. Plumbing and the the
1968 Chevelle on the show lot, enjoys the day with his wife,
Christine, daughter, Teddy, and son, Dennis Jr.
Teddy Mandala, daughter of D.A.M. Plumbing owner Dennis
Mandala, likes the way this go-cart handles the turns and
straightaway.
James Coyne, Local Union 130 Financial Secretary-Treasurer,
with fiance Michele Scaccia.
(Left) James Jarrett, Finance Committee member, and John
Bojan, Pension Fund Administrator.
Recording Secretary Tom Gavin handles emcee duties at the
Car Show.
Tom Rottman, retired Local 130 member
Plumber’s Quarterly • 7
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•• Business Manager’s Letter
career, I will never forget the journeymen who
•• own
took a few extra minutes to explain something to me
of merely handing me a piece of pipe to cut
•• instead
or thread. These are the guys you remember all
•• through your career. Surely you can recall one or two
•• from your past.
who read this to understand what
•• Iwewantareapprentices
for from them. It isn’t about getting
•• up in thelooking
morning, going to work and schlepping a
around or stretching an 8-hour
•• few pieces of pipe
day. We want plumbers with
••
knowledge, determination
and drive — who have
••
pride in what he they
are doing and repeated••
ly show it.
••
The time has come for
••
Americans to elect our
next President. At a recent
••
United Association staff meeting
•• I attended, we spent hours covering the upcoming
and what we must do to return a union-friend•• election
President to our nation’s capitol. In the weeks
•• lybefore
the election, Local Unions were getting their
officers
and membership involved in reaching out to
•• every union
member and urging them to get to the
•• polls on Nov. 4 and vote.
•• From the start the UA has backed Barack Obama; it
the first labor union to endorse the Democratic
•• was
candidate whom they believe is the best choice for
•• organized labor. What about you? Who is the best
••
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Plumber’s Quarterly • 8
continued from page 1
choice for you? I realize that even though many of
us may have similar views on gun control, abortion,
foreign policy or the economy, our priorities will
often differ. No candidate that I can recall has had
the same identical priorities as mine. I’m confident
that the same is true of you. One of them, hopefully, should agree with you more than the other. I hope
you’ll make the effort to determine who that candidate is and then cast your vote on Election Day.
Listen carefully to the candidates’ positions on issues
that affect you the most and gather all the facts you
can. Watch the debates, read the newspaper, visit
candidates’ Web sites and discuss them with friends.
Gather as many facts as you can and be sure you hear
the whole story. For example, Republican candidate
John McCain proposed a $5,000 tax credit for each
taxpayer to be used to pay for their healthcare insurance. That’s nice but understand that under this plan
you’ll also be taxed for each dollar spent for healthcare. If that tax can exceed the tax credit amount is it
really worth it? No.
What are the candidates’ positions on issues affecting the American worker? How do they plan to protect American jobs? Do they understand the problems of the middle class? Do their initiatives seem
aimed at the worker or at big business?
It’s obvious that our nation will face very difficult
challenges in the months ahead. A lot will be at
stake: our security, peace, prosperity and jobs. Don’t
fool yourself into believing your vote is insignificant! Please go to the polls on Nov. 4. Exercise your
power to affect the outcome of your future.
In November, you’ll have a second opportunity to
exercise your political muscle. The 15th annual
PIPAC Football Raffle will be held on Sunday,
Nov. 23, at the Plumbers’ Hall. Come and watch the
Chicago Bears take on the St. Louis Rams on the
giant television screen while enjoying food, drinks
and an afternoon of fun with your friends. With a little luck you can go home with one of several raffle
prizes, perhaps even the $25,000 grand prize. All
proceeds from this event support the Plumbing
Industry Political Action Committee. Get your tickets soon for this very popular event. Tickets are available at the 2nd floor window at the hall or from any
LU 130, UA officer.
Finally, as the holidays are right around the corner
please remember to support Local 130’s annual Kid’s
Christmas Party. We’ll open our doors and hearts
again the morning of Dec. 12 to hundreds of first
grade kids from nearby primary schools and special
education programs. Besides entertainment, food and
refreshments, we’ll hand out gift bags to the 800 or so
kids expected to attend. This annual community service event is made possible through the generosity of
members and sponsors. Please contact the Union
Office to find out how you can help and perhaps join
us that morning as one of the volunteers. A reminder
was included with the 4th Quarter Dues Billing.
Please consider how fortunate we are and share with
those less fortunate. A $10 or $20 donation would be
deeply appreciated. Thank you.
PLUMBERS WELFARE FUND NEWS •••
No Agreement with MedLink for
Imaging Services
Please be advised that we no longer have an
agreement with MedLink for imaging services.
Effective immediately all MRI’s, CAT scans and
other imaging services should be filed through
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. Tell your
doctor or provider to file the claim directly with
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.
Member Assistance Program for
Mental Health and Substance
Abuse Benefits
A Member Assistance Program (MAP) for Mental
Health and Substance Abuse benefits provides
Participants and Dependents
with a brief assessment and,
when appropriate, up to three
sessions of counseling for
alcohol and drug abuse, addiction problems, psychological,
or other mental health issues.
A Participant or Dependent
seeking substance abuse treatment or mental health treatment is required to first
contact the Member Assistance Program at 800292-2780. The Member Assistance Program will
perform a brief assessment and approve and monitor a course of treatment. The Plan will only
cover substance abuse or mental health treatment
that has been approved by the Member Assistance
Program and when the individual is compliant
with the treatment plan approved by the MAP.
Things You Should Know about
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
Here is important information regarding
Influenza for your benefit from the Centers for
Disease Control. The Flu Vaccine is covered
under the Plumber’s Welfare Fund payable up to
a maximum of $30.00. You can go to your doctor and show your Blue Cross and Blue Shield
card and the Fund Office will handle the rest.
Please be advised that if your doctor is not a network provider with Blue Cross and Blue Shield
of Illinois you may have to pay out-of-pocket
expenses and then you can submit the claim to
the Fund Office for reimbursement.
Key Facts about Influenza and Vaccine
What is Influenza (Also Called the Flu)?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused
by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe
illness, and at times can lead to death. The best
way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
Every year in the United States, on average:
• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized
from flu complications, and
• about 36,000 people die from flu.
Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions
are at high risk for serious flu complications.
Symptoms include:
• fever (usually high)
• headache
• extreme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are
more common in children than adults.
Coverage is not provided for court-ordered evaluations, programs that are primarily for diagnostic
evaluations, education, mental retardation or
learning disabilities, care in lieu of detention or
correctional placement, or family retreats.
Save Money on Prescriptions By
Using Mail Order Pharmacy
You can save money because the copay amounts
are less through the Mail Order Program than at
the Retail Pharmacy for the same 3-month supply.
Please refer to the following example:
Three (3) Month Supply
Prescription filled
Prescription filled by
at Retail Pharmacy
Mail Order Pharmacy
Copayments
$15
Generic
$ 0
$30
Preferred Formulary
$10
$60
Non Preferred
$20
Enjoy the Benefits of Mail Order:
•
Save money on your copayments.
•
Receive a three (3) month supply of your
medications at one time.
•
Talk to a pharmacist 24-hours a day, every
day.
•
Order refills at www.express-scripts.com or
by phone at 877-256-4684.
How Flu Spreads
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person
through coughing or sneezing of people with
influenza. Sometimes people may become
infected by touching something with flu viruses
on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others
beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and
up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means
that you may be able to pass on the flu to
someone else before you know you are sick, as
well as while you are sick.
Preventing the Flu: Get Vaccinated
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a
flu vaccination each year. There are two types of
vaccines:
• The “flu shot” – an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including
healthy people and people with chronic
medical conditions.
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine – a vaccine
made with live, weakened flu viruses that do
not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV
for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”).
LAIV is approved for use in healthy people
5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies
develop that protect against influenza virus
infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against
flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.
When to Get Vaccinated
October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated in December or
even later can still be beneficial since most
influenza activity occurs in January or later in
most years. Though it varies, flu season can last
as late as May.
••
••
It is important that you notify the Welfare Fund •
Office of any change in your status, such as mar- •
riage, divorce, births, and spouses’ loss of other •
••
coverage from a previous employer.
If your spouses’ coverage from another group plan •
has terminated for any reason it is necessary that •
•
you provide a “Creditable Coverage Letter” from •
the other group plan. Also if your spouse has •
other insurance from another group plan please be •
reminded to submit any Explanation of Benefits •
•
from the other group plan. This will expedite the •
processing of any claim from the Plumbers’ •
••
Welfare Fund Office.
Everyone is required to notify the Plumbers •
Welfare Fund office of any changes in your per- •
••
sonal situation such as:
1) Change in spouses medical coverage – requires •
letter from other Insurance
•
2) Student verification letters are required from •
••
the school if child is 19 years old
3) Newborns information – requires new benefici- •
ary card and copy of birth certificate
•
4) Newly married – requires new beneficiary card •
and copy of marriage certificate and coordina- •
••
tion of benefits form
5) Divorce – requires a copy of your divorce •
••
decree
Updating this information is essential in order to •
have you and your family members claims •
processed properly. Please assist the Fund office •
••
by updating your information. Thank you.
•
continued on page 11 •
••
••
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
••
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their
chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated.
••
However, certain people should get vaccinated
••
each year either because they are at high risk of
having serious flu-related complications or
••
because they live with or care for high risk persons. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies
••
are limited or delayed, the Advisory Committee
••
on Immunization Practices (ACIP) makes recommendations regarding priority groups
••
(www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm).
••
People who should get vaccinated each year are:
••
1. People at high risk for complications from
••
the flu, including:
• Children aged 6 months until their 5th
••
birthday
••
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
••
• People of any age with certain chronic
medical conditions, and
••
• People who live in nursing homes and
••
other long term care facilities.
••
2. People who live with or care for those at
high risk for complications from flu,
••
including:
••
• Household contacts of persons at high risk
••
for complications from the flu (see above)
• Household contacts and out-of-home care••
givers of children less than 6 months of
••
age (these children are too young to be
vaccinated)
••
• Health care workers.
••
3. Anyone who wants to decrease their risk
••
of influenza.
••
If you have questions about whether you should
get a flu vaccine, consult your health-care
••
provider. For more information, visit
••
www.cdc.gov/flu.
••
•
Please Notify Welfare Fund Office
of Change in Status
Plumber’s Quarterly • 9
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JAC APPRENTICESHIP NEWS
Four More Instructors Attain UA Certification
Congratulations to our four Plumbers’ Local 130 Instructors who completed the coursework at this year’s UA Instructor Training Program (UAITP) in
Ann Arbor, MI. They are Patrick Gross, who teaches Drawing for apprentices; Jeff Nagel, our full-time Math teacher; Steve Schoper, who handles
Code classes; and Bryan Stemmer, who teaches Residential Plumbing for LU 130. The UAITP is a five-year program that presents 200 course hours
designed to enhance instructors’ professional and technical knowledge as well as teaching skills.
All four instructors were honored at the graduation ceremony at the conclusion of the program, held August 14th. Their accomplishment was
also recognized at a special dinner hosted by the Joint Apprenticeship Committee while in Ann Arbor. The annual dinner, held at Weber’s Inn,
also entertained UA officials and plumbing contractors (see photos) from the Chicago area who were in town for “Industry Day,” the annual
open house conducted by the UA Training Department.
(Left) Art Kavanaugh, Joint Apprenticeship Committee Treasurer; Patrick Perno, UA General
Secretary-Treasurer; and Al Gehrke, President, Plumbing Contractors Association, hear
Business Manager James Sullivan welcome guests at Weber’s Inn in Ann Arbor.
(Center) Terry McCarthy, President, Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors (Terry
Plumbing Co., Inc.) is surrounded by (left) Al Gehrke, President, Plumbing Contractors
Association; and Bob Abbott (Abbott Industries, Inc.).
(Left to right) Patrick Perno, UA General Secretary-Treasurer, James Coyne, LU 130 Financial
Secretary-Treasurer; and Gary Young, UA International Representative (Michigan).
(Foreground, left to right) Steve Kelly, UA Assistant General President, and Mike Arndt, UA
Director of Training, also joined the party.
Apprenticeship Applications
Accepted Nov. – Jan.
Last Chance Coming for
Continuing Ed Class
The Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC) will begin accepting new applications for future Apprenticeship in Local 130, UA, beginning Nov. 6. The
office will accept applications every Thursday until Jan. 30, 2009, 9 a.m. – 3
p.m., except for major holidays. Starting this year each applicant must have
a valid drivers license at the time of application. Finally, anyone who
received an intent-to-hire letter from a contractor last year should get a new
one for use this year.
That last chance to take advantage of the 4-hour Continuing
Education Class will be Nov. 6. The course is for all licensed journeymen plumbers, who are required to take at least 4 hours of continuing education each year (inspectors need additional hours). The
class takes place from 5 – 9 p.m. Application forms may be obtained
from the Plumbers’ Local 130 Web site, www.plumberslu130ua.org.
(Click on Apprenticeship then CEU Course.)
Apprentice Graduates Honored at Fountain Blue
More than 160 apprentices and guests attended our graduation dinner on Oct. 3rd at Fountain Blue Banquet Hall in Des
Plaines, IL. Congratulations to everyone in the group. Most graduates have already obtained their Journeyman Plumbing
License. With their license, they will get a Completion Certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor/Office of
Apprenticeship. At the dinner, each new graduate received Local 130’s commemorative “pipe wrench.” The chrome-plated, 8inch Rigid wrench is an exclusive gift given only to Local 130 apprentices upon completion of their training.
Plumber’s Quarterly • 10
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PLUMBERS WELFARE FUND NEWS Continued from page 9
Know the Consequences if You
Use An Out-Of-Network Provider
or Facility
1) Please when scheduling a visit with a doctor
you should ask if they are participating with
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.
2) If your doctor schedules you for an appointment for further tests, treatments or for anything else please ask the doctor to make sure
that the doctor or facility where he is sending
you is participating with Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Illinois.
3) You can also check to see if a doctor or facility is
participating with Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Illinois by going on the internet at
www.bcbsil.com. Click on the link Provider
Finder then click on the link Labor Accounts and
then put in our prefix code PLU, and then you
can either put in the zip code or address of the
doctor or facility.
Student Letters
If you go to an out-of-network provider or facility
the bill will not be paid in full. You will be responsible for the difference in what was charged and
what the Fund pays.
The Plumbers’ Welfare Fund, Local 130 UA provides continued medical benefits to dependent
children of eligible members between the ages of
19 up to age 23 as long as they are enrolled as a full
time student. In order for this coverage to continue
for eligible dependents it is necessary that the Fund
Office receive a written confirmation from the registrar office at the college or any other educational
institution that the dependent is enrolled as a full
time student. This written confirmation is required
so that any claims received for the dependent may
be processed without interruption.
The Welfare Fund will reimburse up to 70% of the
reasonable & customary charges for covered services for an out-of-network provider or facility.
Reasonable & Customary is determined by using
an independent medical review company to determine the 80th percentile of reasonable & customary charges.
If a provider was utilized because of a sudden and
serious emergency the Fund will reimburse at
100% of the 80th percentile of reasonable & customary charges.
Therefore it is important to make sure that the
doctor, provider or facility that you are utilizing is
participating with Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Illinois or you can expect to have significant outof-pocket expenses.
Pension Fund Birthday Greetings
Continued from page 5
Do you feel lucky…
Jack R. Loane
85 Years
Hillside, Illinois
Birthday – November 29, 1923
You and a friend could be going to
Howard J. Mampe
85 Years
Traverse City, Michigan
Birthday – November 11, 1923
Super Bowl LXIII
Walter H. Martens
85 Years
Bethoud, Colorado
Birthday – September 14, 1923
Local 130 will sell chances for two tickets
to attend Super Bowl XLIII, Feb. 1st in Tampa Bay.
Buy raffle tickets ($10 each) at these three events:
Eugene C. Simons
85 Years
Dewey, Arizona
Birthday – November 25, 1923
Robert J. Sylves
ASSE Product Show, Nov. 6
Local 130 Turkey Raffle, Nov. 11
Annual PIPAC Football Raffle, Nov. 23
85 Years
Clearwater, Florida
Birthday –November 16, 1923
Herman Vanderwall
85 Years
Mattawan, Michigan
Birthday – September 3, 1923
The winner will be drawn at the Dec. 9 Union meeting.
Don’t lose out…buy your tickets in November.
Eugene W. Wuest
85 Years
Crete, Illinois
Birthday – October 22, 1923
Well, do you?
Ralph J. Ziecina
85 Years
Glenview, Illinois
Birthday – September 1, 1923
In Memoriam
On behalf of all the sponsoring constituencies of the Plumber’s Quarterly, we would like to express our deepest
sympathies to the family members of our deceased members.
QUARTERLY DECEASED MEMBERS
CHICAGO JOURNEYMEN PLUMBERS’ LOCAL UNION 130
3rd QUARTER, 2008
Desousa, Donald E.
Kolman, Patrick
McCarthy, John J.
Baruch, Robert G.
Larsen, Gerald R.
Nover, Mark A.
Collins, George M.
Larson, Jerry L.
Shutter, George J.
Coogan, James M.
Levatino, James
Swarthout Jr., Lawrence C.
Galatte, Anthony S.
Lewi, Alexander
Plumber’s Quarterly • 11
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••All Industry Calendar – November-January 2008
Time:
Type:
••Date:
Local 130 UA
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••Plumbing Council
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••Plumbing Contractors Association
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••A.S.S.E.
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••South Side Contractors
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••West Suburban Plumbing Contractors
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••North & West Side Master Plumbers Club
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••Triangle Plumbing Club
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Location:
Nov. 6
Nov. 11
Nov. 23
Dec. 9
Dec. 12
Jan. 13
Jan. 30
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
10:30 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
First Day of Apprentice Sign-Up
Plumbers Union Meeting
Annual PIPAC Football Game
Plumbers Union Meeting
Annual Neighborhood Kids Christmas Party
Plumbers Union Meeting
Last Day of Apprentice Sign-Up
Nov. 25
Nov. 29
Dec.
Jan. 15
Jan. 27
10:00 a.m.
Board Meeting
Maggianos, 240 Oakbrook Center, Oakbrook, IL
Christmas Party
No Board Meeting
Submission Deadline for 4th Quarter Safety Incentive Drawing
Board Meeting
Gibsons Steakhouse, 5464 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL
Nov. 11
Nov. 11
Nov. 29
December
January
4:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
JAC, 1400 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago
Upper Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago
Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago
Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago
Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago
Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago
JAC, 1400 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago
Board Meeting
Membership Meeting
Christmas Party
No Meeting
No Meeting
Erie Café, 536 W. Erie Street, Chicago, IL
Erie Café, 536 W. Erie Street, Chicago, IL
Nov. 6
Jan. 17
Product Show
Annual Crystal Drop Dinner
Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago
The Carlisle, 435 E. Butterfield Rd., Lombard, IL
Nov. 19
Dec. 8
Jan. 21
Regular Meeting
Holiday Brunch
Regular Meeting
Sam Buca’s Restaurant, 12231 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Hts., IL
Sam Buca’s Restaurant, 12231 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Hts., IL
Sam Buca’s Restaurant, 12231 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Hts., IL
Regular Meeting
Regular Meeting
Regular Meeting
Best Western Chicago Hillside Hotel, Hillside, IL
Best Western Chicago Hillside Hotel, Hillside, IL
Best Western Chicago Hillside Hotel, Hillside, IL
Meeting
Christmas Dinner
Meeting
Superosa
Biagio
Superosa
Meeting
Meeting
Meeting
Dawson Technical Institute, 3901 S. State St., Chicago
Dawson Technical Institute, 3901 S. State St., Chicago
Dawson Technical Institute, 3901 S. State St., Chicago
Nov. 20
Dec. 18
Jan. 22
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Nov. 5
Dec. 6
Dec. 3
Nov. 14
Dec. 12
Jan. 16
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
City of Chicago Plumbing License Test
The next plumbing Written Exam is Saturday, January 31, 2009.
Applications are due Friday, January 2, 2009.
Note: The Plumbing Written Exam will be held at the Best Western South Hillside, 4400 Frontage Rd., in Hillside, IL.
The next plumbing practical license test is Saturday, December 6, 2008.
Applications are due Friday, November 7, 2008.
Note: The Plumbing Practical Exam is held at Local 130 Training School, 1400 West Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607
The Licensing Bureau is located at:
Department of Buildings, Bureau of Licensing & Registration
120 N. Racine Ave., 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: 312-743-9058
Applications may be obtained online at www.cityofchicago.org. Click on City Departments link at top of page. Click on Buildings link, then on the
Trade Licensing link. For exam schedule, click on Exam Schedule. For application, click on Applications.
Plumber’s Quarterly
1340 W. Washington Blvd
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Presorted Standard
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PAID
Chicago, IL
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