Sprinkler Fitters Local 281- Chicago Illinois

Welcome

At the United Association of Sprinkler Fitters, Local 281, we're responsible for protecting businesses, schools, homes, and, more importantly, precious lives, from the devastation of fire. It's no wonder we take our jobs so seriously.

Too many cut corners by not installing reliable automatic sprinkler systems. In the event of a fire, these shortcuts can lead to immeasurable damage. Statistics show that buildings with proper fire protection systems suffer twenty-four percent less damage and fire loss than unsprinklered properties.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 1983 to 1987, damage from hotel fires was seventy-eight percent less in building with sprinkler systems than those without. What's more, the water damage from automatic sprinkler systems is considerably less than from a fire department's hose stream because sprinkler systems require a minimal amount of water to operate. Oftentimes, a fire is brought under control by only three sprinkler heads, sometimes even fewer.

With so much riding on the skills of our Sprinkler Fitters, it is critical that our journeymen receive the best training available. In addition to a rigorous apprenticeship program, many UA Sprinkler Fitters choose to expand their skills by voluntarily participating in advanced training programs. Some even go on to become instructors through the United Association International Instructor Training Program.

The members of Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 are committed to providing quality installation, service and repair to the piping and fixtures used in sprinkler systems. They know that when human lives are at stake, there is no room for error and there might not be a second chance to get it done right. That's why the Sprinkler Fitters of Local 281 do the job right, the first time, every time.

Top News

Walmart agrees to a Project Labor Agreement [6/30/2010]

Bill Brady Voting Record on UA Issues [6/30/2010] - The IPTAPP office put together the attached document listing key votes and positions that Bill Brady has taken on issues that affect UA members in Illinois. We hope this information will help you keep your membership informed as to exactly what is at stake if Brady were to be elected Governor. link

Election Results [6/9/2010] - Congratulations to all the officers. more

Pay Day Savings Distribution [6/8/2010] - The Private Bank will freeze all the payday savings accounts as of June 21, 2010. The checks will be available for pick up beginning Thursday, July 1, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Friday, July 2, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, July 3, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The rate for the July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 period will be .95% APY. more

Who is Bill Brady? [6/1/2010]

Sample Ballot for June 6, 2010 Election [5/25/2010]

Membership Letter May 17, 2010 [5/18/2010]

Negotiation News from Sprinkler Fitters Local 669, U.A. [3/3/2010] - All brothers and sisters should be aware of the ongoing negotiations. more

Dick Durbin's Fight to End the Filibuster [3/2/2010] - It's time to end the filibuster as we know it. The American people are sick of process blocking progress. They're fed up with an arbitrary tradition that allows a minority of Senators to prevent popular, much-needed legislation from even coming to a vote. more

The United Association International Action Task Force [2/24/2010] - Dear JOHN ZUBRICKS, Tell President Obama: Fill the NLRB Vacancies Now! February 18, 2010 President Obama must act immediately to restore the ability of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to protect the rights of American workers by giving recess appointments to two nominees who are being blocked by Senate obstructionists, said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. The NLRB's job is to protect workers' rightsâ€”but for more than two years, it has been functioning with only two members instead of the five it should have. Working people need an NLRB that can enforce the National Labor Relations Actâ€”not one hobbled by vacancies. Current NLRB chair, Wilma Liebman, has expressed concern about the board's ability to function. "The board has been in limbo for a long time...unable to move forward on the most significant cases before it," she said. The Senate entered its President's Day recess without confirming President Obama's nominees to the National Labor Relations Board. Nominees Craig Becker and Mark Pearce need to be confirmed as soon as possible. The constitution allows a President to make an appointment to a position when the Senate is on a recess, or break. The individual can then serve in that position until the end of the next session of Congress, which is usually at the end of the next calendar year. Every president dating back to Jimmy Carter has made recess appointments to the NLRB. President George W. Bush made his first recess appointment seven months after taking office, on August 31, 2001 and less than a year into his term, President Bush made two recess appointments to the NLRB. Ronald Reagan made 243 recess appointments. George H.W. Bush made 77 recess appointments. Bill Clinton made 140 recess appointments. George W. Bush made 171 recess appointments. President Obama should act now to break the gridlock in Washington. The President must use his Constitutional ability to make recess appointments this week to end further delay on important issues. TAKE ACTION Saying, "Enough is enough," Trumka is urging working people to call the White House switchboard at 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414 and demand that President Obama use his executive power to appoint Craig Becker and Mark Pearce to the NLRB during the Presidents Day recess. We also ask that you to send an email to the President. Please follow the link and send your message(s). After you make your call please contact IBEW Local 21 COPE Director Rosetta Shinn with the results of your call. She can be contacted at 630-960-4466 ext.327. Solidarity! link

Help Get our Local Back to Work [2/8/2010] - Dear Brothers and Sisters, At our last union meeting Thursday, February 4, 2010 I talked about the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act and once again it has been sponsored by the U.S. Congress H.R. 1194 and the U.S. Senate S 2949. Illinois has two (2) Senators and nineteen (19) Representatives. As of this writing neither of the Senators are on board, and only seven (7) of the Representatives. I have written Senator Durbin informing him of the urgency and necessity of this bill in regards to job stimulation for Illinois and the country. The letter is included. Please use it for a sample letter to modify and use as your own letter to send to your representatives and Senators Burris and Durbin. This act still remains our best bet to stimulate work in our local and every local in the United States. This bill has the potential to put many people back to work in our industry and many other industries, as well. Please take the time to contact your representatives and senators. The link provided will assist you in finding your local lawmakers. Fraternally, John Zubricks Business Manager link

Chicago Alderman's Resolution [2/8/2010] - U.S. Congress H.R. 1194 and U.S. Senate S. 2947 more

Letter to Senator Durbin [2/8/2010] - Please modify this letter and use it to send to your representatives and senators. more

SIS Pension Participant Mailing and Link to Withdrawal Application [1/26/2010] - Due to the major economic downturn the Trustees of the SIS Pension Plan have allowed for amendments to the withdrawal procedures of the Plan. more

Employment Opportunities Available [12/28/2009] - Be a part of the 2010 Census Team. Positions available now for census takers, crew leaders, crew leader assistants, recruiting assistants and census clerks. link

2010 William A. Lee Memorial Scholarship [12/2/2009] - The Chicago Federation of Labor is currently accepting application requests for 2010 scholarship awards. more

CISCO is now accepting applications for the 2010 Scholarship Program [12/1/2009] - If you have any questions or require any assistance please call Edward Maher at the CISCO office at (630) 472-9411 or email Ed@cisco.org. Applications are available via the website of www.cisco.org. link

Making Homeownership Affordable [11/12/2009] - We have learned of federal programs that have been designed to assist homeowners who are struggling with their mortgage payments. There are two programs that have been set up by the federal government. The first one was created to assist people who have homes that are now worth less than what is owed on the mortgage. The second program is to modify mortgage loans for people who are experiencing a significant loss of income. This may apply to individuals who are unemployed, individuals whose spouse is unemployed, or individuals who have had their hours or pay reduced. These programs were brought to our attention by unemployed members that were able to qualify to have their monthly mortgage payments reduced. The following is a link to a website for the Making Home Affordable program. This website explains the programs that are available. It also explains the criteria that must be met to qualify for the programs. You may also speak to a housing counselor from the Making Home Affordable program by telephone at (888) 995-4673. I hope that members of Local 281, U.A. and their families find this information useful. link

SIS Fund Changes Investment Managers [11/12/2009] - The SIS Pension Fund has changed investment managers from Wells Fargo to New York Life. Participants can now view account information online. link

SIS Fund Transition Information [11/12/2009]

Changes for early retirement effective January 1, 2010. [10/13/2009] - One of the most significant changes is that the reduction for early retirement will be double to 2% per year for all members that are under the age of 61. Please read the attached membership letter for the complete details. link

Founders Bank Information [7/3/2009] - Sprinkler Fitters Local 281, U.A. has been in contact with the transition team from The Private Bank. The Private Bank will be sending a letter to all account holders sometime early next week. They have assured Local 281 that the monies are secure. Local 281 will be in close contact with The Private Bank throughout the entire transitional period. more

Overtime Provision Invoked [12/4/2008] - As of Decemeber 3, 2008 all overtime must be approved by Sprinkler Fitters Local 281, U.A. link