President's Message

Without question, United Association members are the best trained, most highly skilled and hardest working building trades people in our industry today, bar none. Despite this fact, every day we hear reports that the union sector is losing ground and that construction owners, as well as many in the general public, believe that working union equals overpriced and under skilled workers with bad attitudes and a sense of entitlement.

As we all know, nothing could be further from the truth, but it is up to us to change the negative view of unions that has persisted for far too long. The UA is taking positive steps to change that perception, in part through our Standard for Excellence program. This program is explained in detail in the video that is available through the link below. I hope you will take a few minutes to watch this video, and that you will join with me in making a commitment to the principles of this program. By doing so, you will help ensure that, for years to come, the United Association and our contractors will be the number one source for skilled labor in our industry and that we will gain the respect we deserve.

Fraternally yours, William P. Hite General President UA Canada

Brochure and Policy

About the UA

On October 11, 1889 forty delegates from twenty three local unions met in Washington, D.C. and founded the United Association of Journeymen Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters and Steam Fitters Helpers of the United States and Canada. One year later the U.A. had forty-one local unions.

Fourteen years later, the first U.A. local union in New Brunswick was Local Union 427 in Saint John. The exact date of the charter is not known but it first appeared in the roll call in July 1903. The life of the union was short as the last time Local 427 appeared in the roll call was May 1904. The reason for this decline or the names of officers is not known.

Seven years later in April 1911 the United Association journal indicates that Local 531 was chartered in March 1911 to Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters and Steam Fitters Helpers. It is unclear when the charter was revoked due to no official documentation on file; however the last Roll Call appearance was in December of 1921.

In 1937, six plumbers and four steamfitters applied for a charter for a United Association Local Union. Application was made in September 1937 and the charter was issued in October 1937 and Local 213 was established. Some of the Charter members were veterans of the previous local unions in the City and they were determined to make Local 213 last. From that early beginning Local 213 has grown to a membership of 882 of which 142 are apprentices. Local 213 jurisdictions cover the counties of Kings, Queens, Charlotte and Saint John in the Province of New Brunswick.

The fight for these members was for the eight hour work day and five day week. Both battles were eventually won. Today 75 years later, the fight still continues to improve the conditions for our members.

 Standard for Excellence