Winter, 2014 Vol. 1, No. 2 G S INTIN ECTO PR R UNION LABEL 8 CHICAGO, IL Business Plumbers and Politicians Manager’s Letter Pack October Rally From James F. Coyne The Oct. 21 union meeting started like it hands as they passed by. The line of always does, at 7 p.m. sharp with greetings V.I.P.’s was long and included U.S. Senator Dear Brothers and Sisters, to all, followed by a financial report and Dick Durbin, Illinois House Speaker roll call of recently deceased members. At Michael Madigan, Senate President John Happy Holidays to everyone. Family, that point, however, the floor suspended Cullerton, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. friends, fun and good food bring brightness all further business and things changed There was an election coming in a and warmth at the coldest time of year. I dramatically. couple weeks. On this night, the politicians hope your holidays were filled with these The doors of the giant assembly hall and plumbers came together once more blessings. Here’s to a happy and prosperous swung open to let in the familiar sounds to underline their mutual support for (and new year. of the Shannon Rovers, who led the long dependence on) one another. It was time for Passing by the door of the large procession of democratic politicians up an old fashion Political Rally to renew and union hall across from my office, the center aisle to the stage. Governor Pat I sometimes think about the political Quinn and others shook many extended Continued on page 3 history that is contained inside. A long list of candidates, beginning with John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s, have entered this space to pledge their support for union labor at past political rallies over Continued on page 7 the years. A new page was written at the old-fashion Political Rally held on Oct. 21st. It was impressive and successful on many fronts. Our attendance, I believe, exceeded 1,000 members of Local 130 and other trades. They came to meet and hear the words of prominent leaders in every level of government, and we did not disappoint them. V.I.P.s included Governor Pat Quinn, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (From left) Governor Pat Quinn, UA Executive Vice President Rick Terven, Sr., Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin were among many participants in the Oct. 21 rally. Continued on page 3 Political Rally 1 Leaders promise support, protection of union families In this issue... St. Patrick’s Day Parade Turns 60 2 Local 130 to mark 60 years as parade organizer In Words & Photos: 4 October 21 Political Rally 21st Annual Football Smoker 6 Record crowd fills both halls for PATF fundraiser Merit Badge in Plumbing 8 Local 130 instructors guide Boy Scouts in basic course st Political Rally St. Patrick’s Day Parade 21 Annual Football Smoker Merit Badges in Plumbing Annual Turkey Raffle Annual Turkey Raffle Turns 60 9 A union meeting with lots of winners 1 th Plumbers and Bill Hite to Lead 60 Politicians Pack St. Patrick’s Day Parade October Rally We may be uncertain about exactly when Sixty years is a milestone we are ...continued from cover St. Patrick set off on his very first parade, proud to reach, and it is an anniversary but we want to be very clear about this: worthy of special celebration. strengthen their bond. The sounds of loud Plumbers Local 130, UA, is marking its 60th The parade Grand Marshal this year cheers and clapping hands accompanied year in 2015 as organizers and sponsors is United Association General President the call of the bagpipes. Those hands that of Chicago’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. William Hite. Our union’s chief weren’t clapping were busy waving signs Scheduled for noon on Saturday, March 14, executive, a Chicago native, is coming carrying messages in red, white and blue. Chicago’s St. Pat’s Parade is one of the home to lead the parade on March Welcoming everyone, Business Manager nation’s largest and most popular, attracting 14. Blue Cross Blue Shleld of Illinois James Coyne noted that Plumbers Local 130 children and adults of every Chicago- is the parade’s largest sponsor. Mark has hosted large political rallies for over 50 United Association President William Hite area neighborhood and ethnic background your calendar and plan to join in years. “We need these candidates to keep as well as visitors from outside Illinois. the festivities downtown. Illinois a “blue” state,” he said. Each government and industry leader who followed the business manager to the podium had something to say about recent achievements or future plans aimed at maintaining democratic values and a state that is friendly to the union movement and working American families. Gov. Quinn described bills to upgrade the city’s water system, infrastructure and auto industry. “Jobs are up, unemployment is down,” he said. Senator Dick Durbin noted that the comfortable, stable home he grew up in was largely made possible by the unions to which both his father and mother belonged. He challenged everyone to protect the opportunities they enjoyed, so they may be passed on to their children and grandchildren. Mayor Rahm Emanuel echoed this sentiment. “We owe our children the future that our parents gave us,” he said. “If you work, your children should not be raised in poverty,” he added describing the struggle of many Chicago families currently employed in minimum wage jobs. Rahm Emanuel is a good friend of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan organized labor and Chicago’s working implored everyone to vote. “Make sure families. He’s been behind us the whole your family, relatives and friends vote for way. “Now it’s time to get behind him,” PLUMBERS democrats who are for working families,” said Business Manager James Coyne. he said. Join a political rally to reelect Rahm Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle Emanuel at the Feb. 10 union meeting. FOR discussed equal pay for equal work and Local 130, UA will also support his access to health care for all workers, among campaign on three Political Action her other themes. While she ran unopposed Saturdays on February 7, 14 & 21. in the election, she noted that she helped contribute nearly one million dollars to help Pick up your Plumbers for Rahm reelect democrats. Emanuel sign at the February 10 RAHM Key labor leaders also addressed the Plumbers for rally and proudly display it on your Chicago Journeymen Plumbers’ rally. Rick Terven, Sr., UA Executive Vice front lawn. Local Union 130, U.A. President, didn’t hide his strong feelings LLIED PRIN about anti-union sentiments expressed in A TIN T G RADES UNION ® LABEL COUNCIL CH Rahm Emanuel ICAGO, IL 458 the republican camp. “I’ve never witnessed Continued on page 5 2 Plumbers and Business Manager’s our annual Turkey Raffle, held Nov. 25. One lucky name after another was drawn Politicians Pack Letter ...continued from cover from the raffle drum. The night’s biggest winners, and star attraction, were the Local October Rally and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, to name 130 apprentices who performed in 2014 a few (see the complete list on page 5). apprentice skills contests. They competed first ...continued from cover At the podium each spoke with a united voice, against each other and then against other UA pledging support for union ideals. Grand as it local unions in Illinois, the region, and finally strengthen their bond. The sounds of loud was, the rally was one part of a bigger overall across the U.S. and Canada. I am very proud cheers and clapping hands accompanied effort to help reelect friends of Local 130. of them all. They are a credit to Local 130, the call of the bagpipes. Those hands that On three Saturdays preceding the election, the apprentice training program and to the weren’t clapping were busy waving signs volunteers in our Chicago, Joliet and Volo United Association. (Find out more about carrying messages in red, white and blue. offices coordinated campaign drives. I know them on page 9-11.) Welcoming everyone, Business Manager their work had an impact, especially in the I said it in my last column and I’ll repeat James Coyne noted that Plumbers Local 130 Kankakee area where State Representative it here. The storm is finally behind us, I’m has hosted large political rallies for over 50 Kate Cloonen (79th District) defeated her sensing, and a better construction economy years. “We need these candidates to keep challenger by a mere 122 votes! Her win is slowly returning. I am pleased to report that Illinois a “blue” state,” he said. helps democrats retain a super-majority in in October, for the first time since I’ve been Each government and industry leader the Illinois House and get things done in in the business manager’s seat, our monthly who followed the business manager to the Springfield. Read more about the rally in pension contribution from employers actually podium had something to say about recent this newsletter. exceeded our payout to retired members. achievements or future plans aimed at With the Nov. 4th election behind When more money comes in than goes out, maintaining democratic values and a state us, it’s time to turn our attention to the it means we are out of the red ink and back that is friendly to the union movement and reelection of Rahm Emanuel, another in the black! It’s the first time in 2-1/2 years, working American families.