Ask any Business

Manager of a United

Association Local Un-

ion anywhere across

the United States and

Canada and they will

tell you that finding,

training and retraining

a skilled work force is

on the top of their list

of priorities. Local Union 78 is no different. With

an evident increase in new construction and tenant

improvement projects taking off over the past year

here in Downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach

addressing these concerns have become priority

one. Today we are looking for solutions to some

of the following issues facing our union in this

rapidly changing environment:

Standardizing and updating our apprentice-

ship training program

Updating and adding to our skillset

Merging into new markets

Policing the projects

Building Trades Local Unions pride them-

selves on providing the most proficient workforce

in the industry and Plumbers and Pipefitters by far

have the most skilled. The United Association has

the first nationally registered joint apprenticeship

program in the United States, dating back to 1936.

It is my belief that effective training is the corner-

stone of building a successful career as a plumber.

When you build your educational foundation

through a partnership between the Local Unions

and Contractors you maintain your promise of

supplying the most skilled workers in the industry

and subsequently provide a secure future for eve-

ryone. Recently the Business Managers from Dis-

trict Council 16 and the signatory Contractors con-

vened to discuss ways to ensure that the education

we offer our apprentices across the District is

analogous from school to school. We hope to

set policy directive and an action plan to en-

sure that upon completion of the five year

apprenticeship program all apprentices are

adequately trained with a consistent

knowledge of the curriculum.

Unions today face a multitude of obsta-

cles which aim to erode our already shrinking

market share. If we intend on maintaining the

promise of a bright future for our members we

must regain lost market share and engage in

emerging new markets. Any discussion on

maintaining market share must include an

emphasis on lifelong learning. When the ap-

prentice graduates their commitment to con-

tinued personal improvement in their chosen

craft becomes critically important. As a jour-

neyman the more time you dedicate to devel-

oping your skills the more you learn about

what you are capable of, and you become in-

creasingly more valuable as an expert. Em-

ployers are looking for employees that have

honed their craft and are able to teach others.

Taking advantage of the programs available

through the A&J Training Center is one such

way to provide for your future and help your-

self to stand out in the field. We have mem-

bers on a regular basis who miss the oppor-

tunity to be gainfully employed because they

have not maintained their certifications or

improved their skillset. I cannot stress enough

that the degree to which a member takes re-

sponsibility for continuing their education will

reflect the measure of their rewards. There is

no excuse for a Local 78 member not to have

current certifications. If you have a cert you

need to renew or a class you need to enroll in

take the time now to visit the A&J Training

Center website (www.ajtraining.org) and get

yourself registered. Take advantage of the

Newsletter Date

Volume 1 Issue 2

Douglas A. Marian Business Manager

Business Manager Douglas A. Marian

Business Agents Jeremy Diaz

Scott Pearson

President Doug Wilson

Vice President Danny Navarro

Executive Board James Burrell

Paul Flores, Jr.

Dan Grody

David Kessinger

Danny Navarro

Finance Committee Robert Bailey, Jr.

Paul Flores, Sr.

David Sinclair

Recording Secretary Matthew Montgomery

Plumbers Local 78 · 1111 W. James M. Wood Blvd. · Los Angeles, CA 90015 · Telephone: (213) 688-9090 · Fax: (213) 627-4624

Skilled Workers, Say Hello To Your Future

Plumbers Local 78 U ni ted A ssociat ion

Journeymen Training Incentive Program. All Jour-

neymen and Apprentices who are in good standing

with a DC 16 local are eligible.

When we deceive ourselves and believe our

own mantra we become prey to mediocre minds.

Identifying our weaknesses is an outside-in focus

and it is not easy to do, but when you have clarity

and objectivity you are better able to embrace

change. Business Managers around District Coun-

cil 16 have been spending a great deal of effort in

constructing strategies to propel our entry into new

markets subsequently designing a blueprint to facil-

itate our ability to secure work in areas where we

have been underperforming. Your leaders have

identified two important markets to direct our fo-

cus; service and repair and modified residential

construction.

Market penetration is the first step in business

growth and must be done with careful assessment.

In order to successfully increase market share in the

service and repair and modified residential con-

struction areas we are currently seeking to under-

stand exactly what is required to be effective in

attempting a market growth in these two areas of

focus. For starters we are united with the contrac-

tors to determine if the markets truly offer a prom-

ise of increased income. A solid plan also includes

identifying the additional training needed for our

members so we are analyzing the products offered

by those already successful in the markets to under-

stand the pertinent products and services we need

to master, so that we can build an effective train-

ing program.

Until we are fully prepared to move into

these two new areas we will continue to dominate

in our area of our expertise. Today with the in-

crease in work secured by our contractors they

often find themselves reactive in their approach to

meet the demands of the project schedule.

Through the Master Labor Agreement Contractors

have the right to transfer qualified employees

from one DC 16 affiliated Local Union’s jurisdic-

tion to another. The Master Labor Agreement

outlines the provisions for compliance with this

authority. To ensure compliance and to protect

the best interest of Local 78 members the Busi-

ness Agents have scheduled time daily to monitor

the adherence to the provision in our jurisdiction.

We need your support in this effort, if you see a

discrepancy please report it to the Local Union

and we will further evaluate the situation.

In closing, today our future looks bright, but

its guarantee is up to each of us. I will continue to

ensure the best is available to our membership and

I ask you to make sure you take advantage of it.

Fraternally yours,

Douglas A. Marian

Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer

Page 2

“When we deceive

ourselves and be-

lieve our own man-

tra we become prey

to mediocre minds.”

Local Union 78

REMINDER * REMINDER * REMINDER

Call the Hall as soon as you

get laid-off. Your sign in

date may qualify you for

unemployment dues.

State Pipe Trades Scholarship Recipients

This year the California State Pipe Trades Council Scholarship Foundation

opened the opportunity for the sons and daughters of U.A. Union members to ap-

ply for one of thirty-two $2,500.00 scholarships. Applications were accepted be-

tween January 1, 2016 and March 31, 2016. Local Union 78 is proud to announce

that we had two 2016 Scholarship winners selected from our membership. The

daughter of Danny Navarro, Alxy Navarro who is currently studying linguistics

and psychology with a minor in organizational leadership and management at

USC. The second winner is the daughter of Pablo Napoles, Ariana Napoles who

is currently studying Pre-Med at UC Davis.

In addition to the Scholarship award from the State Pipe Trades each of the

awardees will receive a matching donation from Local 78.

Congratulations, and we wish you luck in your future endeavors.

Alyx Navarro Scholarship

Recipient Left and Business Manager Doug Marian.

Ariana Napoles Scholar-

ship Recipient Left and Business Manager Doug Marian.

Keep your phone number, mail-

ing address and especially your

email address current with the

Union Hall.

Sign up early to participate in

the 7th Annual Apprentice-

ship Golf Fundraiser we fill up

quickly.

Brothers and Sisters,

The outlook for work is beginning to

look great, and the books are finally start-

ing to move a little. Oceanwide has a pro-

ject on Figueroa & 12th just getting started.

The project consists of a 60 story & 2-40

stories. Once it hits peak manpower it

should take about 60-80 plumbers. The

outlook for employment is strong. The list

of new projects is exciting. Here are just a

few:

2 – 38 stories that are up about 7 –

stories right now will take a few

plumbers when that gets going

On Olive & 9th there is a 50 story that

is getting ready to break ground

8th and Spring there are 2 – 27 stories

structures, one is just coming out of the

ground and should be in full force very

soon.

If you are out of work keep up on all

your certifications they are key to finding

employment.

I have been spending a vast amount of

time visiting jobsites all over the city, if I

have not visited your jobsite please call me

and let me know where you are and which

contractor you are working for. I will do

my best to get out an visit your jobsite.

Please be sure to mark your calendar for the

next union meeting scheduled for August

11, 2016, at the Building Trades. A lot of

important issues are discussed there so

please try to make it. We have enjoyed

having great turnouts so far this year, let’s

keep it going.

Community College District

I have visited a few of the colleges

since taking office. They still have 900

million dollars left to spend on various pro-

jects. This should be a huge asset to ensure

employment for a few good plumbers.

Convention Center AEG

I have visited the Convention Center

and have met a few of the Local 78 mem-

bers. If we haven't met yet, we will have a

chance soon as they will begin negotiations

on a new contract in the near future.

Housing Authority

The housing authority is plugging

away with no real issues at this time.

Los Angeles County

Negotiations are still ongoing. I know

its hard to believe negotiations can take this

long. On Wednesday, April 6, 2016, the

Building Trades filed an unfair labor prac-

tice against the County. According to Chris

Hannan of the Los Angeles & Orange

County Building Trades our Chief Negotia-

tor the charge states that during negotia-

tions the County failed to bargain in good

faith and engaged in regressive bargaining.

Together with Chris who does a tremen-

dous job we have visited several of the

county facilities and if you would like us to

visit your facility please call me at the hall.

On August 6, 2016 from Noon to 5:00

PM. the Teamsters Local 399 and Basic

BUSINESS AGENT REPORT

Crafts will be hosting a classic car

show at Woodley Park at 6100 Wood-

ley Avenue, Van Nuys. There will be

a live band, food trucks, and various

vendors. Everyone is encouraged to

join us for the fun.

Loss is an inevitable part of life,

unfortunately we are not immune.

Over the years Local 78 has lost some

top notch plumbers. We recently said

our good-bye’s to Brother Erik Cren-

shaw and Brother Henry Marine. Two

of the most knowledgeable plumbers

that I have ever met. Please take a

moment to remember those we have

lost, they have paved the way.

Fraternally yours,

Scott Pearson

Business Representative

Scott Pearson Business Agent

and Michigan. We need to show up

in force every election to make sure

unions don’t fade into extinction. If

you would like to get involved,

please contact me at the hall. I also

want to give a personal thanks to

brothers Guy Bremmer, Johnny Blas,

Dave Sinclair, Curtis Stollings, Keith

Schwecke and Omar Galindo. Thank

these brothers next time you see

them as they have given up their free

time by attending meetings to help

procure work for our membership. I

also want to give a big THANK

YOU to Brother Alex Walker. He has helped out on numerous

campaigns and measures this past election cycle. Brother Walker

always represents our local with pride and candidates always say he

was an instrumental part of their successful campaign.

Jeremy Diaz Business Agent

BUSINESS AGENT REPORT

Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are getting ready for one of the most important races

we have had in a long time. The race for President of the Unit-

ed States will have a tremendous impact on our future. This

race will be felt for years if not decades to come. With the

passing of Supreme Court Justice Scalia the next president will

appoint the next justice to the supreme court. Unions recently

received a favorable outcome in the high court and we need to

gain the majority with the new justice. The United Association

has endorsed Hillary Clinton for President of the United

States. I know some members are unhappy about this, but she

is labor’s candidate and we must support her. An old timer

once told me “Son, you need to vote with your wallet, you

can’t buy bullets for that gun if you don’t have a job.” That

really stuck with me as a young voter. We have a very favora-

ble political climate here in California but so did Wisconsin

Congratulations to the following Local 78 members who are

now enjoying the fruits of their labor, retirement. Best wishes

on your retirement. Take time to enjoy a rest that’s overdue.

Sit back, relax and take pleasure in the finer things.

Ionatana Noa

Anthony Spears

Congratulations Local 78 Retirees

Since our last newsletter Local 78 has received notice that

the following Brothers and sisters have passed away. Please

take a moment to pray and remember the following:

Leonard Bartlett Erik Crenshaw

Billy Dean Henry Marine, Jr.

Victor Sotelo James Sunstedt

Reymundo Torres Jack Ward

IN MEMORIAM

Pride and Excellence Continues with Local 78’s New Organizer

The United Association of

Journeymen and Apprentices

of the Plumbing and Pipe Fit-

ting Industry of the United

States, has a proud history of pride and excellence. We

have always hired the best and stand tall by our Standard of

Excellence. Under the Business Manager Doug Marian’s

direction Local 78 will continue this commitment. With

Brother Jeremy Diaz moving into the position of Business

Agent we were left with a vacancy for the position of Or-

ganizer. Having an Organizer is vitally important to our

pledge of excellence. An Organizer is primarily called upon

to assist non-union workers to organize and usually leads

them in their efforts. He is the first line of communication

for non-union contractors looking to become union and

plays an important function in monitoring the projects in our

area.

Organizers are called upon to represent the Local at a varie-

ty of functions such as job fairs. They must be determined, char-

ismatic, and persuasive. The role of an Organizer is grueling and

promises long hours.

When Local 78 announced our intention to accept applica-

tions for the position, we were flooded with calls from Brothers

and Sisters wishing to fill the role. The resumes we received

were impressive.

We have recently completed all of the interviews. The very

difficult decision of selecting our next Organizer has been made.

We would like to welcome Chris Cheek to the team and wish

him much success as Local Union 78’s new Organizer.

Continued from Page 3

In And Around Long Beach

Long Beach has seen a huge transformation these last

couple years. This transformation will lead to jobs for our

members in the coming months. In April the Long Beach Com-

munity College Trustees voted unanimously to approve a PLA

for their construction projects. The New Civic Center project

has broken ground and will take several years to complete. This

is just one of the new projects to come from the City Wide

PLA for the City of Long Beach. There are several more slated

for this year and beyond. With the passage of Measure A&B on

the June ballot, the city will start to undertake huge infrastruc-

ture projects.

In June the voters of Long Beach voted to pass an 850

million dollar bond to update and modernize both campuses

over the next several years. A new chemistry building and new

aquatic center are a couple of the projects slated to be built

under the new bond and PLA.

This past April the Port of Long Beach Harbor Commis-

sioners voted to approve a Port-wide PLA for the Long Beach

Harbor. This agreement has an expected value near a billion

dollars and put members to work for years to come. A T.W.I.C

card will be required for most of the work on the port, so make

sure to get one.

UPCOMING PROJECTS

Long Beach Civic Center and Library

Baldwin Hills Kaiser MOB

The Current Phase 2

Motion Picture Museum

Century City Plaza remodel and 2 Tower Addition

LAUSD Unit E

The district has been quiet as of late. The new increase will take

effect on July 1,2016.

LA City MOU 2 & MOU 13

Not much happening at the City currently I will keep you updated

on any new information should it become available.

Many Contractors have contacted the hall to inquire about fore-

men for upcoming projects. If you have foreman experience,

please email a resume to j.diaz@uaplumber78.com.

We also have signatory contractors looking for experienced

service techs. If you have experience or know someone who does

please have them contact me at the hall. The Locals representing

District Council 16 will be unveiling a new program aimed to cap-

ture work in the Residential and Commercial service industry. So

now more than ever we need to be ready to meet the upcoming

challenges for manpower. As always, Plumbers Local 78 is ac-

tively look for plumbing contractors. The Executive Board has

approved an incentive program for members that help identify

viable contractors. We have had several members contact me and

give me solid leads, if you want more information please give me

a call.

Fraternally, Jeremy Diaz Business Agent

These workers will be our support-

ers when we fight for prevailing

wage on public projects, and Pro-

ject Labor Agreements for public

and private projects.

*Free college tuition: Presi-

dent Obama and candidates Bernie

Sanders and Hillary Clinton are all

proposing some way to drastically

reduce or even get rid of tuition

fees at public colleges.

Well, I say, welcome to the Building Trades. Our apprentice-

ship programs are tuition-free. Our apprentices turn out as jour-

neymen with no student debt after four or five years of classes and

training.

In fact, at that point they have accrued years toward a pen-

sion, and enjoyed health benefits for themselves and their fami-

lies. They have a leg up in life instead of a burden that they’ll be

paying down for 20 or 30 years.

This could be a model for schools in many other fields. Em-

phasize on-the-job training, the best classroom teaching and the

ability to bring skills into the real world of paying work.

This would also require bringing in the joint labor-

management structure that the Building Trades use. And that

means more unions for workers in many more sectors of our econ-

omy.

*Health care for all: Not to sound boastful, but again—all

the candidates could learn from us when it comes to one of the

biggest issues of our time. Health care for the whole family, with

reasonable fees and deductibles, and a quality network of doctors?

The Affordable Care Act is attempting to do what unions and our

signatory employers have done for decades: provide family health

and security.

We do it the hard way. We sit at the table and bargain with

our employers and health insurance companies for the best cover-

age possible. These talks are not easy. But the results are worth it.

We in the Building Trades aim high. We don’t compromise.

Whether it’s Obamacare, universal health care or employer-based,

we stand for improving health care, not diminishing it.

Improving, not diminishing. It looks like the American agen-

da for 2016 is the union agenda. Candidates of every variety are

waking up.

But we demand more than that. It’s not up to one politician.

It’s up to us. An angry American is an American who could prob-

ably use a union. We don’t need only the right candidate to imple-

ment this agenda. We need to stay organized, reach out and turn

this anger into a better future.

The Year America Got Mad Los Angeles Orange County Building and Construction Trades

If nothing else, 2016 will be remembered as a year of

immense change in our country. You see it everywhere.

Crowds are turning out by the thousands at campaign rallies,

and so are protesters from one side or another. Voters are

registering in record numbers. Politics is not off the table,

it’s on the menu. Asking who you’re voting for is as com-

mon as talking about the weather.

This is the year America is waking up.

With this energy and upheaval, we have a great oppor-

tunity to make things better.

Unions play a unique role in this. America is discover-

ing that unions know the way to the future.

For the last couple of decades, the American Dream

has started to decline. Did you know the average life expec-

tancy of Americans actually went down last year? It’s one of

the most basic hallmarks of a society’s well-being. And

we’re going in the wrong direction.

Wages, too, have been going the wrong way. A smaller

percentage of our population holds more and more of the

wealth. Our unions are the sole defense of working people

against this terrible trend. We represent a small percentage

of American workers. We’ve been fighting hard to hold on

to what we have. But the majority of American working

families simply have had to give back, again and again.

It’s no surprise, then, that 2016 is a year of anger. It’s a

year when the average working person is saying “Enough.”

Voter turnout in the primary elections is way above the nor-

mal numbers. No matter who they’re voting for, Americans

are saying, “It’s time to do something.”

And what Americans are re-discovering are union val-

ues. We’ve been on the front line of these fights for more

than 100 years. Now, we will lead the way to make this a

year for working people to take our place at the top of the

country’s agenda.

Look at the hot topics of the 2016 elections:

*A higher minimum wage: Unions led the fight to

institute a minimum wage many years ago. Since then,

we’ve focused on raising our members far above the mini-

mum wage, reflecting our high skill level and worth.

At the same time, wages for less-skilled workers, with-

out unions, declined. So, politicians and activists are now

pushing for higher minimum wages. It’s the least they can

do, although it doesn’t solve the problem of lower wages up

the ladder.

We support a higher minimum wage. We also welcome

our minimum-wage allies to become advocates for unions,

to bring collective bargaining to millions more workers.

Ron Miller Executive Secretary

“We have a clear choice now,”

he said. “We have a candidate who

speaks to us and who stands with us—

Hillary Clinton. And we have an oppo-

nent who says our wages are too high.

We look forward to a busy summer

and a victory for working people in

November.”

During her time in California,

Clinton strengthened her ties with the

Trades. She appeared at the IBEW’s

Electrical Training Institute in Com-

merce. Her Los Angeles headquarters

was at the offices of Laborers Local

300.

Clinton is on track to become the

party’s official nominee at the Demo-

cratic convention, to be held July 25-28

in Philadelphia. Election Day is Tues-

day, November 8.

Trades Choose Clinton

Candidate Will Fight for Workers

History is about to be made.

With the support of the Building Trades, former Secre-

tary of State Hillary Clinton is on the verge of becoming the

first woman to be nominated for President of the United

States by a major party, according to recent tallies.

Of the six states that held primaries June 7, California

possessed the largest number of delegates with 475 up for

grabs, and helped cement Clinton’s

Tuesday’s primaries brought Clinton’s delegate total to

2,768, or 2,196 pledged and 572 superdelegates.

At least 2,383 delegates are needed to clinch the nomi-

nation before either Democrat can face off against business

mogul Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s presumptive

presidential nominee.

After stomping hard throughout California in the days

leading up to Election Day, Clinton earned 55.8 percent of

the vote with 1,944,634, while Democratic rival U.S. Sena-

tor Bernie Sanders, Sanders received 43.2 percent with

1,504,953, according to state election results.

Clinton, an advocate of good jobs, has won the en-

dorsement of the National Building Trades and spoke to

more than 1,000 delegates at the national conference in

April.

“Here’s my promise to you,” Clinton said. “If I’m for-

tunate enough to become your President, organized labor

will always have a champion in the White House. More than

that, you’ll always have a seat at the table. Your voices will

be heard. I will not let anyone undermine collective bargain-

ing rights. I will not let anyone undermine prevailing wage

standards. I won’t let anyone undo all the hard work and

sacrifice that made careers in the Building Trades a ladder

into a middle class life.”

Ron Miller, Executive Secretary of the Los Angeles/

Orange Counties Building and Construction, said the Trades

will mobilize for Clinton.

“Here’s my promise to

you,” Clinton said. “If

I’m fortunate enough to

become your President,

organized labor will

always have a champion

in the White House.”

In California, the deadline to register to vote for any election

is 15 days before Election Day, so please register early! The dead-

line for the November 8, 2016 election is October 24, 2016. You

can apply to register to vote right now by filling in the online ap-

plication on the Secretary of State’s website at http://

www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/.

Voter Regis trat ion Deadl ines You can also pick up a paper voter registration appli-

cation at your county elections office, library, Department

of Motor Vehicles offices, or U.S. post office. It is im-

portant that your voter registration application be filled out

completely and be postmarked or hand-delivered to your

county elections office at least 15 days before the election.