Frequently Asked Questions

Are you satisfied with your wages? Your benefits? Your working conditions? Do you want a little respect and dignity on the job and an opportunity to build a better future for yourself and your family? Join to improve working conditions and provide a better quality of life.

What are the advantages to organizing in the workplace?

Most employers try to convince workers not to Unionize. Why? Because employers know that with a Union, workers gain power to make themselves heard, and employers must listen. That is exactly what having a Union is all about; having a strong collective voice to stand up to employers in order to gain decent working conditions, pay, benefits, job security, dignity, and respect on the job. In fact, the only way to gain a voice at your job and gain real positive changes in the workplace is to get it in writing, in a legally binding contract. When we stand alone, we are powerless. Your employer holds all the cards and he calls all the shots. By standing together, workers gain a seat at the table and the ability to obtain a fair deal. We understand that the only way working people can truly protect their jobs and their families is by standing together and negotiating a legally binding Union Contract.

What is the United Association?

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada and Australia (UA), affiliated with the national building trades, represents approximately 370,000 plumbers, pipe fitters, sprinkler fitters and service technicians in North America and Australia. The “UA”, as it is commonly known is a multi-craft union whose members are engaged in the fabrication, installation and servicing of piping systems.

The UA has been training qualified pipe tradesmen longer than anyone else in the industry. The United Association boasts the premier training programs available in the industry today, including five-year apprenticeship programs, extensive journeyman training organized instructor training, and certification programs. There are currently over 300 local unions in the United Association. The local unions are located in all of the 50 states of America and every province of Canada. Members are free to travel from one local area to another to satisfy the needs of local work conditions.

Who does Local 290 recruit?

Local 290 is actively recruiting qualified plumbers, plumbing service techs, HVAC/R service techs, steamfitters, pipefitters, and welders for our Building Trades Division. We’re also looking for qualified metal trades plumbers and pipefitters for our Metal Trades and Marine Division. This recruitment effort is aimed at meeting current and future manpower demands within our jurisdiction.

The backbone of our strategy is our apprenticeship program at the Matt J. Walters Training Center. We are devoting significant resources to recruiting strong candidates from high schools, trade schools, welding schools, and colleges as well as non-union employees and those in non-union apprenticeship programs.

Another way to join Local 290 is by working a minimum of five years in any UA trade and completing a series of tests at our Training Centers to be a qualified journeyman. If you do meet the work experience requirements but cannot test in, you may qualify for a custom training program. You must have marketable skills and show a desire to stay on track and join our Local. If you qualify or have additional questions, please contact our Lead Organizer, Todd Templeton at 503-612-4910 or email him at templeton@ua290.org.

Why must I pay dues?

It takes money to run an organization, like a church, a club, or a union. Union dues pay for contract negotiation expenses, office and support services, legal services, union newsletters and other communications, training for stewards and members, and organizing.

Links

Map of UA290’s Jurisdiction 

UA 290 Benefits

Oregon Building Codes

Washington L&I

Oregon OSHA

California OSHA

PMCA

Oregon Unemployment

Washington Unemployment

California Unemployment

Providence

Beech Street

VSP

ATPA

Local ATPA

Benefits Complete

UA National Pension

UA Office

NW Federal Credit Union