Organizing

Local 130 Organizing Department

History

When Gerald M. Sullivan took the reins of Local 130, he heard about two programs in the building trades called “Organizing" and “Comet". He sent Business Rep. Tom McManus to a United Association sponsored seminar on organizing. After reviewing Tom’s report, Mr. Sullivan enlisted Business Rep Richard Martin to research these new programs and to develop an Organizing Plan for Local 130.

The New Organizing Plan called for a volunteer committee to track down, identify, and make contact with any non union licensed journeyman that could be found. Over 100 members answered the call and began Comet organizing training. Comet revealed and emphasized the need to organize tradesmen doing our work without the benefit of union representation. When the dust settled, seventy Local 130 members became the “Volunteer Organizing Committee". Extensive research and communication training was started immediately. These trained Organizing Advocates then began contacting the non-represented licensed work force residing within Local 130 jurisdiction.

The Organizing Committee procured licensed journeyman plumbers lists. Local 130 members and bordering brother local members names were removed from the list, which isolated the non union workforce and identified potential candidates in our jurisdiction. Organizing Kits were created and mailed to these candidates and contacts were made. Teams of volunteers began making house calls helping qualified and interested parties achieve Local 130 membership.

Today

Business Manager, James T. Sullivan, continues the tradition of the Volunteer Organizing Committee, now called the Organizing Department, by continuing its’ expansion each year. The Organizing Department participates annually in United Association sponsored seminars. These seminars, and the experiences shared after classes, inspire fresh ideas and organizing plans. Additional support from the Illinois Pipe Trades Association Advancement Program (IPTAPP) helps strengthen the Local 130 Organizing Department.

Today’s Organizing Department seeks out, and is in constant contact with, the non-union work force. The Organizing Department is constantly gathering information about job locations to contact more of the unrepresented work force. After compiling the gathered information, campaigns are created and executed to educate workers and employers about the benefits of union affiliation. The rest of what goes on in these campaigns can be heard in the reports given at the Union Meetings. Stop by some Tuesday evening and hear them for yourself.

For more information about organizing, please visit Illinois Pipe Trades Association Advancement Program:

more info > www.iptapp.com