[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 148 (Thursday, September 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1214-E1215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING DETROIT PLUMBERS UNION LOCAL 98

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 6, 2018

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Detroit Plumbers 
Union Local 98, which is proudly celebrating the 125th anniversary of 
its founding this Saturday, September 8th.
  In September of 1892, a group of plumbers who called themselves ``The 
Plumbers Association of Detroit'' met to discuss how to improve their 
wages and working conditions.

[[Page E1215]]

This group applied for membership in the United Plumbers Association 
(the UA) and in December of 1893, their application was accepted and 
they were organized in the UA as Plumbers Local Union 98.
  Michigan's history, and that of the middle class in our country, is 
intertwined with the history of the labor movement. Local 98's fight on 
behalf of its members has been a vital part of that history. From its 
earliest days, Local 98 worked to achieve fair wages and working 
standards for its professional plumbers, but they also went further--
offering their expertise to local government to help improve health 
department rules related to plumbing and assisting plumbing inspectors 
in their efforts to ensure that residents could count on plumbing work 
being done to high standards.
  Throughout its 125 years, Local 98 has acted in the best traditions 
of its founding, and has also grown to meet the needs of its members 
and of the industry. In the 1950s, Local 98 negotiated contracts that 
included fringe benefits, including insurance and pensions, for its 
members and for their surviving spouses. Local 98 dedicated its 
Apprentice Training Center in 1968, allowing members to receive the 
highest quality professional training in a facility of its own, rather 
than at a variety of other locations. I had the opportunity as a young 
lawyer to represent Local 98 during some of these years. And in 2014, 
Local 98 partnered with Activate Clinic to provide preventative health 
care, acute care, and more at Local 98's headquarters in Madison 
Heights, Michigan.
  Local 98's members have worked on projects large and small throughout 
Southeast Michigan, including landmark buildings like Little Caesars 
Arena, where the Detroit Red Wings play hockey and the Detroit Pistons 
play basketball; Ford Field, where the Detroit Lions play football; 
Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers; and the many auto plants 
which are so vital to Michigan and the nation's economy.
  Mr. Speaker, Detroit Plumbers Union Local 98 has played an integral 
role in the labor movement, in the lives of its members, and indeed in 
the creation of the middle class in our country. I encourage my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating the men and women of Detroit 
Plumbers Union Local 98 as they celebrate their remarkable 125 year 
history, and in wishing them continued success in their next 125 years.

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