About the UA

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) represents approximately 370,000 Plumbers, Pipefitters, Sprinkler Fitters, HVACR Service Technicians, Welders and Pipeliners working in the construction industry throughout North America.

Charitable Trust

About the UA

Our Trades

There are many pathways open to UA members, thanks to the wide variety of training and education programs open to all. Choose what suits you best.

  • HVACR Service Technicians

    Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Service Technicians install, maintain and repair plumbing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. These technicians also perform essential work in our national goal to improve energy efficiency. There is high demand for these skilled tradespeople,

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  • Metal Trades

    UA Metal Trades workers are found on a wide variety of jobsites all across North America. They work in shipyards, Department of Energy facilities, petrochemical plants, fabrication shops, nuclear power facilities and processing plants associated with industrial facilities, as well as the service sector. Many of these members work in

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  • Pipefitters

    Pipefitters are highly skilled and certified tradespeople who work on jobs large and small all across North America. They install piping systems in projects ranging from residential to high-tech and extremely sensitive and sophisticated facilities. The work they do can involve high-pressure systems utilizing carbon and stainless steel and many

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  • Pipeliners

    Pipeliners install, repair and maintain oil and gas piping systems all across North America. They perform vital work to keep supplies of oil and natural gas moving safely and efficiently from oil fields to refineries and on to consumers. Pipeliners work “on the road,” often in remote locations. This work

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  • Plumbers

    Plumbers perform work that is essential to the health and safety of our citizens. Plumbers install drinking water, waste and ventilating systems, as well as wastewater treatment systems large and small, in homes, offices, schools, hospitals and manufacturing facilities. With a growing focus on green technologies, water conservation and energy

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  • Sprinkler Fitters

    Sprinkler Fitters install life and property saving fire protection systems in homes, schools, hospitals, office buildings, hotels and more. As more and more people become aware of the difference these life-saving and property protection systems can make and when new legislation and code changes are implemented there will be more

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  • Steamfitters

    Steamfitters are highly skilled workers who are responsible for every aspect of the installation and maintenance of piping systems in residential, commercial and industrial projects. They are essential to the installation and maintenance of boilers and other high-pressure equipment, especially those used in critical facilities such as hospitals. They also

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  • Welders

    Welders are found on almost every jobsite in North America. These skilled workers cut and join a variety of materials, from steel, cast iron and plastic to complex and specialized products used on projects ranging from pipelines and power plants, to pharmaceutical and computer chip factories—and more. Projections show a

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Built on Excellence

The UA’s Built on Excellence initiative has three important standards as its foundation: Excellence, Productivity and Safety.

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Heart of the UA

Every day across North America UA members are involved in community projects and a whole host of charitable activities that support families and those in need, regardless of union affiliation.

  • Local 281 Retrofits Fire Sprinkler System at Mission of Our Lady of the Angels

    Pictured at the dedication ceremony is Local 281 Business Manager Tom Collins with representatives from the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels and the Chicago Fire Department.             On December 1, 1958, tragedy occurred at Our Lady of the Angels School when it caught fire, killing 92 children and

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  • Local 400 Builds Mobile Wash Stations for the Navajo Nation

    Pictured from left to right are Local 400 Business Manager Trevor Martin, Local 400 Welding Coordinator Matt Stoop, IAPMO Director Randy Lorge, Local 400 Welding Instructor Jeremy Meyers, and Local 400 Assistant Business Manager Doug Dokey.             The International Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) is collaborating with DigDeep, Plumbers

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  • Local 464, Omaha, Helps Fight COVID

    Steamfitters and Plumbers Local 464, Omaha, NE, was to get 250 gallons of hand sanitizer donated to the Industry. The Nebraska Ethanol Board has partnered with the University of Nebraska College of Engineering and, so far, has produced over 30,000 gallons that has all been donated to people throughout Nebraska.

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  • Local 484 Delivers Food to 205 Needy Families

    On Memorial Day 2020, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 484 Ventura, CA, along with the California Labor Federation, the Central Coast Labor Council and Ventura County Food Share, handed out 323 boxes of food to 205 families to help feed approximately 900 people in their community.

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  • Local 68 Member Honored with Conservation Stewardship Award

    The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) has honored Plumbers Local 68, Houston, TX, member Glen Kirkham with the UA Conservation Steward of the Year Award for his commitment to conservation and community service. The award recognizes volunteers from each of the USA’s charter unions who have made exceptional contributions to the

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  • Local 98 Reaches Out to Frontline Workers

    Plumbers Local 98, Detroit, along with Detroit Piping Group, purchased 70 Lefty’s Cheesesteak sandwiches for frontline emergency room workers at the Main Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. It was a great boost for the employees, who are doing an amazingly difficult task in battling COVID-19. Local 98 Business Manager Carlo

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  • Members of Plumbers Local 15 Give Back to One of Their Own

    Pictured form left to right are Keith Swaggert, Pete Truhlar, Carl Krohn, and Ben Sackett Plumbers Local 15, Minneapolis, MN, members Keith Swaggert, Pete Truhlar, Carl Krohn, Ben Sackett and Local 15 Business Agent Tom Pahkala volunteered to brave the sweltering heat on July 18, 2019, to give back to

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  • UA Plumbers Help Bring Water to the Navajo Nation

    UA Locals 78, 400, 412, and 469, and IWSH (International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation) accepted this community plumbing challenge from DIGDEEP to help bring water to the Navajo Nation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SY5RhpYUwk&feature=youtu.be

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  • UA Reaches out to Local Community to Aid Those Affected from Hurricane Harvey

    Members from the United Association step up in order to help countless victims that were affected by the hurricane. https://youtu.be/Yq-zNKfxmxM

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  • Utilizing Skills Learned as a Child to Help During the Pandemic

    Julio Reinoso working hard creating masks. At the beginning of March, during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Enterprise Association of Steamfitters Local 638, New York City and Long Island, NY, member Julio Reinoso was working in Brooklyn. The city subsequently shut down the job at the end of the month, as

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Leadership Team

The leadership team of elected officers is responsible for the daily business of the United Association and for securing the financial, political and organizational health of the union.

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