International Affiliations
The UA is proud to join with international organizations around the world that share our goal of excellence in our industry.
United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, & Allied Workers
The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers, based in Washington, D.C., has 22,000 members participating in nine regional district councils across the country. The union represents members who apply all types of roofing and waterproofing systems, including but not limited to: all low-sloped roofing systems (vegetative and solar photovoltaic roofs), structural waterproofing, steep-sloped roofing systems and air barrier applications. In December 2015, the United Association and the Roofers’ Union signed a historic agreement that focused on water reclamation and rain water harvesting work, an expanding sector in our industry. Together, the UA and the Roofers’ Union will pursue this work, bringing more job opportunities for all our members.
Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union
On August 15, 2012, the United Association and the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union (PPTEU) of Australia signed a historic affiliation agreement to incorporate joint skills training and employment initiatives in North America and Australia. The affiliation—the first of its kind between two unions—is a bold, strategic step for the future and advances the relationships among the plumbing, pipefitting, sprinkler fitting and HVACR service industries worldwide.
This groundbreaking agreement has enabled the exchange of knowledge and skills between the United States, Canada, and Australia. This ensures that all three countries remain at the forefront of change and are well-equipped for the challenges of a constantly evolving industry keeping all of our union workforces relevant and world-class in a global market.
Connect Trade Union
In its ongoing expansion as a global organization, the UA signed a federation agreement with the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) — at the Irish Embassy in Washington, D.C. in January 2015.
The federation agreement enables the UA and TEEU (now known in Ireland as the Connect Trade Union) to expand organizing efforts and share training and technology across borders. Key objectives of the agreement are to improve members’ skills, ensure strong occupational safety and health programs, and expand job opportunities. The TEEU has been in existence since 1920 and was formed as part of Ireland’s independence from Britain. The Connect Trade Union is the largest engineering union in Ireland and the second largest in manufacturing representing up to 40,000 workers.