Two United Association members in attendance as Guests of Senators Baldwin and Peters.
Following President Biden’s State of the Union address, United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) General President Mark McManus praised the important progress made by this Administration to create good-paying union jobs, protect the rights of workers everywhere, and give more American families a fair shot at the middle class. Two United Association members were also in attendance as virtual guests: Randy Lorge and Justin Pomerville.
“During this first year in office, President Biden has kept his promise of creating good-paying union jobs and helping more families succeed as we work to build back better. In his speech tonight, President Biden vowed to expand workers’ rights by passing the PRO Act and to ensure all Americans can earn fair wages and benefits,” said Mark McManus, General President of the United Association. “From replacing lead lines to modernizing our energy infrastructure, President Biden is committed to creating good-paying UA jobs. Tonight, he charted a clear path forward to continue to provide clean drinking water, to deliver efficient, reliable, and affordable energy to American consumers, and to strengthen our registered apprenticeship system.”
Randy Lorge, a third-generation plumber, lifelong member of UA Local 400 in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, and the Director of Workforce Training and Development at the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), was the guest of Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI):
“President Biden and Senator Baldwin have worked tirelessly to create good-paying jobs for union members like me as we rebuild our infrastructure and replace lead lines across Wisconsin and the entire country. I was honored to join Senator Baldwin for the State of the Union address tonight,” said Randy Lorge. “President Biden and Senator Baldwin have delivered millions in funding to replace lead lines and to protect our clean water supply, to modernize our water infrastructure, and to eliminate dangerous and harmful contaminants like PFAS right here at home in Wisconsin – all with good-paying union jobs with fair benefits.”
Justin Pomerville, Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer of UA Local 85 in Saginaw, Michigan, and Secretary of the Michigan Pipe Trades Association was the guest of Senator Gary Peters (D-MI):
“Over the last year, President Biden and Senator Peters have delivered for working families like mine. From the strong labor protections included in the bipartisan infrastructure law to the executive order requiring project labor agreements on federal projects, President Biden is keeping his promise to build back better with union members leading the way,” said Pomerville. “I was honored to join Senator Peters tonight for the State of the Union to highlight the critical work United Association members do daily, like delivering clean water, providing reliable and affordable energy, and installing fire suppression systems. As they showed tonight, President Biden and Senator Peters will continue to ensure working families have a fair shot at success.”