VOLUME 25 - DEC 2014 2535 Old Galveston Road, Houston, Texas 77017 (713) 644-5521

UNION MEETING

Due to a scheduling conflict with a UA Meeting,

THE NExT UNION MEETING WIll BE MOVED TO JANUARY 6, 2015 AT 6 pM

at the Pipe Fitters Local Union 211 Union Hall, 2535 Galveston Road, Houston, TX 77017

Dues increase $1.00 per month starting with your January 2015 stamp.If you were born in or before 1946 this dues increase will not apply to you.

The dues increase was passed at the 2011 UA Convention. Local 211 submits the extra dollar to the United Association.

Local 211-Zone 195 ( Beaumont ) Informational Meeting January 15th at 6:30 p.m in Beaumont.Zone 195 will have an Informational Meeting in Beaumont every Thursday following

Local 211’s Union Meeting in Houston. However, since Local 211 has changed their January 2015 meeting datedue to a scheduling conflict, the Zone 195 meeting in January will not be taking place in the same week as the

Zone 211 meeting, but will be the following week on the 15th.

DUES INCREASE

Brothers and Sisters, As we approach the end of 2014 we can look back and reflect on the many blessings

that we as members of Pipefitters Local Union 211 have received.

The work in our jurisdiction has increased several hundred thousand man hours this year and we are

virtually fully employed with very few on the Out of Work List.

Over this past year, we have been blessed to have the brothers and sisters from Zone 823 & Zone 195

become members of Local 211. Combining these two Locals into Local 211 has not been a small feat,

especially when it comes to merging the Pension, Health Care and DCRP plans together. We are nearing completion on these

efforts. We have completed the negotiations for Zones 195 and 823 and received a respectable agreement in both areas.

We also give thanks for our loyal contractors who employ our members and pay them a respectable wage along with pension and

health care.

The officers of Local 211 would like to wish each of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous

New Year. And remember, Jesus Is THE Reason for the Season!

FROM THE DESK OF KENNETH EDWARDS, BUSINESS MANAGER

I would like to begin by welcoming our new members from Zone 195 (Beaumont). Enrollment

packages were mailed to you all. Please complete those and return them at your earliest convenience.

There have not been any changes to your pension plan.

The Annual Demographic/Enrollment Forms for 2015 will be in the mail to all the membership soon.

Please update this mandatory form upon receipt.

If you have any questions regarding your Health Care and/or Pension, please feel free to contact me at

713-645-1076.

Thank you and enjoy your holidays!

FROM THE DESK OF ACE COODY

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 211 Page 2

TWIC INCENTIVE

To get reimbursed for the TWIC card obtained between September 17, 2014 and December 31, 2014 bring your receipt and

TWIC card to the dues office. Both items must be submitted. One will not be accepted without the other.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Yearfrom the Staff of Pipe Fitters Local Union 211!

Back row left to right: Ace Coody, Randy Beal,Bryan Edwards, Kenneth Waybright, Ira Schramek, Kenneth Edwards, Mike Trahan, John Guyon, and Mark Baker

Front row left to right: Leticia Benavides, Pam Olive, Janice Zalesnik, Donna Pressley and Dalia Saenz.

Not pictured are: Tami Castillo, Sam Amos and Lacey Olive.

Staff of Local 211 Zone 195 (Beaumont) Left to Right: Becca Gould, Steve Parker, Lillian Guidry/Leonard, Dee Hardy, Kathy Perio, Cassie Dober,

Jerry Pillsbury & Todd Longron .

Staff of Local 211 Zone 823 (Harlingen)Left to Right: Louis Hinojosa, Sharon Champagne

and Mark Moore

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 211 Page 3

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As you all know, our system automatically adds fines to

your account if you become delinquent on the 1st of the

month. To try and prevent this from happening, we would

like to inform you that we are now accepting VISA,

MASTERCARD, and DISCOVER debit and credit cards.

There will be a $3.00 service fee added with every

transaction. Members need to make payments by credit card

before the last day of the month.

We are now also offering ACH, which will allow us to

directly debit your bank account once a month between the

15th and 20th for one month’s dues. No service fee added.

At left we have included an ACH enrollment form you can

complete, cut out, and mail to us or drop by the dues office.

Please cut out the application and mail to:

pipefitters local 211 Dues Office

2535 Galveston Road, Houston Texas 77017

With all of these options, there is no reason to be

delinquent! Please keep up with your dues! If you have any

questions, please call the dues office at (713) 644-2395.

Thank you.

DUES OFFICE ACCEpTS

CREDIT CARDS & OFFERS

DIRECT DEBIT FROM YOUR

CHECKING ACCOUNT

FOllOW US ONlINE - WEBSITE, FACEBOOK & TWITTER

You can keep up to date on Pipe Fitters Local 211! Log on to our website at www.pipefitterslocal211.com.You can also follow us on Facebook. If you have a facebook page, search for Pipe Fitters Local Union 211– Houston, TX and you will find our page. It should have a photo of the Union Hall in the upper left handcorner. “Like” our page so you can follow up on any news, announcements, or photos we will be posting onfacebook. Please follow us on Twitter! If you have a Twitter account, look for Pipe Fitters LU211. Link yourTwitter feeds to your cell phone for up to the minute announcements from your Local Union.

Please make sure your information is kept current with the Union. We need updated addresses, phone numbers,e-mail addresses and beneficiaries. Call 713-644-5521 is you have any changes to report.

UpDATE YOUR INFORMATION!

Effective immediately, you are required to make a $25.00 deposit for the OSHA 10 class and a $45.00 deposit

for the OSHA 30 class. You may mail a check or money order to the union hall (with a note “for OSHA”) or you

can bring a check, cash, or money order to the hall. Your name will not be added to the list until we receive your

deposit. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ace Coody at (713) 645-1076.

If you are in Zone 195/Beaumont you send the deposit to the Instructor there. If you are in Zone 211/Houston

you send the deposit to the Instructor there. If you are in Zone 823/Harlingen you send the deposit to the

Instructor there. Checks and Money Orders are to be made out to PFLU 211.

IMpORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING

OSHA 10 & OSHA 30 REGISTRATION

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 211 Page 4

2014 Kid's Christmas Party

The Local 211 Kid’s Christmas Party was held on December 13th this year

and a good time was had by all. The party was well attended and kids

enjoyed photos with Santa, cookie decorating, musical chairs, a free throw contest, bean bag

toss, an inflated bounce house and a petting zoo. We had our largest turn-out ever hosting

139 children this year! Thank you to all who volunteered to help: officers and their wives,

apprentices, 211 staff, and retirees. We couldn't have done it without you! Check out all our

photos on our Facebook page in the album titled "Kids Christmas Party 2014."

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 211 Page 5

2014 Kid's Christmas Party Winners

Jacob, Kid's Basketball Winner Tina, Adult Bean Bag Toss WinnerMatthew, Adult Basketball Winner &

Kid's Bean Bag Toss Winner

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 211 Page 6

Greetings! Due to enormous contractor manpower needs at the moment, I don’t have time to write a

long letter. I guess that is a good problem to have! But I do want to wish all our Brothers and Sisters

a very Merry Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year.

FROM THE DESK OF BUSINESS REpRESENTATIVE, MARK BAKER

It has been a good year for the service side of Local 211. We have brought on many new members and

some new Contractors as well. We have merged with two locals in the past two years and it has been

exciting meeting all the new members. I wanted to take this time out and say thanks to all the members

that have helped in welcoming our new local members. I wish all of you a Blessed Christmas and a

Blessed New Year. May all your prayers be answered!

FROM THE DESK OF JOHN GUYON, SERVICE REpRESENTATIVE

50 YEAR MEMBERS

Following are the recipients of the 50 Year Member Awards. Each of these members initiated in 1964.Congratulations to all!

Norvell Andrus

James M. Bear

Ronald S. Bodine

Norman D. Burkett

Otis G. Casey

Donald W. Collins, Sr.

Jerry B. Cowgill

Frank p. Davidson

Derald D. Dierksen

Dickie p. Free

Douglas l. Fuqua

Gene A. Gill

Mickey R. Grubbs

Mark A. Hadley

Billy R. Hamilton

Felix W. Harrington

John T. Hurst

James D. Jackson

Joe W. Jordan

George E. King

Ronald J. Kopycinski

Carl T. lauricella

Kelcy R. Morris

Michael E. Oquinn

Wayne C. peters

Edward l. peveto, Sr.

Guinn A. Rawlinson

Ronald D. Rogers

Amous A. Roy, Jr.

Ted W. Sanford

Allen p. Screen

Gary l. Self

Michael G. Seymour,

larry l. Shuler

Donald E. Stevens

Ronald D. Stewart

Tommy Tapley

Roger C. Taylor

Donald W. Thomas

Roland O. Woolems

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 211 Page 7

Braden Barrett, (pictured at right) age 14 of Groves, Texas is the grandson of Fred

A. Dean. Fred is a 52 year retired member of Zone 195/Local 211. Braden won the

Superstock Soapbox Derby in Beaumont, Texas. He then went to Akron, Ohio for the

World Champion Soapbox Derby where he placed 9th in the world. Good job and

congrats Braden!

Local 211 is looking for some dedicated volunteers to

help with next year’s Labor Day BBQ. If we can round

up a good group of volunteers, we will be able to

cook for the membership again. We need help with

set-up, cooking, serving, clean up and take down.

You may recruit your spouse and children to help too.

If you are interested in volunteering, please call Ace

Coody at 713-645-1076. Thank you!

MEMBER’S GRANDSON WINS SOApBOx DERBY

If you know anyone who is a good welder and can pass a drug test and background check,

please have them contact Mike Trahan at 713-644-5521 ext. 625. Thank you!

We Need Welder referrals!!!

Texas AFL-CIO scholarships are available. Go to

www.texasaflcio.org for more information or to apply. Or

call the Texas AFL-CIO at 713-923-9473. You may also

pick up a copy of the paperwork at our union hall. Postmark

deadline for applications is February 2, 2015.

SCHOlARSHpS AVAIlABlE

Todd longron (left) is sworn in as the

new Business Representative for Zone

195/Beaumont.

Charles Smith (right) is sworn in as an

Executive Board member to replace

Wendell Dobbs who is working out of

town and is unable to fulfill his duties at

this time.

NEW OFFICERS SWORN IN

WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN OUR BBQ TEAM?

PIPE FITTERS U.A. LOCAL 2112535 Galveston RoadHouston, Texas 77017

ROBERT GRIER

HARRY HICKS

BILLY WITHROW

ARTHUR KUEBODEAUX

SYLVESTER JARES

HARLAN NELSON

HARRY TRAINER

CLARENCE CLUPKA

FRANCIS CALDWELL

FIDELL BAUSTISTA

DOYLE MARSHALL

JOHN H TAYLOR

RONALD GILLIAM

HERSHEL HOUGH

The Staff and Members of Local 211

wish to extend their condolences to the families of the

following Members who have passed away: