Logo for InfluenceWatch InfluenceWatch

Donate
Labor Union

United Association (UA)

Parent Organization: American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
This is a logo for United Association. (link)
Website:

ua.org
Location:

ANNAPOLIS, MD
Tax ID:

53-0159020
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(5)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $146,396,444
Expenses: $98,667,368
Assets: $370,115,473
Formation:

1889
Type:

Labor Union
General President:

Mark McManus

AFL-CIO

United Association (UA) or the Plumbers and Pipefitters union (PPF) is a labor union that consists of approximately 355,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, welders, pipeliners, and others in the construction industry throughout North America. [1] [2] UA is in partnership with several other organized labor groups including the AFL-CIO and North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU). [3]

UA’s political action committee (PAC) raised $9,007,854 and spent $13,217,494 in 2020. [4] This spending included $3,190,199 against Republican candidates; $0 against Democratic candidates; $362,912 for Democratic candidates; and $99,200 for Republican candidates. [5] In 2019, UA spent $5,053,550 on political campaign activities [6] and made payments of $400,000 to the Edward Kennedy Institute; $300,000 to Priorities Action USA; $211,900 to the Democratic Governors Association (DGA); $200,000 to the Democratic Party of Georgia; $250,000 to Democratic Party-aligned House Majority PAC; and $100,000 to Democratic-aligned Senate Majority PAC. [7]

In 2022, UA endorsed former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman and Obama administration Secretary of Labor Tom Perez (D) for governor in Maryland. [8] The union also endorsed the presidential campaigns of Joe Biden (D) in 2020 and Hillary Clinton (D) in 2016. [9] [10] [11]

Activities

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (United Association, UA) is a labor union that consists of approximately 355,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, HCVACR service technicians, welders, and pipeliners working in the construction industry throughout North America. [12] [13]

UA is comprised of approximately 274 local unions and 300 physical training location in the U.S. and Canada. [14] [15] UA leadership opposes “right to work” legislation [16] and is in partnership with several other organized labor groups including the AFL-CIO, North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the Mechanical Service Contractors Association of America (MSCAA), Plumbing Contractors Association, The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association, Pipe Line Contractors Association, and National Fire Sprinkler Association. [17]

UA operates the UA Charitable Fund Trust, which was established to provide aid to September 11, 2001, terrorist attack victims, but is now used to support UA members facing hardship. [18] [19]

Battleground UA is UA’s dedicated department of legislative and political affairs. It has supported Biden administration legislative and political priorities. [20] [21] [22]

In the 2020 election cycle, UA’s political action committee (PAC) raised $9,007,854 and spent $13,217,494. [23] This included $3,190,199 against Republican candidates; $362,912 for Democrats; $0 against Democratic candidates; and $99,200 for Republican candidates. [24]

Political Activities

In 2022, United Associates endorsed former Democratic National Committee Chairman and Obama administration Secretary of Labor Tom Perez (D) for governor in Maryland. [25]

In January 2021, UA criticized the Biden administration for terminating the permit of the Keystone XL pipeline, saying Biden decided to listen to “fringe activists” on the policy. [26] The criticism came despite the union’s August 2020 endorsement of the presidential campaign of Joe Biden (D). [27] [28]

In the 2020 election cycle, UA also aired television advertisements endorsing Biden’s energy and fracking policies [29] and attacking President Trump, including one advertisement from the sprinkler fitters that said, “everything Trump touches catches on fire. Don’t let him burn our country down.” [30]

In 2019, UA spent $5,053,550 on political campaign activities. [31] In 2019, UA made payments of $500,000 to Rebuild USA; $400,000 to the Edward Kennedy Institute; $300,000 to Priorities Action USA; $300,000 to Defending Main Street; $250,000 to Democratic Party-aligned House Majority PAC; $211,900 to the Democratic Governors Association (DGA); $200,000 to the Democratic Party of Georgia; $100,000 to Democratic-aligned Senate Majority PAC; $100,000 to the Blue Green Alliance, $100,000 to the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC); $100,000 to Fair Fight PAC; $100,000 to Forward Florida; $75,000 to Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party; $75,000 to Nevada Families First; $50,000 to the liberal Greater Wisconsin Committee; $50,000 to the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State; and $30,000 to the 21st Century Fund. [32]

UA endorsed the 2016 presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton (D). [33]

Funding

United Association receives its funding from program service revenues, including fees and “per capita tax” payments from constituent labor unions. [34] [35]

In 2019, UA reported revenue of $117,133,784 and expenses of $95,978,186. In 2018, the union reported revenue of $110,699,820 and expenses of $83,357,879. [36]

Leadership

Mark McManus is the general president of the UA. [37] In this role he is also an executive committee and executive council member of the AFL-CIO labor federation. [38]

References

  1. “About the UA.” United Associates. Accessed July 26, 2022. https://ua.org/about-the-ua/. ^
  2. “United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters Endorses Vice President Joe Biden for President.” United Associates. August 17, 2020. Accessed July 28, 2022. https://www.uagetinvolved.org/ua-endorses-joe-biden. ^
  3. “Our Partners.” United Association. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://ua.org/about-the-ua/our-partners/. ^
  4. “PAC Profile: Plumbers/Pipefitters Union.” Open Secrets. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/plumbers-pipefitters-union/C00012476/independent-expenditures/2020. ^
  5. “Plumbers/Pipefitters Union Independent Expenditures.” Open Secrets. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/plumbers-pipefitters-union/C00012476/independent-expenditures/2020. ^
  6. [1] “United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule C.  https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/530159020_201906_990O_2021060718278194.pdf. ^
  7. “United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule C. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/530159020_201906_990O_2021060718278194.pdf. ^
  8. [1] “United Association Endorses Tom Perez for Maryland Governor.” United Association. May 31, 2022. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.uagetinvolved.org/content/united-association-endorses-tom-perez-maryland-governor. ^
  9.  “United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters Endorses Vice President Joe Biden for President.” United Associates. August 17, 2020. Accessed July 28, 2022. https://www.uagetinvolved.org/ua-endorses-joe-biden. ^
  10. “Tweet.” Twitter. United Association. Posted August 17, 2020. Accessed July 28, 2022. https://twitter.com/UAPipeTrades/status/1295490141402861574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw. ^
  11. “UA Endorses Hillary Clinton for President.” United Association. September 14, 2015. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.uagetinvolved.org/content/ua-endorses-hillary-clinton-president. ^
  12. “About the UA.” United Associates. Accessed July 26, 2022. https://ua.org/about-the-ua/. ^
  13. “United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters Endorses Vice President Joe Biden for President.” United Associates. August 17, 2020. Accessed July 28, 2022. https://www.uagetinvolved.org/ua-endorses-joe-biden. ^
  14. Faloon, Kelly L. “For the Life of the Union Plumber.” Contractor. July 27, 2022. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.contractormag.com/training/article/21247521/for-the-life-of-the-union-plumber. ^
  15. “Find a Local Union.” United Association. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://ua.org/join-the-ua/find-a-local-union/. ^
  16. “UA Get Involved, a message from General President McManus.” United Association YouTube Channel. Posted September 19, 2018. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e00tDr4CR2k&list=PLjpan6D6UGCgiZNY8lJqPdad0V5UZQ0bZ&index=1. ^
  17.  “Our Partners.” United Association. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://ua.org/about-the-ua/our-partners/. ^
  18. ”United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/530159020_201906_990O_2021060718278194.pdf. ^
  19. “UA Charitable Fund Trust.” United Associates. Accessed July 31, 2022. https://ua.org/about-the-ua/charitable-trust/. ^
  20. “Tweet.” Twitter. July 27, 2022. Accessed July 31, 2022. https://twitter.com/battleground_ua/status/1552349186670006272?cxt=HHwWgMCo7YnXhosrAAAA. ^
  21. “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.” United Association. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.uagetinvolved.org/content/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act. ^
  22. “Twitter Bio.” Twitter. Accessed July 28, 2022. https://twitter.com/battleground_ua?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3Abattleground_ua%7Ctwgr%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&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fuagetinvolved.org%2F. ^
  23. “PAC Profile: Plumbers/Pipefitters Union.” Open Secrets. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/plumbers-pipefitters-union/C00012476/independent-expenditures/2020. ^
  24. “Plumbers/Pipefitters Union Independent Expenditures.” Open Secrets. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/plumbers-pipefitters-union/C00012476/independent-expenditures/2020. ^
  25. “United Association Endorses Tom Perez for Maryland Governor.” United Association. May 31, 2022. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.uagetinvolved.org/content/united-association-endorses-tom-perez-maryland-governor. ^
  26. “Keystone XL Decision Will Raise Energy Costs for American Families.” United Associates. January 18, 2021. Accessed July 28, 2022. https://www.uagetinvolved.org/content/keystone-xl-decision-will-raise-energy-costs-american-families. ^
  27.  “United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters Endorses Vice President Joe Biden for President.” United Associates. August 17, 2020. Accessed July 28, 2022. https://www.uagetinvolved.org/ua-endorses-joe-biden. ^
  28. “Tweet.” Twitter. United Association. Posted August 17, 2020. Accessed July 28, 2022. https://twitter.com/UAPipeTrades/status/1295490141402861574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw. ^
  29. “UA – “Fracking” – Joe Biden for President” United Association YouTube Channel. Posted September 24, 2020. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEGNaj6pCQI. ^
  30. “UA – “Sprinklerfiters” – Joe Biden for President.” United Association YouTube Channel. Posted September 28, 2020. Accessed August. 1, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0kJe7hQcPU. ^
  31. “United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule C.  https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/530159020_201906_990O_2021060718278194.pdf. ^
  32. “United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule C. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/530159020_201906_990O_2021060718278194.pdf. ^
  33. “UA Endorses Hillary Clinton for President.” United Association. September 14, 2015. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.uagetinvolved.org/content/ua-endorses-hillary-clinton-president. ^
  34. “United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/530159020_201906_990O_2021060718278194.pdf. ^
  35. Plumbers AFL-CIO National Headquarters (DOL File Number 000-111), Form LM-2 Labor Organization Annual Report, 2021, Statement B https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/orgReport.do?rptId=782460&rptForm=LM2Form ^
  36.  “United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/530159020_201906_990O_2021060718278194.pdf. ^
  37. “Mark McManus.” United Associates. Accessed July 26, 2022. https://ua.org/about-the-ua/leadership-team/mark-mcmanus/. ^
  38. “General President McManus’ Bio.” North America’s Building Trades Union. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://nabtu.org/general-president-mcmanus-bio/. ^

Directors, Employees & Supporters

  1. Mark McManus
    General President
  See an error? Let us know!

Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: June - May
  • Tax Exemption Received: January 1, 1941

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2020 Jun Form 990 $146,396,444 $98,667,368 $370,115,473 $14,760,157 N $0 $125,960,321 $6,194,995 $16,417,592
    2019 Jun Form 990 $117,133,784 $95,978,186 $323,131,598 $15,505,358 N $0 $102,581,556 $5,413,452 $15,955,152 PDF
    2018 Jun Form 990 $110,699,872 $83,357,879 $270,076,009 $21,202,968 N $0 $97,843,761 $4,312,035 $16,358,905 PDF
    2017 Jun Form 990 $111,483,888 $103,125,545 $242,964,253 $21,433,205 N $0 $90,076,569 $4,195,781 $19,256,027
    2016 Jun Form 990 $97,812,348 $118,542,391 $236,130,935 $22,958,230 N $0 $92,176,059 $4,354,601 $16,160,028
    2015 Jun Form 990 $108,292,988 $85,249,183 $256,991,392 $23,088,644 N $0 $89,776,156 $3,506,206 $16,031,026 PDF
    2014 Jun Form 990 $105,559,265 $82,732,686 $235,867,680 $25,008,737 N $0 $85,700,417 $2,777,378 $16,474,648 PDF
    2013 Jun Form 990 $97,347,455 $79,166,214 $213,606,494 $25,574,130 Y $0 $84,074,166 $2,948,652 $16,155,873 PDF
    2012 Jun Form 990 $84,282,383 $86,220,608 $198,134,414 $28,283,291 Y $0 $78,002,517 $2,549,540 $15,436,572 PDF
    2011 Jun Form 990 $84,518,605 $72,189,295 $206,350,938 $34,561,590 Y $0 $74,913,369 $3,128,937 $13,769,025 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Map image for United Association (UA)

    United Association (UA)

    THREE PARK PLACE
    ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401-3687