VOLUME 28 - SEPT 2015 2535 Old Galveston Road, Houston, Texas 77017 (713) 644-5521

UNION MEETINGS Due to a conflict with a Trustee Meeting, the November UnionMeeting is being moved to Tuesday, November 17th at 6:00 pm at

the Houston Union Hall, 2535 Galveston Road, Houston, TX

Zone 195/Beaumont Informational Meeting will be heldon November 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the Beaumont Union Hall.

2015 LOCAL 211 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The Pipe Fitters LU 211 Community Service Fund Committee is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Scholarships:

The Community Service Fund Committee members are Ace

Coody, Bob Chase, Curtis Vise, Cris Lauck and Melody

Brzezinski-Ynfante. Thank you to the committee members for

the work they put into the Scholarship process.

Nicholas BravoSon of David Bravo

St. Edward University

Interactive Media Design

Justin M. CoodySon of Ace Coody

Texas A&M Galveston

Maritime Admin. & Logistics

Jacob F. CourtneySon of Jon C. Courtney

Lone Star College

English Major

Michael KiszkielGrandson of James Mauro

Texas A&M University

International Studies - Commerce

Major

Jessica MauchDaughter of Clarence Massey

Sam Houston State University

Biology/Chemistry

Forensic Science

Tana McClellandDaughter of James McClelland

Dallas Baptist University

Accounting Major

Haley MiglGrand Daughter of Bernard Migl

Texas A&M University

Visualization Major

Kaitlin MiglGrand Daughter of Bernard Migl

Texas State University

Education Major

Rebecca MiglGrand Daughter of Bernard Migl

Texas A&M University

Visualization Major

Natalie NorwoodDaughter of Dalton Norwood

Tarieton State University

Business Major

Kendall Paige RobertsDaughter of James T. Wade

University of Houston - Clearlake

Hospital Administration Major

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 211 Page 2

The JATC is holding a large number of OSHA and EPRI cards that need to be picked up. Please contact them or go by their

office to pick yours up. 713-649-0201.

APPRENTICE SCHOOL APPLICATION & TESTING SCHEDULE

Until further notice, the Houston Apprentice School will only be accepting applications from 8:00 am to 11:00 am Monday

through Thursday. The school will only be testing from 8:00 am to 10:30 am Monday through Thursday.

The Retiree’s Club meets one Wednesday per month. The schedule for the rest of this year is as follows:

September 30 October 28 November 18 December 16

APPRENTICE SCHOOL NEWS

LOCAL 211 RETIREES CLUB

If you are interested in taking OSHA 10, please sign up with Dalia at the reception desk. A deposit of $25 isrequired and your dues must be paid up to date.

The next scheduled classes are: October 5, 7 & 12 6:00 pm to 9:30 pmOctober 13, 15 & 20 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm

OSHA 10 consists of 3 classes on weeknights at the Union Hall. All 3 classes must be taken to complete thecourse. We need at least 15 people signed up in order to schedule a class. If you have any questions, pleasecontact Ace Coody at 713-645-1076.

OSHA 10 WEEKNIGHT CLASSES

Improve your skills! NEW Journeyman and Tradesman classes are now available!October class dates are listed below:

SATURDAY TRAINING CLASSES

Journeyman Tradesman Welding (JTW) Class is scheduled for two 8 hour Saturdays.October 3rd & October 10th from 7:00 AM until 3:30 pm

Please call Dalia at 713-644-5521 to sign up or call Randy Beal at 713-649-0201 ext. 108 withany questions about other classes.

A $25.00 REFUNDABLE deposit is required to reserve your place.

Basic Air Conditioning & EPA Card Prep.

October 10th & 17th from 7:00 am until 3:30 pm

Copper Soldering RefresherOctober 10th & 17th

from 7:00 am until 3:30 pm

Air Conditioning ControlsOctober 10th & 17th

from 7:00 am until 3:30 pm

TURN IN YOUR TERMINATION REPORTS!In accordance with the Hiring Procedures, Local 211 is

required to have the termination report from your last job

BEFORE we can put you on the Out of Work List or

dispatch you to another job. Please bring in your termination

report when you come in to sign up for the Out of Work List.

If you are signing up by phone, please take a photo of your

termination report with your phone and email it to

janicez@pflocal211.com, or you may fax it to 713-644-

3264. We will hold your sign-up sheet until we receive your

termination report. If we do not receive your termination

report from you, we must request it from the contractor and

wait till they send it to us which could delay you getting on

the Out of Work List. Sometimes the turnaround time is a

matter of days. Thank you for your cooperation.

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 211 Page 3

HARRIS COUNTY AFL-CIO COUNCIL ENDORSEMENTS

Mayor – Sylvester Turner

City Controller – No Recommendation

City of Houston – City Council Elections

District A - No Recommendation

District B – Jerry Davis

District C – Ellen Cohen

District D – Dwight Boykins

District E - No Recommendation

District F – Richard Nguyen

District G – No Recommendation

District H – Dual: Jason Cisneroz & Roland M. Chavez

District I – Robert Gallegos

District J – Mike Laster

District K – Larry Green

At-Large 1- Lane Lewis

At-Large 2 - David Robinson

At-Large 3 - No Recommendation

At-Large 4- Dual – Amanda Edwards & Laurie

Robinson

At-Large 5 – No Recommendation

City of Houston General Election – November 3, 2015

Houston Independent School District Board Elections:District II: Rhonda Skillern-Jones

District III: Ramiro Fonseca

District IV: Jolanda “Jo” Jones

District VIII: Juliet Stipeche

Houston Community College System Trustee Elections:

District III: Dr. Adriana Tamez

District IV: Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabaaz

District VIII: Eva L. Loredo

VIP GRADUATION AT FORT HOOD

August 27, 2015 Business Agent, Mark Baker, and his son, Robert Baker

who is a 211 member, a working foreman for Graco, and a Veteran, attended a

Veterans in Piping (VIP) Graduation at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. There were

14 graduates, two of which will be moving to the Houston area and joining

Local 211. The VIP program trains active duty military so that when they

complete their service they can quickly transition into civilian work. After 18 weeks of pre-apprenticeship training, VIP

graduates are placed directly into apprenticeship careers up to one year ahead of their civilian counterparts. This

guarantees the Service member a living wage, future job training, full health and retirement benefits and a promising

career in the piping industry. Local 211 has found that our contractors are always eager to hire VIPs and the UA is

proud to assist those you have served our Country.

Local 211 is also proud to announce that Robert Baker has been appointed Veteran’s Affairs Recruiter for Local 211.

Robert has taken on this responsibility voluntarily and had

already been educating veterans about UA opportunities prior

to his appointment. Robert was enlisted in the Army from 2008

to 2012. He served tours in Iraq in 2009 and 2011. We would

like to thank Robert for his service to our Nation and to the

Local Union and welcome him aboard!

L to R: is Mark Baker, Louis Purcella, Micah

Tyler, and Robert Baker, Center is SPC Reuben

Serverin who will be coming to Local 211

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 211 Page 4

On August 26th, Local 211 awarded its 50 Year Members. We had 58 recipients this year although not all were able

to attend. Jack Yates and Bryan Edwards hosted the awards while Ira Schramek and Ace Coody handed out the

awards. Everyone enjoyed a good time of food and fellowship.

Bearicks, Charles EBellanger, Thaddeus JBryan, Norris CBryant, Douglas LCade, Lee HCotharn, James DCotterell, JackDarr, James EDavidson, A DDavis, James GDerbonne, Kenneth WDixon, Robert W

Douglass, Jack CDudley, Charles Jr FEttredge, Richard LHarrison, Curtis GHipp, Wilborn Jr LHoffpauir, Tillman PHunter, Larry CJohnson III, Valery JJones, BennyJones, Roger NKirkpatrick, Ollie MKratky, Billy R

Laird, Vernon RLester, Prentice KMauro, James MMitchell, DuaneMitchell, Wesley WNeeley, James CPatterson, Lester RPlatt, Kenneth HPope, James DRamsey, Robert SReneau, Thomas JRisinger, Buron W

Rodgers, Cledith DSeeton, Roger MShipley, Aubrey LShuffield, John LSmith, Richard Jr CStanley, Derrell NSteed, Vernon Jr WStewart, Louis JStrickland, Rudy BTamulitis, John ATerrell, Eugene W

Thompson, Delbert WThurmond, Troy ATice, Ronald GWatts, Franklin DWells, Patrick EWhite, Thomas JWilkes, Singleton EWilliams, Lynn DWorrell, Steven DWright, Thomas LYoung, Hugh Jr B

50 YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS

GENE GREEN - GUEST SPEAKERUnited States Congressman, Gene Green, was the

guest speaker at the Houston Building Trades

meeting on September 3, 2015. Kenneth Edwards,

Business Manager of Local 211, and Calvin Speight,

Business Manager of Local 68, presented

Congressman Green with a campaign check.

Congressman Green has been a good friend to Local

211 and has always been very supportive of labor.

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 211 Page 5

Front Row Left to Right: Kenneth Edwards - Local 211

Business Manager, Mike Shelton - Shelton Law Firm,

Richard Trumka – President, AFL-CIO & Joe Hall from

Local 100.

Back Row Left to Right: James Berendzen - Local 100

Business Manager and Mark Baker - Local 211 Business

Agent

TEXAS AFL-CIO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

2015 LOCAL 211 LABOR DAY

The Harris County AFL-CIO Council Labor Day BBQ was held at the Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday, September

5th. We had a few members participate in the cook-off and many members came out to eat and visit.

Local 211 attended The Texas AFL-CIO Constitutional

Convention which took place in July in Austin, Texas

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For more information visit this website: www.claudis.legalshieldassociate.com or call 409-363-0090Union members deserve the best that America has to offer because they always provide the best for America!

WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY IDENTITY?

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 211 Page 6

Help advocate for working families! Sign up for the Texas AFL-CIO E-Activist Listat http://act.aflcio.org/signup_page/sign-up

This past May, Audrey Ewer, niece of Business Manager Kenneth

Edwards, graduated with honors from University of Houston Clear Lake

with a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science at the age of 19. Audrey

has been inducted into 9 honor societies and is a member of 2 student

organizations. She is currently enrolled in Law School at University of

Houston’s Main Campus. For those of you who remember “Big Ed”, this

would be his great-granddaughter. He would be very proud.

BACHELORS DEGREE AT 19!

�We are pleased to announce that in one week you will be able

to pay online with VISA, MASTERCARD AND DISCOVER

debit and credit cards at www.pipefitterslocal211.com. There will

be a $3.00 service fee added with every transaction. The office

will no longer be accepting credit cards by phone. Every month,

on the last day of the month, we are bombarded with phone calls

to pay dues. We receive a lot of complaints that no one is

answering the phone when we are all actually on the phone

answering calls and taking dues payments. Now that you can pay

online, this problem will be eliminated!

Don’t forget, your other payment option besides mailing in

your dues or paying at the window is ACH. ACH allows 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

As you all know, our system automatically adds fines to your

account if you become delinquent on the 1st of the month. 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.

PAY DUES ONLINE!

If you are quitting a job, please notify your employer! If you

do not notify your employer and you fail to show up for work,

it will be considered a “No Call/No Show” which is a

termination for cause. When you have 3 terminations for

cause within one year, you must go before the Standard for

Excellence Committee. This could result in you being kept

off the Out of Work List for a month or more, or could

seriously affect your ability to be dispatched at all in the

future. The employer also has the option to mark you “Not

Eligible for Rehire” which could limit your future options. So,

please do the responsible thing and notify your employer. It’s

always best not to burn bridges!

DON’T BE A NO CALL / NO SHOW!

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 211 Page 7

On June 20th, Kenneth Edwards traveled with his niece, nephews, sister and brother-in-law to honor his brother

Dennis Gerald Edwards at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC. Dennis was a Warrant Officer in the

U.S. Marines. He was enlisted from January 8, 1947 until his death on October 13, 1974. Dennis served in

Vietnam where he was injured by shrapnel in his leg which became infected and led to his death. Dennis never

saw his daughter, Deniss, who was born the following April. This was a very emotional time for the family but a

long awaited honor. We would like to thank Congressman Gene Green for everything that he did to expedite this

honor. The family had tried for years to have him recognized to no avail. For those of you who remember “Big

Ed”, this was his oldest

son. He was also brother

to Joe Edwards who is a

member of Local 211

and works at NASA.

MARINE FINALLY HONORED

Local 211 will be holding its annual Kid's Christmas Party on December 5, 2015 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. This

event is for the children and grandchildren of our members only please. Mark your calendars and come ready to

enjoy food and fun! If you would like to donate toys, please bring them to the union hall unwrapped.

KID'S CHRISTMAS PARTY 2015

Right: Dennis Edwards, U.S. Marine, holds

photos of the Uncle he was named after in front

of the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

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

ELMER REYNOLDSJAMES FARROW

WILLIAM D MALLETTTHOMAS KOEHL

B.H. WADDELLGUY SCOTT

FOYLE PATTERSONRALEIGH GRIZZLE

IRA BRUNET

WILLIS WELLSROY BOLCH

SARI LYNN COCKRELLJOE LEGG

The Staff and Members of Local 211 wish to extend their condolencesto the families of the following Members who have passed away:In Memoriam

With sad hearts we report that our former office professional and friend,

Lynn Cockrell, 64, passed away peacefully August 21st at MD

Anderson. Lynn worked at Pipefitters Local 211 for over 37 years, retiring in

2010. Lynn’s husband, Charles Cockrell, is President of our Retiree's Club.

A beautiful celebration of her life was held on August 25th at South Main

Baptist Church in Pasadena where Lynn had attended and joyfully served for

years in various ministries. Many Local 211 members, staff, and former

officers were in attendance. Lynn was laid to rest at the Union Springs

Cemetery in Corrigan, Texas .

Please pray for peace and comfort for the family. Lynn will be greatly missed

by her husband Charles Cockrell, sons Ben Cockrell and Casey Cockrell,

daughters in law, grandchildren, and by all of us at Local 211. We will always

remember her exhuberant spirit. She was one special lady!

IN LOVING MEMORY OF LYNN COCKRELL