United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry
Ritual

1997

Opening Service
 
The Insignia must be placed outside of the entrance to the Vestibule, in order that all members of the United Association may know that a local union of the United Association is in session.
The President will proceed to open the local union in due form as follows:
At the time specified for the opening the President will take his station in the Assembly Room, rap once with the gavel and say:
President: All persons not members of the United Association will please retire from the Assembly Room.
President: The Vice President will ascertain if all persons present are entitled to admission into this local unions.
The Vice President will then make an inspection and satisfy himself that all persons present in the Assembly Room have the password and are qualified to remain.
Vice President: Mr. President, I have examined all persons present and find them qualified to remain with us.
President: The Vice President will see that all officers are at their proper stations; that the Insignia is in its position, and that the entrances are securely closed.
Vice President: Mr. President, all officers are at their proper stations, the Insignia is displayed, the entrances are securely closed, and this local union is ready for the transaction of such business as may be brought before it.
The Past President will give four raps. Officers and members will arise. Turning to the Past President, the President says:
President: Past President, what is the object in holding meetings of this local union?
Past President: To legislate for the protection of its members from unjust and injurious competition; to help and assist one another when the occasion requires it; encourage a faithful adherence to duty; teach our members the necessity of organization; cultivate for each and every member the warmest friendship, and, if necessary, extend a helping hand to all branches of honorable toil.
President: Brothers and sisters remember the object for which we are here assembled; be mindful of the obligation which you have taken; during the discussions which will take place, treat your associates with the same consideration which you desire to receive yourselves.
All members present will now raise their right hands and answer ‘I will,’ and make the Sign of the Order.
Officers and members will now take their stations.
All present will now join with me in saluting tile flag of our country.
Now, by the power vested in me, I declare this local union duly and regularly opened for the transaction of such business as may be lawfully brought before it. *.
 
 
Membership Procedures
 
Each applicant for membership must completely fill out an application on forms furnished by the General Secretary-Treasurer. The Business Manager or his designated representative shall then process all applicants.
Each applicant for membership in a Building and Construction Trades Local Union or a Building and Construction Trades branch of a combination local union must submit proof of area residence as well as proof of qualifications as covered under the United Association Constitution and By-Laws.
The Business Manager or his designated representative will refer applicants to the local union Examining Board for the purpose of determining the qualifications of applicants as Building and Construction Trades Journeymen in said local union.
Once the applicant has met the requirements and qualifications of the Constitution and By-Laws of the United Association, the applicant is qualified and his membership application is then accepted and the applicant shall he given at least ten (10) days notice before the date of initiation and obligation and at the same time lie shall be furnished with a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws and Ritual of the United Association with instructions to read them and familiarize himself with all provisions, requirements and obligations contained therein before the pledge or oath of obligation is administered to him as a member.
As an alternative to the taking of the pledge and oath of obligation at a local Union meeting a qualified applicant may sign a written pledge or oath of obligation at the tulle he submits his application or anytime before lie is admitted as a member of the United Association.
Should a local union fail to process qualified applicants, the General Secretary-Treasurer has the authority to approve and place on the local union cash sheet such qualified applicants.
 
 
Instructions to New Members

Business Manager or designated representative: The insignia of the United Association consists of a lead pipe wiped onto a brass male thimble, this screwed into a galvanized union, into the other end of which is screwed a piece of black pipe; the lengths of all is fifteen inches. This signifies a unity of all persons who toil in the piping industry, it is always placed on the outside as a sure indication that a local union is inside and in session. Each member should be given the Sign of the Order and Password.
You may be asked about the United Association Emblems. After careful study we feel that Richard A. O’Brien, the first Secretary of the United Association was responsible for the design of the first emblems.
The chain was used to indicate strengths through unity of the pipe trades. The symbols and wording that appear on the present day emblems differ from the original emblem in that the words Plumbers, Steam Fitters, Steam Fitter Helpers and Gas Fitters have beets removed. The removal of the trade names followed the 1946 Convention.
The words, Fidelity, Education, Protection and Benevolence appeared on the original emblems and are still present today. FIDELITY means the quality or state of being faithful. This is important and we must keep a high degree of faiths and loyalty to the United Association and each other. PROTECTION means that act of protecting and the state of being protected. Both meanings apply in the case of the United Association Emblem, The United Associations protects its members and they should have and feel this state of protection. EDUCATION means the act or process of educating and the act of being educated. Again both meanings apply as the United Association will do all it cans to educate its members and the members should accept this education to continue no be the best informed pipe tradesmen in the world. BENEVOLENCE means the kindly disposition to do well and promote the good of others. All United Association members should promote the good of others, especially their fellow members.
With the emblem before you and reading clockwise from the 12 o’clock position, the symbol at the top, a seating pot with crossed ladles originally denoted tools of the plumber; at the three o’clock position, the chain wrench and pipe tongs denoted tools of the steam fitter; at the six o’clock positions, the pipe cutter and the stock and dies denoted tools of the steam fitters’ helpers; at the nine o’clock position, the burner, the pliers arid the blow pipe denoted tools of the gas fitter.
To gain admittance to ally local union meeting, give any alarm and the password … in a whisper, to the Inside Guard. The Inside Guard may request you to show your membership card. He will then notify the Vice President that you are entitled to admittance. The Vice President will then direct the Inside Guard to allow you to gains admittance.
The Vice President is stationed at the center on the right as the member enters. When admitted to the Assembly Room, advance to the center and deliver the Signs of the Order. On retiring, you proceed to the center and deliver the same signs.
The local union is known as Local Union No … and is attached to the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
Your standing in this local union will, in a great measure, depend upon you. Your prompt payment of dues and assessments will maintain your good standing.
 
 
Initiation
 
The President will direct the Vice President to bring the candidate(s) for membership to the Assembly Room. The Vice President will proceed with them to the Assembly Room and introduce them to the President and assembly. The President will order the candidate(s) to be placed at the center and obligated. The members will then arise and remain in said positions until the President gives one rap with his gavel.
Vice President: Do you willingly subscribe to membership in the United Association?
Candidate: I do.
Vice President: Are you willing to assist all members of the United Association to the extent of your ability?
Candidate: I am.
Vice President: Are you willing to bind yourself to a pledge of honor that will not interfere with your family, country, or creed?
Candidate: I am.
Vice President: Mr. President, the candidate(s) has satisfactorily answered all inquiries and now desires to be admitted to membership in the United Association.
President: Place the candidate(s) at the center and administer the pledge of the United Association.
The Vice President places the candidate(s) at the center, facing the assembly and directs them to raise their right hand, and the Vice President then administers the pledge, which the candidate(s) will repeat.
 
 
Pledge

I, … (state name) in the presence of this local union, do truly promise and pledge my word of honor that I am familiar with the provisions and requirements of the Constitution and By-Laws of the United Association and that I will not perform any act in any way prejudicial to the best interest of the United Association, but will at all times endeavor to promote its Prosperity and usefulness. I hereby agree to remain loyal and true to the principles and policies and to be governed by the Constitution and By-Laws and Ritual of the United Association and the local union in any and all matters now or that may hereafter be included therein. I further pledge that I will faithfully attend all meetings of the local union unless prevented by sickness or other causes beyond my control. I will at all times assist members of the United Association to the extent of my ability, defend them when unjustly treated or slandered, and cultivate for each and every member the warmest friendship and brotherly love. I will assist unfortunate and distressed members to procure employment.
I do further promise and swear that I am not a member of any organization advocating the overthrow by force and violence of the Government of the United States or of Canada.
I take this obligation voluntarily, without any mental reservation, and bind myself until death under the penalty of scorn due to moral perjury and violated honor as one unworthy of trust or assistance.
 
 
Closing
 
President: If all are satisfied, we will proceed to the close.
The Vice President will see that the secret work is securely bestowed.
President: Follow my motions.
All deliver the Sign of the Order, after which the President will say:
President: And now, by the power vested in me, I declare this local union duly and regularly adjourned until … at … o’clock but should matters of importance require a special meeting, each member will be duly notified.

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