Business Manager's Message

Valentino B. Ceria

Business Manager, Val Ceria, attended the Aloha & Appreciation event hosted by Mayor Rick Blangiardi and his wife as a thanks to all his supporters.

Aloha Members,

I want to announce Samuel Barrett, Jr., as my new Assistant Business Manager. Brother Sam has been a member of the Union for nearly 37 years. He started in the Union Office as a Business Agent in 2019 and currently oversees Kona. I am confident that Brother Sam will do well in the position.

The Hawaii Legislative Sessions convened on Wednesday, January 15. Emmanuel Zibakalam, our Legislative Liaison, presented the bills that affect our industry in a meeting with the Union Team. We reviewed and will continue to monitor certain bills moving forward. In February, we focused on a House Bill that would impact our Uniform Plumbing Code. In this bill, the IPC undermines the UPC. Emmanuel updated us and confirmed that this bill will be deferred.

After receiving national support for the Lahaina Wildfires, we believed it was crucial to help those affected by the LA Fires that impacted so many in January. Aaron Stockwell, International Representative, shared details about the LA Fires and how we can assist. We made a $5,000 donation to the Labor Community Services (LCS), a non-profit organization that collaborates with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor to support union members and their families. The donated funds will be used to provide essential items for those affected.

Construction continues to gain momentum. In February, we recruited and sent out pre-apprentice plumbers and AC technicians who passed their tests. Recruitment is now focused on additional requests for more plumbers.

Regarding the status of our new Union Building in Aiea, the Project Manager, Emberly Valgardson, is overseeing the Request for Proposals for a general contractor for the renovation. We are working to finalize the project plan and specifications for the building. After that, we will select a general contractor for the project.

The Oahu Member Benefits Conference took place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Ballrooms. It included a buffet lunch, prizes, giveaways, and family activities. Our healthcare carriers, Union representatives, and Trust Fund benefits representatives worked collaboratively to make this event a success for our members and their families. Members who attended had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about their benefits.

The second annual Pipeline to the Plumbers Union event featured in this issue, occurred at the Training Center from March 17 to March 21. Twelve students from various high schools enrolled in Building and Construction pathways had the chance to gain valuable hands-on experience. This event has once again demonstrated its success, inspiring many participating students to consider careers in our trade.

We established an Instagram page for the Union in early February. This will help us stay current and connect with our members and community. If you have an Instagram account, you can follow our page at 'Plumbers and Fitters Hawaii.'

Instagram - @PLUMBERSANDFITTERSHAWAII

As always, stay informed, stay healthy, and be safe!

Published: Apr 15, 2025
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