About Local 17
Plumbers Local Union No. 17 was granted its charter February 7, 1890 by the United Association of Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters and Steam fitters Helpers. Today the official Name is Plumbers Local Union Number 17 of the United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada. The UA is affiliated with the various departments of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization's (AFL-CIO)
Plumbers Local 17 has been protecting the health of Shelby county citizens for 120 years as well as the surrounding municipalities. Members of Plumbers Local 17 have been installing Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning in residences and businesses in the metropolitan area since its charter, as the need grew for a qualified work force these members were responsible for all the Plumbing, Gas piping, refrigeration piping, Industrial process piping and medical gas piping for the most part of the 20th century.
All Major Construction Projects throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century have been built with the hands of Union Labor:
All Housing as well as the City Water Distribution System and the City Sewer Systems from the late 1800 to around 1965, All Church's and Synagogues in the Memphis area.
Hospitals: Baptist, Methodist, Le Bonheur, St. Joseph, St. Francis, St. Jude Children's Research Facility All Municipal and State Buildings, all major office Buildings and Hotels, All Water Treatment Plants and Waste Water Treatment Plants.
The entire infrastructure for the development of a growing Metropolitan Community was accomplished by the hands of Skilled Labor and our respective International Unions who provided the support and training it takes to achieve these goals.
Local 17 has the only U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprentice Training certified training program in west Tennessee as well as the only N.I.T.C. Certified training facility for the installation of Medical Gas Piping, which is required of all hospitals in the Tri-States area.
The members of Plumbers Local #17 enjoy a livable wage as well as descent Health and Welfare coverage along with an excellent Defined Benefit Pension Fund. Our members are but a few that will enjoy these benefits when they retire as Local 17 is one of the very few construction unions that still afford their retiree's the opportunity to continue their Health and Welfare coverage for their entirety.
