Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 Vice-President and Organizer William Hincks joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the need to require licensing for sprinkler fitting in Illinois.
Besides Illinois, there are five other states, including New York, that do not require sprinkler fitters to be licensed to install or repair fire safety systems, he said.
Local 281 represents about 1,400 sprinkler fitters in Chicago.
The Local is working with legislators to increase safety standards in the state in order to save lives, Hincks said. Pushing lawmakers to require licensure for sprinkler fitters is part of that effort. The Local wants to tighten testing requirements in order to make the state’s fire protection systems safer, he added.
Hincks also discussed Local 281’s organizing efforts through a bottom up approach. Organizers have put their focus on the interests of the membership and solving issues meaningful to their families such as healthcare, better pay and time off from work, he added.
Lastly, Hincks talked about organizing efforts at a Cintas plant in Chicago that resulted in numerous labor violations on the part of the company. Workers were awarded back pay by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.