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Apprenticeship and Journeyman Training
Apprentices and journeyman are trained to the highest standards possible. Apprentices and journeyman are taught by certified United Association Instructors, who attend 40 hours each summer over a period of 5 years to obtain their certification in a wide variety of processes, including; plumbing, valve repair, HVAC, welding, pipefitting and backflow prevention. Working the combination of apprentices with journeyman provides them on-the-job training, along with their classroom training.
Apprenticeship Training, along with the continued journeyman training is an assurance to our Contractors and Owners their employees are trained to the highest standards and are up-to-date on current and future technology. Our combined journeyman/apprentice ratio provides owners and contractors with an average cost that is competitive with area standards. The United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters has over 300 licensed journeyman and apprentice plumbers in the state of Alabama.
Apprenticeship Program
The Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union 52 Apprenticeship Program is a 5 year program, which includes classroom and on-the-job training. Apprentices are trained to the highest standards possible. The Local 52 Apprenticeship Training Program is registered and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. Apprentices are taught by certified Instructors. Apprentices completing the program may be certified in a wide variety of processes, including; plumbing, valve repair, HVAC, welding, pipefitting and backflow prevention.
How can I apply for the program?
Applications are accepted March 1st – June 30th each year.
Applications must be completed in person.
Basic qualifications to apply:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
- Applicants must have high school diploma or G.E.D.
- Proof of citizenship (S.S. card, passport, etc.)
- Applicants must have a valid, unrestricted driver’s license
- Applicants must provide a copy of social security card and birth certificate
- Applicants must be a reside in the Local 52 jurisdiction
Please contact the Apprenticeship Coordinator at 334-272-9500 for further information.
If you need additional information, contact Kay Pinckard at 334-272-0240 ext. 5.
The current health insurance provider is Blue cross Blue Shield of Alabama. You may contact BCBS at 1-800-292-8868 with any coverage or claim questions. You may also find participating providers and print claim forms at www.bcbsal.com. If you are traveling or live out-of-state, please contact BCBS at 1-800-810-2583 to find a participating provider in your area.
Dental insurance is a benefit of the health & welfare plan. Dental coverage is provided by Guardian. You may contact Guardian at 800.541-7846 with any coverage or claims questions. www.guardiananytime.com
Vision insurance is a benefit of the health & welfare plan. Vision coverage is provided by VSP. VSP does not issue id cards. A participating provider will verify your coverage via your social security number. You may contact VSP at 800.877.7195 with any coverage or claims questions. www.vsp.com
A $20,000 term life insurance policy is a benefit of the health & welfare plan. You must be enrolled in the health plan or an eligible retiree to qualify for life coverage.
2024 Health, Dental and Vision insurance Information
The health & welfare rate for 2024 is $7.96 per hour.
The Health insurance premium is $1287.00 per month.
Dental and Vision coverage is an added benefit of the plan.
Health Coverage is through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. 1-800-292-8868 www.bcbsal.com
Dental Coverage is through Guardian. 1-800-541-7846 www.guardiananytime.com
Vision Coverage is through VSP. 1-800-877-7195 www.vsp.com
HRA Coverage is through BPAS. 1-866-401-5272 www.u.bpas.com
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama health insurance- There are no changes to copays or deductibles for 2024. All benefits remain the same. Please refer to the BCBS Benefit booklet for complete coverage details. Contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama at 1-800-292-8868 or online at www.bcbsal.com. Many services are available on the website; view and file claims, find a doctor, manage prescriptions, compare drug costs and find a pharmacy. Blue Cross now offers an APP for mobile devices that includes many of the online services.
EXPLANATION OF THE HEALTH & WELFARE DOLLAR BANK SYSTEM AND HOW HOURS ARE REPORTED.
A “Dollar Bank” will be established to accumulate Employer contributions credited to each Participant in excess of the initial and continuing eligibility requirements up to a maximum reserve of twelve (12) months. Dollar Bank contributions will be used toward future eligibility when needed. Monthly Insurance Premiums will be deducted from your Dollar Bank and remitted to the appropriate Insurance Carrier.
When Employer contributions in excess of the minimum requirements for initial and continuing eligibility are received, all contributions in excess of the minimum requirements will be credited to your Dour Bank up to a maximum reserve of twelve (12) months. Employer contributions in excess of twelve (12) months will be permanently transferred to a Participant’s HRA Account.
The Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union 52 Health & Welfare Plan was created to provide health, dental, vision, death and disability coverage to Employees. While the Plan provides a Dollar Bank to be used by Participants and Employees during times when work is slow or not available, the Dollar Bank is not a vested benefit and use of it is limited to Eligible Employees as provided in the Plan’s governing documents. Under the terms of the Plan, an Employee is an individual who is employed by or seeking employment with an Employer to render services which under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement or other agreement require the Employer to make contributions to this Plan. Upon meeting these guidelines, you are eligible for coverage.
However, should it be determined, that you are no longer employed or seeking employment with an Employer who contributes to the Plan, you are not an Employee or Participant. As such, you would no longer have access to a Dollar Bank to continue coverage under the Plan. Without the Dollar Bank, you would not have sufficient hours for participation in the Health, Dental and Vision Plan. At that time, your coverage under the Plan would terminate and you would receive Notice of Continuation Coverage under COBRA. Any remaining Dollar Bank balance will be forfeited to the Plan. You will also forfeit your HRA Account if you are no longer an Employee, Separated Employee, Retiree or no longer work under a collective bargaining agreement with any AFL-CIO affiliated labor organization.
Dollar Bank and Health Premiums effective January 1, 2024 - The health & welfare benefit rate of $7.96 per hour is based on working 162 hours each month to cover the health premium of $1287.00. Premiums are deducted from your dollar bank on the 1st of each month for the following month (ex: on 01/01/24, premium for 02/01/24 is deducted. Local Contractors are required to remit hours to the Plan by the 15th of the month following the work month (ex: January work hours will be received in February). Premium notices are mailed around the 15th of each month if your dollar bank is depleted. If you receive a premium notice, please do not disregard it…you are receiving the notice because 1) you have been out of work and your dollar bank is depleted or 2) you are working out of town and your hours have not been received. Please call the Benefit Office immediately so we can contact the Contractor or Local to locate your hours. Please note that your health & welfare dollar bank insurance coverage is based on hours received…not hours worked. Therefore, if you are working out of another Local, have not worked enough hours or hours have not been received by the plan… and you receive a premium notice, you must pay the premium for your health insurance coverage to continue.
When working through another Local, it normally 2-3 months, sometimes longer, for the Plan to begin receiving hours worked. The health & welfare rate per hour is different for each Local. Therefore, based on that rate you may need to work more/less hours to cover the premium each month. If the rate for that Local is less, then you would need to work more hours to cover the monthly premium. This lower rate could cause a reduction in your hour bank balance and over time may cause you to owe premium out of your pocket. If the rate for the Local is more, then you would need less hours to cover the monthly premium and this should help increase your dollar bank balance.
Please read the Summary Plan Description for complete details.
Welcome To GoLocal52
GoLocal52 is an interactive SMS text messaging service for Local 52 members.
GoLocal52 allows members 24/7 access to important information directly from Local 52.
GoLocal52 will answer the following frequently asked questions:
What are my dues and death assessment paid thru? And what is my balance owed?
What is my health & welfare dollar bank balance?
What company is the provider of Health, Dental and Vision benefits? With direct link to provider website.
Members can make payments via GoLocal52. Payments are updated every Monday.
To get started, simply open the camera on your phone and scan the QR Code above. Save the number (866) 344-0052 in your phone contacts. Access is based on the Member's mobile number on file with Local 52. There is no direct communication with Local 52 through this service, please contact us by phone or email with any questions or to update your mobile number.
Try all the current options!! Simply text the phrases below to receive a response in seconds.
MENU (All current options, more on the way)
STATUS (All About You)
COVERAGE (Insurance Info)
PAY (Pay Dues online with PayPal, debit or credit) - Payments are updated every Monday.
CONTACT (All about Local 52)
CONTACT INFORMATION – Please be sure to update the office if your Mobile Phone number, Address or Email Address changes. These are the most efficient ways for the Local to contact you.
Dues Payment Options
Credit and debit cards are accepted as payment for union dues and assessments via GoLocal52, www.ualocal52.org/payments and phone. A 2.5% convenience fee applies. These are the preferred payment methods, eliminating late fees and lost mail.
Enrollment in Automatic Payments is Easy!! We can automatically deduct your monthly dues and assessments from your checking or savings account. Your account is debited on or before the 10th of each month. Death Assessments are deducted the following month after you receive notification (example: if you receive a notice in January, then the assessments will be debited along with your February dues.) The Sick Fund Assessment will be drafted each year along with your March 1st dues. A receipt for your payment will be emailed to you. Get started today...Complete and return the Bank Draft Authorization Bank Draft Authorization available under the Document/Member section. Please be sure to attach a VOIDED check.
What to do in this uncertain time.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for how to respond to an event such as coronavirus. If you’re a younger investor who is saving and investing for a distant goal, such as retirement, the best action to take may be no action at all. If you’ve built a portfolio that matches your time horizon and risk tolerance, and you don’t expect to need money from it anytime soon, it’s usually best to stick to the investing plan you developed when markets were calm.
However, if you’re in a position where you must sell stocks—for instance, if you’re retired and relying on your portfolio to fund your lifestyle right now—there are steps you can take to minimize the negative impact of selling in a down market.
Legal Notices are available under the Documents/Health & Welfare section.
Privacy Notice, Grandfathered Status, Electronic Benefit Booklets, Womens Health & Cancer Rights Act, Rights Under Newborns & Mothers Health Protection Act, Creditable Drug Coverage, MarketPlace, COBRA, Premium Assistance under Medicaid and CHIP, Local 52 Hour bank system.
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