A changing of the guard and an appearance by the head-of-state for the United Association of Plumbers, Pipe Fitters and Sprinkler Fitters marked the 89th Convention of the Michigan Pipe Trades Association, held June 19-22 in Detroit.

The meetings, which included a mixed assessment of statewide piping industry employment, was highlighted by UA General President Martin Maddaloni's announcement that Sprinkler Fitters Local 704 Business Manager Tom McNamara will take over as International Representative for Michigan. He will replace Joe Sposita, who will retire later this year.

"Joe's done a great job for Michigan and he will be missed," Maddaloni said to the pipe trades delegates. "But we have a talented individual in Tom McNamara who has the ingredients to keep everything together and move things forward. Tom, welcome aboard, and I know you'll do a great job."

McNamara, 45, has been a member of Local 704 for over 25 years. He was elected to the local's Executive Board in 1982, and was elected President/Business Agent in 1988. He has been the local's business manager for the last two-and-a-half years.

Tom is the third generation of McNamara to work out of the International Union office. McNamara's father, Don, served as the United Association's Assistant General President until his retirement in 1996. The UA's Washington office also employed his grandfather, also named Tom McNamara. His immediate family includes his wife of 21 years, Cindy, and children Melinda and Tom.

"I'm going to miss representing the membership of Local 704," Tom McNamara said. "I feel honored just to be considered for an International position. I have some big shoes to fill in replacing Joe and all the people who were in that position before. I look forward to representing the entire State of Michigan for the United Association, and will work hard to make sure there are work opportunities for our members."

McNamara will assume his new position during an uncertain time in the construction trades. Business managers present at the meeting had mostly good things to report about work opportunities around the state, although workers were reported on the bench in the Upper Peninsula and in the Detroit area. Pipe Fitters Local 636 Business Manager Jim Lapham said the fall-off in auto industry work "is killing us" - approximately 150 Local 636 fitters are unemployed.

Western Michigan Local 174 Business Manager Doug Bennett reported "a pretty good summer" for his members, while U.P. Local 506 Business Manager Bill Retaskie said work in the north "continues to be slow." Flint Local 370 Business Manager Mark Johnson reported full employment in that area, as did Ann Arbor Local 190 Business Manager Ron House and Lansing/Jackson Local 333 Business Manager Jim Davis.

Maddaloni said with the slowdown in the economy, "there is unemployment, but the UA is positioned to reap whatever benefits" that can be found during economic downturns, through better training, organizing and efforts to regain market share.

SPRINKLER FITTERS Local 704 Business Manager Tom McNamara, left, is congratulated by United Association General President Martin Maddaloni on his appointment to replace International Union Rep. Joe Sposita. The announcement was made at the Michigan Pipe Trades Association meeting. At right is association President Jim Davis of Local 333.