1923

St. Paul Master Plumbers picnic at Forest Lake on August 2, 1923.

1927

St. Paul Master Plumbers Association incorporated with the first Board of Directors being: E.S. Gifford, Fred A. Beier, Axel F. Peterson, Clarence McGeary, and Anthony A. Schmidt.

1929

Heating and Piping Contractors Minneapolis Association formed.

1930

Heating and Piping Contractors Minneapolis Association (HPCMA) office closed and activities ceased with resignation of Victor L. Peavey, Executive Manager.

1931

January:

Activities of HPCMA resumed.
E.R. Anderson was hired as Executive Manager of the Heating and Piping Contractors Minneapolis Association.

1937

H. Merwin Porter was elected President of Mechanical Contractors Association of America.

1943

May

Al Wickworth, Harry Katz and Ben Sittig were selected to be delegates to the national Convention in Chicago and receive railroad fare and hotel expenses to the amount of $120.

1944

June

Discussion was held on ceiling price on labor. Presidential authorization to sign labor contract was withdrawn until further notice. Association meeting was adjourned and refreshment served by chief cook Len Sofie, who provided his famous Italian Sausage.

October

Chair read notice from War Labor Board on increase of wage to Journeyman plumbers and steamfitters. The Association went on record protesting the increase to the War Labor Board.

Association voted in favor of inviting wives to attend the Christmas Party.

1945

August

President was directed to appoint committee to investigate County Plumbing Code.

"Letter received and read from John Dempsey in regards to plumbers' wages. Letter received and read from Jerry O'Donnell in regards to steamfitters' wages. Motion made by Fred Beier, seconded by Al Wickworth that we are not in favor of the $1.75 per hour for Journeyman plumbers and steamfitters."

1946

December

"President spoke to the members about the paying of Journeymen Plumbers $2.00 per hour. He called their attention to our contract with Local #34 and warned them against the outcome of such practices"

1947

May

The City of St. Paul purchased the waterworks; Lake Vadnais, lying in the same watershed as Lake Phalen but at an elevation about ten feet higher, was selected as the new source for St. Paul.

1948

May

Labor Committee cannot settle wage contract with labor for over $2.15 per hour.

"Motion made by Fred Beier, seconded by dan Hickey that President try to make an agreement by which plumbers can mail in their permits and when the water board office receives four permits from one plumber they bill him one dollar in order to save the plumbers time, and that plumbers be allowed to use Cash Acme Pressure & Temperature relief on Hot Water Tanks."

1949

April

Members agree to carry their present labor contract with Locals 34 and 455 from May 1, 1949 to May 1, 1950.

July

At a special meeting discussion was held on the proposed 7 1/2 cent increase, each member gave his opinion. Consensus of opinion was for granting an increase on 7 1/2 cent per hour, two year contract, no retroactive pay. Moved by H. Nonnemacher, seconded by C. Harris to settle strike - standing vote. Carried - 1 dissent.

1950

August

Association voted to support Journeyman wage increase to $2.43 1/2 per hour. Motion carried unanimously by standing vote.

1952

August

Association voted to accept the Pipefitters Apprentice Standards as written except that the established hours of experience be made optional rather than compulsory.

1953

January

Motion was made by Tom Frantes to pay $7.50 per month for Association heading in the telephone book as the "St. Paul Master Plumbers and Fitters Association".

1954

December

Association began search for professional office space.

1956

Mechanical Contractors Association of Minneapolis was incorporated.

Harold Mariarty was hired as the Executive Secretary of the St. Paul association.

March

Association accepted and established that the new dues structure would provide for the payment of a base amount of $10.00 per month, effective March 1, 1956, together with the payment by each member of .02 cent per man hour worked by any apprentice or journeyman in the employ of a given member firm during the preceding month. The rule of thumb for contractors in this matter was that if you paid Health and Welfare on a man within the St. Paul jurisdiction you would likewise be required to pay .02 cent per hour on that man as part of the dues to the local Association.

"It was moved by Tony Cherne and seconded by George Westman that appropriate action be taken to change the name of our Association from 'St. Paul Master Plumbers Association' to 'St. Paul Association of Plumbing, Heating and Mechanical Contractors."

December

D.A. Lorch was named temporary Chairman of the St. Paul Association.

"It was moved by Mike Grudem, seconded by Ed Roeske, that the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws for the St. Paul Association of Plumbing, Heating and Mechanical Contractors as submitted to the entire membership under date of November 23, 1956 be approved and accepted, and that appropriate action be taken during the month of December 1956 to file said Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Minnesota. Motion unanimously carried."

"Chairman Ed Shimon of the Nominating Committee submitted the following slate of candidates for positions of directors for the year 1957 as provided by the newly adopted By-Laws:

President - Arthur C. Doyle
Vice President - Wm. C. Rascher
Secretary - Myhrin (Mike) Grudem
Treasurer - Joseph Ilhaml
Directors - John A. Healy, Jr. (1 year); Geo. H. Westman (2 years); D.A. Lorch (3 years).

1957

February

"John McQuillan and Tom Shetka reported on the progress being made in arranging for the parade as a feature of the State Convention Program. The report indicated that full cooperation had been received from the Police Department, that State Association officers, City Officials, Labor Leaders, etc. would participate. It was further reported that ten (10) suppliers would furnish rucks, but that only twenty-four (24) commitments for trucks had been received from the contractors."

1958

August

"The President called upon Mr. Leo Doody, Business Agent of Local 34, who was present as a guest to review his personal attitude and the position of the Local in regard to directing or not directing journeymen to accept employment in a given shop. Mr. Doody's observations were invited as the result of a complaint from one of our contractors that certain journeymen had resigned from employment with him on the basis of an allegation that they could make thirty-five cents (35 cents) over the scale by accepting employment with another contractor member of this organization."

"There was general discussion on this matter among the membership after Mr. Doody left with the assurance that the good offices of the Association would be used to establish and maintain equity in the assignment and employment of journeymen."

Bill Rascher was appointed a member of the National Association of Plumbing Contractors (NAPC) National Public Relations Committee for the ensuing year. Bill made a brief report on the NAPC Convention in Los Angeles and said that he would have more material and suggestions at a later meeting regarding proposed activity and opportunity in the promotion and public relations field.

1959

H. Merwin Porter received the MCAA Distinguished Service Award.

Joint Apprenticeship Committees created.

June

Chairman Art Doyle pointed out the inconsistency of accepting a three-week strike that involved a basic consideration of .02 and then turning around and playing into the hands of the Unions by paying .25 an hour over the scale.

A committee was appointed to establish better liaison with the independents, the oil boiler people, the refrigeration men; to get eligible contractors into the Association as members; and to make a continuous effort at procuring the reliable cooperation of all.

"In the matter of loaning men among contractors, it was emphasized that the entire matter could and would be properly handled through the Association office. There will be no misunderstanding or hard feelings between Labor and Management in these situations if the loan is offered in advance through Harold Moriarty and reported directly to him immediately upon expiration of the loan--if it isn't handled this way, it is obviously a backdoor operation that will bring justifiable criticism upon both the contractors involved and the Association."

Chronology:

Pre 1900s

1900 to 1959

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s