UA Local 342 History
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In 1903:
During August 1903, Plumbers, Gas Fitters, and Steamfitters UA Local 444, Oakland, CA was chartered with only thirty-nine members. On June 1, of the same year the American Federation of Labor (A.F of L.) revoked the charter of the National Association of Steam and Hot Water Fitters and Helpers of America, leaving the United Association as the only recognized international union with the right of control and jurisdiction over the entire pipe trades industry.
May 1, 1914:
Steamfitters UA Local 342, Oakland, CA was chartered. Twenty-one members who disbanded from Locals 590, 441, 442, 444, 343, 387, 217, 230, 166, and 19 came together to form a new charter. Local 342 belonged to what was known in the Bay Area and to our international body as the Bay District American Federation of Labor (A.F. of L). The Bay District A.F. of L. was made up of seven local unions consisting of straight-line and combination pipe trade local unions.
January 24, 1939:
Two hundred fifty steamfitters were acquired by UA Local 342 from one of the oldest Bay District A. F. of L. unions, UA Local 436 - Point Richmond. Local 436 was a straight-line steamfitters union that received its charter in December 1903.
January 31, 1949:
Plumbers, Gas Fitters, and Steamfitters UA Local 444 absorbed Gas Appliance and Stove Fitters UA Local 340. Local 340 had begun its charter with twenty-one members who separated from Gas Appliance and Stove Fitters UA Local 706, San Francisco. They remained in existence for only ten short years before merging into Local 444. The remaining Bay District A.F. of L. UA locals were UA Local 441 Steamfitters, San Francisco and UA Local 442, Plumbers and Steamfitters, San Francisco.
In 1952:
Plumbers, Gas Fitters, and Steamfitters UA Local 444 revised its standing and were reissued a new charter name known as UA Local 444 Building & Construction and Metal Trades Divisions. From 1903 to 1993 they grew from thirty-nine members to 1,146 members.
January 1, 1994:
Plumbers UA Local 444 merged with Steamfitters UA Local 342, Oakland, CA to form the eleventh largest local in the United Association, Building and Construction and Metal Trades Divisions - Plumbers and Steamfitters, UA Local 342 Oakland, CA.
