Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: Plumbers and Pipefitters
This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we’ve covered all 65 of our affiliates. Next up is the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA).
Name of Union: United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters
Mission: The UA is committed to quality, professionalism and integrity. The UA’s Standard for Excellence is a comprehensive commitment to quality, professionalism and integrity that guides every member and signatory contractor within the UA. This standard ensures that UA members consistently deliver the highest level of craftsmanship, safety and reliability across all projects. The UA’s Standard for Safety is a foundational commitment that ensures every member and signatory contractor upholds the highest levels of workplace safety across all projects. The UA empowers its members through rigorous training, strict adherence to industry codes and a culture of accountability. This enables members to identify and mitigate hazards, protect themselves and their teams, and deliver work that meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements. The UA’s core principle is to complete projects efficiently, on schedule and to the highest industry standards.
Current Leadership of Union: Mark McManus serves as general president. In August 2026, he was unanimously re-elected to a third term as general president of the UA. McManus began his career with the UA in 1983 when he was initiated into Plumbers Local 24 in Newark, New Jersey. He was elected business agent in 1994 and business manager in 1997. His talents and leadership brought him to the UA General Office in 2007, where he has served as international representative and administrative assistant to the general president. He served five-year terms as general secretary-treasurer and as general president prior to being reelected to a second five-year term as general president. In addition, he serves as vice president of the executive council of the Metal Trades Department, is a member of the Building Trades governing board of presidents, and serves on the board of directors of Helmets to Hardhats.
Derrick Kualapai serves as general secretary-treasurer. Michael Pleasant serves as assistant general president.
Current Number of Members: 409,000
Members Work As: Plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, sprinkler fitters, HVACR service technicians, welders, pipeliners, and related trades.
Industries Represented: The piping industry.
History: With a proud history dating back to 1889, the UA has set the standard for excellence in the piping industry for more than 137 years. Its members are the backbone of critical infrastructure work, helping to build, maintain and protect the systems that keep communities safe, healthy and thriving.
Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: UA’s legislative and political affairs, apprenticeships, UA Canada, training, mental health training classes, Safety News, Training News, Plumbers 911 and HVAC 911, UA Charitable Trust, UA Pipe PALS (Peer Allies for Life Success), UA Project Showcase, “Pipe Up! Podcast,” UA Veterans in Piping (UAVIP) program.