News & Events

Heat and Frost Insulators News and Events

Fri, Aug 23, 2019 @ 15:08 PM

John Heinz NWR Enhancements Earn USA 2019 Project of the Year Award

Spring Hill, Tenn. — Union volunteers’ efforts to enhance visitors’ experiences at the nation’s first Urban National Wildlife Refuge earned the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) 2019 Project of the Year Award.

Mon, Jul 22, 2019 @ 15:07 PM

7th Annual USA Fundraising Gala Celebrates Mission Expansion, Union Brotherhood and Valued Partners

In the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity, the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) held its 7th Annual Fundraising Gala July 16 at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C.

With more than 200 in attendance, the union-powered nonprofit organization raised nearly $200,000 in net proceeds to help propel its mission to unite the union community in providing access to the outdoors, opportunities for all, and preserving North America’s outdoor heritage.

“It’s been only 12 years since we launched the USA,” AFL-CIO President, USA founder and board chair Richard Trumka said in his address to the group. “And we now have more than 300,000 active members—and counting.”

The USA draws on the talents of its members—union brothers and sisters who possess a variety of trade and organizational skills—who volunteer their time to participate in projects that benefit conservation and public access in their local communities. Volunteers also donate time to outreach events such as youth outdoors days and veterans’ fishing events.

“The USA was responsible for more than 40 conservation projects from Maine to Oregon through our Work Boots on the Ground (WBG) program last year,” added Trumka, “where more than 600 volunteers donated 5,000-plus hours worth a quarter-million dollars in skilled union labor.

“And in one day—a single day—800 kids across the country got the chance to experience the thrill of casting a line and catching a fish through our outreach programs. Since 2017, we’ve introduced over 10,000 kids to fishing through our Get Youth Outdoors program!”

Jeanette Mauk, Ohio AFL-CIO field representative and recipient of the USA’s 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award, summed up the volunteer experience. “We do what we do because it’s in our hearts,” she said. “Union members want to give back to the communities in which they work and live, and doing things like renovating a disabled-accessible fishing pier at a public park, or putting on a Take Kids Fishing Day does just that, while strengthening ties between union members and their neighbors.”

“Coming together as union brothers and sisters to support our communities is what it’s all about,” echoed Insulators Local 14 Apprenticeship Training Director John Stahl. He organized and led a multi-faceted Work Boots on the Ground project to enhance public access and rebuild facilities at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia last year, which continues in 2019. The undertaking, which earned the USA’s 2018 Conservation Project of the Year Award at the Gala, directly benefits the 35 million people who live within a two-hour drive of this urban refuge.

The final individual honor presented at the Gala, the USA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, went to United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers International President Kinsey Robinson. One of the organization’s original founders, Robinson now serves on the board of directors, and was recognized for his longtime service to the USA.

USA President and CEO Scott Vance also thanked the organization’s Charter Unions for their unwavering support to the mission of uniting union members in service to their communities.

USA Charter Unions include:

AFL-CIO

International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

International Association of Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons

International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers

International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers

International Union of Elevator Constructors

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

IUE–CWA Industrial Division

Laborers International Union of North America

North America's Building Trades Unions

NFL Players Association

United Association

United Auto Workers

United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers

Utility Workers Union of America

Vance is also quick to point out that the organization’s ability to contribute to the welfare of the outdoors and people who cherish it lies not only with its dedicated unions and their members.

“From the beginning, we’ve welcomed and are grateful for the assistance and steadfast support from corporate partners who are devoted to our mission,” he said. “Partners like the Union Insurance Group (UIG), Bank of Labor, the Union Labor Life Insurance Co. (ULLICO) and Carhartt. Each of these organizations is a Diamond Level Partner, having provided more than $1 million each to the USA over the past 12 years.”

Four organizations were given special recognition during the event for their part in supporting USA’s mission. For donations surpassing $250,000, Lifetime Partner Awards were presented to Segal Consulting/Marco Advisors, Provost-Umphrey Law Firm, American Income Life Insurance Co., and Pure Fishing. Special thanks went to founding partner Buck Knives for its invaluable contributions dating back to the USA’s inception, including handsome, custom-logoed knives for the Gala. Additional founding partners include AFL-CIO Investment Trust Corporation, Bank of Labor, UIG and ULLICO.

“There is no way the USA could have become as big, or as strong, or accomplished as much, without the support of these valuable and loyal founding partners, and those who have joined them in support of our mission,” Vance said.

Along with the awards program and great fellowship, event attendees enjoyed a delicious meal and beverages, generously supplied and served by the Union Insurance Group, and had a fabulous time participating in the event’s fundraiser raffle and auction. Donated items ranged from a Florida Keys tarpon adventure and African safari to custom firearms and a trip to the NFL Pro Bowl.

Many thanks to all those who attended and helped support the USA’s mission.

Fri, Jul 19, 2019 @ 16:07 PM

Brotherhood Outdoors Kicks Off Original Episodes with Action-Packed White River Adventure

Spring Hill, Tenn. — The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) invites outdoors enthusiasts to catch the excitement as its award-winning Brotherhood Outdoors television series whisks hardworking union members away on action-packed hunting and fishing adventures.

Wed, Jul 17, 2019 @ 15:07 PM

IIIATF Administrator Announced

A letter from General President McCourt to all International Officers and Local Union Business Managers and Training Coordinators:

Insulation Industry International Apprentice and Training Fund (IIIATF) Administrator Thomas A. Haun announced during the 2019 Combined Local Union Officers Meeting/Joint Apprenticeship Conference/Master Apprentice Competition of his retirement slated for December of 2020. Following the announcement, the IIIATF Trustees accepted applications and interviewed all candidates, with the selected replacement to work with Haun for an entire year.

Thu, Jul 11, 2019 @ 15:07 PM

The 2019 ‘Pablo’ awarded to MAC Proctor, longtime Instructor

This year, the International Insulation Industry Apprenticeship and Training Fund (IIIATF) presented the 2019 W. F. Pablo Blieker Award to Local 14 Instructor and Master Apprentice Competition Proctor John Sullivan.

Tue, Jun 18, 2019 @ 12:06 PM

USA Honors Insulators Local 14 Training Coordinator John Stahl with Conservation Steward of the Year Award

Spring Hill, Tenn. — The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) has honored International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (Insulators) Local 14 Member John Stahl with the 2019 Insulators Conservation Steward of the Year Award for his exemplary commitment to conservation and community service.

Fri, Jan 4, 2019 @ 08:01 AM

USA, Union Volunteers Complete John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Improvements

Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA)

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