Protecting our members

The purpose of the Association is to protect our members from any unjust and injurious competition and to secure unity of action for mutual protection and support. To constantly organize employers and employees in all divisions of the plumbing, pipefitting, sprinklerfitting, HVAC/R, and service industry.

In 1995, the WSA took a dramatic step to face the challenges of lost market share and union density by establishing an organizing department funded by all working members within the WSA. The WSA coordinates and funds organizing activities in each local union jurisdiction and continues to battle the threat of the open shop. Our WSA organizing department and the business managers, who make up the organizing committee, were one of the earliest statewide organizing systems in the United States. We are constantly reviewing our activities and looking for new ways to be successful because we know what worked 10 years ago may not work today. Our construction market and conditions are constantly changing.

The WSA currently has more than 8,700 members belonging to six local unions, all of which are United Association affiliates.