Remembering the Past

Reflecting back to the last 100 years of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local Union No. 412’s history, we can understand and appreciate that Local Union 412 has made enormous progress throughout the years.

The Local’s history starts a century ago in the territory of New Mexico. At the turn of the century, as the New Mexico Constitution was being drafted in preparation for statehood, ten plumbers and steamfitters had the foresight to realize the importance of brotherhood in uniting workers to obtain better wages and benefits. The charter was submitted, approved and signed on March 19,1910 by President John Alpine and Secretary-Treasurer Thomas E. Burke, of The United Association of Journeymen Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters and Steam Fitter’s Helpers. This  was two years before the territory of New Mexico was admitted as the 47th state in the Union on  January 6, 1912. That, in itself, is very impressive, simply, because it confirms that unions were needed early on for the improvement of wages and working conditions.