LOCAL 23 - 50 YEARS OF PRIDE

Local 23 is proud to celebrate it's 50 Year Anniversary and 100 years of United Association labor in northern Illinois. Following is a brief history of how Local 23 was formed.

On December 22, 1898, Plumbers, Gasfitters, Steamfitters and Steamfitters Helpers requested a charter be issued by the United Association.  On January 1, 1899 the United Association granted Local 57 a charter.

On April  5, 1902, Local Union  328 Plumbers, Steamfitters and Gas Fitters was chartered in Freeport, IL.

In 1915, thirteen members of Local Union 57 petitioned the United Association to form a separate Steamfitters and Steamfitters Helpers local. On September 25, 1915 Local Union 210 was chartered. September 1, 1948 Local Union 57 and 210 merged to form Local Union 23, Rockford, IL.
On January  1,  1970 Local Union 328, Freeport, IL merged in with Local Union 23, Rockford, IL.

In the past 50 years the following people have served as Business Representatives for Local Union 23:

Harry Shaw, William Finnan, Phenie Petta Sr., Lyle Sellers, Rudy Ammon, Art Schiavo, Earl Baker, Bob Bruski, Noel Easton and Ted Hartman. 

Harry Shaw	William Finnan	Lyle Sellers
Rudy Ammon	Art Schiavo	Earl Baker
Bob Bruski	Noel Easton	Ted Hartman

Local Union 23 membership has grown steadily over the past 50 years from 175 members in 1949 to our current membership of 721.

In 1956, Local Union 23 established a Health & Welfare plan that now provides our members with some of the best medical benefits available today.

In  1966, Local Union 23 initiated a pension plan that allows our members to retire with the confidence and security that they can continue to  provide themselves with a comfortable living. Currently, plans are underway to enhance our retiree benefits with a supplemental retiree plan.

Over the past 50 years Local Union 23 has been instrumental in building  and maintaining the three major hospitals in Rockford, the Chrysler plant in Belvidere, the nuclear generating station in Byron, IL, as well as, homes, schools, commercial and industrial work.

Our members will continue to become more valuable to the community they serve. Local 23 is committed to teaching our apprentices and journeyman new skills and emerging technologies.   Due to Local Union  23's  growth,  construction  is currently underway for a new state-of-the-art 21,000 sq. ft. facility.

Our members are proud to be represented by Local Union 23 and proud to call themselves members of the United Association.