Greetings from CPI

Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local #6 Apprenticeship Training Center In Rochester, Minnesota

Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 6 is more than 100 years old, having earned its charter membership in 1898. This long history of service is something the local’s members are very proud of. It is located in the city of Rochester, Minnesota, but UA Local 6 has jurisdiction in the counties of Rice, Goodhue, Wabasha, Waseca, Steele, Dodge, Olmsted, Winona, Faribault, Freeborn, Mower, Fillmore and Houston.

Another source of pride for Local 6 is the high level of training it has maintained throughout its history. The local has provided training opportunities for hundreds of journeymen and apprentices. In 1985, Local 6 constructed a new training facility in which part of the space is used for classroom studies, with the remaining areas used for members and apprentices to develop and perfect their skills in various types of welding, advanced piping technologies, servicing of specialized devices, blueprint reading, and other areas related to plumbing and pipefitting.

Since the initial construction of the training facility, additions have been made that have added more classrooms, conference rooms and business offices. There are now spacious training areas with a lot of workspace for practicing hands-on skills. Even with all it now offers, Local 6 has continued to make improvements to keep pace with changing technologies.

The local is currently constructing a state-of-the-art, fully networked teaching facility equipped with brand new Gateway computers using the latest in training software. The new software will allow members to train and test, as well as to do research into an assortment topics related to the plumbing and fitting trade. High-speed DSL Internet service will allow the journeymen and apprentices of Local 6 to quickly access information that will help them remain current with industry trends and technology.

Local 6 Business Manager Anthony Regner is the former training coordinator, a position now held by Anthony Lisko. Since taking over as business manager, Regner has added a full-time business agent position to the local’s leadership roster. Al Van DeWalker took on the new position and its responsibilities, which include dispatching and serving in the field.

The largest part of the work performed by members of Local 6 is in the commercial sector. For example, recent projects include a peaking station that produces electricity and a trash burning facility, which was doubled in size. But the site that provides many of the members of the local with work is a place that is known and respected around the world—the Mayo Clinic.

The Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of virtually every type of complex illness. The clinic is recognized as a pioneer and innovator in medicine, including patient care, medical research and academic education. It is the first and largest integrated nonprofit group practice in the world.

“The Mayo Clinic and its branches provide a generous amount of work for our members,” Brother Regner said.

He explained that, in addition to the main facility in Rochester, there are a number of health care facilities in the area that are associated with the Mayo Clinic, such as St. Mary’s Hospital. Within those facilities there are a number of Local 6 plumbers and pipefitters who are kept busy.

Brother Regner also noted, “Our contractors and members do most of the new construction and maintenance for the Mayo Clinic.”

So although it is a relatively small local—according to Regner they have a membership of about 400—the work of Local 6 members touches many people and has implications that reach far beyond the area of southeastern Minnesota. When patients and their families come from all around the world to receive the best in medical care, they also benefit from the finest in building trades craftsmanship, because the work done at the Mayo Clinic is performed by the world-class plumbers and pipefitters of UA Local 6.

Anthony Lisko

Training Coordinator

Local 6 Plumbers and Steamfitters

507-536-0304