News and Information

The latest news and information will posted here for the benefit of the membership.

Rally at the Capital

On Wednesday March 10th at 1 PM there will be a rally at the State Capital in support of a Bonding and Jobs Bill that will affect many of our members and create a lot of work for Minnesota's Building Trades.

If you can make it, please help us make an impact.

Meet at 1:00 PM at the Saint Paul College parking lot.

Contact the hall for more information.

Med Gas Certification

The J.A.T.C. Will be offering a Medical Gas certification to the members of local 34 in April. Class size is limited so register early. Call the Training Office for information @ 651-846-1389

Waters Off 2010

The annual Waters Off! will take place on March 27th 2010 at 8 AM.

There is a change of location for this year: Waters Off will take place at the Roseville Radison at 2540 North Cleveland Avenue in Roseville. ( Click here for a map )

We'll see you there!

2010 Scholarships

The Scholarship page has been updated with the 2010 applications.

The Scholarships page can always be accessed by clicking the "Scholarship Information" link in the menu or you can go there now by clicking here.

Notice from Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy has asked us to post the following message so all of our members and contractors, as well as the general public, can be made aware of a very serious situation.

You can download a printable copy, or view the complete letter below:

February 10, 2010

Dear Business Owner/Manager:

On February 1, 2010, a sewer cleaning contractor was injured and a home in St. Paul was destroyed from a natural gas-fueled fire stemming from a natural gas leak caused by the contractor's perforation of a natural gas main that intersected the sewer lateral. We take this issue very seriously and are working with the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety and Minnesota Department of Public Safety to address concerns.

We believe sewer/natural gas main conflicts in our service area are rare. However, in cases where our natural gas mains have been moved from their original location (for example, due to road expansions or sewer separation projects) it is possible that our natural gas mains inadvertently intersected some sewer laterals. As long as a natural gas main intersecting a sewer lateral is not penetrated, it poses no safety hazard. However, power equipment used to unclog sewer laterals can penetrate the natural gas main if the clog is located in the vicinity of the natural gas main (typically under the boulevard or sidewalk).

If you are working on a sewer lateral and find that the blockage is in the vicinity of the boulevard or sidewalk, or an area where utilities cross, we recommend using camera equipment to help identify if there are utilities intersecting the sewer lateral. If a natural gas main is found to be intersecting a sewer lateral, you should contact the local natural gas utility before ANYONE attempts to clear the lateral. If you do not have camera equipment and/or cannot determine whether a natural gas main is intersecting the sewer lateral, you should contact the local natural gas utility before ANYONE attempts to clear the lateral. In Xcel Energy's service territory, you can call our dedicated 24-hour Gas Emergency/Dispatch number at 1-800-895-2999.

As always, we are committed to your safety and we thank you for your cooperation.

RPZ Certification

RPZ classes have filled. Watch the wedsite for fall classes.

Attention Apprentices

Just a reminder that there will be no classes on Monday January 18th, Tuesday February 2nd and on Monday February 15th. Please mark your calendars.

Survey Reminder

Please return the surveys that were distributed with the latest newsletter as soon as possible so that we can consider all opinions on this important issue.

If you did not receive a newsletter or a survey, please contact the hall and make sure we have up to date mailing and contact information.

Quarterly Newsletter Online

The latest newsletter is available from the newsletters page. In addition, there are several years of "back issues" available.

View the latest Newsletter

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

As you are aware, several local 34 members and officers donated their time to help remodel a West St Paul home for Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

The episode featuring this home will air on Sunday January 3rd 2010 on ABC at 7 pm.

Health Fair 2010

The annual Health Fair will be on April 10th 2010 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Visit the Health Fair website for more information.