Union Announcements

An article appeared in the New York Post on February 21, 2007, which made accusations that there is a "Ban" on plastic pipe in New York City, and that "The Plumbers Union Is Behind The City's Ban".

Our Business Manager quickly responded with a letter to "set the record straight". The New York Post published an "excerpt" piece of the letter on March 1, 2007.

Read the 3 items below for yourself. The misleading and inaccurate article, Business Manager Reilly's entire letter in response, and the "excerpt" piece that was published.

February 21, 2007 --

CALIFORNIA recently lifted its silly and expensive state ban on residential use of vinyl plumbing pipes. New York City should follow suit.

In 2004, then Gov. George Pataki vetoed a bill that would have extended a similar ban, liberating homeowners in New York state from this ridiculous policy.

Well, except in New York City - whose building code still restricts plastic piping. Yes, new code revisions will soon permit the piping, which costs about a third of the alternatives, in buildings of five stories or less. But everyone else must pay much higher prices for bathroom and kitchen remodels/construction - as well as more costly routine plumbing repairs.

Plastic pipe is used widely in the rest of America and around the world. Why not New York?

The plumbers union is behind the city's ban - it creates more work for its members. But the pretext is a claim that plastic is dangerous.

Some environmental activists back up that fear - but out of ideology, not science. If the experience of the rest of the country isn't sufficient proof, California's Housing Department did a study showing the benefits of the plastic piping outweigh the risks.

For one thing, it doesn't corrode. And corrosion of lead and copper pipes can lead to tiny leaks that let bacteria and viruses enter water supplies. More, lead can leach from lead pipes and from lead fixtures or solder.

Even when this doesn't create a major health risk, it can lead to violatations of federal drinking-water standards. That happened to Washington, D.C. in 2004 - scaring residents and costing the city a bundle.

Plastic piping is also lightweight - making handling and transport more affordable, safer and more energy efficient.

It's also easier for homeowners to install - it requires glue, rather than soldering. This is plainly the union's true gripe - you might not have to hire a plumber!

Yes, some activists say the glue is dangerous. But how is soldering - which means working with propane, open flame and hot metal - safer? The California study found that the risks associated with the adhesives were "less than significant" for workers who are exposed to the fumes on a regular basis.

Environmental activists also say that plastic increases fire risks. Yet an analysis of the substance in the trade publication PM Engineer notes: "Based on all the testing data, as well as more than 45 years of performance in a wide array of demanding applications, it should be concluded that CPVC [plastic] piping can be used without any additional fire-risk concerns."

It's time for New York to catch up with the rest of the country and let people choose their own plumbing pipes. Housing costs are already too high in the city - why make them higher, just to pander to special interests?

Angela Logomasini is director of risk and environmental policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute.

I am writing in response to the yesterday’s February 21, 2007 column/opinion titled, “Lead-Pipe Rip-Off” written by Angela Logomasini. The New York City Building Code is a very unique and complex set of rules and regulations designed to safeguard the citizens of a very unique and complex city. It serves as the blueprint to build safe, solid, reliable and long lasting structures. Plastic pipe is permitted here in New York City, but there are restrictions to its use. New York City cannot and should not be compared to cities upstate or elsewhere, particularly with respect to a building code. The statement that the Plumbers Union is behind the City’s ban is false; and further, a slight to the approximate 400 professionals working on the Model Code Program. There is no ban; in fact, the Plumbers Union supported the final Plumbing Code proposal when presented, speaking publicly about it.

There are well-documented dangers to the unrestricted use of plastic pipe, particularly in high rise buildings, the type that abound in New York City. Of course fire is a major concern but even more so are the toxic vapors released simply when it is heated prior to combustion or melting. Also, there are physical challenges for its use in an area which experiences temperature swings. Plastic pipe can expand and contract up to 10 times more than comparable metal pipe and it is also very prone to punctures. The author writes of leaching lead, but fails to inform readers that the NY City Plumbing Code does not even permit lead pipe nor does it permit lead solders. The article contains a statement which says, “It’s also easier for homeowners to install – it requires glue, rather than soldering. This is plainly the union’s true gripe – you might not have to hire a plumber!” This is again false and the author has never spoken to me or any other representatives of this Union. The public should know that in New York City, plumbing work should be performed under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber, rather than a homeowner. Plastic may be joined by several methods - one being solvent cement, not glue, and it is a very corrosive material that is flammable and requires proper ventilation. These and many other skills are taught over a five (5) year period to the Apprentices of Plumbers Local Union #1 here in New York City before they become Journeymen and women. We represent approximately 6,000 highly trained members who are a vital part of the City’s economy and that of the surrounding area. We are the people who helped build – and who will continue to build – the New York City skyline. And it will continue to be done in a safe and skillful manner with or without plastic pipes.

Incidentally, there are firefighters and degreed engineers working on the New York City Model Code Program as well as many other advisors, and those representatives did not support any further increases in the use of plastic pipes beyond what was approved.

No one has “pandered to special interests”, however Plumbers Local 1 does have some special interests. Our special interests include working intelligently and safely, doing the job once and doing it right.

March 1, 2007 -- The accusation that the Plumbers Union is behind a ban is false ("Lead-Pipe Rip-Off," Feb. 21).

There is no ban on plastic pipes in New York City, but there are restrictions on their use, and these need to be continued.

One of the well-documented dangers to the unrestricted use of plastic pipe is fire; another is the toxic vapor released when plastic is heated, necessitating proper ventilation at all times.

Plastic pipe can expand and contract up to ten times more than comparable metal pipe and is prone to punctures. Plastic cannot be joined by glue, and the N.Y.C. Plumbing Code does not permit lead in pipes or solders. Thus, plumbing work should be performed under the supervision of a Master Plumber.

The 6,000 members of Plumbers Local #1 are a vital part of the city's economy. No one has "pandered to special interests." However, Plumbers Local #1 does have some special interests: working intelligently and safely, doing the job once and doing it right.

George W. Reilly
Business Manager Plumbers Local Union #1, Howard Beach

LEAD-PIPE RIP-OFF

N.Y.C. PLUMBERS WIN - AND YOU PAY

By ANGELA LOGOMASINI

PLUMBERS PIPE UP