What UA Local 32 does

UA Local 32 (United Association Local 32) is a chartered labor union local founded in 1890 and headquartered at 597 Monster Rd SW in Renton, Washington. It represents plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC/Refrigeration mechanics, steamfitters, welders, and metal trades workers across King County, the Olympic Peninsula, Eastern Washington, and the broader Seattle metropolitan area. The local operates as part of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry (UA), a parent organization representing approximately 383,000 members across 277 locals in the United States and Canada. UA Local 32 was formed in March 1947 from the merger of Local 473 with Local 32, consolidating Building Trades and Metal Trades under a combined charter. The local has historically contributed workforce to landmark Pacific Northwest infrastructure projects including Grand Coulee Dam, Diablo Dam, and Ross and Boundary Dams.

UA Local 32's core offerings are organized around three functions: workforce training, member representation, and contractor dispatch. The local operates a state-approved 5-year apprenticeship program covering plumbing, HVAC/Refrigeration, pipefitting, and metal trades, delivered through a Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC) in partnership with the Mechanical Contractors Association of Western Washington, with combined annual training investment exceeding $4 million. Members receive negotiated wages (up to $59.41/hr for skilled trades), comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans administered through welfare and pension trusts, and job placement via a union hall dispatch system that connects workers with over 100 signatory contractors across mechanical, HVAC/R, pipeline, residential, and public sector categories. Technology infrastructure is limited to a marketing website, a Benefits Hub portal (ualocal32benefits.com), a contractor directory, and social media presence on Facebook and Instagram, with no proprietary technology platforms.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through recurring membership dues governed by the UA Constitution and Local 32 bylaws, supplemented by employer contributions to the JATC training trust and welfare/pension fund administration. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on organizing campaigns, word-of-mouth referrals, social media engagement, and partnerships with 18+ community organizations including Meals on Wheels, Northwest Harvest, Special Olympics, and Toys for Tots. The local maintains active political action committee engagement for legislative advocacy, and coordinates with AFL-CIO, Washington State Labor Council, King County Labor Council, and Seattle Building Trades Council on broader labor federation initiatives. The Vera Whole Health partnership represents a recent expansion of member-facing healthcare service delivery beyond traditional welfare trust structures.

Name

UA Local 32

Legal name

United Association Local 32

Website

https://ualocal32.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UA Local 32 is a chartered labor union local founded in 1890 and based in Renton, Washington, representing plumbers, pipefitters, and HVAC/R mechanics across the Seattle metropolitan area and Western Washington. It operates a state-approved 5-year apprenticeship program, negotiates wages and benefits, and dispatches members to over 100 signatory contractors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Labor Union / Skilled Trades Workforce Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE) (EDAAALAH)

Keywords

• Plumbing trade union
• Pipefitting apprenticeship
• HVAC training programs
• Collective bargaining representation
• Workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Renton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Union Membership Dues: UA Local 32 operates as a labor union funded primarily through membership dues. Members pay dues in exchange for representation, training access, benefits coordination, job placement through dispatch system, and collective bargaining support. The specific dues structure is governed by the UA Constitution and Local 32 bylaws.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

UA Local 32 is a chartered labor union representing plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC/Refrigeration mechanics, and metal trades workers in the Seattle and Pacific Northwest region. It provides 5-year state-approved apprenticeship programs, journeyperson continuing education, collective bargaining representation, member benefits administration (medical, dental, vision, retirement), and a dispatch system that places qualified members with signatory contractors across King County, the Olympic Peninsula, and Eastern Washington.

Product overview

UA Local 32 operates as a unified labor union offering a portfolio of services centered on union membership for plumbers, pipefitters, and HVAC/R technicians. The organization provides state-approved apprenticeship programs (Plumbers, Steamfitters, HVAC/Refrigeration), comprehensive training through the Seattle Area Pipetrades Education Center, and member benefits administration. The portfolio also includes a contractor directory for matching members with signatory employers. These offerings work together to serve the pipe trades workforce in the Seattle and Pacific Northwest region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Apprenticeship Programs State-approved 5-year apprenticeship programs for Plumbers, Steamfitters, HVAC/Refrigeration Mechanics, Metal Trades Workers, and Housing Plumbers in the King County area, combining classroom instruction with hands-on training through the Joint Apprenticeship Training Center.
• Plumbing Training Comprehensive plumbers training program offered in partnership with the Seattle Area Pipetrades Education Center, covering water systems, medical gas systems, building codes, and regulations for aspiring and current plumbers.
• HVAC/Refrigeration Training HVAC technician training curriculum covering installation, maintenance, and repair of climate control and air quality systems for residential, commercial, and industrial spaces.
• Pipefitting Training Specialized training for pipefitters covering installation, assembly, and maintenance of advanced piping systems including low- and high-pressure systems for water, gas, oil, steam, and industrial applications.
• Member Benefits Administration Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, and competitive wages negotiated through collective bargaining on behalf of union members.
• Contractor Directory Searchable directory of signatory contractors organized by trade category including Mechanical, HVAC/Refrigeration, Pipeline, Residential, and Public Sector contractors, supporting job dispatch and contractor referral.

Quantifiable outcome

• Wages up to $59.41/hr taxable for skilled trades workers
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mechanical Contractors Association of Western WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint investment of over $4 million annually in apprenticeship and journeyperson training. The partnership operates the Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC) in Renton, WA, providing state-approved apprenticeship programs for plumbers, steamfitters, HVAC/ refrigeration mechanics, and metal trades workers.
• United Association (UA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUA Local 32 is a chartered local of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada. The parent organization represents approximately 383,000 workers across North America and provides training standards, political advocacy, and national coordination.
• Bikes for TykesminorOthersCommunity partner supporting bicycle donations for children in need in the Pacific Northwest.
• Meals on Wheels AmericaminorOthersCommunity partner addressing senior hunger and isolation through meal delivery programs.
• Northwest HarvestminorOthersCommunity partner addressing food insecurity across Washington, providing hunger relief programs.
• Puget Sound Labor Agency (PSLA)coreOthersLabor partnership organization connecting labor unions with community resources and advocacy initiatives.
• Shriners Children'sminorOthersCommunity partner providing pediatric specialty care for children regardless of families' ability to pay.
• Special OlympicsminorOthersCommunity partner providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for people with intellectual disabilities.
• Sunshine DivisionminorOthersPortland-based community partner providing food and clothing assistance to families in need.
• TreehouseminorOthersCommunity partner supporting youth in foster care with academic support, clothing, and other essentials.
• AFL-CIOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational labor federation providing political advocacy, resources, and coordination for affiliated unions including UA Local 32.
• Washington State Labor Council (AFL-CIO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level labor federation coordinating union activities, advocacy, and community engagement across Washington State.
• King County Labor CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal labor council coordinating union activities and advocacy within King County.
• Seattle Building Trades CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding trades council representing plumbers, pipefitters, and other construction trades unions in Seattle, coordinating labor activities and contractor relations.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederation of Labor partner providing mutual support and coordination between electrical workers union and pipe trades unions on joint projects and labor advocacy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Local32
• Instagraminstagram.com/ua_local_32
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ua-local-32

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UA Local 32