Earth City, MO – A 50-year-old, ornamental union logo was installed last week at the new Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562 training center in Earth City, which is slated to open this summer.
Measuring 13 feet in diameter and weighing eight tons, the logo will be the centerpiece of a monument at the new center at 3755 Corporate Trail Drive. The logo, which is etched in tile, was originally created for a pool at the union’s old headquarters in North St. Louis County.
“It was created and placed at the bottom of the pool at our old headquarters on Larimore Road around 1970 to remind our members and their families that they belong to something special,” said John O’Mara, Local 562 business manager. “The pool itself was pretty unique. It was built as a recognition of our union members’ hard work during the week, giving them a place for their families to rest, relax and be with friends.”
About 15 years ago, the pool was going to be filled in, but union members wanted to preserve the iconic logo, O’Mara said. It was extracted from the pool and later placed near the first tee at the union’s Emerald Green golf course. When the longtime headquarters at 12385 Larimore Road in Spanish Lake, Mo., was sold in 2017, the logo was placed in storage.
“As we train the next generation of Local 562 craft workers in new technologies in our industry, we also want to remind them of the generations of our workers who have help build the foundation of commercial, residential and industrial projects that sustain us today,” O’Mara said.
“The newly placed logo is also a reminder of our successes and sacrifices that have improved the rights of workers and delivered greater prosperity for families.”
The logo was installed by Capris Pools & Aquatics based in St. Charles. The union-friendly contractor specializes in engineering, building and maintaining all types of aquatic centers, water parks, natatoriums, municipal swimming pools and a variety of recreational centers.
Founded in 1912, Local 562 represents more than 4,200 union members. Its new state-of-the-art 79,000 square-foot training facility is located on five acres adjacent to the Local’s new headquarters at 3640 Corporate Trail Drive. Learn more at local562.org.
Plumbers & Pipefitters 562 hosts socially-distanced membership initiations
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 members take pride in the initiation of new members and didn’t let the coronavirus keep them away. Last week, Local 562 was able to host two socially distanced initiations. “Times are tough and things are different, but fortunately we get to keep moving forward,” said Local 562 Business Manager John O’Mara. “Some aspects of life are different for us, but opportunities continue in Local 562 with our young talent.” (Note that those in the photo standing close to one another are father and sons.) – Local 562 photo