Pipe Up! With The General President

From Washington to job sites across the country, the policies being debated right now have a direct impact on UA members and the work ahead.In this episode, General President Mark McManus sits down with UA Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Russ Breckenridge to break down the current political landscape, the importance of bipartisan engagement, and why issues like permitting reform and infrastructure investment are critical to keeping UA members on the job.  They also discuss the UA’s role in politics, how members can stay engaged, and what it takes to turn policy into real job opportunities across North America.

Recorded during the 2026 UA Pipeline Conference, General President Mark McManus sits down with UA Director of Pipeline and Gas Distribution Chad Gilbert and UA Local 798 Business Manager Justin Wallace to discuss the state of the pipeline industry and the work ahead.They break down the growing demand for pipeline infrastructure, the massive projects on the horizon, and how the UA is preparing its workforce through training, organizing, and new apprenticeship programs. The conversation also highlights the importance of market share, strong contractor partnerships, and ensuring the next generation of skilled pipeline workers is ready to meet the moment.It’s a look at an industry on the rise—and the opportunities it creates for UA members across North America.

In recognition of World Plumbing Day, General President Mark McManus sits down with UA Director of Plumbing Services Tom Bigley for a conversation on the vital role plumbers play in protecting public health, delivering clean water, and keeping communities running.Drawing on decades in the trade, they reflect on the evolution of the plumbing industry, the importance of strong codes and training, and the work being done to grow market share and create more opportunities for UA members.

Recorded in the new Pipe Up! studio at UA Headquarters, this episode features newly elected Business Managers Cameron Wilkinson (Local 26 – Western Washington), Cody Penniston (Local 519 – Miami, FL), and Mark Heinmiller (Local 189 – Columbus, OH).Fresh off the UA’s New Business Manager Seminar, they discuss their journeys into the pipe trades, stepping into leadership, strengthening their locals, and creating more opportunity for their members. It’s a conversation about growth, responsibility, and building the future of the United Association.

In this episode, UA Director of Information Technology Jason Pope and Director of Education and Training Ray Boyd share their personal journeys into the pipe trades and reflect on what it means to serve as Black leaders within the United Association. They discuss the importance of creating pathways into the trades for communities that may not yet be familiar with union careers, and how expanding awareness helps strengthen the future of the UA and our membership

In the first Pipe Up! episode of 2026, General President Mark McManus sits down with UA Pipe PALS (Peer Allies for Life Success) Committee members Omar Galindo (Local 78), Ben Bradshaw (Local 100), and PJ Moss (Local 32) for an honest conversation about mental health in the pipe trades.They discuss breaking the stigma, expanding peer support, and growing training like VitalCog—so more members have the tools to recognize warning signs, start hard conversations, and connect brothers and sisters to real help. If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone—support is available, and it’s okay to speak up.

As the year comes to a close, General President Mark McManus sits down with John Wright for a candid conversation on service, leadership, and the growth of the UA. This holiday bonus episode reflects on a lifetime of dedication to the members and families who make our union strong.

General President Mark McManus sits down with General Secretary-Treasurer Derrick Kualapai, Assistant General President Michael Pleasant, and Executive Vice President James Tucker for a year-end discussion on progress across the UA and the major work opportunities ahead in 2026. Plus, they share their own holiday traditions and answer questions from UA members.

General President Mark McManus sits down with Mike Hazard, Program Manager of the UA’s Veterans in Piping (VIP) Program; Andrew Garcia, VIP graduate and UA Local 364 member; and Sean Ellis, Organizer at UA Local 230 and VIP graduate, to talk about why veterans are such a natural fit for the UA. From discipline, safety, and teamwork to real stories of finding their way into the trades, they lay out how the VIP program opens the door to good union jobs, benefits, and lifelong careers. Plus, General President McManus takes your questions.Have ideas or questions, or want to join an episode of Pipe Up!? Visit ua.org/pipeup to learn how.

Recorded at the 2025 UA Canadian Conference in Québec City, General President Mark McManus sits down with Terence Snooks, Director of Canadian Affairs; Trevor Robertson, Administrative Assistant to the General President for Canada; and Stéphane Favron, International Representative for Québec. In our first bilingual episode, they discuss how the UA coordinates training, standards, and agreements across the U.S.–Canada border so signatory contractors can staff projects on either side—and our members can get to work wherever the jobs are. From record apprenticeship growth to long‑run opportunities in sectors like nuclear, it’s Two Nations, One Union— working together to keep contractors competitive and members on the clock.

Recorded live from Tradeswomen Build Nations in Chicago, General President McManus hosts a conversation on how recruitment, mentorship, and leadership turn training into real work and more hours for members across two nations. He’s joined by Laura Ceja (Special Representative for Training & Outreach), Alanna Marklund (Special Representative & National Manager for Youth, Diversity & Indigenous Relations), and Carrie Hoza (Journeywoman Plumber, UA Local 130). It’s a celebration of UA tradeswomen—the largest delegation at TWBN—leading from the jobsite to the classroom, raising standards, and strengthening the pipeline that keeps our contractors competitive.

In this Labor Day special, recorded live at the UA Instructor Training Program, General President Mark McManus sits down with Earl Setches, Secretary of Australia’s Plumbing & Pipe Trades Employees Union (PPTEU), and Paddy Kavanagh, General Secretary of the Connect Trade Union in Ireland. The conversation is a companion to our ITP episode on instructor development, focusing here on how aligning training standards and partnering with counterpart unions helps UA contractors compete on projects worldwide.From training‑center models and “train‑the‑trainer” exchanges to shared standards in water technology, hydrogen, and service work, our guests lay out how international collaboration turns into real jobs and more hours for UA members. They also discuss the UA’s global relationships with Connect and the PPTEU—proof that when labor and signatory contractors coordinate across borders, we protect our work, grow market share, and open doors for all of our members.

Recorded live at the UA Instructor Training Program in Ann Arbor, General President Mark McManus hosts a conversation about how instructor training turns into real work and more hours for our members. He’s joined by Ray Boyd, UA Director of Education & Training, Mike Murphy (UA Local 333), and Tiffany Hodge (UA Local 602)—both graduates of the Future Instructors Program. They discuss stepping into training roles at their locals, raising standards across apprenticeship and instructor development—and how stronger training programs translate into more hours and long-term careers for UA members. Also, General President Mark McManus answers questions from real UA members.

In this episode, General President Mark McManus heads to Beantown for a packed round‑table with Brian Kelly, Director of HVAC‑R Service, UA International Representative Harry Brett, District 1 VP & Local 550 BM Pete Gibbons, and Business Managers Jimmy Vaughan (Local 12) and Danny O’Brien (Local 537).From Harvard’s Allston expansion to big Seaport builds, they break down the union job boom reshaping Boston, the surging demand for skilled HVAC‑R techs, and creative organizing wins that keep the UA growing. Plus, GP McManus answers listener questions and settles, once and for all, the debate over Boston’s greatest athletes.

In this episode of Pipe Up! with the General President, Business Manager Chris Madello (UA Local 602) and Business Manager T Smalls (UA Local 5) join General President Mark McManus—along with an apprentice from each local—to unpack the surge of new union jobs powering Washington, DC’s critical infrastructure. After the conversation, GP McManus takes questions from the Pipe Up! mailbag.

In a special Memorial Day episode, General President Mark McManus sits down with Brother Kenneth David of UA Local 396—a Medal of Honor recipient, Vietnam veteran, and proud union member. From the battlefield to the jobsite, and now as a passionate veterans’ advocate, Brother David reflects on courage, sacrifice, and the union values that shaped his life.

GP McManus welcomes Gary Arnold, UA International Vice President for District 5 and Business Manager of Denver Pipefitters Local 208 to talk about the journey from his apprenticeship to union leadership. Gary shares what it takes to build strong training programs, lead on the job, and keep the UA moving forward. Plus, they answer real questions from rank-and-file members on all things UA.

Welcome to Pipe Up! With General President Mark McManus. On this inaugural episode, GP McManus shares his vision for the show and why he’s so optimistic about the future of the UA.