Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Local 132 is combined and made up of the 4 major areas of Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton and Portsmouth Ohio. There are respected offices and training centers in all 4 areas. The financial office is currently in Dayton, Ohio.
How we all became one. In 1993, the Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association merged Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton together to become Local 1. In 1998 the International Association put Local 1 under the guidance of the International and looked at the need to add Portsmouth’s local into Local 1. The number 132 came about as they took Local 1 and Portsmouth’s Local 232 and they came up with the number 132. The newly formed Local came into existence and the Charter dated August 1, 1998 currently hangs on the wall in the Financial Office in Dayton, Ohio.
How the past all come together and how Local 132 came to cover and represent 90 counties in 3 different states:
Cincinnati Plasterers’; they were one of the original locals of the Plasterers International Association organized and formed back in the early years. The Plasterers jurisdiction covers two (2) counties in Indiana, eighteen (18) counties in Kentucky, and six (6) counties in Ohio. They have always had an office and training center in Cincinnati. [There is a full time Business Rep assisting the Plasterers.] In training, they had a fine mechanic instructor (now deceased) named Richard Robinette who trained many of our current Plasterers’. [Currently they continue to train with an instructor who has been helping for many years as they develop the next Plasterer journeymen.]
Cincinnati Cement Masons’; they were known as Local 524. Local 524 have a membership and geographical area covering into Ohio, and Kentucky. They have a Business Representative covering this trade. They have always had a training program that offers all needed training and are looking to grow stronger with the times. The cement masons covers the same eighteen (18) counties and Kentucky and six (6) counties in Ohio.
Columbus Plasterers’; was known as Local 800. Through the years all the different area Plasterers locals merged into Local 800 thus local 800 represented Columbus and all the surrounding areas. In 1992 the Plasterers’ were in negotiations. All but 2 of the signatory contractors pulled out of the union. This left for a lot of problems including Health & Welfare coverage in addition there was withdrawal liability to their pension plan as well as dealing with their JATC program. Thus Local 800 was merged into the Columbus Cement Masons’ Local 536.
Columbus Cement Masons’; again through the early years there were Cement Masons’ locals in Marietta and Mansfield areas. These areas merged into the Columbus Local 536 thus making all areas stronger. The counties increased along with the jurisdictional coverage thus making the OP&CMIA Local 536 representing the Plasterers and Cement Masons covering 28 counties in Central, South Central and Southeastern Ohio. [Columbus has 2 Business Representatives and run their office and training in Lancaster Ohio. There are 2 Cement Masons’ instructors teaching the program which includes teaching Blue Print and Math course. As the need for Plasterers training comes up that duty is shared by the other area Plasterers instructors or by qualified Plasterer journeymen. There are 2 Business Reps. in this area.]
Dayton Plasterers; this program was known as Plasterers Local 140. They were merged into the Dayton Cement Mason Local 131 and eventually became part of the merge that made up Local 1 in 1993. Dayton Plasterers share the office with the Cement Masons and operate their training program out of this office. [There is a current instructor who has been teaching the craft there for many years.]
Dayton Cement Masons’; Cement Masons’ Local 131 represented the Dayton Cement Masons. They took in the merging of Local 140 thus the Dayton area joined the ranks of representing both Plasterers and Cement Masons in one local also. They have always had a training program and operate all training of both crafts in the Dayton office. Both the cement mason’s and plasterer’s area covers 9 counties [and has a Business Rep. and a training instructor.]
Portsmouth Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’; this has always been an OP&CMIA local representing both crafts. They negotiate one rate for both crafts. Portsmouth covers six (6) counties in Ohio and twenty-one (21) counties in Kentucky. In 1998 Portsmouth was merged into Ohio Local 1 thus bringing us to our last merge and the current number we have as Local 132. This area struggled with training years ago but in recent years their JATC program has turned it around. There is an up and running training program and they operate their training and the union office out of this same building. [There is also a full time Business Rep in the area.]
Indeed we are from different areas of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana and from different walks of life but we are one Local! In order for us to thrive, we must be productive for the contractors we work for in a way that keeps our members in demand. This will also enable our members to make a solid living wage with excellent fringe benefits. We must stay competitive in our market and our industry and we must continue training and advancing in our knowledge and our skills. We are Local 132 Proud, Strong and United. We must work together to continue to build on our great history.