The Apprenticeship program includes Hands on training.

We welcome all the new members to our Local 18 family.

Resources Events Calendar Member Recognition Fees & Dues In Remembrance Update Contact Info Local 18 Members Events Calendar Resources > Welcome to our member resource area. Here you can find information about your membership, see what is happening on our event calendar, update your information and more. Please feel free to contact us with any questions! Fees & Dues Area Maps Benefit Funds Update Contact Info Member Recognition In Remembrance Code of Conduct Extra Benefits Events Calendar > Resources Member Recognition MEMBER RECOGNITION Swearing in the new members 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Apprentice receiving graduation certificates. 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Michael Dicks Receives his 30 Year Gold Card 3 likes. Post not marked as liked 3 SEE MORE FEES & DUES > Below is pulled directly from our membership agreement. Sec. {A) When there is a joint agreement in force between the Union and a contractor, or association of contractors or any other party, it shall be the duty of every member to strictly abide by and live up to such agreement which becomes part of the By-Laws. Members are to be kept informed of such agreements and for violations of any provisions contained therein shall be subject to such penalty as the Union may impose after a fair and impartial rial. Sec. (B) Any member who is suspended for any cause shall forfeit all claims to the benefits and privileges of this Union during such suspension. Sec. (C) Members who owe more than two months dues shall not be considered in good standing, and shall be required to pay a ($20.00) twenty dollar reinstatement fine on the first day of the third month and a ($10.00) ten dollar fine for each month thereafter in which they are arrears. Sec. (D) When a member is three months in arrears and ,or eight months, he shall be notified by the Financial Secretary of the provisions of Section (C),(D) and (E).The Local Unions monthly dues are due on the first of each month. Sec. (E) Members who have not paid dues for a period of more than nine (9) months. On the first day of the tenth month they will automatically be dropped from the local and the International Association. ​ For questions or more information please contact us . Fees & Dues IN REMEMBRANCE Ruffini, Charles Post not marked as liked Bromley, Richard Post not marked as liked Laster, Joseph Post not marked as liked SEE MORE In Remembrance UPDATE CONTACT INFO > If you have moved, changed your number or anything a long those lines please fill out the form below so we can update your contact information. It is important that we always have the most up to date information so that you do not miss out on news, opportunities, events, etc. First name Last name Street Address City Region/State/Province Postal / Zip code Phone Email Member Number SUBMIT FORM Your info has been submitted! Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Update Contact Info

History Executive Board Staff Latest News About Local 18 OUR HISTORY > The Local 18 is part of The Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association (OPCMIA). The OPCMIA is a labor union that represents plasterers and cement masons in the construction industry in North America. ​ As the oldest Building and Construction Trades Union in the United States, the organization traces its roots back to 1864, during the American Civil War, when an organization known variously as the National Plasterer’s Union or the National Plasterers Organization began to unify the various local craft unions that represented workers in the trade. ​ The new union endorsed the Eight hour day movement while pledging to avoid “unnecessary strikes” and instituted apprentice training and regulations. The union amended its constitution in 1887 to include Canadian workers. Reflecting the fact that its members did more than finish cement, the union changed its name in 1951 to the Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association. Today, the OPCMIA continues to live by the principles upon which it was founded and which will continue to be its strength in the future. As it has been for over a century, the OPCMIA continues to be proud, strong and united. Download A More Complete History More Historical Photos & Info History Nick S OPCMIA History - Organized 1864 Play Video Executive Board EXECUTIVE BOARD > Business Manager/Financial Sec. Area 539 Business Agent Mark Winkler (309) 208-1459 Email: mwinklerlocal18@yahoo.com President Area 152 Business Agent Scott Nimmo (309) 208-1460 Email: cementmasons18@frontier.com Vice President Area 12 & 206 Business Agent Bill Stieglitz (309) 208-1129 Email: bstieglitzlocal18@yahoo.com Recording Secretary Plasterer Business Agent Curtis Harn (309) 409-5012 Email: charnlocal18@yahoo.com Sergeant at Arms Area 544 Business Agent Jim Mitchell (309) 737-0383 Email: jmitchell18544@yahoo.com STAFF > Plasterer Apprentice Coordinator/ Instructor Area 544 Field Rep Josh Arnold (309) 738-8280 Email: jarnoldlocal18@yahoo.com Cement Mason Apprentice Coordinator/ Instructor Eric Steele (309) 542-6017 Email: esteelejatf18@yahoo.com Office Manager Julia Smith (309) 497-2870 Email: localunion18@att.net Staff LATEST NEWS Local 18 Members Make Huge Cross for Calvary Church 76 Local 18 Helps w/ Angel of Hope Statue in Washington Park 41 General President Stepano’s Keynote Address 13 SEE MORE Latest News

Contractors CONTRACTOR DIRECTORY BECOME A PARTNER EMPLOYER FAQ CBA BUILDING CBA HEAVY HIGHWAY MONTHLY REPORT FORMS WAGE ADDENDUMS ALL DOCUMENTS The Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association of the United States and Canada is a labor union that represents plasterers and cement masons in the construction industry in North America. Also known as the OPCMIA, the organization represents the members of one of the world's oldest and most noble crafts. The Union's 56,000 members are the proud carriers of a tradition that predates the Pharaohs pyramids. As early as man was building shelter for himself, there was plastering - first with mud or clay and later with a lime mixture much like that used today. Apprentice Coordinator for the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association Local 18, Dave Arnold, who teaches plaster techniques, says, "There have been technical improvements, but our trade is still best done by hand with a trowel," adding, "we pass it down through generations of knowledge and experience." ​ Customers who demand the highest quality and value insist on the members of Local 18 to deliver costs savings and artistic appeal, which they have proudly demonstrated through past performance. The members of Local 18 can always be counted on to "do it right the first time." Perishable materials depend on expert installation. Less waste and higher productivity provide cost savings. Apprentice Instructor for OPCMIA Local 18, Mark Hitzner, who teaches concrete finishing and applications, says, "It's important for our apprentices to learn the skills required to be professional," adding, "that's why the number one thing we stress to our apprentices is pride and professionalism in the quality of their work." Craftsmanship springs forth from the combination of effective training for apprentices and upgrade instruction for experienced members who seek continuing education throughout their career. Prosperity emerges from the ability of the members to deliver value and both a profit for contractors and satisfaction for customers and clients. Responsibility rests with the commitment of all members of OPCMIA Local 18 to safety, reliability and productivity. Safety relies on the commitment by each and every member of Local 18 to think safety and work safely. The members of Local 18 provide the contractors, customers and clients a wide range of options to add value to a project. Both Plaster and Concrete provide long lasting durability with Portland Cement Plaster (stucco) one of the most common building materials in the world. Plaster also provides the option of extreme artistic addition. "If you can visualize it, we can recreate it with plaster or concrete!" Arnold says. Concrete also has moved into the forefront of decorative work. Designers, developers, contractors and even customers now call for different looks from concrete. Local 18 teaches various techniques and the members can polish, stamp, stain or stencil concrete into a variety of finishes ranging from brick pavers to cobblestones. Apprentices in Plaster spend four years and Concrete three years in structured, rigorous Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship Training certified programs, which include a combination of hundreds of hours of classroom theory such as blueprint reading, codes, etc. and hundreds of hours of hands-on practical applications. The members of OPCMIA Local 18 who specialize in Concrete provide expert installation in numerous applications such as: Curb and Gutter, Decorative, Flat Work, Heavy and Highway, Industrial and Residential. The members of OPCMIA Local 18 who specialize in Plaster provide expert installation in numerous applications such as: EIFS, Fire Proofing, Free Form and Themed, Historical Restoration, Portland Cement Plaster (stucco) and both Specialty and Colored finishes. "We market our members as professionals," Arnold says. "We look for those who have a passion and the soft skills necessary to succeed. When an employer seeks quality-driven employees, the members of Local 18 deliver," adding, "we are the best option for contractors and customers who want professional installation." The bottom line looks blacker and better when contractors and customers insist on the members of OPCMIA Local 18 for all their trowel trade needs. For further information contact us . Become A Partner Become A Partner > Thank you for your interest in becoming an employer partner! Simply fill out the form below and one of our representatives will be in touch. Company Name Street Address Street Address Line 2 City Region/State/Province Postal / Zip code Country arrow&v First name Last name Phone Email Message SUBMIT FORM Thank you for your interest in becoming a partner with the Local 18! One of our representatives will be in touch soon.