The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada is a multi-craft union whose members are engaged in the fabrication, installation and servicing of piping systems. The pipe trades industry members use their skills in commercial, industrial and residential arenas. Among the many projects on which UA members can be found are single-family homes, garden and high-rise apartment buildings, large and small office complexes, power plants, refineries and factories. Founded in 1889 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., UA serves as a collective voice for workers through negotiation and collective bargaining with employing contractor groups, such as the Mechanical Contractors Association of America and the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors. To ensure that there remains a steady supply of tradesmen skilled enough to meet the challenges of todays construction industry, the UA has also implemented a training program. The UA is also a key member of the Building and Construction Trades Department, the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Federation of Labour. There are approximately 326,000 United Association members who belong to nearly 400 individual local unions across North America.