Local 520 History
The early history of Local 520 begins in the U.A. Journal
reports of Organizer Dickson. In the February 1914 issue,
Organizer Dickson speaks of being in Harrisburg in December
of 1913 to speak with several prior members about
reorganizing a local.
In the March issue of the Journal, Organizer Dickson
mentions that he was in Harrisburg and held a meeting on
January 27th. A number of men attended that meeting and on
February 5, 1914, a new local was founded in Harrisburg with
a very good membership.
Officers were elected and installed and Organizer Dickson
felt sure the Local would rise because of the proper spirit
displayed and also because of its location in the Capital
City.
The initiation fee in 1914 was $1.00 and monthly dues were
$1.30. Our current fee is $200 and monthly dues are $26.
Our Local has seen many places for holding our Union
meetings. Our first meeting place was at 310 Market Street
and meetings were held every week, or as needed. In the
years that followed, our meetings were held at various
locations throughout Harrisburg, which included 211 Locust
Street, 25 S. Second Street, 109 S. Second Street, 221
Market Street, 1219 N. Third Street and 2163 Berryhill
Street. Our meetings from 1971 to the present day have been
held at 7193 Jonestown Road. This building was built and
paid for by the membership of Local 520. This building
currently houses the administrative offices, our training
facility and the meeting hall. We meet in the hall the
second Friday of every month.
During 2003-2004, there was a complete renovation to the
HVAC system. We also installed a new sprinkler system and
our computer laboratory was completed during this same time
frame.
Throughout the history of Local 520, some type of health
care has been provided for the membership. However, a formal
health and welfare program began in 1958, with a
contribution rate of $.10 per hour. Our present day
contribution rate for health and welfare is $6.25 per hour.
Our Credit Union formed in 1961 and payroll deductions for
the Credit Union began on November 1, 1996, at the rate of
$.10 per hour. The current credit union contribution rate is
$1.50 per hour for our journeymen and $1.25 per hour for our
apprentices. A pension program started in May 1963, with a
contribution rate of $.05 per hour. Our current contribution
rate is $6.75 per hour. An annuity program was started in
Local 520 in May 1984, at a rate of $.25 per hour. The
current rate is $3.00 per hour.
The growth of Local 520 has seen several mergers. Lebanon
(#633) was an early merger but no formal date is on record.
Bellefonte and State College (#680) merged on October 31,
1969. Lancaster (#341) merged on January 1, 1970. This
merger was followed by York (#555) on August 9, 1972,
Shamokin (#559) on October 1, 1973, and Williamsport (*810)
on January 1, 1991.
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