Local 27, Kansas City, Missouri was officially chartered into the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers on April 1, 1911.  Signers of the Charter included A. H. Budd, F. Johnson, G. Davis, W. Friday,  V. Gustafson, A. Hall and P. Jordan.

Our charter also bears the signatures of President A. J. Kennedy and Secretary Thomas C. McNamara.

Records indicate that initiation fees for joining the local were $25.00 from 1911 to 1915 when the fee rose to $100.00.

Earliest records indicate our first members by card number and initiation date.  It appears that card numbers were issued and initiation dates corresponded to when fees were fully paid.  Our first members include:  J. H. Thompson, card #542, Feb. 28, 1912; W. T. Pattison, card #543, no date found; L. Glen, card #545, Sept. 23, 1911; Ed Brown, card #549, Oct. 11, 1911; G. A. Ryder, card #553, Nov. 13, 1912; Frank Barr, card #556, Aug. 13, 1913.

Little recorded history is found until 1940.  We have written minutes from 1940 to present.  The minutes indicate patterns that were standard for at least three decades and one could logically conclude that little changed from 1911 to 1940.  Union meetings were held twice a month and unless it was contract or election night almost all meetings adjourned at 9:30.  There was additionally a recorded motion that the local bought beer for the membership after the meetings.

The early years used an “improver” system for new members and they were voted in by the members at regular union meetings.  Improvers after serving their time had to request to turn out as mechanics by a vote of the body.

Many members had to work on permit, sometimes for several years before coming in as improvers.  The local did not move to an apprentice program until 1969.

The local purchased war bonds during the war years and paid $50 to those members joining the service.  Job stewards were recommended by the Business Agent and elected by the members.  Stewards in 1951 were paid an additional 12 ½ cents per hour.

Local 27’s Welfare Fund was started by vote of the membership on Sept. 5, 1950.  The members were assessed $2.00 each to start the separate account with Hugh Ward, R. L. Brown and M. J. McCormack serving as the first trustees. 

The Local went on strike in 1952 to fund the Welfare Fund with 7 ½ cents per hour and add 15 cents to the members check.  Connecticut General Insurance Company was our first carrier.  Records indicate that union books were checked at the door.  Trials for “poor workmanship” were held during or after union meetings.

On April 6, 1953 the Local votes after several invitations to send the Business Agent, George Hogan to the Midwest States Conference meeting, but declines to join. 

Improvers could hold union office until 1958 and Banquets and Picnics appeared to be popular.  Initiation fees increased to $200 in 1958 and union officers were elected every year.  Officers were first elected for three year terms in 1974.  Our Vacation Fund was started in 1958.

The Local 27 Defined Benefit Pension Plan was started in 1960.  The first pension trustees were Ben Blair, George Bates and Mike Ferraro.  The Defined Contribution Pension Plan, known as the Supplemental Pension began in 1977.

We have known a number of locations for our union meetings over the years.  Those have included 101 E. Armor Rd, Pipefitters Hall 31st and Main, IBEW Local 53 on Admiral Blvd., and the United Labor Building at 63rd and Rockhill.  We bought our own building at 400 S. Main, Independence, Mo. In 1993.  The current location is home for Local 27, the Local 27 Apprentice Program and the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council. 

Local 27 has been a leader in developing and implementing programs to advance our industry.  Commercial, Target, Organizing, Abatement and Marketing programs were priorities for the Local long before other locals used them.  We continue to be leaders in those areas today.  One Hundred Years of pride, training skilled craftpersons for the future with great members and leadership.

 You have done well Local 27.  Congratulations.