Before 1889 it was a struggle for pipe trades to organize themselves nationally. Until that time, organized plumbers, steamfitters, and gas fitters around the United States were mostly members of independent local unions that had either no affiliation to a national group or had a relationship with a multi- trade’s association. During the 1870 and 1880, the National Association of Journeyman Plumbers, Steamfitters and Gas Fitters was apart of the Knight of Labor- this was the largest organization in the country. By 1885 the National Association separated itself to form the International Association of Journeyman Plumbers, Steamfitters and Gas fitters After this spilt, Patrick J. Quinlan sent a letter proposing to form another national pipe-trades union.

In October 11, 1889 the United Associations of Journeyman Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam and Steam Fitters’ Helpers of the United States and Canada was started, known as the U.A. This then began an intense rivalry between U.A. and International Association. (I.A.) for some time, but do to I.A. Financial Assistance to the Plumbing Cooperatives in Milwaukee, this led to its decline beginning in early 1892 and set for the rise of the U.A.

In 1912, the American Federation of Labor the American Federation of Labor (A.F.L), recognizing that jurisdiction of work was the foundation of its existence, ruled that a single union should represent all the pipe trades, and I.A. agreed to merge into the U.A.