UA stalwart Doug Griffith dies
Douglas W. Griffith, who served remarkably long tenures as business manager of Lansing Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 388 and as president of the Michigan Pipe Trades Association, died on Jan. 19, 2005. He was 73.

Initiated into Local 388 (now Local 333) in 1956, Doug served on the local union's Executive Board from 1960-63. He became business manager of Local 388 in 1963 and held that position until he was severely injured in a car accident in 1994, suffering significant paralysis. Unable to continue to work, Doug was bestowed with the title "Business Manager Emeritus" by local union members.

Mr. Griffith was elected president of the Michigan Pipe Trades Association in 1967, a position he held until 1994. In addition, he was president of the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council from 1988-1994.

Doug was also a delegate to seven UA National Conventions from 1961-91. He was on the Resolution Committee in 1986 and appointed chair of the committee for the 1991 UA National Contention.

Doug had a long resume of service to his union, serving on the United Association of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters National Apprenticeship Committee and the International Plumbing Committee from 1989 to 1994. He was also on the Executive Board of the Michigan AFL-CIO and on the State of Michigan Apprenticeship Committee.

"We wish to extend our condolences to his family, especially his wife of almost 50 years, Phyllis, who has given Doug the greatest love and care for the last 11 years that anyone would wish for," said Jim Davis, business manager of Local 333. "The members of UA Local 333 feel privileged and honored to have had a leader of Doug's stature represent us for the time we had him."

Jobless benefits are taxable
tax season, and there's something every recipient of jobless benefits needs to know: unemployment benefits are taxable.

The State of Michigan said it has completed mailing of year-end statements to anyone who received unemployment benefits in 2004.

"Unemployment benefits are taxable, and those who received benefits will need these statements in order to prepare their 2004 tax returns," Sharon Bommarito, director of Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA), explained.

The statements, on form 1099-G, report how much individuals received in unemployment benefits last year.

After Feb. 3, those with questions about their 1099-G or who do not receive the statement can telephone UIA or visit an agency Problem Resolution Office for help.

The two telephone numbers are toll-free and are staffed on weekdays. The phone numbers are:

Telephone filed claims: 1-(866) 500-0017 - staffed 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., M-F.

Customer Relations hotline: 1 (800) 638-3995 - staffed 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., M-F.