PHILLIP A. LORD

1943-

Phillip Lord set the highest standard of leadership, organizing, and solidarity, and became instrumental in turning unionized Texas Plumbers into a major force in Texas politics and lawmaking.

Lord started out working for his father in Painters Local Union 130 in Houston, later deciding to enter the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 68 apprenticeship program in 1961. By 1969, he sat on the union's Executive Board and began a succession of union jobs that included organizer, business agent, contract negotiations committee chair, pension trustee, and President. His qualities of leadership, along with his impressive ability to range across the political spectrum as an advocate, led to positions as International Representative for the Plumbers Union and member of the Texas AFL-CIO Executive Board.

Under Lord's leadership, Local 68 was able to move the union's pension plan, formerly controlled by union contractors, into the UA National Pension plan, enabling members to get more retirement pay through investments. In addition, the union grew its membership and moved from two-thirds unemployment during the worst of the 1980s recession to 100 percent employment.

The full list of Lord's union positions is too long to list on this plaque. His community service reach is illustrated by some other positions: Member and Chair of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners for more than 15 years; Board of Managers, Harris County Hospital District; Governor's Task Force on Labor under Dolph Briscoe; life member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; and Harris County Deputy Constable.

Family has always been important to Lord and his wife Debbie, and it is a special part of his legacy that his three sons, Wayne, Rick, and Ron, are continuing the family's powerful representation of working families in Plumbers Local 68.