Local 343 History

Established on March 24, 1906, by General President Martin Durkin of the United Association, Local 343 was chartered as a combination Local serving Solano County.

The business office of the Local is located in Vallejo, once California's capital and the home of Mare Island Naval Shipyard (recently closed).

Mare Island and the Local 343 members who worked there provided a key contribution to the nation's defense during World War II, and through other times of conflict and of peace, keeping the United States Navy No. 1 in the world.

Fairfield, the county seat of Solano County, is the home of Travis Air Force Base - the hub for overseas departures to the Near and Far East and a key base in the deployment of military personnel and equipment when the need arises.

The other cities in Solano County, Dixon, Vacaville, Rio Vista, Benicia, Cordelia and Suisun City have a rich agricultural history, but have developed into homes for petroleum refining, high-tech computer, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies that contribute to the region's quality of life.

Napa County became Local 343's jurisdiction after World War II and became a place of living and employment in the word famous wine industry.

In recent years the Napa County, cities of Napa, American Canyon, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga have become home to the Veterans Home and hospital, computer chip companies, pharmaceutical and other industries that add economic diversity and strength to the beautiful Napa Valley.

Local 343's history has been rich in leadership with business managers such as James Pollard, Art Shinn, Marion Beavers, Bobby Lewis, Harvey Birch and Michael Beavers, who recently was elevated to the UA General Office in Washington D.C.

In the late 80's, Local 343 built the impressive Marvin J. Boede Training Center in Vallejo to provide expanded training opportunities for the men and women of piping industry in Napa and Solano Counties.

Today, Local #343 is led by Business Manager Rod Cameron and Business Agent Greg Partch, along with a skilled group of elected officers.

The recent addition of Genentech's pharmaceutical campus in the Vacaville area provides a venue for the Local's members to showcase their craftsmanship for years to come.