CYPRESS : Action on Testing of Plumbers Delayed

Plans for a controversial ordinance requiring plumbers working in the city to get special certification were delayed again by the City Council this week to allow more time for study.

The council refused on Tuesday to take action after opponents charged that the proposed ordiance was a ploy by the plumbers’ union to recruit members. Supporters of the measure countered that it was merely a way to protect consumers.

Although the exact terms have not been worked out, the proposal calls for plumbers working in Cypress to pass a competence test. Currently, only the contractor is required to be certified.

Because of the amount of work involved, city staff recommended that an outside organization be hired to do the actual testing. According to a city report, several organizations exist that handle the administration of the testing for a fee to the city, which is then passed on to plumbers in the form of a licensing charge.

The Plumbing Industry Progress and Education Assn., a professional organization that has loose ties to plumbing unions, was recommended as a possible organization to administer the tests.

“I don’t want a union coming into this city and telling people what the standards are,” said Councilwoman Margaret Arnold, who was the only council member to take a position on the proposal. “I am strongly opposed to this.”

Proponents denied that the proposal was a ruse to increase the membership of plumbers’ unions.

“This is not a union,” said Robert Payne, who is a member of several professional plumbing organizations. “We just want to upgrade the profession.”

Payne said that everyone is allowed to take the test and study classes regardless of union membership.

Councilman John Kanel suggested the ordinance last month as a possible way to protect homeowners. Several cities in California now require extra testing for plumbers.