Westchester-based Insulators Local Union 91 has been around for nearly a century, but just last month, a bill signed by Governor Kathy Hochul made the union that much more critical.
On September 5, Hochul signed Bill S2457B/A3999B into law to create the Mechanical Insulation Energy Savings Program. The program establishes grants for schools, public hospitals, and other public subdivisions to cover 100% of the costs of mechanical insulation upgrades. It’s intended to improve energy efficiency in large public buildings across the state.
That project requires a lot of hands-on help to get it done, which is where Insulators Local 91 comes into play. In fact, it means that the union will even be onboarding additional apprentices in the upcoming year.
“We’re very excited about this legislation,” says Thomas LeCount, business manager of Local Union 91. “Other states have tried, we’ve tried here in the state of New York in the past, and we haven’t been successful until this year. For a trade that doesn’t have as many resources as the larger ones, we’re pretty proud of it.”
A Vital, Overlooked Trade
This trade isn’t as well-known as the others, like plumbing, heating, or electrical. “We are a specialty trade,” says LeCount. But the work is important, especially now more than ever. Its members are trained to properly and safely install insulation on mechanical and plumbing systems in residential and commercial buildings, as well as various types of industrial facilities throughout its jurisdiction.
By reducing the amount of energy needed to operate these systems, insulation is vital to construction, maintenance and efficient operation of these facilities. The union’s members have worked on power plants, hospitals, schools, shopping malls, office buildings, medical research centers, residential projects, high rises, and more.
The apprenticeship program is four years, with 85 people in the program and five more who were recently recruited. That is also very different from other trades, where there are larger apprenticeship classes. Even so, LeCount sees that as a benefit.
“We’re a small trade, but when you can get to know all the other members, it’s a good experience,” shares LeCount. “In the end, you’re more accountable in our trade than in others, because everyone knows everyone.”
The mechanical insulation industry includes a wide variety of construction and maintenance applications. Mechanical insulation applications are performed on almost every kind of building in existence. This apprenticeship program ensures that its members are trained in all of the latest advances in thermal application to hot and cold mechanical systems. In addition to advances in applications, the program offers safety training to ensure that the union provides the highest-skilled, safest workforce in the region.
The Fight for Energy Conservation
For over 95 years, these union members have fought for fair wages, benefits, and good working conditions for all. These individuals were at the forefront of the battle to end the production of asbestos in this country and regulate its use. All of this has been done while aiming to ensure the highest quality of workmanship in the industry.
And now, the union’s most recent fight has proven meaningful with the creation of the Mechanical Insulation Energy Savings Program. For that to come to fruition, the union worked with NYSERDA, hired a lobbyist, and built an energy audit program.
“You can measure how much energy is lost by the lack of insulation,” explains LeCount. “Once you figure out how much energy is lost, you can put a price on it. You can figure out how much you save by putting insulation on a pipe.”
Nearly 80,000 buildings in New York State qualify for upgrades. For 2026, $5 million is put aside for the program.
Above all, LeCount says he’s excited about the work that is coming to the region in the next year or two. The union is working on White Plains Hospital, Westchester Medical Center, and a psychiatric center in Goshen.
As the work continues to come in, the union has doubled down with recruitment for the apprenticeship program, including attending local job fairs and helping reframe the importance of this specialty trade that is often overlooked.
“You’re not signing up for a job; you’re signing up for a career,” says LeCount.
Next Steps
To learn more about Insulators Local Union 91 and the work it’s doing to support energy conservation, visit its website.
Related: What to Know About Joining a Union in Westchester County
