Need help/ideas on how to remove a plastic pipe fitting

[The Dude]

Hello all - first time poster - I need to remove a copper pipe dropping down from a brass t-connector in a copper pipe assembly coming from a steam generator to the steam bath.

Below picture shows the t-connector and the pipe needed to remove at the left, and at the right a close-up view of the connector I'm working with.

It is a beige, thin plastic piece connecting the copper pipe to the brass t-connector. the pipe turns freely and moves within the t-connector, so I know its not glued in. Any ideas on how to get this plastic piece from the t-connector?

thanks!

[Tom Sawyer]

Push the plastic towards the fitting while pulling on tha pipe

[mikeplummer]

shark bite or equivalent removal tool

[jimbo]

gently push the pipe towards the fitting, then press the plastic piece towards the fitting, and while holding that,, pull the pipe out. 3 hand job. A horseshoe-shaped sharkbite tool makes it a one man job,

[jadnashua]

check this out...http://www.sharkbite.com/usa/how-it-works

[hj]

Place a Crescent wrench over the copper tubing, then use it to push the ring inward while pulling on the copper tubing.