A Safe Home for Sydni

As carpenters worked on a volunteer project in South Boston, they added much more than square footage to the cramped space of a three-decker: more importantly, they gave a young girl room to grow and gain independence. They gave her family space to spend time in together. Sydni Pecevich was diagnosed with a grapefruit-sized malignant brain tumor when she was just two months old. She had nine months of chemotherapy and eighteen surgeries in her first two years of life. She is now eight years old, and although cancer-free, she was left with disabilities that require 24-hour supervision. As Sydni got older it became apparent that the tight quarters of her family’s home was not able to accommodate all of her needs. The Carpenters Union, along with other Building Trades volunteers, stepped up in a big way to help transform Sydni's home into a space for her and her siblings to grow.

tags: Helping Hammers

International Workers' Day 2013

Boston-area workers share their stories as part of International Workers' Day. Also called May Day, International Workers' Day is a national holiday in more than 80 countries. May 1st commemorates the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago, where workers stood for the eight-hour workday. Join labor unions, faith organizations, immigrant rights groups and community allies as we march and rally for workers' rights. For information about Boston-area gatherings, visit nercc.org/mayday.

tags: Special Events, Workers Rights, Profiles

Helping Hammers: Hardhats Against Hunger

John Costello has been a member of Carpenters Local 624 since 1983 and has been a steward for most of his career. He is a very proud and active member of his Local. His most recent endeavor is the Hardhats for Hunger food drive he helped organize on a jobsite in Bridgewater, MA. John teamed up with a member of Pipefitters Local 51, Tom Grant, to organize a food drive on the Weygand Hall dormitory project on the campus of Bridgewater State University. They started the drive after the Thanksgiving holiday with the goal of delivering food to a local food pantry, St. Vincent de Paul Society located at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Bridgewater, just days before Christmas. John saw the organization of the food drive as a way to give back to the community he has worked in for so many years.

tags: Helping Hammers

Dudley Square Ferdinand Building

The renovation and reuse of the Ferdinand Building in Dudley Square is an exciting project. Formerly one of the largest furniture stores on the East Coast, the long-dormant building will once again be a source of pride for the community as the home of the Boston Public School Department. It could also be the economic engine that kick starts a brighter future for Dudley Square, the heart of Roxbury. A sense of pride and economic benefits of the Ferdinand renovation are already being realized. The Carpenters union, as part of their commitment to contractors and neighborhoods, has made a concerted effort to provide opportunities within the trade to create a workforce that is representative of the communities where we work. That has resulted in union carpenters from the community being an important part of rebuilding the Ferdinand Building and the future of Roxbury.

tags: Profiles

Carpenters in the Community: C.A.P.T.S.

In 2006, union carpenter Mark Brings, his wife Janet and daughter Erin began sending care packages to military service members from their hometown of Marblehead, Massachusetts, who were deployed overseas. The first four packages aimed to tell their neighbors that they weren't forgotten and that their service was appreciated. Word spread and more names were collected. With help from Carpenters Local 26, Girl Scout Troop 66622, community groups, friends, family and neighbors, the effort grew and has sent hundreds of packages to the men and women serving our nation. Now C.A.P.T.S. (Calling All Patriots Troop Support) sends packages that include useful items, but also small, meaningful things that make them think of home. Their motto is "If we can't bring them home, we will bring home to them." Visit capts911.com for more information.

tags: Helping Hammers

Helping Hammers: Carpenters in Haiti

On January 12, 2010, a catastrophic earthquake hit Haiti, devastating an already impoverished nation. With much of the country's medical infrastructure destroyed, plans that were in place to build a 110-bed community hospital had to be revamped. The Ministry of Health, along with Partners In Health, launched a far more ambitious plan to build a 320-bed state-of-the-art teaching hospital in Mirebalais, which is located thirty-five miles north of Port-au-Prince in the Central Plateau. Haiti's building industry, however, was simply unable to meet the needs of the new building design. Massive donations of time, materials and skills would be needed for the project to succeed. Union carpenters from New England and around the United States stepped up to do their part, helping to secure materials and volunteering to spend time in Haiti building the hospital and teaching Haitian workers valuable craft skills.

tags: Helping Hammers

Fairchild Wheeler Multi-Magnet High School

First they helped it win approval, now they're helping it become a reality. Union carpenters in Bridgeport are now building the Fairchild Wheeler Multi-Magnet School, a combination of facilities and programs that are bringing excitement and hope to a troubled area. The building will be LEED Gold Certified and offer Aeronautics, Information Technology and Zoological/Ecological programs underwritten by corporate sponsors. The 340,000 square foot building is the largest school project in Connecticut's history and is employing hundreds of local trades workers.

tags: Profiles

Carpenters for Elizabeth Warren

United States Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren visited the Carpenters Center recently to speak with members about issues of specific interest to union carpenters. She took questions from members and spoke individually with members before and after the event. Thank you to Elizabeth Warren for coming by and thank you to every member who cared enough to come out and get involved.

tags: Special Events

Community Partner: RI Family Shelter

For many years, members of Carpenters Local 94 have been raising funds for the Rhode Island Family Shelter, located in Warwick. Each year, Local 94 holds an annual Dollars for Food Drive to raise money for the shelter. They have raised well over $50,000 for the shelter, with the money put towards the purchase of perishable food items throughout the year. The Rhode Island Family Shelter assists homeless families with children twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Approximately four hundred individuals receive shelter and supportive services from the facility each year. Located directly above the emergency shelter are seven affordable apartments for formerly homeless families. Supportive services for individuals living in these units are offered on site. It addition to the monetary donations, carpenters have volunteered time and labor on site to help with various projects throughout the facility. These projects include a complete renovation of the basement, creating meeting space and a large playroom. The vibrant playroom is filled with toys and books and is a special place for families to spend time together away from the flow of activity happening on the first floor of the building.

tags: Helping Hammers

Community Partner: United Way

Volunteer carpenters were an integral part of the transformation of the former Framingham RMV Building into the new United Way Pearl Street Cabinet and Café. The facility is capable of serving more than 1,000 customers a month. Along with local Union Laborers, members of the Carpenters Union volunteered an estimated 3,000 hours on the project.

tags: Helping Hammers

Old Colony, South Boston

Union carpenters employed by Suffolk Construction and numerous subcontractors were proud to complete Phase One of the redevelopment of housing at Old Colony in South Boston. The project involved demolition of old buildings and construction of 116 energy efficient affordable apartment units as well as a 10,000 square-foot community center and other improvements and amenities. As the largest property managed by the Boston Housing Authority, demolition and construction was completed on a 15 acre occupied site containing 850 housing units. The project changes the face of a community and the lives of many who will live there. Video of the three buildings in this piece was gathered over the course of a year, from December 2010 through December 2011 during almost weekly visits. Videographer Ellen Webber of the New England Carpenters Labor Management Program produced the piece.

tags: Profiles

New England Carpenter Winter 2012

While we love the convenience and immediacy of sharing news and information through the “Council Update” and on NERCC.org and social media platforms, we know not every carpenter is active online. So the New England Regional Council is committed to continuing to produce the New England Carpenter magazine and deliver it to every member’s home. The latest issue of New England Carpenter magazine has rolled through the presses up in Salem at Deschamps Printing. You’ll notice some changes in this issue, including some new design elements and more (and bigger) pictures of union members and union projects! We’re featuring a cluster of stories about member involvement in area standards demonstrations and introducing the Union Participation Program, which will plug active members into ongoing union efforts to protect standards and win more work opportunities. Keep an eye on your mailbox or check-in at the media center on NERCC.org.

Community Rally Against Wage Theft

A press conference and rally held by union carpenters and other church, student and community groups in support of unpaid construction workers from a Durham site drew dozens of people as well as multiple media outlets. The event was planned to bring attention to a group of workers hired to work on construction of the "Cottages of Durham," upscale housing for students at the University of New Hampshire. It is being developed by Capstone Development/The Cottages of Durham. The workers say that they worked for Builders Construction Services from Alabama on the site long hours for many weeks without pay. When they complained about nonpayment of their wages, they were terminated and evicted from their housing.

tags: Workers Rights

Bay State Services/Copley Area Standards Demonstration

Union carpenters joined by union painters, electricians and members of UNITE/HERE (hotel workers) have been holding demonstrations against the undermining of area standards at the Boston Marriott Copley Place hotel. Bay State Services, Inc. has been hired to renovate rooms and does not pay carpenters area standard wages and benefits on all of its projects. Groups of seventy to eighty members have been demonstrating 2-3 times a week for nearly a month, with some demonstrations drawing more than 200 union members and supporters. Union members work hard to establish and maintain decent standards in the industry. When we find those standards being undermined, we feel it is our duty to call attention to it.

tags: Workers Rights

Dave Matthews Area Standards Demonstration

Carpenters took to the cobblestones to demonstrate against Dave Matthews Construction. The company, which is being used to renovate several floors of a building adjacent to historic Faneuil Hall in Quincy Market, does not pay area standard wages and benefits for carpenters. The protest drew the attention of tourists and natives alike, reminding them that the first step toward liberty is exposing injustice.

tags: Workers Rights

Mark Richey Woodworking

tags: Profiles

Mayo Strike

tags: Workers Rights

Pulte Homes Strike

tags: Workers Rights

Carpenters Union Fighting Wage Theft

tags: Workers Rights

Pile Drivers Local 56 Apprenticeship Training

tags: Training

Training for a Career as a Union Carpenter

tags: Training

Wentworth Institute of Technology & The Carpenters

tags: Training

Helping Hammers Weatherization

tags: Helping Hammers

Walter A. Furman Co., Architectural Woodwork | A UNION shop

Architectural millwork is a key element of any building project. When done right, it can really open eyes. At Walter A. Furman Company, craftsmanship and commitment are key, as union carpenters and company management carry on a long-standing company tradition of exceeding client expectations. Take a look behind the scenes to see how they bring it all together.

tags: Profiles

Wicked Big Problems at Legacy Place Dedham

The New England Regional Council of Carpenters came to the assistance of six carpenters who were not paid properly for work they performed for Elite Drywall on a Wicked Pizza location at the Legacy Place Mall in Dedham, Mass.

tags: Special Events

Graduates of the Arioch Center at Wentworth

Architectural millwork is a key element of any building project. When done right, it can really open eyes. At Walter A. Furman Company, craftsmanship and commitment are key, as union carpenters and company management carry on a long-standing company tradition of exceeding client expectations. Take a look behind the scenes to see how they bring it all together.

tags: Special Events

Governor Deval Patrick at the Millbury Carpenters Training Facility

On March 24th, 2010, Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick visited and toured the Carpenters Training Facility in Millbury, MA. After touring the various ongoing classes in floorcovering, woodwork, and metal stud, the Governor also got to see the Pile Drivers' dive tank in action, with a diving and underwater welding demonstration provided by one of Local 56's own. The Governor was impressed with the apprentices and the multitude of skills that are taught and sharpened at the Millbury facility everyday.

tags: Training, Special Events

MA Secretary of Labor Joanne Goldstein at the Carpenters Center

On September 27th, 2010, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor Joanne Goldstein visited and toured the Carpenters Center. During the visit, Goldstein learned about how the Boston Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Fund is putting grant money to work to offer advanced and updated drywall and installation training at the Carpenters Center facilities.

tags: Special Events

Best Practices Outreach

On September 27th, 2010, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor Joanne Goldstein visited and toured the Carpenters Center. During the visit, Goldstein learned about how the Boston Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Fund is putting grant money to work to offer advanced and updated drywall and installation training at the Carpenters Center facilities.

tags: Training

Carpenters Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On September 27th, 2010, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor Joanne Goldstein visited and toured the Carpenters Center. During the visit, Goldstein learned about how the Boston Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Fund is putting grant money to work to offer advanced and updated drywall and installation training at the Carpenters Center facilities.

tags: Special Events

Workers Memorial Rally and Commemoration 2010

On April 28th, 2010, families and friends gathered in front of the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA, to commemorate those who have died or have been injured on the job and to rally for legislation demanding safer work conditions.

tags: Special Events

Waltham Day with Carpenters Local 275

On April 28th, 2010, families and friends gathered in front of the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA, to commemorate those who have died or have been injured on the job and to rally for legislation demanding safer work conditions.

tags: Helping Hammers

Moving Wall Boston

On April 28th, 2010, families and friends gathered in front of the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA, to commemorate those who have died or have been injured on the job and to rally for legislation demanding safer work conditions.

tags: Helping Hammers

The Hendry St. Project

On April 28th, 2010, families and friends gathered in front of the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA, to commemorate those who have died or have been injured on the job and to rally for legislation demanding safer work conditions.

tags: Helping Hammers

Revere Innovation School

On April 28th, 2010, families and friends gathered in front of the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA, to commemorate those who have died or have been injured on the job and to rally for legislation demanding safer work conditions.

tags: Profiles

Carpenters Go Green

On April 28th, 2010, families and friends gathered in front of the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA, to commemorate those who have died or have been injured on the job and to rally for legislation demanding safer work conditions.

tags: Profiles

Carpenters Center

On April 28th, 2010, families and friends gathered in front of the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA, to commemorate those who have died or have been injured on the job and to rally for legislation demanding safer work conditions.

tags: Profiles

George Allen, Co-Founder Archer Corporation

On April 28th, 2010, families and friends gathered in front of the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA, to commemorate those who have died or have been injured on the job and to rally for legislation demanding safer work conditions.

tags: Radio Ads

John Kendzierski

On April 28th, 2010, families and friends gathered in front of the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA, to commemorate those who have died or have been injured on the job and to rally for legislation demanding safer work conditions.

tags: Radio Ads

Kenney Marshall

On April 28th, 2010, families and friends gathered in front of the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA, to commemorate those who have died or have been injured on the job and to rally for legislation demanding safer work conditions.

tags: Radio Ads

Dave Bryson, Local 26

Dave Bryson speaks about retirement. "It's been my career. I'm getting a few years away from retirement still, but I see retirement as an option, where I have some friends that are not union and they have no option, they have no plan for what happens when they're 55 or 60."

tags: Profiles