Brother Richie Trahan checked in to report on the Holiday Party held at the Carpenters Center for NERCC's Boston Retirees Club last month. Members from the four Boston locals were invited to attend and several dozen did. A group of retired members from Carpenters Local Unions 33, 40, 67 and 218 began meeting  last fall to develop a club for members who had hung up the tools, but not their desire to stay connected to each other and the union.

The group is meeting regularly on the 2nd Monday of the month at the Carpenters Center and hopes to schedule social, educational and union-building activities. The time for the meeting has not been made permanent. For more information or scheduling, contact Richie Trahan at 781-848-9597.

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.

Come find out about the Wentworth program!

Wentworth will be presenting information about registration, fees, and other requirements to participate in their Construction Management Associates and Bachelor degree programs. Graduates of our apprenticeship program will receive 22 college credits toward their degree. All carpenter participants will receive one-third off of their tuition at Wentworth. Participants at either session may register with Wentworth.

 The sessions will be held at the Carpenters Center in Boston, MA, and the New England Carpenters Training Center in Millbury, MA.

New England Carpenters Training Center -- October 13th 2012 @ 9:00 a.m.
RSVP at (508) 792-5443 no later than Tuesday, October 9th

The Carpenters Center (2nd Floor) -- October 17th 2012 @ 5:00 p.m.
RSVP at (617) 782-4314 no later than Tuesday, October 9th

New England Carpenters Training Center -- November 7th 2012 @ 5:00 p.m.
RSVP at (508) 792-5443 no later than Wednesday, October 31st

For more information about this partnership click here. 
 

Iora Health, a Cambridge startup aiming to "reinvent primary care,” plans to open its first Boston area primary care practice at the start of 2013. The practice will include two sites, at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington and at the Carpenters Center. NERCC is initially sponsoring the new practice for use by a portion of its members.

The Iora Health model focuses on spending more on primary care, with the goal of drastically reducing overall health care costs and improving health outcomes down the line.

Instead of going through a health insurer and paying for each employee's visit to a primary care doctor, employers pay a flat monthly fee for each employee who joins an Iora practice. The practices pair each patient with a health coach, who stays in close contact between doctor visits and is available in-person and by email, text and video chat. The practices typically employ two primary care physicians and eight health coaches along with other staff.

Unlike other Iora practices, the Massachusetts sites will start by serving patients will serious health problems, as identified by the insurance providers.

Read more about this unique primary care practice at the Boston Business Journal or in PDF format here. 

Commuters passing the Carpenters Center this week will see a series of reminders about the real meaning behind the upcoming Labor Day holiday. The Carpenters Center media wall will feature images of working people from various industries and a message to celebrate Labor Day by "Honoring Workers" and depicting the people who are "Working for our future."

Starting on Monday, a series of images will rotate on the media wall, each featuring a different profession. Images will change each day throughout the week, with all of the images rotating on Labor Day. Matching images will run on the sign at IBEW Local 103, only a short distance south of the Carpenters Center along Route 93. The coordinated campaign was developed in conjunction with other unions and the Greater Boston Labor Council.

Images on the sign will also be posted on CarpentersCenter.com starting Monday.

Floorcoverers/Carpenters Local 2168 has moved its office space from Adams Street in Dorchester to the Carpenters Center.

The Floorcoverers’ new office is located on the third floor of the Carpenters Center, along with offices for the New England Regional Council of Carpenters, the New England Carpenters Labor Management Program, Shop and Millmen Local 51, Piledrivers Local 56 and Carpenters Local 723.

Please note, while the mailing address for Local 2168 has changed, their phone and fax numbers remain the same:

The Carpenters Center was recently recognized by Metal Architecture magazine as part of their 2011 Design Awards. The Carpenters Center was selected as the winner of the Renovations and Retrofit category. The award recognized the Carpenters Center as “a renovation [that] salutes a legacy of craftsmanship and looks to the future.”

From Metal Architecture:
The New England Council of Carpenters in Boston required an update to a tired brick building and the project got the recognition of our judges. Mark Dewalt says, "This was a stunning rescue of an aging building." Andrew Cottrell adds, "Through the use of metal, the form, the colors and pattern create a symbol and statement for carpenters everything about what can be done with basic elements in unique ways."

One side of the building fronts a fastpaced highway, while the other side faces a community. Boston-based architects ADD Inc. used that duality to capture the history and the future of the carpenters union. Principal in charge Jeff Wade, AIA, explains on the more people-oriented side, "We used warmer colors, using the pewter finish on the Alucobond. We brought in cedar and glass and made it feel more neighborly, warm and traditional-kind of like carpenters are."

But on the highway side, the firm designed an elevation that represents the carpenters looking ahead and being more modern. "Long panels of different colors show that off and give a sleeker, more horizontal structure. That's what gave a shape to the building. We actually played with the shape, making it higher on one end to accentuate the length and even made it look like it was moving."

Mooresville, N.C.-based 3A Composites USA Inc. supplied 43,000 square feet of 4-mm Alucobond aluminum composite panels for the project. Of that, 22,000 square feet was finished in Pewter Creek, while Copper Metallic and Carpenter Mica each comprised 10,500 square feet.
The building also includes a huge media screen, showcasing the carpenters as modern and vital. The installation of the screen required flashing, of course, as the structure penetrated the skin of the building. "That was tricky," says Wade, "but metal panel is pretty easy to work with. It's very forgiving and very easy to make it do what you want.”

"We're a traditional organization that has been around for over a hundred years, but we are also a modern, innovative organization," says Mark Erlich, NERCC executive secretary-treasurer. “We're a group with an enormous sense of pride and we want people to see what we do."

The use of glass along the bottom of the building on the highway side was done to allow outsiders to see into the building, to show there are no secrets, and to show the members going through training and keeping current. The renovation-which Cottrell says "surpasses the idea of renovation"-took an aging building and made it essential and modern, while offering the carpenters a stage to showcase their own consequence and substance.

You can also view this story on the Metal Architecture website.

The Carpenters Center today hosted a training session put on by the Boston Police Department for their Sergeants. The Sergeants Advanced Leadership Training (S.A.L.T.) is an initiative of Commissioner Edward Davis and Superintendent Paul F. Joyce, Jr., who is Chief of the Bureau of Professional Development.

Four dozen Sergeants took part in classroom sessions in the morning before being joined by Commissioner Davis, Command Staff and Lieutenants for a larger session. Commissioner Davis spoke the the group about the vital role BPD leaders play in not only routine policing, but stepped up vigilance since the 9/11 attacks and the death of Osama bin Laden. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft also addressed the group, talking about his business history before and after his purchase of the team.

As reported in the New England Real Estate Journal

The Association of Energy Engineers New England selected the Carpenters Center, the new headquarters for the New England Regional Council of Carpenters (NERCC), as a recipient for their annual Chapter Energy Project Award. This award honors projects with energy-conscious design. The Carpenters Center was recognized for its outstanding use of energy and energy savings.

RDK Engineers joined forces with architect and design firm ADD Inc and provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, audio-visual, and commissioning services for the new center located between 1-93 and Dorchester Ave. With the creation of this new three-story building, fully equipped with a 30-foot LED sign that is used to promote the carpentry trade, motorists on the Southeast Expressway have a new landmark to appreciate on their commutes in and out of Boston. The facility was converted from an abandoned two-story commercial building to a three-story, 75,000 s/f center which will train 2,000 students per year. In addition to student classrooms, the renovated space also contains state-of-the-art offices, a conveniently located bank, and an eye-care center for union members. The center also includes energy-efficient lighting features such as incandescent lights with motion sensors and automatic shut-off.

"RDK Engineers has long been committed to sustainable and energy-efficient design practices," said RDK principal Pat Murphy. "The RDK project team truly enjoyed partnering with the New England Regional Council of Carpenters and ADD Inc on a center that was designed to suit the needs of everyone in the Carpenters' Union. We are proud to have been a part of this unique opportunity."

You also read this story on the NEREJ website.

As reported in the New England Real Estate Journal

The Association of Energy Engineers New England selected the Carpenters Center, the new headquarters for the New England Regional Council of Carpenters (NERCC), as a recipient for their annual Chapter Energy Project Award. This award honors projects with energy-conscious design. The Carpenters Center was recognized for its outstanding use of energy and energy savings.

RDK Engineers joined forces with architect and design firm ADD Inc and provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, audio-visual, and commissioning services for the new center located between 1-93 and Dorchester Ave. With the creation of this new three-story building, fully equipped with a 30-foot LED sign that is used to promote the carpentry trade, motorists on the Southeast Expressway have a new landmark to appreciate on their commutes in and out of Boston. The facility was converted from an abandoned two-story commercial building to a three-story, 75,000 s/f center which will train 2,000 students per year. In addition to student classrooms, the renovated space also contains state-of-the-art offices, a conveniently located bank, and an eye-care center for union members. The center also includes energy-efficient lighting features such as incandescent lights with motion sensors and automatic shut-off.

"RDK Engineers has long been committed to sustainable and energy-efficient design practices," said RDK principal Pat Murphy. "The RDK project team truly enjoyed partnering with the New England Regional Council of Carpenters and ADD Inc on a center that was designed to suit the needs of everyone in the Carpenters' Union. We are proud to have been a part of this unique opportunity."

You also read this story on the NEREJ website.

The Carpenter Vision Center is owned and operated by the New England Carpenters Health Benefits Fund. It offers complete eye examinations and the largest selection of frames available under the Plan. The Vision Center is located at the Carpenters Center, 750 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA and offers afternoon, evening and Saturday appointments.

Carpenters Union members, spouses, and children are eligible for routine eye exam and glasses (2 pairs of single vision-distance and near – or 1 pair of bifocals) once every two years. The facility offers over 200 Covered Frames for men, women, and children and over 80 Collectors Frames for men and women available for a $50.00 co-pay. A large selection of Safety Frames is also available.



While the facility is utilized mostly by members, spouses, and children of the Carpenters Union who have benefits through the New England Carpenters Benefits Funds, the facility is also a Davis Vision Provider. Any outside individual who has Davis Vision as their Vision Benefit is allowed to receive an eye exam and glasses through the Vision Center. The cost is billed through their Vision Insurance.

The Vision Center has three exam rooms and four doctors. There are two Optometrists who perform routine eye exams, one Ophthalmologist who comes in once a month to see patients with medical issues and one Contact Lens Doctor who is available on Wednesdays only.



The Vision Center is conveniently located off of Route 93 (get directions here) at the Carpenters Center, 750 Dorchester Ave. There is plenty of parking available; the facility is an 8-minute walk from the Andrews Square station.

Hours of Operation:
Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm (to book appointments only)
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Friday 8:30am - 3:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Call 617-782-0100 to make an appointment.

(l-r) Marshall Felix- Project Superintendant, Suffolk Construction;
David Dow- NERCC Special Projects; Jeff Wade- Principal, ADD,
Inc.; Liviu Marza, Associate Principal, ADD, Inc.

The Carpenters Center has been recognized by the Construction Institute as a winner of their Pride in Construction Project of the Year award. Yesterday, The Construction Institute (TCI) presented the Pride in Construction Project of the Year Awards and the Volpe-Eagan Construction Safety Awards at their annual meeting and holiday luncheon.

The Construction Institute’s Pride in Construction Project of the Year Awards recognize projects that have been constructed in Massachusetts using union contractors and workers that have had a positive impact on the construction industry, the community, and the clients The Construction Institute serves. Entries submitted for Project of the Year were judged on quality of construction, design innovations, impact on the community, safety achievements, labor-Management relations and customer satisfaction

TCI awarded three Pride in Construction Project of the Year Awards recognizing The Carpenters Center (private sector project), the Fall River Justice Center (state public sector project) and the Haystack Ultra-Wideband Satellite Imaging Radar Antenna (federal public sector project).

The Carpenters Center was recognized for being an adaptive re-use of the property, by renovating and converting the existing building, which was in a state of disrepair and an eyesore for the community, into an appropriately-designed, mixed-use building. The Carpenters Union worked very closely with the surrounding community members to ensure that the design of the building complimented the neighborhood’s architectural character. The building stands as a symbol of pride and tradition of the Carpenters Union and its membership.

David Dow, NERCC Special Projects, accepted the award on the behalf of the Carpenters Union. Dow recognized and thanked the membership involved in the construction of the facility as well as the NERCC staff who “had a vision and saw that vision through” in the planning, design and execution of the project. He also acknowledged the project architecture firm ADD, Inc. and Construction Manager Suffolk Construction.

Following the Project of the Year Awards, two individuals were recognized as recipients of the Volpe-Eagan Safety Award. Receiving the safety awards were George Allen, Principal and Treasurer of signatory contractor Archer Corporation, and Trustee of the Boston Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund and with Jamie Merloni, Training Director for the New England Laborers’ Training Trust Fund.


George Allen, recipient of the Volpe-Eagan
Safety Award stands with David Dow, who
accepted the Project of the Year Award on
behalf of the Carpenters Union.

The safety awards are conferred in honor of Patrick Volpe and Edward F. Eagan, both pioneers in promoting health and safety in the construction industry. Volpe was Safety Director for Volpe Construction and Chairman of Bulletin 12, a former state committee charged with revising the Commonwealth's occupational safety and health regulations. Eagan was a member of IBEW Local 103, had over twenty years of service with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and was highly regarded by both labor and management for his tireless dedication to safeguarding the lives and health of workers. Because of his outstanding contributions to safety and health in the construction industry, Eagan received the Volpe Safety Award in 1979.

TCI has continued this tradition with the hope that the awards program will encourage other individuals to emulate honorees by their dedication to safeguarding the lives and health of union construction workers.

George Allen is the Co-Founder and Treasurer of Archer Corporation, a company known for providing quality interior construction services, with an emphasis on installation. Located in Malden, Archer Corporation is the largest company of its kind in the greater Boston area. Archer Corporation combines "new world" technology with "old world" craftsmanship working for some of the most prestigious owners in the area.

Allen has overseen his company’s exemplary safety program for 40 years and holds several OSHA instructor certifications. But his resolute dedication to safety excellence does not end with Archer Corporation. As a trustee of the Boston Carpenters Apprenticeship & Training Fund (BCATF), he is an avid promoter of safety training programs for all Boston area carpenter apprentices and journeypersons and is responsible for implementing mandatory safety training for all BCATF apprentices.

Allen has demonstrated his commitment to advancing excellence in the construction industry beyond safety and health through his active participation in other industry organizations as well. He serves as President of the Building Trades Employers Association, is a Director for the Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts and a Trustee of the Massachusetts Construction Advancement Program, and is a former Director of the Massachusetts Building Congress.

The Construction Institute (TCI) is a partnership comprised of building trades unions, union contractors, contractor associations, industry professionals, and 75,000 skilled union crafts men and women, dedicated to being the premier provider of construction services in Massachusetts. TCI promotes quality construction and a skilled construction workforce for the benefit of the Massachusetts construction industry, the local communities and the customers it serves.For additioanl information about all the award recipients click here.

The New England Regional Council of Carpenters (NERCC) recently received a rebate check in the amount of $103,880 from NSTAR Electric. The rebate was part of NSTAR’s Construction Solutions Program, which provides incentives for purchasing and installing high-efficiency equipment for us in commercial and industrial operations.

Before breaking ground at the NERCC’s new headquarters, the Carpenters Center, various rebate and incentive programs were examined as a means to not only cut costs, but improve overall efficiency over the lifetime of the building. NSTAR’s Construction Solutions Program was the best fit in terms of the lighting line and dealt specifically with the purchase of light fixtures and switches throughout the building.

In order to qualify for the program, certain terms and conditions had to be met. The project had to be completed in one year, in this case by May 11, 2010; the application had to be submitted with all paid invoices for material costs and labor; and a post installation verification had to be completed, verifying that the equipment was installed and consistent with sound engineering practices. The application had to be received and approved by NSTAR before construction began.

The lighting at the Carpenters Center has individual controls every regularly occupied space. Private and shared offices have two-level occupancy sensors, individual workstations have flexible, integrally-switched task lights, and classroom/conference spaces have multiple levels of switch controls to allow for adjustment of lighting levels in accordance with the activity happening in the space. By selecting incandescent lights with motion sensors and automatic shut off, the Carpenters Union hoped to save over 30% off of total annual consumption.

As part of its building plan, the Carpenters Union utilized its own Commissioning Study as an extra review process in the design and purchase of various elements throughout the building, including the lighting. This separate layer of review assured the Carpenters Union that the organization is given some kind of refund or equivalent in its operation on a daily basis, that true savings would be realized over the lifetime of the building.

Substantial completion of the project happened in January 2010, well ahead of the May deadline as set by the rebate parameters. With the deadline met and the application otherwise complete, the final step was to pass the post installation verification, during which a throughout audit of the system took place, with every fixture examined throughout the building. After passing the inspection, the rebate check was issued to NERCC.

The lighting line for the Carpenters Center, installed by union contractor McDonald Electric, was $217,000. After passing the final inspection, the NERCC was issued a check in the amount of $103,880. At the time the check was issued, representatives from the Carpenters Union were told that the check was one of the largest to be issued by NSTAR under this program.

“We have training programs for our members to learn the fundamentals of Green Building and prepare for LEED AP certification, however it’s very difficult to preach about the virtues of these practices if we’re not doing it ourselves at home,” notes David Dow, NECMLP Special Projects and Facilities.

“Here at the Carpenters Center we now have a great example of how a building can be Green and efficient. The rewards and benefits of good planning and good design will be realized well beyond this onetime rebate payment and will be seen over the lifetime of the building.”

The New England Regional Council of Carpenters (NERCC) recently received a rebate check in the amount of $103,880 from NSTAR Electric. The rebate was part of NSTAR’s Construction Solutions Program, which provides incentives for purchasing and installing high-efficiency equipment for us in commercial and industrial operations.

Before breaking ground at the NERCC’s new headquarters, the Carpenters Center, various rebate and incentive programs were examined as a means to not only cut costs, but improve overall efficiency over the lifetime of the building. NSTAR’s Construction Solutions Program was the best fit in terms of the lighting line and dealt specifically with the purchase of light fixtures and switches throughout the building.

In order to qualify for the program, certain terms and conditions had to be met. The project had to be completed in one year, in this case by May 11, 2010; the application had to be submitted with all paid invoices for material costs and labor; and a post installation verification had to be completed, verifying that the equipment was installed and consistent with sound engineering practices. The application had to be received and approved by NSTAR before construction began.

The lighting at the Carpenters Center has individual controls every regularly occupied space. Private and shared offices have two-level occupancy sensors, individual workstations have flexible, integrally-switched task lights, and classroom/conference spaces have multiple levels of switch controls to allow for adjustment of lighting levels in accordance with the activity happening in the space. By selecting incandescent lights with motion sensors and automatic shut off, the Carpenters Union hoped to save over 30% off of total annual consumption.

As part of its building plan, the Carpenters Union utilized its own Commissioning Study as an extra review process in the design and purchase of various elements throughout the building, including the lighting. This separate layer of review assured the Carpenters Union that the organization is given some kind of refund or equivalent in its operation on a daily basis, that true savings would be realized over the lifetime of the building.

Substantial completion of the project happened in January 2010, well ahead of the May deadline as set by the rebate parameters. With the deadline met and the application otherwise complete, the final step was to pass the post installation verification, during which a throughout audit of the system took place, with every fixture examined throughout the building. After passing the inspection, the rebate check was issued to NERCC.

The lighting line for the Carpenters Center, installed by union contractor McDonald Electric, was $217,000. After passing the final inspection, the NERCC was issued a check in the amount of $103,880. At the time the check was issued, representatives from the Carpenters Union were told that the check was one of the largest to be issued by NSTAR under this program.

“We have training programs for our members to learn the fundamentals of Green Building and prepare for LEED AP certification, however it’s very difficult to preach about the virtues of these practices if we’re not doing it ourselves at home,” notes David Dow, NECMLP Special Projects and Facilities.

“Here at the Carpenters Center we now have a great example of how a building can be Green and efficient. The rewards and benefits of good planning and good design will be realized well beyond this onetime rebate payment and will be seen over the lifetime of the building.”

Joanne Goldstein, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development paid a visit to the Carpenters Center this week to learn more about apprenticeship and upgrade training.

Last month, the Boston Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund was awarded a $166,000 grant to train and certify long-term unemployed carpenters in metal framing and drywall installation. The money originated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, often referred to as the "Stimulus Bill. It was part of $1.2 million that was dispersed by the state to support “efforts to equip Massachusetts workers with 21st century economy skills.”

Though the industry might be slow, carpenters are busy. They're keeping busy while keeping up their skills with upgrade training. The Boston Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Program began its fall semester of classes last night and the turnout was incredible.

More than 100 union carpenters were at the brand new Carpenters Center in Dorchester, which serves as the home of the BCATP as well as the headquarters for the New England Regional Council some Local Union affiliates and the Vision Center. The program ran no less than eleven classes last night, including: Computer literacy, LEED/Green building, Labor History, doors and hardware, drywall certification, CAD, Building Code First Aid/CPR, and Best Practices in Health Care Construction.

Every classroom was filled to capacity, the shops were in use and the parking lot was bursting at the seams. The scene was exactly what was envisioned when the Carpenters Center was conceived and built: union carpenters at all levels coming together to sharpen their skills and make their next project their best project.

For more information on classes being held in Boston or other areas of New England, check the listings or contact information on this page of necarpenters.org. Remember that when you increase your skills, you increase your chances for employment.

The New England Regional Council of Carpenters held a post-graduation celebration to recognize the twenty-nine union carpenters who graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology.

The graduates and their families, along with representatives from NERCC and Wentworth, including Wentworth’s President Zorica Pantic gathered on the second floor of the Carpenters Center to celebrate the great achievement.

The twenty-nine carpenters were the first class to graduate since the NERCC launched this special program with Wentworth in the fall of 2008. The tailored program enables union carpenters to earn an Associate’s degree in Construction management from the prestigious school in as little as two years. The program gives members credit for completing a four-year apprenticeship in Massachusetts and could also give credit for other qualified classes members have taken.

NERCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mark Erlich spoke at the event about one of the goals of the program, which is to bring on-the-job field experience back in to construction management.

“What I think we have done with this program is combine the best of both worlds. The industry does need people who are educated, it’s no longer just enough to come out of the field and apply your experience of supervision, you have to have computer skills, budgeting skills, a whole range of skills. That, to me, is the ultimate goal of this program: to fuse the educational skills that Wentworth provides with the hands-on, real life, practical skills that you’ve learned in the field."


NERCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mark
Erlich and Wentworth President Zorica Pantic.

Erlich then congratulated the graduates. “My hat goes off to those of you who went through this program. This is not an easy program. Wentworth is a tremendously excellent educational institution and it is very demanding. They didn’t tailor their programs for us, we had to meet their standards. I want to congratulate and applaud you. Thank you all for what you do, because you are the future of the Carpenters Union.”

Following Erlich’s remarks, Wentworth’s President, Zorica Pantic, said a few words. “It is wonderful to be here and to see that the efforts that were started a couple of years ago came to fruition. In working with the Carpenters Union, we were able to develop a very demanding program and it is a great match between the needs of the carpenters’ profession and the practical education that Wentworth provides. We are very pleased, [the program] surpassed all of our wildest dreams.”

Boston Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Director Ben Tilton individually recognized each graduate handing them certificates, along with Erlich and Pantic, to recognize them for their great achievement. A small reception followed the speaking program.

The Carpenters Union is a traditional organization that has been around for over a hundred years. While it has a very rich history, it is also very modern and innovative. The design of the Carpenters Centers celebrates both the history and the future of the Carpenters Union.

Reporter Matthew DeLuca, with the Dorchester Reporter, recently visited the Carpenters Center to get a closer at what he calls “the changing nature of unionism.”

In the lobby on the third floor of the new Carpenters Center at 750 Dorchester Avenue are sleek black chairs and hardwood floors and the receptionist behind her desk hums along to the radio on this quiet August afternoon. Beside the long counter of the reception desk is a small metal sculpture of a carpenter wielding a hammer that make one think more of a dentist’s office or the Museum of Contemporary Art than Woody Guthrie and Eugene V. Debs.

This idea, that unionism has changed in recent years, is reiterated again and again through the new building, both in details of its structure and design and by the people who work there.

Twenty-nine union carpenters graduated from the Arioch Center at Wentworth Institute of Technology with and Associate's Degree in Building Construction Management (read more here).

Graduate Eamonn Murphy, a twelve-year member of Local 33, was recognized as the Outstanding Associate Degree Student for the 2009-2010 academic year.

"I am extremely honored to be recognized as the Outstanding Student," said Murphy. "As I look back, however, I realize that my fellow students are all outstanding students. We encouraged each other and worked together collaboratively in accomplishing this goal."

Murphy first joined the Carpenters Union as an apprentice in 1998. When the opportunity arose to enroll in the Construction Management program at Wentworth, Murphy was enthusiastic about being able to continue his training and further advance his career.

"Obtaining a Construction Management degree from Wentworth was the logical choice in expanding my knowledge of the construction industry, and the program certainly provided that for me."

Murphy, along with many of his classmates that just received their Associate's Degree will be continuing on in to the Bachelor's Degree program.

Wentworth ran a student profile of Brother Murphy on their website.

The Boston Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Program will receive a $166,000 award from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one of eight programs to receive money for workforce training, Governor Deval Patrick’s office announced today.

Governor Patrick, Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Joanne Goldstein and other state officials awarded a total of $1.2 million in Federal stimulus money to support “efforts to equip Massachusetts workers with 21st century economy skills.”

The money awarded to the Boston program, based at the Carpenters Center in Dorchester, will fund drywall training and certification for long-term unemployed carpenters.

UBC General President Douglas McCarron was in Boston today with General Secretary-Treasurer Andy Silins and ITC Director Bill Irwin to meet with AGC member contractors from throughout New England. McCarron and Operating Engineers General President Vincent Giblin have been regularly meeting with AGC members around the country to talk about the National Construction Alliance.

While he was here, we got a chance to ask the General President a few questions about the NCA, the UBC and the future of the construction industry.

Earl Taylor, special correspondant to the Dorchester Reporter, recognizes the Carpenters Center as an important landmark and part of the neighborhood's history.

When they hear that I’m from Dorchester, new acquaintances tell me they know they are in my neighborhood when they see the painted gas tank as they drive along the Southeast Expressway. This shallow impression of Dorchester feels nearly as much of an insult as the frequency of crime news in Dorchester even when the address identified is clearly in Roxbury or the South End. But when life gives me lemons, I know how to make lemonade. So let’s jump into the SUV and view Dorchester history from the landmarks along the Expressway.

Dorchester, with three exits going south on the Expressway and four going north, is the largest of Boston’s neighborhoods. Some state capitals have fewer exits. Of course, we have to decide what Dorchester includes. Statisticians refer to North Dorchester, South Dorchester, and Mattapan. All three of these were part of the town of Dorchester when it was annexed to Boston on January, 1, 1870. The same territory is divided into five zip codes -- 02121, 02122, 02124, 02125, and 02126, and its 127,000 residents who live in 23,000 buildings are represented by many city councilors and numerous state representatives. The area is very diverse in all categories of age, gender, and ethnic origin. If Dorchester were a separate city it would be New England’s sixth most populous exceeding even New Haven in Connecticut. Portland, Maine, comes in at about only 64,000 residents, Concord, New Hampshire at about only 40,700.

Traveling south through Boston, coming out of the tunnel we first begin to rise to the crest of the highway. Looking off to the left after the huge parking garage we can see a white tower on top of a hill called Dorchester Heights, reminding us that South Boston was part of Dorchester until the major piece of it broke off in 1804 and Washington Village followed in 1854. The monument commemorates the fortification of Dorchester Heights when the Neck (South Boston) was still part of Dorchester. The action scared the Brits so much they decided to scurry off to Nova Scotia, leaving us to celebrate Evacuation Day (St. Patrick’s Day).

When the highway begins to descend back to ground level, we notice the low flat area that was once Boston’s South Bay, a tidal inlet that has disappeared under the T bus garages and the South Bay Shopping Center on the west. Dorchester, on the southern border of the old South Bay, once had a coastline/waterfront stretching from Mill Brook Creek, separating Roxbury and Dorchester at the southern end of the South Bay, around Dorchester Neck (South Boston), the Calf Pasture (Columbia Point), Savin Hill, Commercial Point and Port Norfolk where the Neponset separated Dorchester from its southern neighbors Quincy and Milton, the latter of which was once part of Dorchester. In its early years Dorchester had a number of water-powered mills, both river mills and tide mills. To operate a tide mill, the miller created a dam with gates in an inlet. When the tide came in, the gates would swing inward to allow the flow to fill the pond. When the tide turned, the force of the water would close the gates, and the miller could use the water in the pond to power his mill.

The new building of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters sitting on the west side of the highway is a reminder that Dorchester is home to many labor union locals and other employee organizations.

Read the rest of the article by clicking here.

Common Boston Photo Project Winners:

Common Boston Photo Project Winners:

Common Boston Photo Project Winners:

Common Boston Photo Project Winners:

Common Boston Photo Project Winners:

Common Boston, a volunteer committee of the Boston Society of Architects that organizes Boston’s only free, public festival that opens up city to celebrate architecture and design in our neighborhoods, has teamed up with the Carpenters Center in a photography contest, with winners' work to be displayed on the LED screen.

Each year, Common Boston features events around a number of “common points” which are areas of activity, typically focused within one of Boston’s many neighborhoods. Programs are centered around neighborhoods to enable the general public to explore good design that has benefited their communities, while also allowing designers to connect with specific communities regarding their ideas for future projects. They organize active programming with the goal of upholding our mission to inspire people who live and work in the Boston area to collectively and effectively shape a sustainable, equitable, and beautiful built environment.

Common Boston Week 2010 will open up the city for its fourth annual event this June 17-27, 2010. The week will feature a rich program of more than forty open buildings, neighborhood tours, exhibits, and events concentrated in six “common points” around the city. This year’s featured neighborhoods are Chinatown, East Boston, Fort Point Channel, Jamaica Plain, Lower Roxbury, and Uphams Corner.

As part of this year's events, Common Boston has teamed up with the Carpenters Center on a photography contest to "showcase the often invisible process behind the building of our physical landscape."

From the Common Boston Photo Project website:

Common Boston invite submissions of photos that tell the story of how places and physical communities are built. We are specifically looking for construction photos –those that suggest how we connect with buildings on a visceral level through their making. The best photos will ideally demonstrate how the making and construction of buildings strengthens community within their neighborhoods.

Photos must be from somewhere with an address in Boston and preferably from the neighborhoods that we will be featuring during Common Boston Week 2010-Chinatown, East Boston, Fort Point Channel, Jamaica Plain, Lower Roxbury, and Uphams Corner.

Look for contest winner’s submissions on the Carpenters Center LED screen and on this website later this week. You can also see web gallery submissions by visiting http://www.cpphotoproject.org/ .

Following is video taken during Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's visit to the Carpenters Center where he held a monthly meeting of his cabinet.

Earlier today, Governor Deval Patrick held a cabinet meeting at the Carpenters Center. Following the meeting, the Governor, along with various cabinet members, toured the facility.

The group made a stop at the Boston Training Center on the first floor to get a first hand look at training happening at the facility, specifically the Best Practices in Health Care Construction training course. He spoke with instructors and carpenters currently taking the class.

Below are pictures from the Governor’s visit.

Earlier today, Governor Deval Patrick held a cabinet meeting at the Carpenters Center. Following the meeting, the Governor, along with various cabinet members, toured the facility.

The group made a stop at the Boston Training Center on the first floor to get a first hand look at training happening at the facility, specifically the Best Practices in Health Care Construction training course. He spoke with instructors and carpenters currently taking the class.

Below are pictures from the Governor’s visit.

Eleven members of the UBC who are also military veterans gathered at the Carpenters Center this morning to raise a new flag and remember those who have given their lives to serve our country. The flag was flown over the US Capitol and was raised in observance of this weekend's Memorial Day holiday.

Joining NERCC Executive-Secretary Treasurer Mark Erlich were: Shayne Cossette (LU 67), Martin Higgins(LU 67), Steve Tewksbury (LU 67), Justin Blackman (LU 40), Stephen Smith (LU 67), Corey Rinalda (LU 33)Dave Robicheau (LU 40), William Murray (LU 33), Patrick Cummings LU 67), Doug Wilkins (LU 33), and Patrick McBrine (LU 33).

Erlich presented the flag to Cossette and Higgings, who attached the flag and raised it in front of the building.

Approximately 4,500 members in our training facilities each year are experienced carpenters upgrading or expanding their skill sets.

The Boston edition of BISNOW--an online publication serving the real estate and design industry--has featured the Carpenters Center in a recent edition. (free registration required)

The building is described as being "impressive," "vibrant" and "well worth the wait." It praises the juxtaposition of "traditional and subtle with muted colors and glazed cubes meeting the street where small residences and stores predominate" and "its sweeping roof line, emphatic colors, and giant LED screen projecting messages to SE Xway drivers" all of which "speaks to their determination to be part of the future."

The Boston edition of BISNOW--an online publication serving the real estate and design industry--has featured the Carpenters Center in a recent edition. (free registration required)

The building is described as being "impressive," "vibrant" and "well worth the wait." It praises the juxtaposition of "traditional and subtle with muted colors and glazed cubes meeting the street where small residences and stores predominate" and "its sweeping roof line, emphatic colors, and giant LED screen projecting messages to SE Xway drivers" all of which "speaks to their determination to be part of the future."

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

Members of the three carpentry Local Unions in Connecticut voted to ratify the proposed collective bargaining agreement in meetings held Friday night. More than 90% of voting members voted to approve the agreement and suggested allocations.

New hourly rates went into effect May 2. For information about new rates, contact the Contractor Relations Department at the New England Regional Council of Carpenters or one of the Local Unions in Connecticut.

The one-year agreement provides a $1.50 increase in the total wage and benefit package. Eighty cents will be added immediately with the remaining $0.70 being added in November.

Further allocation is as follows: contributions to the pension fund are being increased by $0.75 per hour in May and $0.25 in November. Also in May, $0.03 per hour is being added to wages and $0.02 per hour will be added to contributions to the UBC Training Fund. In November, $0.45 is being added to hourly contributions to the health fund.

Carpenters Going Green: Point Breakdown Category 3- Energy and Atmosphere
8 Points Attained

1. Optimize Energy Performance Exceed the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard by 10.5%
2. Optimize Energy Performance Exceed ASHRAE 90.1 by 14%
3. Optimize Energy Performance Exceed ASHRAE 90.1 by 17.5%
4. Optimize Energy Performance Exceed ASHRAE 90.1 by 21%
5. Optimize Energy Performance Exceed ASHRAE 90.1 by 24.5%
6. Optimize Energy Performance Exceed ASHRAE 90.1 by 28%
7. Optimize Energy Performance Exceed ASHRAE 90.1 by 31.5%



The Carpenters Center was modeled in order to predict how much the design of the building would save money in energy use per year. Comparing it to a typical building using the ASHRAE 90.1-2004 Energy Standard, the project uses 31.5% less energy then a typical building



8. Enhanced Refrigerant Management - all HVAC units for this project are specified to use R-410a refrigerant, and therefore do not use either Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or Hydrofluorocarbons (HCFC) refrigerants.

For more information, click on the links in the right column under the heading "Carpenters Going Green"

Carpenters Going Green: Point Breakdown Category 1- Sustainable Sites
8 Points Attained

1. Site Selection - the site was formerly developed and consists entirely of an existing building and paving.

2. Development Density and Community Connectivity - a dense urban site. Within a .5 mile radius of the building’s main entrance there are at least 2 zones that can be designated as residential zones and many basic services within pedestrian access. Basic services include retail, grocery, banks, restaurants, places of worship, schools and a fire station.

3. Public Transportation Access - located .4 miles from Andrews Station and .3 miles from JFK/UMass. MBTA bus stop in front of building.



4. Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms -providing covered and secured bicycle storage for a minimum of 5% of the peak building users. The bike racks are located in bike storage room on Level 1 of the garage. One showering facility is required for the 167 occupents - located on level 2 of building.

5. Low-Emission & Fuel Efficient Vehicles - providing preferred parking spaces for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 5% of the total parking capacity. Spaces will be signed for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles and will be close to main entrance.

6. Stormwater Design – the project will capture and treat 90% of the average annual rainfall and remove 80% of total suspended solids. There are five 8’ diameter drywells surrounded in crushed stone that will act as a retention system with capacity for infiltration.



7. Heat Island Effect – Non-Roof - 50% of the site hardscape (roads, sidewalks, courtyards and parking lots) have a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of at least 29. 63.9% of the project’s hardscape meets that minimum by using a light grey concrete (parking garage deck).

8. Heat Island Effect – Roof - A white high albedo roof for the entire surface – Carlisle SynTec’s Sure-weld TPO white membrane roofing. The roof has a Solar Reflectance Index of 110, which exceeds minimum requirement of SRI 78.



For more information, click on the links in the right column under the heading "Carpenters Going Green"

Carpenters Going Green - Category 5 - Indoor Enviornmental Quality

Prerequisite - Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control – the entire building has been designated as non-smoking. Any exterior smoking must be 25 feet away from entries, outdoor air intakes and operable windows.

1. Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring – the building is designed with a permanent CO2 monitoring system in all higher occupancy spaces

2. Increased Ventilation - designed to comply by allowing the mechanical system to provide breathing zone outdoor air ventilation rates and at least 30% above the minimum rates

3. Construction IAQ Management Plan – During Construction Suffolk Construction is committed to implementing a construction IAQ management plan in accordance with LEED requirements

4. Low-Emitting Materials – Adhesives and Sealants (VOC limits) Specified adhesives and sealants that comply with the South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule #1168 and Green Seal Standard

5. Low-Emitting Materials – Paints and Coatings (VOC limits) Project uses paints and coatings inside the building envelope that complies with the Green Seal Standard GS-11 for paints and primers Standard GS-03 for anti-corrosive paints and the South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1113 for finishes, stains, and sealer



6. Low-Emitting Materials – Carpet Systems (CRI Green label program and VOC limits). The project uses carpets and carpet cushions that meet the testing and product requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus Program. All of the carpet’s adhesives will meet VOC limits.



7. Low-Emitting Materials – Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products - Will not use composite wood and agrifiber products that contain urea-formaldehyde resins inside the building’s envelope.

8. Lighting – individual controls for 90% of occupants. There are lighting controls for every regularly occupied space. Private and shared offices have two-level occupancy sensors, individual workstations have flexible, integrally-switched task lights, and classroom/conference spaces have multiple levels of switch controls to allow for adjustment of lighting levels in accordance with the activity.



9. Thermal Comfort Design - targets to maintain 75 degrees and 50% relative humidity in the summer and 72 degrees in the winter.

For more information, click on the links in the right column under the heading "Carpenters Going Green"

This week at the Carpenters Center, members are participating in a training class to help them contain pathogens, protect patients and perform work within active health care facilities without disrupting operations. "Best Practices in Health-Care Construction in Occupied Facilities" is a program developed by the UBC in conjunction with noted infection experts to develop carpenter skills and awareness that benefit both contractors and the facilities in which they work.

You can learn more about the program's development here. An introductory video about the program can be viewed here.

The first session for carpenters was held about a year ago in Connecticut. Since then, training sessions have been held for apprentices and journey level carpenters in different areas of New England.

Look for the program to expand and gain acceptance among safety-minded facilities who are looking to reduce risk to their patients.

Pictured: Carpenters work on creating safe work environments in active health care facilities, for example, creating a properly contained space to replace a soiled ceiling tile.

On March 16, 2010, the new Carpenters Center hosted its ribbon cutting ceremony. Nearly 400 guests were in attendance. Mark Erlich, NERCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer, opened up the event by welcoming guests to the Carpenters Center. Speakers Andy Silins, UBC General Secretary-Treasurer, Mayor Thomas Menino, and Governor Deval Patrick, congratulated the carpenters on their new home and training facility.

As reported by Jon Chesto in today's Patriot Ledger:

BOSTON — New England union opens a new headquarters in Dorchester

Motorists on the Southeast Expressway are passing a new landmark on their commutes in and out of Boston: the new three-story headquarters for the New England Regional Council of Carpenters.

The 75,000-square-foot building’s exterior has essentially two faces: a modern wall along the highway and a more traditional cedar-paneled facade that can be seen from the neighborhood. Union spokesman Bert Durand said the mix was intentional, partly as a courtesy to the union’s residential neighbors and partly as a reflection of the union membership’s varied range of skills.

The most distinct feature is a 30-foot tall digital sign that can be seen from the expressway. The sign’s LED lights can quickly be reprogrammed to show a new image. The union is using the sign to promote the carpentry trade, as well as providing public service announcements and supporting favored political candidates.

The carpenters council relocated last month from its old headquarters on Summer Street in South Boston. The new building allowed the union to move its training facility from Brighton, as well as other operations, under one roof within the past few weeks.

The carpenters union had been looking for a new location for at least a decade, union officials said. Durand said the union also considered locations in South Boston’s marine industrial park and on Morrissey Boulevard.

The current site at 750 Dorchester Ave. was picked for several reasons, including the ample parking, visibility and easy highway access. The property is also convenient to the Red Line, as it sits between the Andrew Square and JFK/UMass stops.

The union bought the property in 2008 from an owner of Dirigo Spice for more than $5 million, although the site had fallen into disuse. The structure was originally built in the 1940s as a laundry for the Archdiocese of Boston. The old building was gutted and its second story was removed, and the carpenters used the first floor as a foundation to build a new second level and a third level.

Mark Erlich, the council’s executive secretary-treasurer, said the union spent about $19 million on construction. More than 900 union members participated in the construction project in some way, as subcontractors, apprentices or volunteers, Erlich said. “We want our members to feel like it’s their building,” he said.