March 2018 / Volume 6 / Number 3 The CARPENTER … · situación donde los edificadores y empleadores durante años tuvieron ganancias sin devolverle a la industria en términos de

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The NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

CARPENTERTHE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CARPENTERS REGIONAL COUNCIL THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CARPENTERS REGIONAL COUNCIL

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March 2018 / Volume 6 / Number 3

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THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CARPENTER2

WHAT’S INSIDEThe NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

CARPENTER

On the web at www.nccrc.org

CARPENTERMarch 2018 / Volume 6 / Number 3

TABLE OF CONTENTSExecutive Officer’s Forum 3 The so-called construction ‘labor shortage’ NOTE: This column is available in four languages.

SPECIAL ISSUE: Celebrating Sisters in the Brotherhood 5

How Sisters helped build American unions 5

Meet the Sisters: In their own words 6

Build Carpenter power! Become an Organizer! 10

Woman-owned signage company looks to the future 10

Women Can Build Career Day draws new carpenter recruits 11

Carpenters Training Committee 12 Supporting women in the trade

Employment Opportunity: Field Agent position 14

Asuntos Legales: Conozca sus derechos: Auditorías I-9 15

Congratulations to the January 2018 retirees 16

Political Action 17 The right to organize

Attend meetings in 2018, earn a chance to win a truck 17

Safety Matters 18 Your hard hat and you…

In Memoriam, January 2018 18

Members kick in to support a family in need 19

Local Unions’ Meeting Schedule 19

The NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Published monthly by the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council

265 Hegenberger Road, Suite 200Oakland, CA 94621 (510) 568-4788

For news and updates from the union, LIKE us on Facebook (facebook.com/nc-crc), follow us on Twitter, or go to our You-Tube channel, NorCal Carpenters.

For information on the Sisters in the Brotherhood, email [email protected]

EXECUTIVE BOARDNORTHERN CALIFORNIA CARPENTERS

REGIONAL COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE OFFICERRobert Alvarado

PRESIDENTAugie Beltran

VICE PRESIDENTCurtis Kelly

CONDUCTORMatt Kelly

WARDENBill Feyling

TRUSTEESRobert Baldini, Jim Smith,

Frank Crim

MEMBERS AT LARGELaurie Drocic

Jose GuardadoJim Halloran

MANAGING EDITORAugie Beltran

PRODUCTIONDSB Communications LLC

NCCRC Headquarters265 Hegenberger Road, Suite 200, Oakland, CA 94621(510) 568-4788

NCCRC Central District265 Hegenberger Road, Suite 200, Oakland, CA 94621(510) 568-4788

NCCRC Northern District4421 Pell Drive, Suite F, Sacramento, CA 95838(916) 641-1041

NCCRC Southern District2102 Almaden Road, Suite 125, San Jose, CA 95125(408) 445-3000

www.nccrc.org

COVER: The first local Sisters in the Brotherhood committee was formed by the women of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners in 1998, to help build a better trade and a better union, and to provide support and assistance to women carpenters, pile drivers, cabinet makers, drywall-lathers, millwrights installers and other members of our trade.

ABOVE: The “infinity” logo for the Northern California Sisters in the Brotherhood was designed last year by Ja’Nest Staples, daughter of Local 46 Field Representative Janet Staples.

CARPENTERCARPENTERCARPENTER

3THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CARPENTER

The buzz in the media is that the building industry can’t find enough people to build its projects. In the non-union sector, that’s true. It’s a situation where builders and employers have profited over the years and given nothing back to the industry in terms of training and living wages. In essence, they have now fallen victim to their lack of vision.

On the union side, our goal has always been to be prepared for tomorrow—in organizing, creating work opportunities, providing education and making sure we have the ability to fill jobs. When the economy went into recession, we didn’t panic. We knew that at some point the recession would end, and there would be a high demand for skilled craftspeople. When other organizations and businesses were cutting back, we doubled down on our educational programs and expanded our recruiting efforts through pre-apprenticeship.

Our union has been growing at a steady and healthy pace. Journey-level carpenters continue to make membership, and our apprenticeship program is expected to be at 6,000 apprentices within the next year. Most importantly, our hiring halls continue to fill job orders and put members to work.

SISTERS IN THE BROTHERHOODMarch is when we as a nation celebrate

Women’s History Month. It’s an annual tribute to the historical and contemporary contributions of women to our society. In construction, women have played a major role since before World War II when the phrase “Rosie the Riveter” was first coined. As one of the largest building trades unions in North America, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters stands proudly as an advocate for our Sisters.

The UBC has a strong International Sisters

in the Brotherhood program, dedicated to providing our Sisters with opportunities to network, and the tools to be more active within our union.

In Northern California our Sisters have organized a regional Sisters in the Brotherhood committee with a focus on education, support, networking and community services. It’s open to both Brothers and Sisters. You can find more information on Sisters in the Brotherhood on our web page, NCCRC.org. There, members can register for updates and find out more about our regional committee.

Over the years our magazine has celebrated our Sisters from pre-apprenticeship to those who own and run some of our most powerful and influential employers. This issue of The Northern California Carpenter is dedicated to our Sister carpenters—to their lives and their achievements.

Informe de ejecutIvo Bob Alvarado, Oficiel Ejecutivo

La supuesta ‘deficiencia laboral’ de la construcción’

Según los medios de comunicación, la industria de la construcción no puede encontrar personal suficientes para edificar sus proyectos. Esto es cierto en el sector donde no hay sindicatos. Es una situación donde los edificadores y empleadores durante años tuvieron ganancias sin devolverle a la industria en términos de entrenamiento y salarios con que vivir. Lo cierto del caso es que ahora ellos son víctimas de su propia inhabilidad de tener perspectiva.

A comparación, nuestra meta como sindicato siempre ha sido estar preparados para el día de mañana—organizando, creando oportunidades de trabajo, proporcionando educación y asegurándonos de tener la habilidad de llenar los trabajos. Cuando la economía estaba en recesión, no entramos en estado de pánico. Sabíamos que en algún momento la recesión terminaría y que habría una gran demanda en la industria para personal capacitado. Cuando otras organizaciones y negocios estaban haciendo reducciones, nosotros doblamos nuestros programas educacionales y expandimos nuestros esfuerzos de reclutamiento por medio

de pre-aprendizaje.Nuestro sindicato ha estado creciendo a un

paso constante y saludable. Los carpinteros del nivel Journey continúan afiliándose y se espera que nuestro programa de aprendizaje llegue a 6,000 dentro del próximo año. Aún más importante, nuestros salones de contratación continúan cumpliendo con órdenes de contratación y colocando miembros en trabajos.

HERMANAS EN LA HERMANDADMarzo es cuando celebramos nacionalmente

el Mes Histórico de las Mujeres. Es un tributo anual a las contribuciones históricas y contemporáneas de las mujeres en nuestra sociedad. En la construcción, las mujeres han ejercido una gran función desde antes de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, es aquí donde surgió “Rosie the Riveter” (Rosie la Remachadora). Como uno de los sindicatos más grandes de los oficios de la construcción en el Norte de América, la Hermandad Unida de Carpinteros (UBC según sus siglas en inglés) es un promotor orgulloso de nuestras Hermanas.

La Hermandad Unida de Carpinteros tiene el programa internacional Hermanas Fuertes, dedicado a proveerle a nuestras Hermanas oportunidades de contactos de negocios y las herramientas para que sean más activas dentro de nuestros sindicatos.

En el Norte de California nuestras Hermanas han organizado un comité regional de Hermanas en la Hermandad que se enfoca en educación, respaldo, contactos de negocio y servicios de la comunidad. Está abierto para Hermanos y Hermanas. Para más información sobre Hermanas en la Hermandad visita nuestro sitio NCCRC.org. Ahí, los miembros pueden registrarse para recibir noticias y obtener más información sobre nuestro comité regional.

Durante los años, nuestra revista ha celebrado a nuestras Hermanas desde pre-aprendizaje hasta aquellas encargadas del manejo de nuestros empleadores más fuertes e influénciales. Esta edición de The Northern California Carpenter está dedicada a nuestras Hermanas en la industria de la carpintería—a sus vidas y logros.

The so-called construction‘labor shortage’

executIve offIcer's report Bob Alvarado, Executive Officer


新聞媒體正在炒作的一件事是，建造業找不到足夠的人員來建造工程項目。在非工會的行業區隔，情況確實如此。多年來，建造商和雇主獲利豐厚，卻在人員培訓和生存工資方面不向行業作絲毫回饋。簡而言之，他們現在是之前缺乏遠見的犧牲品。

在工會這方面，我們的目標一直是為未來做好準備：我們總是在加強組織，創造工作機會，提供教育培訓，確保我們有能力填滿職位。在經濟進入衰退時，我們沒有驚慌。我們知道，衰退總是要完結，到時就會對有技能的工作者有很強的需求。當其他組織和企業縮減開支的時候，我們加強了培訓項目，並通過學徒工前計劃擴大了會員招募努力。

我們的工會一直以穩健的步伐成長。熟練工木工不斷加入工會，而學徒工計劃預期將在今後一年內包含 6,000 名學徒工。最重要的是，我們的招工所一直都能夠滿足項目要求，讓會員有工做。

工會中的姊妹三月份，美國全國慶祝『婦女

歷史月』。這是對歷史上以及當代婦女對社會作出的貢獻的年度致敬。在建造業，女性在『鉚釘女工羅茜』名稱起源的二戰之前，就扮演很重要的角色。作為北美洲最大的建造業工會之一，木工聯合工會 (UBC) 很自豪地為女性工作者爭取權益。

UBC 有一個很好的『工會女性會員國際計劃』，專門幫助女

性會員互相聯絡，並提供女性在工會內部發揮積極作用的工具。在北加州，我們的女性會員組建了一個區域性的『工會女性會員委員會』，專注于教育、支援、溝通和社區服務。男性和女性會員都可參加。關於『工會女性會員』(Sisters in the Brotherhood) 項目的更多資訊，可以在我們的網站 NCCRC.org 上找到。在該網站，會員可以登記以獲得情況更新，並進一步瞭解我們的區域性委員會。

多年來，我們的雜誌都向從學徒工前到大型雇主的女性致意。本期的『北加州木工』雜誌獻給我們的女性木工 – 讓我們向她們的生命和成就致意！

Отчет исполнительного руководителяБоб Альварадо, исполнительный директор

执行长的报告Bob Alvarado, 執行長

所謂的建造業『勞工短缺』

Шум в средствах массовой информации заключается в том, что строительная индустрия не может найти достаточно людей, чтобы строить свои проекты. В несоюзном секторе, это правда. Это ситуация, когда строители и работодатели на протяжении многих лет получали прибыль и не возвращали ничего промышленности с точки зрения обучения и заработной платы. В результате, они стали жертвами собственной недальновидности.

Со стороны профсоюза, наша цель всегда была быть готовым к завтрашнему дню-в организации, создании рабочих мест, обеспечении образования и убедившись, что у нас есть возможность заполнить рабочие места. Когда экономика вошла в рецессию, мы не паниковали. Мы знали, что в какой-то момент рецессия закончится, и будет высокий спрос на квалифицированных ремесленников. Когда другие организации и предприятия сокращались, мы увеличили наши инвестиции в наши образовательные программыи расширил наши рекрутинговые

усилия путем раннего обучения.Наш союз растет устойчивыми и

здоровыми темпами. Плотники на уровне путешествий продолжают вступать в члены, и наша программа ученичества, как ожидается, составит 6000 учеников в следующем году. Самое главное, наши залы найма продолжают заполнять заказы на работу и помещать членов на работу.

СЕСТРЫ В БРАТСТВЕМарт-это когда мы, как нация,

празднуем Месяц женской истории. Это ежегодная дань уважения историческому и современному вкладу женщин в наше общество. В строительстве, женщины играли важную роль еще до второй мировой войны, когда фраза “Рози Клепальщик” была впервые введен. Являясь одним из крупнейших строительных профсоюзов в Северной Америке, Объединенное Братство Плотников (UBC) гордо выступает в качестве защитника наших сестер. UBC имеет сильных международных

сестер в программе Братства, посвященный предоставлению нашим сестрам возможности для сети, и инструменты, чтобы быть более активными в рамках нашего Союза. В Северной Калифорнии наши сестры организовали региональных сестер в братстве комитет с акцентом на образование, поддержку, создание сетей и общественных услуг. Он открыт как для братьев, так и для сестер. Вы можете найти более подробную информацию о сестрах в братстве на нашем веб сайте, NCCRC.org. Там члены могут зарегистрироваться для обновления и узнать больше о нашем областном комитете.

На протяжении многих лет наш журнал отпраздновал наших сестер от предварительного обучения до тех, кто владеет и управлять некоторыми из наших самых сильных и влиятельных работодателей. Этот выпуск Северного Калифорнийского плотника посвящен нашей сестре плотникам-их жизни и их достижениям.

Так называемый “дефицит рабочей силы” в строительной отрасли


Apprentices studying blueprints at the Carpenters Pleasanton Training Center are, from left, Jessica Pines, Local 102; Tiffany Ford, Local 713; Angel Quiroz, Local 217; and Latrice Madaris, Tomeka Atkins and Soledad Martinez, all Local 22.

Since 1935, when Margaret Ellings was the first woman initiated into the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, thousands of women have played a vital role in making our union stronger. Sisters in the Brotherhood (SIB) supports these female members by helping them obtain craft training and leadership skills, by being advocates for women on the job and by mentoring new members and potential members.

In honor of Women’s History Month, The Northern California Carpenter is recognizing the Sisters who’ve chosen a life as Carpenters, Pile Drivers, Drywall-Lathers and Millwrights, as Installers and Cabinetmakers, Scaffolders, and as foremen and superintendents—and all of the women who are pioneering in the trades represented by our union.

All over the U.S. and Canada, chapters of Sisters in the Brotherhood are at work, contributing to community projects, recruiting and supporting apprentices and building their skills in upgrade classes.

In Northern California, we’ve come a long way in recruiting and retaining women carpenters. We have a generation of women who have withstood the challenges they faced, and serve as role models for women carpenters who are following them. … And we still have a long way to go.

Celebrating Sisters in the Brotherhood

To contact the Northern California Sisters, go to

www.nccrc.org/blog/sisters-in-the-brotherhood.

To get news and information from the UBC Sisters

Committee, text SIB to 91990 for Sisters-only information.

The tremendous impact women have had on the history of unions in America is often missing from textbooks and the media. These brief tributes honor just a small fraction of the women who have contributed to the labor movement, fighting for the union goals of better wages and conditions, to organize, and to win equal rights for all workers.

How Sisters built American unionsMother Jones, 1830–1930

“I asked the newspaper men why they didn’t publish the facts about child labor in Pennsylvania. They said they couldn’t because the mill owners had stock in the papers. Well, I’ve got stock in these little children,” said I, “and I’ll arrange a little publicity.”

On July 7, 1903, Mary Harris “Mother” Jones began the March of the Mill Children from Philadelphia to New York to publicize the harsh conditions of child labor and to demand a 55-hour workweek. During this march she delivered her famed “The Wail of the Children” speech. Jones and five delegates ended their journey at President Theodore Roosevelt’s Long Island summer home in Oyster Bay, New York. Roosevelt refused to speak to them.

—mini-biographies are based on the Zinn Education Project


A member of Local 713 since 1987, Victoria “Vic” Julian is a superintendent for DPR Construction.

Jennifer Nieto, Local 34 This is just the beginning of my career as

an apprentice. I have learned a lot of skills, but being a welder and pile driver has changed my life as a mom, wife and friend. It is not the typical job for a woman to have, but it’s the best one for me. One day I hope to be an underwater welder, and pile driving has opened many doors for me in that area.

Victoria Julian, Local 713I’ve been with DPR for most of my career

and worked up to superintendent. Being a woman has never been an issue at DPR. My attitude is that it’s not a man’s job, it’s a construction job. One guy quit when I first made lead on a job, but that’s been about

it. The other day I got a “hey, hon” from the elevator operator. I said, “Doing fine, pumpkin,” and that was the end of that. You just laugh it off. I always encourage women to come in and do your best. It’s about being on time—which means 15 minutes early—doing your job, and not being afraid to ask questions.

Tanya Lewis, Local 22I got a start with Roberts–Obayashi and

worked there for 11 years until I got laid off. Then I did my own footwork and got work at Coliseum Gardens with Cahill, and I’ve been with them ever since. They’ve treated me fairly; honestly, I’ve been able to get promoted and learn a lot. I’ve had a lot

Clara Lemlich, 1886–1982Clara Lemlich, at the helm of the Interna-tional Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, led several strikes of shirtwaist makers and challenged the mostly male union leader-

ship. With support from the National Wom-en’s Trade Union League, she led the 1909

New York shirtwaist strike, also known as the Uprising of the 20,000. It was the largest

strike of women at that point in U.S. his-tory. Lemlich was 23 years old. After being banned from the garment in-dustry, Lemlich spent the rest of her life organizing working-class women

and fighting for women’s right to vote.

How Sisters built American unionsPauline Newman, 1887–1986

“All we knew was the bitter fact that after work-ing 70 or 80 hours in a seven-day week, we did not earn enough to keep body and soul together.”

That’s how Pauline Newman, a Russian immigrant who began working at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York in 1901 when she was 11 years old, recalled her first work experience. Newman began organizing as a teenager after she joined an evening study group with her coworkers, sharpening their English while discussing labor issues and politics. She was a pivotal organizer in the 1909 shirt-waist strike and the Women’s Trade Union League. She became a union organizer for the International Ladies’ Garment Work-ers’ Union (ILGWU) and director of the ILGWU Health Center.

In their own words....

Jennifer Nieto is a second-period apprentice in Pile Drivers Local 34.

Cahill Foreman Tanya Lewis, Local 22 (left), and Kiowa Smith, Local 9068, at work on an affordable housing project in San Francisco.

THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CARPENTER 7

Dolores Huerta, 1930–“I couldn’t stand seeing kids come to class hungry and needing shoes. I thought I could do more by organizing farm workers than by trying to teach their hungry children.”

Dolores Huerta quit her first job as a schoolteacher, and in 1955, became one of the founders of the National Farm Workers Association. Later, she worked with Cesar Chavez to organize the United Farm Workers. In 1965, she directed the Delano

grape strike and boycott, which educated consumers about farm workers’ condi-tions, and affirmed the right of the farm workers to union representation.

In 2010, Huerta earned an honorary degree from Mills College, which named her “a lifetime champion of social justice whose courageous leadership gar-nered unprecedented national support from farm workers, women, and un-derserved communities in a landmark quest for human and civil rights.”

--Getty Images

of support, and moved up to being a safety foreman. A few people have a hard time with a woman giving directions, but you have to have thick skin, and let it roll off. Give it your all, develop the soft skills of working with people. Get to work early, have the right tools to do the job, take all your breaks and be the last one to go home.

Kiowa Smith, Local 9068I got started in the Conservation

Corps and got into the industry, but all I was doing was scrapping and stocking. I felt I wasn’t going anywhere, so I left for ten years and got my AA degree. But I came back because I loved carpentry, loved to be out there hanging and banging. I didn’t want to leave things undone; I have a son now, and I wanted to teach him to finish what you start. I think the industry has improved a lot; they are making more of an effort to encourage women. I’m a hard-assed worker, just give me a chance is how I feel.

It’s what you make of it. Be sober, be mindful, be safe and go home. It’s a tough industry. There are men out there who talk like sailors, but as long as you’re not being disrespected, you’re okay. Just do the work right.

Nunila Gutierrez, Local 46It’s easier to bounce things off other women

who have already been through what I’m going to go through. It can guide me. It’s something they went through, and other women understand it better because they’re women.

But I don’t want to exclude men, because I’ve learned a lot from men on the job site. They know I’m serious.

My mentors from Sisters in the Brotherhood have been here every step of the way with me. I go to the meetings to find out about the different companies, who is hiring and about the challenges in the industry. It helps me focus more on the opportunities—it’s encouraging.

April Atkins, Local 22I journeyed out in 2000. My advice to

young women entering the trade is to make sure this is what they want to do for their career, and take it seriously. It’s good money, but don’t do it for the money, do it because you like the industry. Stay true to what you want to do. The challenges I’ve encountered are proving that I’m worthy of the job—that I can do it. Pretty much through my whole career, even when I was an apprentice, I never let anybody disrespect me, and I’d tell other


Nunila Gutierrez, a third-period apprentice in Local 46, attributes some of her success to having experienced women mentors.

April Atkins, Local 22 since 2006, was introduced to carpentry through a high school woodshop class, and hasn’t looked back since.



Hattie Canty, 1933–2012Born in Alabama, Hattie Canty was a domestic worker before she became a cleaner in

a Las Vegas hotel and then a leader of Las Vegas Hotel and Culinary Workers Local 226. Canty was elected to the union’s Executive Board in 1984, the year Local 226 waged

a successful 75-day strike against Las Vegas casinos. Then, in September 1991, 550 culinary workers at the Frontier Hotel walked off the job over unfair labor practices. Their

strike ended more than six years later when the Frontier’s new owner settled with the union.

As President of Local 226, Canty worked for better wages and benefits, and for access to upper-level jobs for women and those from under-rep-resented communities. One of her greatest achievements was establish-

ing the Culinary Training Academy in Las Vegas in 1993. Its mission is “to reduce poverty and eliminate unemployment by providing employability and

vocational skills to youth, adults, and displaced workers.”

How Sisters built American unions

women to do the same. It can be hard for women if you allow it, but if you don’t allow it, it won’t happen. I have a strong backbone and no tolerance for disrespect, and that’s made me the carpenter I am now.

Christina Strickland, Local 405The culture, day to day, is just like any job,

you have all kinds, there’s all kinds of jokes, there’s so many different personalities. There’s a lot of women out there now, which helps, and a lot of support, from my coworkers all the way up the company ranks.

The main thing is don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to say what’s on your mind, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. If someone calls you sugar, call him out on that. As a lead, I am sort of a middleman between the foreman and the guys under me, and it works out pretty good. I delegate, I decide where we go next, and it works out.

T Vincent, Millwrights, Local 102I was what they used to call a tomboy. I

loved hanging out in the garage with my dad, who was a millwright. I loved building things, I loved getting greasy and dirty—I mean I glommed onto it with every fiber of my being.

When I joined the union in 1987, it was a little unusual, but not unheard of—there were a few other sisters in the union before me. I had an advantage. I knew my dad’s work, I knew all

his buddies, so it wasn’t that much of a culture shock for me. But I didn’t trade on my dad’s name, I never told people who my dad was, but I did have an advantage going in because I had hung out so much with him.

Once they saw I could do the work, I was accepted. I didn’t get harassed. Some of the older guys were clearly uncomfortable with “a girl” on the job, but I made it my mission to get along, to do the work, to learn as much as I could, and not to ask for any special treatment. I think there was only one guy I couldn’t reach in the whole 30 years I’ve been in the industry.

I became a trainer after 16 years of working in the field because of an injury. I’ve dealt with hundreds of apprentices over the years, and never had a problem. They all get it. Frankly, I think people on the West Coast are more open-minded about gender than in the Midwest or East.

It’s a great career if you have a passion for building things, and don’t mind—even enjoy—the dirt and sweat. These young women I have in class right now are great apprentices, ready to rock and roll and become great millwrights.

Julie Richter, Local 2236I have a background in sculpture and art.

I’ve always loved working with my hands, and becoming a cabinetmaker has been a way to make a living using those skills. I started out doing office work for a cabinet shop, but pretty soon I realized that I wanted to be building things, and I started to work on the floor as an apprentice. It’s been five years, mostly at Design Workshops. I enjoy it. I’ve had co-workers who have been great colleagues and teachers and treated me with respect. But on the flip side, I’ve met resistance from people who questioned why I wanted to be a cabinetmaker and didn’t think I could do the work. There’s certainly a lot of

T Vincent, president of Millwrights Local 102, has been an apprenticeship instructor for 15 years.

Christina Strickland, a member of Local 405, apprenticed in 2016 after ten years as a veterinary technician.



Ai-Jen Poo, 1974When Ai-Jen Poo started organizing domestic workers in 1996, many thought she

was taking on an impossible task. Domestic workers were too dispersed over too many homes. Even Poo had described the world of domestic work as the “Wild West.” Poo’s first big breakthrough with the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) happened on July 1, 2010, when the New York state legislature passed the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. The bill legitimized domestic workers and gave them the same lawful rights as any other employee, such as the eight-hour work-day, overtime pay and vacation time. Though the bill was considered a major victory, the NDWA did not stop there,

expanding operations to include 17 cities and 11 states.

--Getty Images

room for people to change their mindset about what women are capable of, and I hope there will be more women coming into the trade. It’s rewarding in many ways, and I intend to stay with it, as long as it remains challenging, as long as I can keep learning new things.

Melissa Pokriots, Local 1599My husband and I had concrete business

for a while, and I liked the physical aspect—building forms, working outside. It didn’t work out so well, and my husband went to work for a signatory company, Tutor–Saliba. They told him they wanted women carpenters and that’s how I got in. I love the trade, I love the people I work with, they are great guys. Initially, you get some guys with the “uh-oh, we’ve got a girl on the job” look, but it passes pretty quickly when I show them I can do the job. The hours are long, but the work is rewarding, with great pay and benefits through the union. You just

have to be ready to prove yourself. Actually, the most important thing is to prove yourself to yourself—I feel like I’m the number one person I need to impress.

Laurie Drocic, Local 405 I’ve always had good support and felt

welcome in the union and in the trade. Sure, there have been a few incidents, but I’m the kind of person who will laugh it off. Most people are good, and don’t mean anything by it.

It helped me a lot that I started right away going to union meetings, learning how the union worked. Now I serve as recording secretary for Local 405, as a delegate, and it’s a real honor to be the first woman rank-and-file member of the Negotiating Committee. I live and breathe it.

I have three grown children, and they’re all carpenters, including my daughter. I’m super proud of them. I’ll always remember my daughter saying, “Mom, I’ve seen what you’ve done, and I think I can do it too.” I give them the same advice—get involved!

Esmerelda Lopez-Barja, a Local 1109 apprentice, joined the union last summer. “The work can be heavy,” she says, “but it can really be fun. The time flies by when you’re getting along with everyone and having fun.”

Melissa Pokriots, Local 1599, at work on the Antlers Bridge, on Lake Shasta.

Laurie Drocic, a member of Local 405, is a rank-and-file member of the Carpenters Negotiating Committee.


“Becoming an organizer has been a great way to give back. Being in the union gave me a good life for the 15 years I worked with my tools, so becoming an organizer has given me a great opportunity to help others, to support the members, to lead, to build the union. I urge more Sisters to step up. You can make a difference!

—Patricia Ramirez, Organizer, Local 405, San Jose

Apply online at: www.nccrc.org/organizing-position

Woman-owned signage company looks to the future

Juliana Choy Sommer, President of Priority Architectural Graphics, shows off the first Braille printing machine she bought when she started the business in 1995.

Build Carpenter Power! Become an Organizer!

We take signs for granted. Getting off the plane after a five-hour flight, we want clear direction to baggage claim. But governed by the vision of the client, complex building codes and ADA requirements, it can get complicated. Making accessible signs requires special training and, sometimes, special equipment.

Juliana Choy Sommer has both. She’s the first to admit, she also started with

an advantage. “I was born into the construction industry,” she says. Choy Sommer is the daughter of L.C. Choy, an electrical contractor and the first person of color admitted to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in San Francisco. “I had an understanding early on of how the business worked.”

In 1995, fresh out of UC San Diego with a political science major and visual arts minor, Choy Sommer was looking for work. “It was my dad who anticipated the need for signage to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” she says, “and suggested I think about a business to produce it.”

When she started Priority Architectural Graphics that year, programs for Minority-Owned Business Enterprises and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE) helped her in bidding for city work. “They opened doors,” she says. “Of course, I had to walk through those doors.… But I’m very appreciative of what those programs did for me.”

Her first piece of equipment for the business produced the ADA-mandated braille signage for the visually impaired. “I remember opening the crate with a screwdriver and figuring out how to assemble it,” Choy Sommer says. “Then I spent a few weeks playing with it, to learn what it can do. From there, I set up a price list, and I was off and running.”

She began by subcontracting from existing sign shops that weren’t investing in new equipment to make ADA-compliant signs. Soon, thanks in part to the MBE/WBE support, she was able to bid on public works projects.

Signing a contract with the Carpenters in 2011 also helped. “We got a lot of work because we were signatory. It assured my clients that we were ‘for real,’” she says. Most important, working with Local 22 and the Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California (CTCNC), she helped develop a training curriculum that has produced a steady stream of skilled installers for her business and other signatory sign shops.

Today, Priority Architectural Graphics generates more than $3 million in annual revenue, working with contractors to produce

signs for public and private projects ranging from 855 Brannan Street to the San Francisco International Airport.

“We love being able to see our work, building it, and making it easier for people getting to where they need to go, in all the languages you need as San Francisco becomes a real international city, and especially for the folks helped by ADA,” Choy Sommer says. “We’re into a new age of dynamic digital signage that’s very exciting, where you’re starting to see a connection between art, electronics and what we do. We’re always looking to the future.”

THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CARPENTER 11

Participants in the Women Can Build Career Fair met with representatives of a number of union-signatory contractors.

Some fairgoers tried their hand at building toolboxes from patterns provided by the Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California.

Local 152 Field Representative Susan Rodriguez, at left, met with Women Can Build Career Fair participants.

‘Women Can Build’ Career Day draws recruits

• Jaeleen Landecker, from Vallejo, always wanted to bang nails and work on cars.“But when I went down to the garage to hang out with Grandpa, he’d tell me,‘that’s not for girls.’”

• Danielle Siler, from San Francisco, got tired of working on jobs that other people said were “right” for women.“I always liked working with my hands, building things,” she says, “but everyone said those jobs were too dirty.”

• Antonnia Ward, also from Vallejo, is ready to go to work. With one brother in the Ironworkers, she’s got a gut feeling that construction is right for her, and is already in a pre-apprenticeship program.

These three were among the 200 young women—and some men—who attended the annual Women Can Build Career Fair, sponsored by the

Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California. The fair gave participants an opportunity to meet with carpenters, contractors and other groups offering a path into the industry. Operating Engineers Local 3 and the Robby Poblete Foundation were co-sponsors.

Among the contractors meeting with the young women were representatives from Platt, Bjork, Otto, McGuire and Hester, Overaa, and Manson Construction. Pile Drivers Local

34 and Millwrights Local 102 were also on hand, as well as Operating Engineers Local 3, representatives of Tradeswomen Inc. and the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Members of Local 180 provided a barbecue lunch.

An appearance by Assemblymember Jim Frazier, a member of Local 152, was another highlight. “Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep moving forward,” Frazier told the attendees. “It’s a great trade and a great time to be a construction worker. Take every opportunity.”

Judging by the response, it appeared that a solid group of those who attended were

ready to jump on the opportunities presented at the fair.

NCCRC staff assisting at the fair were Susan Rodriguez, Janet Staples and Patricia Ramirez, and Ed Gable, along with apprenticeship instructor Melissa Magness. Volunteers included apprentices Michele Henry, Local 46; Kayla Gomez, Local 152; and. Andrade Avalena, Local 713, along with Christan Moyer and Martin Espinosa Jr. both from Local 102. BBQ volunteers were Curtis Kelly, Tim Litton, Frank Crim, Kyle Swarens, Agustin Diaz, Fidel Chavez, Frank Banducci-Delauter and Luis Dela Torre.


TRAINING COMMITTEEFOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

(CTCNC)The Joint Labor-Management Sponsor of School-to-Work • Pre-Apprenticeship • Apprenticeship

Health & Safety • Journey-level Advancement • Leadership & Supervision Certification and Qualifications Programs

www.ctcnc.org

Supporting women in the trade

CarpentersCarpentersCarpenters

Achieving positive change, whether it’s personal or professional, starts with setting a goal, and identifying the steps required for success. For the Carpenters Training Committee of Northern California (CTCNC), one of our most important goals is to improve women’s participation across all the UBC trades.

One of the obvious first steps is to support women in joining our apprenticeship programs. To that end, in early February, the CTCNC teamed with local contractors and agencies like the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards to host a Women Can Build career fair at the Fairfield Training Center.

Almost 200 women attended the fair. The contractors who partnered with us there answered attendees’ questions, and saw first-hand the value of hiring women for their jobsites around Northern California. Many of the attendees showed tremendous enthusiasm for joining the Carpenter workforce, seeing this as a rewarding career and a way to “earn while they learn,” as the saying goes. The Carpenters Union teaches innumerable and invaluable skills. When we apply those skills on the jobsite and in the apprenticeship program, we add value to our employers in a win-win equation.

Judging from the many women who’ve joined the Carpenters Union, created successful careers as journeypersons, and attained positions as foremen and superintendents,

it’s a solid career choice. The training that people gain through our apprenticeship programs, and the wages and benefits they receive right from the start, are far better in the union than in non-union jobs. Furthermore, under the union’s structured apprenticeship program, the pay structure is set at the appropriate advancement level, and once members reach journey-level status, everyone is paid equally. This contributes to a strong union and a strong, skilled workforce.

STRONGER TOGETHERThe UBC is stronger when we are

diverse and inclusive. We’re stronger with more women in the workforce, and stronger when we are committed to the needs and priorities of all our members. As members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, the Sisterhood brings a powerful force to our union team. Contractors know this and are actively hiring these women to bring that powerful force to their companies.

We encourage women to apply for the apprenticeship program by applying online at www.ctcnc.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDARThe Carpenters Training Committee will

host a second Women Can Build career fair on September 14, 2018, at the Pleasanton Training Center. Stay tuned for information on additional career fairs at the Fresno and Morgan Hill Training Centers.

CHOOSE A FOCUSThe Carpenter trade offers a rewarding

career with growth in many areas: Wood Framing • Concrete Formwork • Drywall Installers • Metal Stud Framers • Acoustical Ceiling Installers • Insulators • Office Modular • Pile Drivers • Millwrights • Mill Cabinetmakers.

RESOURCES FOR SISTERSWomen-focused trade groups can

also assist women in getting placed in the Carpentry industry. We encourage women members to sign up for Women in Construction Skill & Safety Trainings.Interested sisters will be added to a list and asked to choose from journey-level trainings of their choice, that will be offered for them to take as a group.

Contact Jennifer at (925) 462-9645.

The Women Can Build career fair attracted 200 attendees to the Fairfield Training Center in early February.


_ Please go to www.ctcnc.org to view the full training schedule.

JOURNEYLEVEL UPGRADEHEALTH AND SAFETY CLASSES

SCHEDULED OR IN PROGRESS

Class Start End Location Days Times Hrs Sponsor Contact Phone#

CTCNC WELDING CALENDAR

Hayward Training Center 510.377.5169

Please call to schedule an appointment.

Fresno Training Center 559.266.0101 Please call to schedule an appointment.

Tentative Welding Schedule subject to change—verify at www.ctcnc.org/welding-shop-hours-and-location

Fairfield Training Center 925.250.7765 March 6-9 Tue-Fri 7:00am - 3:30pm

March 20-24 Tue-Sat 7:00am - 3:30pm

April 3-7 Tue-Sat 7:00am - 3:30pm

April 17-21 Tue-Sat 7:00am - 3:30pm

May 1-5 Tue-Sat 7:00am - 3:30pm

May 15-19 Tue-Sat 7:00am - 3:30pm

May 29-31 Tue-Thur 7:00am - 3:30pm

Evenings: February 22-23 Thur-Fri 3:30pm - 9:30pm

March 8-9 Thur-Fri 3:30pm - 9:30pm


April 5-6 Thur-Fri 3:30pm - 9:30pm


May 3-4 Thur-Fri 3:30pm - 9:30pm

May 17-18 Thur-Fri 3:30pm - 9:30pm

May 31 Thur 3:30pm - 9:30pm

Pleasanton Training Center 925.250.7765 March 15-16 Thur-Fri 7:00am - 3:30pm

March 26-30 Mon-Fri 7:00am - 3:30pm

April 9-13 Mon-Fri 7:00am - 3:30pm

April 26-28 Thur-Sat 7:00am - 3:30pm

May 12 Sat 7:00am - 3:30pm

May 21-24 Mon-Thur 7:00am - 3:30pm

Evenings: March 1-2 Thur-Fri 3:30pm - 9:30pm





May 24 Thur 3:30pm - 9:30pm

Bluebeam- Introduction 3/20/2018 3/21/2018 Fresno TC Tue-Wed 5:30pm-9:30pm 8 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

Bluebeam- Plan Reading 3/22/2018 3/23/2018 Fresno TC Thur-Fri 5:30pm-9:30pm 8 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

OSHA 10 Hr Const Safety Awareness 3/23/2018 3/24/2018 LU 1789, So.Tahoe Fri-Sat 5:30-9:30pm, 8-4:30 Sats 10 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

Bluebeam- Introduction 3/27/2018 3/28/2018 LU 605, Marina Tue-Wed 5:30pm-9:30pm 8 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

Rigging/Certification 3/27/2018 4/7/2018 MorganHillTC Tue-Frieves,Sat 5:30-9:30pm,8-4:30Sats 40 CTCNCTD CTCNCTrainingDept. (925)462.9640

Bluebeam- Plan Reading 3/29/2018 3/30/2018 LU 605, Marina Thur-Fri 5:30pm-9:30pm 8 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

First Aid/CPR (American Red Cross) 4/3/2018 4/3/2018 Pleasanton TC Tuesday 5:30pm-9:30pm 4 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

Scaffold User Safety 4/4/2018 4/5/2018 Pleasanton TC Tue-Wed 5:30pm-9:30pm 8 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

Fork Lift Safety/Industrial 4/7/2018 4/7/2018 Pleasanton TC Saturday 8:00am-4:30pm 8 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

Fork Lift Safety/Rough Terrain 4/11/2018 4/12/2018 LU 751, Eureka Wed-Thur 5:30pm-9:30pm 8 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

Rigging/Refresher/Certification 4/13/2018 4/14/2018 LU751,Eureka Fri-Sat 8:00am-4:30pm 16 CTCNCTD CTCNCTrainingDept. (925)462.9640

BridgeBuilding/Certification 4/17/2018 4/25/2018 FairfieldTC Tu-Sat;M-Weds 5:30-9:30pm,8-4:30Sats 40 CTCNCTD CTCNCTrainingDept. (925)462.9640

Commercial Door Hardware 4/17/2018 4/27/2018 Pleasanton TC Tue-Fri 5:30pm-9:30pm 32 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

ConcreteFormwork/Certification 4/17/2018 4/26/2018 LU46,Sacramento Tu-Sat;Tu-Thurs 5:30-9:30pm,8-4:30Sats 36 CTCNCTD CTCNCTrainingDept. (925)462.9640

Rigging/Refresher/Certification 4/21/2018 4/28/2018 PleasantonTC Saturday 8:00am-4:30pm 16 CTCNCTD CTCNCTrainingDept. (925)462.9640

Harass and Discrim in the Workplace 4/27/2018 4/27/2018 LU 46, Sacramento Friday 5:30pm-9:30pm 4 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

Harass and Discrim in the Workplace 4/27/2018 4/27/2018 LU 1599, Redding Friday 5:30pm-9:30pm 4 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

CommercialDoorHardware 5/8/2018 5/17/2018 LU1109,Visalia Tu-Sat;Tu-Thurs 5:30-9:30pm,8-4:30Sats 32 CTCNCTD CTCNCTrainingDept. (925)462.9640

Rigging/Certification 5/29/2018 6/9/2018 FresnoTC Tu-F,Sat 5:30-9:30pm,8-4:30Sats 40 CTCNCTD CTCNCTrainingDept. (925)462.9640

FallProtection 6/5/2018 6/6/2018 FairfieldTC Tue-Wed 5:30pm-9:30pm 8 CTCNCTD CTCNCTrainingDept. (925)462.9640

SolidSurfaceMatInstal/Certification 6/5/2018 6/6/2018 FairfieldTC Tue-Wed 7:00am-3:30pm 16 CTCNCTD CTCNCTrainingDept. (925)462.9640

OSHA 10 Hr Const Safety Awareness 6/8/2018 6/9/2018 Fresno TC Fri-Sat 5:30-9:30pm, 8-4:30 Sats 10 CTCNC TD CTCNC Training Dept. (925) 462.9640

Rigging/Certification 7/24/2018 8/4/2018 FairfieldTC Tue-Frieves,Sat 5:30-9:30pm,8-4:30Sats 40 CTCNCTD CTCNCTrainingDept. (925)462.9640


CARPENTER FUNDS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYThe Carpenter Funds Administrative Office (CFAO) is responsible for administering various Trust Funds and the fringe benefits that Union Members depend on for their Health and Welfare, Vacation, and Retirement benefits. A Field Agent is the CFAO’s representative for field operations and is responsible and accountable for the collection of fringe benefit contributions from delinquent employers. While the duties assigned are many and varied, the collection of unpaid fringe benefit contributions and maintenance of delinquent employer files are essential job functions of the position. A Field Agent works with CFAO Administrative Staff, Employers, Union Representative and Officials and Participants to help ensure that workers are properly credited with contributions for work hours and that benefits are properly granted.

The CFAO is now accepting applications from qualified individuals for a Field Agent position. Following a proba-tionary period, the position is “at-will”.

Qualifications:• Completion of a Bachelor’s college degree or higher degree and 5 years work experience, or completion of a Carpenter related apprentice program and 4 years work experience as a journeyman or higher, or com-mensurate benefit work experience related to Northern California Carpenter Trust Funds.• Considerable Supervisory experience is essential.•Must demonstrate a working knowledge of computer file management and applications such as Microsoft Office. Microsoft Excel skills are essential•A fundamental knowledge of the construction industry is helpful.•The successful applicant must be a self-starter, who can communicate effectively and be able to work with people under many diverse and sometimes challenging, adversarial conditions.•Assignments will be throughout Northern California; applicant must be able to work away from home for short periods of time and on short notice.•All applicants must have a valid California Driver License. The applicant’s current DMV Driver Record must be free of any DUI conviction and have no more than three points. •The successful applicant must be “insurable” to drive and operate company vehicles as defined and deter-mined by the company’s insurance policies.

Wages and Benefits:•Salaried position: Compensation similar to full-time Journeyman or Foreman depending on experience•Work expectation: Minimum of 40 hours per week•Benefits: Carpenters Health & Welfare, Carpenters Pension, Carpenters Vacation, Millwrights Annuity, com-pany vehicle and other employer sponsored benefits

How to Apply:

Please send resume no later than April 20, 2018 to:

Carpenter Funds Administrative OfficeAttention: Human ResourcesP.O. Box 2280Oakland, California 94621-0180


Estamos informados que el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de los EE.UU. (DHS, por sus siglas en inglés) y el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de los EE.UU. (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés) están realizando una auditoría de los archivos I-9 de su empleador1. El DHS y ICE están autorizados por ley para realizar esta auditoría y su empleador tiene que cumplir con su solicitud de auditoría. Necesita estar al tanto de lo siguiente:

• El DHS y ICE están tratando de ver si su empleador completó correctamente los formularios I-9.

• El DHS y ICE también están verificando los documentos y la información que usted proporcionó en el formulario I-9 usando las bases gubernamentales de datos del DHS.

• Debido a que la información que usted proporcionó está siendo comparada con la base de datos de DHS, ICE sabrá si usted no está autorizado a trabajar, si está utilizando la identidad de otra persona o si está utilizando documentos que no existen.

• Una vez que se complete la auditoría, ICE le entregará a su empleador los resultados de la auditoría y un cierto periodo de tiempo para volver a verificar los documentos de identidad y de autorización de cualquiera de los trabajadores a los que se les haya identificado por tener problemas con sus documentos.

• El tiempo permitido para volver a verificar cualquier documento es un tema obligatorio de negociación. El Sindicato hará todo lo posible para garantizar que haya tiempo suficiente para que ocurra este proceso.

• A su empleador se le requiere por ley el

cumplimiento con la auditoría y no puede continuar empleando a ningún trabajador que él o ella sepan que no está autorizado para trabajar. En California, el empleador debe notificar a cada empleado afectado de los resultados de la auditoría I-9 dentro de las 72 horas.

• Si un trabajador es identificado por ICE como que tiene problemas y el trabajador no puede traer la autorización válida de trabajo o documentos de identidad para volverlos a verificar, al trabajador no se le puede permitir legalmente que continúe trabajando para su empleador.

• Como resultado de la auditoría, ICE tendrá ahora la información de contacto que los trabajadores detallaron en su formulario I-9. Si los trabajadores tienen órdenes anteriores de deportación o expulsión, necesitan consultar a un abogado de inmigración INMEDIATAMENTE. Como asunto de rutina, ICE busca y arresta a aquellos individuos que tienen órdenes previas de deportación o expulsión, incluso en sus hogares.

• Usted tiene el derecho de no reunirse con los agentes de ICE individualmente. Si su empleador le está pidiendo que asista a una reunión, asegúrese de que esté presente un representante del sindicato. Si los trabajadores asisten a una reunión con ICE, es posible que sean arrestados.

• Asegúrese de no llevar documentos falsos encima en ningún momento

• En California, usted tiene el derecho de guardar silencio y el derecho de negarse a mostrar cualquier documento de identidad o de responder preguntas.

Scott Brown, Local 152Leroy Camozzi, Local 751

Patrick Chevalier, Local 713Robert Clevenger, Local 713William Clyburn, Local 405Martin Deery, Local 152David Duncan, Local 46Wm. Flagg, Local 217

Rodney Hammond, Local 751Daniel Harrell, Local 751Robert Russell, Local 22Chris Trujillo, Local 405Alan White, Local 9068

Keith Wormington, Local 102Charles Young, Local 22

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE JANUARY 2018

NCCRC RETIREES!

BY CONCHITA LOZANO-BATISTAWEINBERG, ROGER & ROSENFELD

LegalesAsuntosConozca sus derechos

• Favor de comunicarse con su representante del sindicato para que lo refiera a un abogado de inmigración.

1 El formulario I-9 es el formulario de verificación de empleo que usted debió haber completado cuando comenzó a trabajar para este empleador.

Conozca sus Derechos: Auditorías I-9


From the time he was in high school in his hometown of El Grullo, near Guadalajara, Jesus Pelayo has liked to draw. His work was strong enough to earn him admission to the arts program at the University of Guadalajara where, among other things, he learned about the great tradition of Mexican muralists, artists like David Alfaro Siqueiros, Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco.

To support himself in school, Pelayo worked in a frame shop—with the opportunity to frame works by Siqueiros and the renowned painter Rufino Tamayo. That’s where Pelayo says he discovered “how much I enjoyed working with wood.”

When Pelayo came to the U.S. in 2004, his University of Guadalajara degree in hand, he figured out how to make a living doing what he

loved to do. Referred by Berkeley’s non-profit One-Stop Career Center to Mill-Cab Local 2236, he was soon an apprentice cabinetmaker at Plant Architectural Woodwork, now PAW, Inc., where he’s worked primarily on the bench since 2008.

“There’s a lot to learn about this trade,” he says after a decade on the bench, “but this is a good place to be.” And, of course, “my training as an artist helps me on the job.”

Having already created some mural artwork in El Grullo, Pelayo also found himself in demand as a freelance artist. While he’s travelling back to his home town to paint murals there, he’s also created murals for Mexican restaurants and other businesses in Turlock, Modesto and other stops up and down the Central Valley. While he’s aware of the political and social themes of the great Mexican muralists, he prefers to work more abstractly or do more scenic work at the request of his clients.

Pelayo has also lent his talents to his union, designing pins and other graphic work for Local 2236.

“The union has given me the ability to make a living,” Pelayo says, “and to do what I love to do.”

Cabinet maker brings artistry to the trade

Jesus Pelayo, Local 2236, at work on a mural in his hometown of El Grullo, Mexico. At right, Pelayo’s mural depicting farm life in Mexico was commissioned by a Mexican restaurant in Turlock.

It’s time to apply for NCCRC college scholarshipsApplications are now available for 100 college scholarships awarded by the Northern California Carpenters/

Thomas A. Morton Scholarship Foundation to the children of members in good standing of local unions in the 46 Northern California Counties. The first person chosen in the random drawing will be awarded $5,000.00 in honor of the Helen Morton Memorial Scholarship. The other 99 winners will be awarded Thomas A Morton Memorial Scholarships for $3,000 each. Eligible dependents may receive one scholarship award every other year, with a maximum of two awards. There will be 10 alternates in case any recipients are disqualified or decline their scholarships.

Recipients are chosen by lottery, so grade-point averages are not a factor. Applicants must be high school seniors, or currently enrolled in an accredited educational institution, less than 23 years old, and planning to attend an accredited college or university during the year after July 1, 2018 and concluding by June 30, 2019 college year or currently be enrolled in an accredited educational institution. For more information, go to: www.nccrc.org/scholarships

YOU MUST OBTAIN THE APPLICATION FROM YOUR LOCAL UNION.

The Northern California Carpenters/Thomas A. Morton Memorial Scholarship Foundation was founded in 1991 by the Executive Officers of the Carpenters 46 Northern California Counties Conference Board. It is funded by various tournaments, events and individual donations.

If your son or daughter is not one of the recipients this year, be sure they apply next year if they are still in school.

Dependents of full-time Union officials and employees of the Union, are not eligible.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO YOUR LOCAL UNION,

POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2018.


NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CARPENTERSPOLITICAL ACTION

Daniel M. Cur tin, Director California Conference of Carpenters

The right to organize...?In 1935, President Roosevelt signed the

National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The law protected worker’s “right to organize” into unions, and required employers to “accept the procedure of collective bargaining.”

For the first time in U.S. history the passage of this law made it the declared policy of the United States to encourage “the practice and procedure of collective bargaining,” and “protecting the exercise by workers of full freedom of association, self-organization… for the purpose of negotiating the terms and conditions of their employment or other mutual aid or protection.”

The law wasn’t simply to protect workers’ rights. The country was in the midst of the Great Depression, and the U.S. economy was increasingly dominated by corporate industrialists and the extremely wealthy. Vast poverty, homelessness and labor turmoil existed side by side with gaudy displays of wealth and carefree lifestyles that have since become known as the Roaring Twenties. Political unrest following the devastation of World War I and the Great Depression, especially in Europe, where democracies were crumbling under the pressure, and fascism was on the rise.

The law recognized the vast “inequality of bargaining power between employees… and

employers.” It was designed to require “friendly adjustment of industrial disputes,” and prevent further economic and social anarchy. It worked.

The chart below shows the dramatic increase in union membership almost immediately after the National Labor Relations Act was signed in 1935, from less than 10 percent of the workforce to over 25 percent just 10 years later. It also shows that the percentage of union membership stabilized at around 25 percent for more than two decades before it began to drop dramatically.

It’s no surprise that during the four decades from 1935, when the NLRA was signed, to 1978, the income of the wealthiest 1 percent dropped from almost 20 percent to just under 10 percent of the total income in the U.S. In other words, the wealthy were still pretty rich, but the gap between them and the rest of us was a lot smaller. As union strength grew, income was distributed more fairly.

Nor is it a big surprise that the income gap has again dramatically increased from the mid-1970s until today, when it’s about the same as

it was in the 1920s. Income inequality rose at the same time the right to organize unions, guaranteed in 1935, was being undermined by fierce and relentless corporate attacks, ranging from outright union-busting to the passage of state “right-to-work” laws, and including the destruction of millions of union jobs by the wheeling and dealing of multinational corporations.

Inequality is back with a vengeance. Strong unions are the key to turn that around. Stay sharp. There will be plenty of work ahead, and there will also be plenty of union-busting companies that don’t want to share the wealth we build. The struggle continues, there’s no free lunch.

Attend meetings in 2018, earn a chance to win a truck! Raffle of Council truck

Did you know you could win a truck just for attending union meetings this year? The Regional Council Executive Committee has approved a truck raffle for calendar year 2018, and the clock starts in January. If you want to get in eight meetings this year, it’s best to begin soon.

Here’s how it works:1. The raffle is open to all members of a local union affiliated

with the NCCRC who are in good standing throughout the year, except current or retired officers and employees of the NCCRC, current local union officers, and current or retired employees of affiliated entities (e.g., Trust Funds).

2. Members will earn one entry in the drawing by attending at least eight union meetings at the same local in calendar year 2018 (the limit is 1 meeting per month). All eight meetings must be attended while qualifying under rule #1. The limit is 1 entry in the raffle per member.

3. Locals will be responsible for documenting which members qualify for the drawing under these rules, and will send the NCCRC Controller a list of such members after their last union meeting in December 2018.

4. The drawing will be held at the delegate meeting in January 2019.

5. The truck will be a Ford F-150 with no more than 50,000 miles at the time of the raffle. It will be given on an as-is basis, and an IRS 1099 form will be issued to the winner, as required by law.

This image is for representational purposes, and is not the truck to be raffled.


TEMAS DE SEGURIDADSAFETY MATTERS

The Carpenters Union lost these members in January 2018. We thank them for their dedica-tion to the union, and send our best wishes to their families and friends.

In Memoriam

Ralph Anthony, Local 1789John Bright, Local 405Patrick Cassano, Local 22Jimmy Hennessee, Local 22David Howard, Local 405Anthony Iamesi, Local 22Harold Labarge, Local 751Bruce Lenning, Local 751

Kenneth Low, Local 22R. Munoz, Local 405Paul Murasko, Local 751John Pahlow, Local 217Billy Tankersley, Local 405Richard White, Local 35Don Woodward, Local 2236

Your hard hat and you... Tu casco y tu...

Hard hats have their roots in Northern California. In the 1930s, the chief engineer for the Golden Gate Bridge, Joseph Strauss, made them mandatory for the workers building the bridge. This single piece of vital equipment prevented many injuries on that project—and continues to prevent them everyday in “Hard Hat Areas” across the globe.

To make sure your hard hat is doing its job, choose one that’s comfortable, fits you and fits the job you’re doing. For example, Type 1 helmets protect you from falling objects, and Type 2 helmets protect from both vertical and horizontal threats.

But hard hats are not invincible: Exposure to UV light, extreme temperatures or chemicals on a regular basis will wear on a helmet. Under these conditions, you should replace your hard hat after two years. If a hard hat has been struck by a significant blow or gets dropped from more than eight feet, replace it immediately. And only wear a hard hat backwards if it’s specifically designed for backwards use.

CATEGORIES OF HARDHATSThere are three types of hard hats:• Class A—Provides protection up to 2,200 volts of electricity.• Class B—Gives maximum protection, up to 20,000 volts.• Class C—Also known as a “bump cap,” protects you from objects like the prior two classes, but with no measurable electrical protection.

SHELL INSPECTIONInspect the shell regularly, and replace it if it shows signs of cracks, drilled

holes, nicks, dents, gouges, penetration or abrasions. In addition, ensure any stickers are placed at least ¾ inch away from the

edge of the hat. Stickers that wrap around the brim can act as an electrical conductor between the outside and inside of the shell.

SUSPENSION INSPECTIONThe suspension is also integral to the hard hat’s function. Inspect it

regularly for cracks, tears, frayed or cut straps, loss of pliability or other signs of wear. Replace the hard hat immediately if any suspension shows signs of damage.

Ensure the following: • Devices attaching the suspension to the shell fit tightly and securely into their respective slots.• Suspension is intended for use with that particular shell and wasn’t substituted. • Nothing is stored in the hard hat between the suspension and the shell.

Los cascos tienen sus raíces en el norte de California. En los años de 1930, el ingeniero principal del Puente Golden Gate, Joseph Strauss, hizo obligatorio que los empleados construyendo el puente lo usaran. Esta simple pieza de equipo evitó muchas lesiones en ese proyecto—y hasta el

día de hoy continúa evitándolas en las “Zonas de Casco” en todo el mundo.

Para asegurarte que tu casco está haciendo su trabajo debes seleccionar uno que sea confortable, que se ajuste a ti y al trabajo que estás realizando. Por ejemplo, los cascos Tipo 1 te protegen de objetos que caen y el Tipo 2 te protegen de peligros verticales y horizontales.

Los cascos no son invencibles: Estar expuestos con regularidad a luz UV, a temperaturas extremas o a productos químicos dañan el casco. Debes reemplazar tu casco cada dos años si trabajas bajo estas condiciones. Reemplaza tu casco inmediatamente si recibe un golpe fuerte o si ha caído más de ocho pies. Y usa tu casco solo en la dirección opuesta si está diseñado específicamente para usarse en la dirección opuesta.

CATEGORÍAS DE CASCOEstos son los tres tipos de cascos:• Clase A—Provee protección de hasta 2,200 voltios de electricidad.• Clase B— Provee protección máxima de hasta 20,000 voltios.• Clase C—Al igual que los cascos de las dos clases anteriores provee protección contra golpes, pero no provee protección contra la electricidad.

INSPECCIÓN DE LA COPA EXTERIORInspecciona la copa exterior regularmente y reemplázalo si hay

señales de grietas, rajaduras, abolladuras, huecos, si algo le ha penetrado o si tiene abrasiones.

Además, asegúrate que las pegatinas estén colocadas por lo menos a ¾ de pulgada del borde del casco. Las pegatinas colocadas en el borde del casco pueden actuar como conductores eléctricos entre el exterior y el interior de la copa.

INSPECCIÓN DE LA SUSPENSIONLa suspensión es también integral a la función del casco.

Inspecciónala regularmente buscando rajaduras o rasgaduras, correas desgastadas o cortadas, pérdida de flexibilidad u otras señales de desgastamiento. Reemplázalo inmediatamente si la suspensión demuestra señales de daños.

Asegúrate de lo siguiente: • Los componentes que fijan la suspensión a la copa estén bien ajustados y asegurados en sus ranuras respectivas.• La suspensión es usada en el tipo correcto de copa y no ha sido substituida. • No hay nada adentro del casco entre la suspensión y la copa.

Para asegurarte que tu casco está haciendo su trabajo debes seleccionar uno que sea confortable, que se ajuste a ti y al trabajo que estás realizando.


Local Unions’ Meeting Schedule

Northern District 35 647 Lindaro St., San Rafael 94901-3960 (415) 453-9236 3rd Tues 7:30 pm 46 4421 Pell Dr., Suite A Sacramento 95838 (916) 614-7901 1st Wed 6:00 pm 180 404 Nebraska St., Vallejo 94590-3878 (707) 644-1040 1st Thur 7:00 pm 751 1706 Corby Ave., Santa Rosa 95407-7517 (707) 545-5121 2nd Wed 7:00 pm 751/Eureka 840 E St., Suite 12 Eureka 95501-6804 (707) 442-4286 3rd Thur 7:00 pm 1599 1835 Keystone Ct., Redding, CA 96003 (530) 222-6429 4th Wed 7:00 pm 1789 2720 Young St., So. Lake Tahoe 96150 (530) 544-4754 1st Tues 7:30 pm 9109 4421 Pell Dr. Suite D, Sacramento 95838 (916) 646-6759 3rd Wed 7:00 pmCentral District 22 450 Harrison St. San Francisco 94105 (415) 355-1322 1st Tues 7:00 pm 152 3780 Alhambra Ave., Martinez 94553-8040 (925) 228-1858 1st Mon 7:30 pm 152/Manteca 1421 Moffat Blvd. Manteca, 95336 (209) 239-3232 (Hiring hall only) 713 1050 Mattox Rd., Hayward 94541-1298 (510) 581-7817 2nd Thur 7:00 pm 713 1050 Mattox Rd., Hayward 94541-1298 (510) 581-7817 4th Thur 7:00 pm 9068 100 Hegenberger Rd., Suite 300 Oakland 94621 (510) 430-1412 2nd Tues 7:00 pmSouthern District 217 1153 Chess Dr., #100 Foster City 94404 (650) 377-0217 2nd Tues 7:30 pm 405 2102 Almaden Rd., #115 San Jose 95125 (408) 269-7316 2nd Tues 7:00 pm 505 225 Searidge Rd., Aptos 95003-4325 (831) 688-5025 2nd Tues 7:00 pm 605 910 2nd Ave., Marina 93933 (831) 883-1931 2nd Tues 6:30 pm 701 1361 N. Hulbert Ave., Fresno 93728-1141 (559) 268-3895 2nd Tues 7:00 pm 1109 8130 West Mineral King Ave., Visalia 93291 (559) 732-5817 4th Thur 7:00 pm 9083 1361 N. Hulbert Ave., Fresno 93728-1141 (559) 264-4350 2nd Thur 7:00 pm 9144 2102 Almaden Rd., #116 San Jose 95125 (408) 264-3080 1st Tues 7:00 pmServing All 46 Counties 34 55 Hegenberger Pl., Oakland 94621 (510) 635-4227 3rd Th Nov-Dec 7:00 pm 34 55 Hegenberger Pl., Oakland 94621 (510) 635-4227 4th Th Jan-Oct 7:00 pm 102 2350 Santa Rita Rd., Pleasanton 94566 (925) 294-5350 1st Mon 7:30 pm 2236 115 Broadway, Oakland 94607-3715 (510) 446-2236 2nd Tues 6:00 pm

Local Address Phone Day Time

The Morales family needs help. Carpenters, members of other construction unions, contractors and other friends of the family are stepping up for them.

Here’s the basic story: Fernando Morales has been a member of Local 22 for the last six years. He’s a good carpenter, a good union member. He and his wife Marisol have two children, Fernando, 12, and Yulianna, 10.

Marisol Morales has been ill for the last six years, suffering from acute pain, weakness, fatigue and weight loss—30 pounds in the last two months alone. After several false starts, she’s been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, an autoimmune disease that has also brought on ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Mrs. Morales has been in and out of the

hospital since 2015, but her condition has continued to worsen. During her last hospitalization in January, her doctors told her that her treatments were having no effect, and the only solution is a liver transplant.

The surgery costs $500,000. While health insurance will cover the

majority of the costs, the family still needs help bridging the gap.

Mike Gilmore, a Webcor senior superintendent at the Park Tower project in San Francisco, where Morales has worked for the last two-and-a-half years, has made the family’s problem his own. Gilmore set up a website to facilitate donations at www.gofundme.com/marisols-liver-transplant.

As this issue of The Northern California Carpenter goes to press, “We’re one-third

of the way there,” Gilmore says. Webcor has made a substantial donation, “and everyone on the job has kicked in,” he says, “carpenters, electricians, laborers, plumbers, glaziers, everyone.”

Gilmore noted this is a really unusual situation with Marisol suffering from a very rare condition. “They are a great family,” he said, “Fernando is a great carpenter, and it would be great if we could finish the job.”

Members kick in to support a family in need‘We’re one-third of the way there. Webcor has made a substantial do-

nation, and everyone on the job has kicked in.’

The Morales family, Fernando, Jr., Marisol, Yulianna and Fer-nando, a member of Local 22.

To help the Morales family, go to www.gofundme.com/marisolsliver-transplant.

NON PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDOAKLAND, CA

PERMIT NO. 810

Stay tuned for Contract 2019…

We’re getting ready for Contract 2019, so please watch your mail for a lime-green envelope. All communications from the Negotiating Committee, including your mail

ballot, will arrive in a lime-green envelope.

Please watch for these important communications!

THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

CARPENTERpublished monthly by the

Northern California Carpenters Regional Council

265 Hegenberger Road, Suite 200Oakland, CA 94621 (510) 568-4788

CARPENTER

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Documents

March 2018 / Volume 6 / Number 3 The CARPENTER … · situación donde los edificadores y empleadores durante años tuvieron ganancias sin devolverle a la industria en términos de