Southwest Carpenters Magazine Fall 2018 Issue

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL COUNCIL For all Carpenters in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado

Fall 2018

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL COUNCIL

LOCALS Arizona THE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS 533 S. Fremont Avenue, 10th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 385-1457 Executive Secretary-Treasurer/ Pro tem DAN LANGFORD President/Pro tem PETE RODRIGUEZ Vice President/Pro tem FRANK HAWK Executive Assistant to the EST BARRY JENKINS Chief-of-Staff ALEXIS OLBREI EXECUTIVE BOARD HARRY BEGGS SEAN HARTRANFT/Pro tem JACOB LOPEZ/Pro tem LOUIS ONTIVEROS JOSH RAPER FABIAN SANDEZ MERCY URREA OFFICERS OSCAR CORDOVA, Warden MARK THOMPSON, Conductor FRANK PENA, Trustee TRACY WERT, Trustee FRANK ZAMBRANO, Trustee/ Pro tem MAGAZINE DESIGN FREE TO FORM, INC. EDITORIAL STAFF MARY KATHRYN CAMPBELL RALPH JEAN LUBA MIRZAZADEH

1912 4547 W McDowell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85035 (602) 484-0444

California

213 533 S Fremont Ave. #410 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 385-3510 562 341 E Wardlow Rd. Long Beach, CA 90807 (562) 427-0977 619 8595 Miralani Dr. San Diego, CA 92126 (858) 621-2674

951 3250 E Shelby St. Ontario, CA 91764 (909) 887-2524 1607 10009 Rose Hills Rd. Whittier, CA 90601 (323) 724-0178

Colorado

555 4290 Holly St. Denver, CO 80216 (303) 355-8774

Nevada

971 1150 Terminal Way Reno, NV 89502 (775) 323-8492

661 15881 Valley View Ct. Sylmar, CA 91342 (818) 364-9303

1977 4245 W Sunset Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89118 (702) 531-1805

714 7111 Firestone Blvd. #122 Buena Park, CA 90621 (714) 978-6232

New Mexico

721 10015 Rose Hills Rd. #100 Whittier, CA 90601 (562) 695-0571 805 412 Dawson Dr. Camarillo, CA 93012 (805) 484-8825 909 3250 E Shelby St. Ontario, CA 91764 (909) 887-2524

1319 3900 Pan American Fwy. NE Albuquerque, NM 87107 (505) 268-4389

Utah

801 8149 S Welby Park Dr. West Jordan, UT 84088 (801) 280-0292

FALL 2018

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A Letter From Randy Thornhill

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A Letter from Dan Langford, Executive Secretary-Treasurer/ Pro tem

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All Locals Map

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Is Your CUPP Full?

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November 6, 2018 – D-Day for Carpenters

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CALIFORNIA! VOTE! It REALLY Matters…NO on Prop 6…

NO on Prop 10

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Cracking Down on Criminal Contractors

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Got Skills?

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Upcoming Programs at the International Training Center, Las Vegas

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Who Doesn't Love Bacon?

The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters publishes Carpenter Magazine (ISSN 1067-8891).

Periodicals Postage PAID at Los Angeles, CA. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to the SWRCC, 533 S. Fremont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071

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FALL 2018 22

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U.S. Infrastructure Needs Bold Investment

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Southwest's Infrastructure

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Things I Wish I Knew as an Apprentice

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Vets: The Carpenters Have Got You COVERed

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“You’re Not Only Here from the Neck Down”: A Shifting Industry

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Biggest SIB Conference Ever

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In Memoriam

Versión en español próximamente.

Por favor visite nuestro sitio de internet: swcarpenters.org

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A LETTER FROM RANDY THORNHILL Dear Brothers and Sisters,

grievances with our contractors.

A couple of years ago, I was fortunate enough to have been elected as your Executive SecretaryTreasurer. As I move on to a different assignment within the UBC, I stand in awe of the progress, commitment, enthusiasm, energy, pride, and dedication this membership has shown.

The Carpenters Union Participation Program (CUPP) is all about getting involved and taking ownership in local communities. This will lead to a larger market share, more steady work, and better contracts. The political action and participation in local community meetings by our members is already bringing contractors to the table. The Southwest is on the path to securing the residential market, after being out of it for the past 35+ years. These will be exciting times for existing members as well as new members.

The goal is to work close to home without having to commute hours at a time for Union jobs, so that our members can spend more time with their families.

Thank you to the members of the Southwest Regional Council for all the courtesy and respect that has been given to me over the last few years. It’s been exciting and rewarding to serve as your EST. The Southwest is poised for success. Over 10,000 members attended a Vision 20/20 meeting, and I believe they truly understand what needs to be done every day to insure our future is rock solid.

The member-led committees that have evolved throughout the Southwest, in every Local, are growing every day, as they should.

The more we come together to find solutions for problems we face as an organization, the better off our members, families, contractors, and communities will be. A lot of exciting things are coming our way.

There will be new, positive changes to medical and dental plans. Our new prescription drug plan will save us millions. And a new foremen/steward program will guarantee jobsite compliance with all contract provisions and laws, thus reducing

I hope you will give your new Executive SecretaryTreasurer/Pro tem Dan Langford the courtesy and respect you have given me. Dan is fully worthy of that. Together with his executive board, your Local officers, delegates, and committees, Dan will lead the Southwest into the next phase of growth and prosperity.

2019, the best is yet to come.

Thank you,

Randy Thornhill

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A LETTER FROM DAN LANGFORD, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY-TREASURER/PRO TEM Dear Brothers and Sisters, I first would like to say what an honor and a privilege it is to serve this brotherhood. We all have our own stories about how we started on our journeys, but mine began over 40 years ago, packing lumber and picking up trash. I never imagined that those menial tasks would be the start of a career that would change my life and be so rewarding. I owe our union everything and could never repay it in a hundred lifetimes.

I am excited about the challenges, but I really look forward to the opportunities. I know we have a large geographical area, and each area has its own unique issues, but I really feel that this is our time: our time to make an immediate impact on our industry, but more importantly, long-term change. Change that will not only secure our future, but the future of many generations to come. It is going to take all our efforts to take on, and to ultimately win this fight, but we have over 50,000 motivated, dedicated and agitated members that make up our unbeatable team. And with that, I am confident that we are up to the task.

In the weeks and months to come, we will add many new strategies and programs to our already packed tool box, all of which will test our resolve for change. I think it is best described as “getting out of our comfort zone”. I hope that all of you trust your leadership and embrace this change and watch the positive results that follow. We have assembled a great team, from your Executive Board to the newest Organizer. We have accumulated some of the best talent imaginable. I value the special gifts that each of them brings to our cause and without a doubt, I trust them completely. But I am really excited about the new working relationship I am going to have with Pete Rodriguez and Frank Hawk. I would call them my “Righthand Men” but that doesn’t explain how much I am going to rely on them. I guess the best definition would be to describe them as equals. They are creative, innovative, intelligent and experienced,

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and not to mention, both tough as nails. I just hope I can keep up with them.

Finally, I would like to extend my thanks and congratulations to Randy Thornhill. The congratulations are for his new position as our Western District Vice President. The UBC is lucky to have him. The thanks are for the more than 40 years he has dedicated to our Council and the lasting impact he created in the short 2 1/2 years he served as our EST. He packed more into the 2 1/2 years than most EST’s do in their entire careers. But I would mostly like to thank him for being a good friend and mentor. The things that he taught me, both by word and example, I will never forget. If, when my career is done, I can point to any success at all, it will all be due to the influence Randy had on me.

So, with that, it is time to buckle down and get some work done. I look forward to building the calluses and the occasional purple thumb. (All of you know what I mean.)

Fraternally yours,

Dan Langford, Executive SecretaryTreasurer/Pro tem

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IS YOUR CUPP FULL? T he SWRCC will launch a sweeping, councilwide effort in January, the Carpenters Union Participation Program, aka CUPP. CUPP builds upon recent Local restructuring by geography and is aimed at bolstering volunteer work in members’ own communities. “We are 50,000 members strong,” Executive Secretary-Treasurer/Pro tem, Dan Langford said. “Full participation by all of our brothers and sisters means carpenter volunteer work will generate millions of hours in manpower in our own backyards,” he continued.

CUPP leverages the current committee structure of the council to encourage members to use their creativity and focus resources, as they work to show their communities the “Union Difference”. CUPP is aimed at measurable changes: an impact neighbors, developers, elected officials, and other decisionmakers can see. The more visible Union carpenters are as the fabric of the community, the more likely the community and officials are to realize that Union carpenters deserve to work close to home for fair wages and benefits.

“Ultimately, more involvement helps build a stronger Union and will grow market share,” Langford continued.

The council is aiming for 100% participation with CUPP and members have already begun to lay a strong foundation. At the close of the Vision 20/20 program, more than 10,000 members attended meetings and pledged their time and talents to one of seven CUPP committees: Education, Mentor, Political Action, Social Media, Training, Volunteer, and Workers. Communities are already starting to see what a difference having Union carpenters closer to home can make.

The council is aiming for 100% participation with CUPP and members have already begun to lay a strong foundation.

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CALIFORNIA On August 6, 2018, the Holy Fire sparked in Cleveland National Forest. In less than a day, the wildfire had burned through over 4,000 acres, threatening Orange and Riverside County communities. As first responders raced to contain the fire and evacuate families, Local 909 and 951 carpenters were there in support of brave emergency personnel and in service to their communities. The Locals’ Volunteer committees gathered food, water, and toiletries for firefighters and displaced families. Though severe drought conditions fed the blaze for over a month, the valiant actions of firefighters and support from the community resulted in minimal losses. There were no fatalities from the fire and damage was limited to 18 structures. You can be sure Union carpenters will be ready to do their part to make sure the community recovers fully.

The Locals’ Volunteer committees gathered food, water, and toiletries for firefighters and displaced families.

COLORADO For more than a year, Colorado carpenters have been locked in a battle for the well-being of Colorado

families and to ensure safe working conditions for all of Colorado’s construction industry workers.

What was once thought to be a case of a few bad apples had been revealed as an entire underground network of fraudulent contractors and seedy labor brokers, feeding off vulnerable workers and their communities. Construction industry tax fraud costs Colorado an estimated $750 million in lost tax revenue annually. Contractors have misclassified their employees as independent contractors to avoid paying them fair wages and payroll taxes. In some cases, this underground economy nearly drove upstanding contractors out of the industry entirely.

Last summer, Southwest Regional Council began notifying Denver’s City Council about the growing issue, but their calls for intervention were ignored.

grand scale. Projects like the Las Vegas Raiders stadium and the Luxor Hotel become monuments to craftsmanship and instill a deep sense of pride in the brothers and sisters who contribute to them.

Sometimes, though, the most gratifying projects are much smaller in scale but have rewards that exceed any dollar amount. There’s nothing better for a union carpenter than when they can use their skills to directly benefit their communities and make life a bit easier for those in need. Local 1977 carpenters practiced this tradition when they stopped by Ayden’s Army of Angels Childhood Cancer & Sickle Cell Foundation this summer. Lindsey Licari started the foundation in honor of her son Ayden after he passed away from health complications due to his long fight with cancer. The organization serves families who are battling cancer by collecting food, goods, and finances to aid them in their fight. For its service to the community, Local 1977 Volunteer committee remodeled the Ayden Foundation’s playroom, installing new floors, building shelves, and repainting the space to make it more comfortable for the children and their families. They didn’t need cranes, or to pour any concrete for the project, but it was still one of the most rewarding projects of the year.

Construction industry tax fraud costs Colorado an estimated $750 million in lost tax revenue annually.

Local 555’s Political Action and Volunteer committees began the Criminal Colorado Campaign, an organized effort to educate the community on what was at stake. Carpenters from all over the southwest poured into Colorado to stand with their brothers and sisters as they fought for the state’s workers and families, but it was the brotherhood’s committees putting in overtime and standing together at town halls that forced the powers-that-be into action. The persistence of Local 555’s carpenters was rewarded when Governor John Hickenlooper signed an executive order forming the construction industry Payroll Fraud Task Force. Thanks to the efforts of carpenters and the community, Colorado has taken the first step towards creating a future where profits aren’t prioritized over people.

NEVADA Carpenters often use their skills to build on a

There’s nothing better for a union carpenter than when they can use their skills to directly benefit their communities and make life a bit easier for those in need.

ARIZONA As an organization, Habitat for Humanity helps change the lives of those in need by building and improving the places they call home. It’s an honorable cause, and one to which Local 1912 carpenters were more than happy to contribute their skills. This year, while most were at home enjoying the long

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Labor Day weekend, Local 1912’s carpenters were hard at work using their talents to build new units for Central Arizona families. The carpenters were able to complete a project that will help Habitat for Humanity change dozens of lives for the better. Just a typical day’s work for a union carpenter.

UTAH Local 801’s carpenters aren’t just building communities in Utah, they’re also doing their best to make sure no one in their community goes without food. Over the past several months, Local 801 has donated hundreds of pounds of food to the Utah Food Bank. In their first food drive effort, the Volunteer committee was able to collect over 300 pounds of food. The response from carpenters and the community was so outstanding, the Local decided to make collecting food a regular part of its meeting agendas. Carpenters are encouraged to bring food donations when they come to meetings, pay dues, or just stop by the Local. Professional union carpenters take care of the communities where they live and work. With the combined efforts of 801’s committees, Utah’s union carpenters are a part of something bigger than themselves.

NEW MEXICO This year, carpenters in the Land of Enchantment helped bring their community closer by holding their first annual Solidarity Day. There was food, games, and prizes for all to enjoy. Local 1319’s Sisters in the Brotherhood, along with the Volunteer committee, used their talents to build crafts and auctioned off their wares to raise money for the community’s emergency personnel. Carpenters brought out their families and neighbors along with law enforcement officials to celebrate the unity of New Mexico’s communities. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and Congressional Candidate Deb Haaland stopped by to show their support for building Union Strong communities, not just through hammers and nails, but also with smiles and shared memories.

Over the past several months, Local 801 has donated hundreds of pounds of food to the Utah Food Bank.

GET READY, CUPP IS COMING JANUARY 1 The first CUPP committee meetings will begin in November, with more details continuing to roll out in the coming months, until the campaign’s official kickoff in January. Members should check Local Union meeting schedules to find out how they can show their communities the Union Difference and help the Union grow stronger.

“By being more visible and engaged, we’re not just building communities and highways, we’re building our brand,” said EST/Pro tem Langford. “This will lead to a larger market share, more steady work, better contracts through collective bargaining, and solidify our place at the table.”

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NOVEMBER 6, 2018 D-DAY FOR CARPENTERS

by John Hanna, Political Director, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters

As election day approaches, carpenters, like all Americans, are having to wade through some of the craziest and nastiest political campaigns that we have seen since — well, since the 2016 election. Most politicians cannot help themselves. They predict Heaven if they are elected and Hell if their opponent wins.

To help separate the sizzle from the steak, here are some of the top contests where carpenters can make the difference.

ARIZONA U.S. SENATE—Kyrsten Sinema.

She always supports prevailing wage laws (Davis-Bacon). Her opponent has always voted to kill those laws.

U.S. HOUSE—Tom O’Halloran, Ann Kirkpatrick, Ruben Gallego, and Greg Stanton all support prevailing wage—their opponents oppose prevailing wage.

PHOENIX MAYOR—Kate Gallegos is the best choice for the U.S.A.'s 5th largest city.

LOCAL BONDS—Support bonds and measures that create jobs.

Check your voter guide.

CALIFORNIA

U.S. HOUSE—Friends of Carpenters on the ballot include David Valadao, Katie Hill, Pete Aguilar, Gil Cisneros, Harley Rouda, Mike Levin, Karen Bass, and Salud Carbajal.

NO ON 6!!! This attack on our jobs is the single most important item on the state’s ballot. It would repeal the law which makes our roads safer and already employs thousands of carpenters on roads and highways. No on 6!

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COLORADO GOVERNOR—Jared Polis has been a solid vote for Carpenter issues in the House and, as Governor, will crack down on payroll fraud. His opponent will fight unions.

same in the Senate. Her opponent opposes prevailing wage.

ATTORNEY GENERAL—Aaron Ford will help drive payroll fraud out of Nevada.

NEW MEXICO

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ATTORNEY GENERAL—Phil Weiser will go after the labor brokers and payroll fraud artists in Colorado. His opponent will ignore these crimes.

GOVERNOR—Michelle Lujan Grisham has been a solid vote for prevailing wage and, as Governor, will crack down on payroll fraud.

Her opponent is anti-union.

LEGISLATURE—Team Carpenter is Jessie Danielson, Brittany Petterson, Tony Exum, Kerry Donovan, Tracy Kraft-Tharp, Dafna Jenet, Monica Duran, and Tammy Story.

U.S. SENATE—Senator Martin Heinrich supports Carpenter issues like prevailing wage and apprenticeship. His opponent opposes prevailing wage and other laws helpful to workers.

NEVADA

UTAH

GOVERNOR—Steve Sisolak helped bring the stadium to Las Vegas and will help us reverse prevailing wage cutbacks and end right-to-work-for-less.

U.S. HOUSE—Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, who supports prevailing wage, is trying to unseat an incumbent with a 0% labor voting record.

U.S. SENATE—Jacki Rosen has been a solid vote for workers in the House and she will do the

TEXAS U.S. SENATE—Pro-Carpenter Congressman Beto O’Rourke from

El Paso is giving anti-union Ted Cruz a run for his money. Virginia Escobar will take Beto’s seat.

The decision to support these and other candidates, both Democratic and Republican, has come from rank and file and business agents who participated in the process. Decisions were not made on politics but on hardcore Carpenter economics: who will do the best job in supporting carpenters and their families.

It only works if Carpenters get out and vote. Don’t let people tell you your vote doesn’t count—an election in Virginia in 2017 ended in a tie and the two candidates drew lots to decide the winner.

That contest decided which party controlled the Virginia House.

Don’t be the deadbeat who lets others decide our future. Reward our friends and punish our enemies. #HammerTheVote.

#HammerTheVote

CALIFORNIA! VOTE! IT REALLY MATTERS… NO ON PROP 6…NO ON PROP 10

By Daniel M. Curtin, Director, California Conference of Carpenters

E

xactly what does this country stand for?

We are in the midst of a national debate about this country’s future. Regardless of where you stand in this debate, it is being played out in elections around the nation.

While every election has consequences, particularly Presidential elections, this November 6 may be one of the most important elections in modern history, especially for a non-Presidential election.

Both houses of the US Congress are controlled by Republicans and our President is Republican. Love him or hate him, Trump has seen little resistance for most of his agenda during the first two years of his term.

This year, the entire U.S. Congress and 1/3 of the US Senate will be facing the electorate. If one House, or both Houses, change from Republican to Democrat, this President will face far more resistance to his agenda. If there is no change, the President will continue to have relatively smooth sailing on his agenda, regardless of how divisive it may appear to many. The future of our country is too important to let other people decide. Every vote will count in this debate.

And once again, your job may very well be determined at the ballot box. There are two ballot propositions that may cost you, or get you, a job.

NO ON PROP 6 First, vote NO on Prop 6. Proposition 6 will cancel more than $50 billion in desperately needed transportation improvements. In 1954 President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Federal Highway Act which began the construction of a web of highways connecting all parts of our nation because he recognized that the economy, every citizen, and even our national defense needs required “a safe and adequate highway system.”

Virtually every President, Democrat and Republican, including our current President, has supported funding highway construction and maintenance through a “user fee” on fuel. It is clear today, that California’s roadways need extensive maintenance, repair and upgrade first and foremost for safety of the driving public.

Bad roads cost $844 per year in vehicle repairs. More than 6,500 projects and tens of thousands of construction jobs will be lost in the next 10 years if Prop 6 passes.

Bad roads cause accidents and costs lives. Bad roads cause extensive, unnecessary car and truck damage.

The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that driving on them costs each driver $844 per year in vehicle repairs. More than 6,500 projects and tens of thousands of construction jobs will be lost in the next 10 years if Prop 6 passes. VOTE NO ON PROP 6.

NO ON PROP 10.

Vote No on Prop 10. California needs to build more housing. Proposition 10 will do just the opposite.

The state’s non-partisan Legislative Analysts Office (LAO), which has no dog in the fight, hit the nail on the head saying passage of Prop 10 will reduce the number of apartments and homes available for rental and will result in a housing freeze – which is the last thing California needs right now.

This state, and our members, need to build more housing. Rent restrictions in Prop 10 will chase away housing developers and discourage new housing construction. We need more housing and to protect our jobs. VOTE NO ON PROP 10.

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CRACKING DOWN ON CRIMINAL CONTRACTORS

By David Kersh, Executive Director C/CCC

By Alexander Nguyen,

July 9, 2018

By City News Service, July

Contractor Hired by San Diego Firm to Pay $1.1M for Wage Theft

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t the Carpenters/Contractors Cooperation Committee, we deal with shady law-breakers on a regular basis, but every so often we come across serial violators, those that can’t seem to help themselves when they step foot on a project.

Two recent examples are Champion Construction and Fullerton Pacific, both metal-stud drywall subcontractors working throughout Southern California with major general contractors.

A prevailing wage case at a Long Beach high school project against Champion and TB Penick, the general contractor, led to a $1.1 million settlement resulting in more than 100 workers who received restitution checks. The Labor Commissioner determined Champion had maintained false records to cover up the wage theft and pocketed money which should have been directed to the workers’ benefit plan. On a different project, a senior housing development in Santa Barbara County, $140,000 in stolen wages was paid out to 22 workers.

On the criminal front, the owner of Champion, Sid Evans, was recently sentenced to eight years in state prison in a case brought forward by the Orange County District Attorney’s

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10, 2018

Contractors pay $1.1 million over accusations they cheated workers on Browning High School construction

Office. He pleaded guilty to dozens of felony charges, including 19 counts of embezzlement and 19 counts of forgery. This stemmed from an investigation that found he had embezzled more than $1 million from subcontracting companies hired for work at the Cambria Hotel project in El Segundo.

In addition to the Orange County DA case, Evans is currently facing felony criminal charges stemming from a worker’s compensation fraud case brought by the Fresno County DA’s Office.

This is the second case with the Fresno County DA, where a Superior Court judge previously sentenced Evans to probation and ordered him to pay more than half a million dollars in restitution for workers’ compensation fraud. Evans had also been on probation with the contractor’s license board and had to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages and penalties when he ran a prior company years ago.

The other subcontractor, Fullerton Pacific, was issued a $1.9 million wage theft citation for failing to correctly pay 472 workers on 26 construction projects across Southern California. Those projects included hotels like the Irvine Spectrum built

by R.D. Olson, multifamily projects, and casino

By Margot Roosevelt, July

24, 2018

Fullerton drywall contractor fined $2 million for cheating 472 workers

By Mark Edward Nero,

September 19, 2018

Long Beach man gets 8 years in stat e prison after pleading guilty to felony embe zzlement, forgery

projects such as the Bicycle Club. It has worked with other general contractors, including Sinanian Development, on a mixed-use project in downtown Los Angeles. Fullerton failed to pay for workers' overtime hours or provide them with mandated rest breaks and issued unlawful wage statements.

The company’s founder and day-to-day operator was previously convicted of workers’ compensation fraud and pled guilty to bank fraud for using fake identities to apply for loans that went into default. His prior company stole hundreds of thousands of dollars of workers’ wages, and was debarred from bidding on public works projects. That contractor’s license had also been revoked.

These enforcement actions, where the C/ CCC collaborates with enforcement agencies, helps send a message to companies breaking the law that there is a price to pay, and also to general contractors and developers, who must decide whether to hire reputable, law-abiding subcontractors or take major risks with cheap bottom feeders. Those general contractors or developers won’t only be stuck with the bill and potential legal liabilities. They’ll be saddled with low quality projects, and, worse, with tarnished reputations in the industry and with the public.

It is critical to stop these illegal business practices that put at risk good wages, benefits, training opportunities, and quality construction.

THE CARPENTERS/CONTRACTORS COOPERATION COMMITTEE (C/CCC) is out there every day - talking to workers and visiting projects - to make sure contractors don’t cheat workers and take work away from responsible contractors. Through our collaboration with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, we do our part so that bad contractors are held accountable for their illegal actions and thousands of workers recover money stolen from them.

Visit our website to learn more: www.quadc.org.

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GOT SKILLS?

W

e can see it plainly or read it in the newspapers. Cranes dot city skylines and all industry indicators point to a continued booming economy. In the construction industry, growth has been even more rapid, and contractors are struggling to fill positions at every level. The drastic shortage of skilled tradesmen and women isn’t just on the horizon, it’s affecting projects today. In fact, the U.S. Department of Education reports there will be 68% more job openings in infrastructure-related fields in the next five years than there are people in training to fill them. The question for many of the nation’s top contracting companies is “How do you build a carpenter?”

COLLEGE COSTS TIME & MONEY $127,000 = cost of 4 years of traditional college education

Meanwhile, colleges continue to tout the value of four-year degrees, but things on the ground are shaking out differently. “We need to get back into high schools and get them to understand that not every child is going to go college,” said Stragier.

“Some of the kids who aren’t [going to college]

Today there are more high school graduates than any time in American history. Still, barely half of those students graduate from college. At the same time rapid industry growth and the demand for skilled workers have pushed the value of trade school education to an alltime high. In 2018, a university education isn’t the only pathway to success, in fact, there are better ones.

70% of students take out loans to pay for traditional 4 year college

$46,900 = ave. entry level income of 4 year college graduate 14

“It’s a hot topic, 'skilled and trained'. There's just not enough enough guys in the trade,” said Todd Stragier, Vice President of Field Operations for Neff Construction, a signatory contractor with SWRCC. “Not just carpentry - all the way across the board - we need to get more people in the trades.

Everybody needs to be aware of what they can gain by joining the Carpenters Union.”

1 in 5 students graduate from 4 year colleges owing $50,000 or more in loans

It takes more than 3 years of full-time income to pay for the ave. college degree

get the impression they don’t have a future. They need to know there is a future out there for them where they can be happy. They can make a living, afford to buy a home and feed their family, and have the support they need to have a successful career, but unless we reach out and get to those communities, that won’t happen.”

More high schools are recognizing valuable programs, such as Career Connections and apprenticeships, as the pathways to higher education for some graduates. Southwest Carpenters Training Centers are finding new ways to reach out to students and employers, to show them this value. “Our goal is a clear and achievable pathway to the middle

class for some of the brightest young talents in our communities,” said Max Murphy, Southwest Carpenters representative. “And many of our carpenters will earn more than middle class wages.

When you add in benefits, like full-family medical, dental, vision, and a pension, we’re looking at earning potential which exceeds that of a college graduate, without the college debt,” Murphy continued.

Contractors can rely on the Southwest Carpenter Training Centers to get their workers the cuttingedge, practical skills they need as well as the leadership development necessary for a productive jobsite. “Our industry over the last forty years has

TRADE SCHOOL VALUE ADDS UP

Trade school degrees can be earned in two years.

Nearly 30% of university students don’t have a degree after 6 years

5.6% of college grads owe more than $100,000

$33,000 = cost of ave. trade school education

Trade school degrees can be earned in 2 years 15

GOT SKILLS? CONT. become accustomed to a ‘sink or swim’ style of workforce development,” Murphy said. “It is time to evolve. Our signatory contractors are not neck-down organizations. SWRCC is helping our industry partners navigate a cultural evolution.

We’re focused on investing in people through our training programs. Whether you’re a carpenter, or a contractor just starting a more formal training program, or are interested in additional opportunities to supplement what you are already doing, I urge you to reach out to us to help build a strong foundation,” Murphy concluded.

For more information on practical and other skills development, contact 213-700-1630.

OTHER TRADE SCHOOL BENEFITS Trade schools offer flexible schedules, smaller class sizes & real-world, handson training

It only takes 11 months of income to pay for trade school

$35,720 = ave. entry level income of trade school graduate 16

Trade school dropout rate is only 1.6%

LIVE BETTER, WORK UNION “Work usually starts at 7 a.m., and all the tradesman are doing their own thing. With everyone working together, we learn different things from other tradesmen. It's always exciting to drive past a project that you help build.

There is no feeling that great.” – ANGEL H. “Live better, work union, the slogan says it all. I’ve waited a long time to start the program. Now I’m just excited about starting my career and being a part of the brotherhood.” – JOSE G. “It’s a great place to work, and a great place to learn. They always have trade schooling in other fields, so you can learn more crafts and broaden your scope. Sometimes the work is pretty tough. It’s not for everyone.

Work hard, play hard that’s the carpenter way.” – IVAN V.

SKILLED WORKER SHORTAGE MEANS STABLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES 70% of non-union construction firms report having a hard time filling hourly craft positions

Customized career plans & training from industry experts increases likelihood of successful employment

SOURCES: Commercial Construction Index, National Center for Education Statistics, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, Associated General Contractors of America, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Career School Now

Construction = 2nd fastest growing industry since 2016, combined with healthcare, 1/3 of all new jobs by 2022

43% anticipate shortage will continue to be difficult 17

UPCOMING PROGRAMS AT THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTER, LAS VEGAS ITC 3rd yr apprentice & Collab leadership

T

he Carpenters International Training Center (CITC) is a thriving monument to the Brotherhood’s commitment to skills and productivity, building strength as a union and an industry partner.

Above all, the CITC is where we develop and train the local carpenters who deliver the current craftskills instruction to members at more than 200 centers around North America. The CITC supports the creation of new courses that meet contractors’ evolving needs and is home to ongoing refinements in core courses, such as: interior systems, scaffolding, concrete formwork, commercial doors and hardware, gas and steam turbine installation and maintenance, and many others.

I was blown away, not only by the amazing facility, but by the state-of-the-art curriculum.

-ARMANADO B.

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3RD YEAR APPRENTICE PROGRAM: HELPING BUILD OUR INDUSTRIES Participants of the 3rd Year Apprentice program gain greater understanding of the Brotherhood, the industries that rely on UBC professionals, and the important role these men and women play in the success of both. Apprentices learn how professionalism, productivity, skill, and attitude contribute to their success, and to the success of the contractors who employ them. The training experience includes the Contractor Panel: Industry Insights. This five-point panel includes top officials from union signatory contractors from across the Southwest. (Please note: you must be a fifth or sixth period apprentice to attend.)

300 HITTERS PROGRAM: BUILDING LEADERSHIP FOR A STRONG FUTURE Our Journeyman Leadership ‘300 Hitters’ program was developed by the UBC to give our Journeymen a broader understanding of our union, the

construction industry, and our memberships’ role in shaping the future. This program is a once in a lifetime opportunity for members to tour our stateof-the-art International Training Center (ITC), meet carpenters from all over the country, and most importantly, develop valuable skills they need to become better leaders and help build a stronger union.

212 JOURNEYMEN: NEXT-LEVEL UBC LEADERS The 212 Next-Level Journeymen program is specifically for returning Journeymen who exemplified the principles of the UBC Journeymen Leadership ‘300 Hitter’ Program. Participants should be members who have successfully completed the UBC Journeymen Program and effectively applied its principles to their jobsites to make a measurable impact or stepped up in a leadership role at the Council level. (Please note: must have completed 300 Hitters program to be eligible.)

FOREMAN TRAINING PROGRAM: BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION Participants of this program learn the importance of productivity and develop plans to improve performance on the job following their training.

Upon completion of the Foreman Training Program, members have a greater understanding of their role and what it takes to be successful in that position.

The Foreman Training is a five-day, highly interactive program. An actual project is used from start to finish to allow participants the opportunity to practice applying the skills being learned.

COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP: BUILDING JOBSITE LEADERS This three-day program is designed to give jobsite supervisors the tools necessary to improve the overall jobsite, taking it from good to great. Today’s leaders need an expanded repertoire of skills and a new mindset to succeed in the increasingly fastpaced, chaotic, and highly competitive industry.

This calls for more collaborative-based leadership, and the creation of a partnership culture—one that can harness the knowledge and expertise of all stakeholders. The UBC’s goal is 70% market share, and this program will provide the necessary tools to maximize individual productivity to achieve this goal.

A collaborative leader recognizes equal participation across all levels and allows solutions to develop from the best ideas of the group.

My two favorite parts were communications skills and teamwork. I’ll use these not only on the job, but at home, too!

–JORGE V. SUPERINTENDENT CAREER TRAINING: PLAN FOR THE FUTURE The concept of the Superintendent Career Training (SCT) program is to closely integrate both the technical aspects of construction jobsite management and the personal and career development needs of the individual trainee. The Carpenters International Training Fund program utilizes a unique combination of classroom instruction, company-sponsored mentoring and on-the-job training to deliver valuable skill training customized to the individual needs of the sponsoring contractor and the Superintendent/ General Foreman trainee.

It was the best training I’ve ever been a part of.

–ENRIQUE A. Find out more online at swcarpenters.org/ career-advancement

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Get 24x7 online access to your benefits with MemberXG Obténga acceso a sus beneficios con MemberXG 24 horas al día View your: • Work history • Vacation payments • Eligibility status and plans you are enrolled in • Pension credits and vesting status

MemberXG is: • Secure and optimized for your computer, tablet or smart phone • Designed for you and your enrolled dependents • Available at no cost to you

Puede ver su: • Historial de trabajo • Pagos de vacaciones • Estado de elegibilidad y su plan de salud actual • Créditos de pensión y su estado de jubilación

MemberXG es: • Seguro y optimizado para su computadora, tableta, o teléfono móvil • Diseñado para usted y sus dependientes inscritos • Disponible sin costo para usted

Learn more at the Trust Fund’s website at carpenterssw.org or sign up in minutes at: bit.ly/MemberXG-CSAC If you need assistance you may contact the Administrative Office directly at (213) 386-8590 or toll free at (800) 293-1370.

Aprenda más en el sitio web del Fideicomiso www.carpenterssw.org o registrese en solo minutos en: bit.ly/MemberXG-CSAC Si necesita asistencia puede llamar a la oficina administrativa al (213) 386-8590 o (800) 293-1370.

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Who Doesn’t Love

Bacon?

I

t can be difficult to find issues that Democrats and Republicans can come to the table and agree on, but according to recent surveys, Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage laws make for great dinner conversation. Most voters, roughly 77%, support prevailing wages on public infrastructure projects while just 23% would eliminate them. The favorable polls include the majorities of Republican, Democratic, and Independent voters.

SO WHAT IS DAVIS-BACON? In government contracting, prevailing wages are determined based on the current market wages and benefits for skilled workers. They are defined as the hourly wage and overtime paid to most workers, laborers, and mechanics within an area and establish the base-level salary of skilled workers on government projects. The Davis-Bacon Act, signed

by Republican President Herbert Hoover in 1931, protects prevailing wages on a federal level, while 30 states have their own “Little Bacon” laws protecting prevailing wage on state projects.

Prevailing wage laws benefit military veterans and help close the wage gaps for women and people of color.

What about the 23% who don’t love bacon? Critics of prevailing wage claim that increased wages lead to higher costs, thus stagnating the market.

However, long term studies have shown no evidence to support these assertions. In fact, studies indicate repealing Bacon laws results in less workforce training, higher injury and mortality rates, lower health benefits coverage, and of course, much lower wages. Conversely, studies suggest the net benefits of prevailing wage laws far exceed the costs.

Introducing Bacon laws has been linked to increased local hiring, lower poverty, safer worksites, and a more productive, efficient workforce. Additionally, areas that strengthen their Bacon laws reduce spending on Medicaid and public assistance, such as food stamps, for construction workers. This means less of a drain on critical public services, which benefits taxpayers.

Construction is America’s fourth largest industry, and directly supports more than 6.6 million jobs.

Roughly a quarter of the industry’s output – more than $360 billion – is spent on public projects, including roads, bridges, schools, transit systems, government buildings, and water projects. DavisBacon laws don’t simply guarantee workers are paid fairly, they ensure publicly-funded projects benefit the greater good, from concept to completion. When employees are a paid a fair living wage, they work harder.

The value of Bacon is more than good—it’s great!

SOURCES: ALG Research, April 2017 / Keystone Research Center

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U.S. INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS BOLD INVESTMENT

S

ince the American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE) launched its intermittently published report card back in 1988, our nation’s infrastructure and investment have shown a distressing lack of progress. The nonprofit association dives deep every few years, taking a red pen to our country’s infrastructure maintenance and development.

This year, once again, the grades were dismal. All 50 states earned an overall D+ on the report card, which measured the condition of, and investment in, our nation’s aviation, bridges, dams, drinking water, energy, hazardous waste, inland waterways, levees, ports, public parks, rail, roads, schools, transit, solid waste, and wastewater.

Lack of action costs American lives and billions of dollars, averaging $3,400 per year, per family.

The Southwest region is not immune to political inaction, but the good news is while there is an immense amount of work to be done, SWRCC’s carpenters stand ready to do it.

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ASCE’s experts recommend more than $3 trillion in investments to U.S. infrastructure.

The infographic on the following page highlights three critically important sectors of infrastructure in our six-state region: roads, bridges, and drinking water.

For more, visit InfrastructureReportCard.org.

Southwest's

INFRASTRUCTURE SNAPSHOT Nevada ROADS

$438 per motorist per year in costs from driving on roads in need of repair.

Utah ROADS

BRIDGES

$287 per motorist per year in costs from driving on roads in need

31 (1.60%) of the 1,933 bridges are structurally deficient.

of repair.

WATER

BRIDGES

$10 billion in drinking water infrastructure needs over the next

95 (3.10%) of the 3,039 bridges are structurally deficient.

20 years.

WATER

$3.7 billion in drinking water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years.

CA

NV

UT

CO

ROADS

$580 per motorist per year in costs from driving on roads in need of repair.

BRIDGES

497 (5.70%) of the 8,682 bridges are structurally deficient.

AZ

California

Colorado

WATER

NM

$7.1 billion in drinking water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years.

ROADS

$844 per motorist per year in costs from driving on roads in need of repair.

BRIDGES

1,388 (5.50%) of the 25,431 bridges are structurally deficient.

New Mexico ROADS

WATER

$594 per motorist per year in costs from driving on

$44.5 billion in drinking water

roads in need of repair.

infrastructure needs over the next 20 years.

BRIDGES

258 (6.50%) of the 3,973 bridges are structurally deficient.

Arizona

WATER

$1.16 billion in drinking water infrastructure needs

ROADS

17% of Arizona’s urban roads are in poor condition, which costs Arizona motorists $1.5 billion a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs – almost $320 per motorist.

over the next 20 years.

BRIDGES Roughly 50% of Arizona’s bridge inventory is more

than 40 years

old and 80% more than 20 years old.

WATER

$6.1 billion in drinking water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years.

SOURCE: InfrastructureReportCard.org

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Things I Wish I Knew As An Apprentice

24

We asked a few long-time Carpenters what they wished they knew when first getting started in the trade. Many thanks to Pete, Roger, Delshawn, Jerred, and Sean for their insights and advice.

I wish I knew the strength

of the

brotherhood. Getting to know

your brothers and being involved in your Local helps your career.

I wish I knew how important it is to save money and budget. It’s good when you’re making bank that young, but it’s important for you to think

about saving for when the times are tough.

Go to trainings! They are by far the most important thing an apprentice can take advantage of.

Contractors expect results

and

production. If you aren’t providing that, you can expect your foreman to be getting on you.

Pick the brains of the older guys.

I wish I knew how important it is to invest in a good

pair of work 25

boots. My feet were killing me! Those boots are important. In fact, having all the right equipment is important.

It’s hard work, your body aches.

Persistence matters.

Stick with it!

Business is business.

Don’t take things on the site personally.

Don’t get discouraged.

The ups and downs of your early days can be overwhelming.

Motivation is key.

Be coachable.

Follow directions, then do it safer

and faster.

Go to your Local Union meetings…That is the starting point to discover everything that the UBC has to offer.

Don’t quit. It will get better.

Stay humble and ask

questions.

Have a good attitude & GET HOT! 26

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VETS:

THE CARPENTERS HAVE GOT YOU COVERED Left to right: Armando Delgado, Local 805 Representative (Veteran Education Committee Chairman/P.A.C.), Martin McLaughlin, Local 805 Representative (Political Action Leader/ Vet. Ed. Committee), U.S. Representative Julia Brownley (California, CD-26), Pete Rodriguez, Southwest Regional Council President/Pro tem

U

nited we stand, divided we beg. One of the founding principles of this country is that diverse people, armed with the strength of unity, can accomplish more than even the most powerful individual.

The freedom to join and demand a better future is a sacred tenet that many have fought for, and many others have paid the ultimate price to preserve.

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder means the power of unified voices has an effect which echoes far beyond the workplace. Countless studies have shown that unions have the power to improve entire communities, ones of geography and identity. This is true for pretty much anyone who must work for a living, but fittingly, one of the communities that benefits most from unionization are the men and

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women who have defended the right to do so: veterans.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates, on any given night there are over 40,000 homeless veterans.

Another 1.4 million veterans are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, and lack of support networks. On California’s Gold Coast, Local 805’s Veterans Education Committee has cultivated a network to address these issues for some of our Southern California vets through their Carpenter Outreach for Veteran Employment and Readjustment program (COVER).

No one should be paid wages so low that working full-time can still leave them below the poverty line.

With the COVER program, veterans can do more than simply get a good job. They can join a network of professionals prepared to give them the guidance they need on their new career track, as well as a community of union brothers and sisters to help them readjust to civilian life.

When veterans retire from service, part of the benefits they receive can include an education stipend. However, with the cost of a bachelor’s degree skyrocketing, the stipend doesn’t always adequately cover the cost of university tuition.

Sometimes, traditional four-year colleges just don’t meet the needs or interests of our veterans. Many veterans leave service with college experience. Add to that the skills and knowledge gained in years of service to our country, most are eager to start on a sustainable and fulfilling career track. The result is that some veterans can feel stuck between two lives, unable to take full advantage of the rewards for their service.

THE CARPENTERS HAVE GOT YOU COVERED FROM ONE BROTHERHOOD TO ANOTHER Many of the skills veterans need for success in the armed services are still applicable in the trades.

“We’re not just trying to get these guys jobs, we want to set them up to hone the skills they need to be leaders out on the sites,” said Brother Armando Delgado, Local 805 Business Representative, and U.S. Marine Corp retired veteran. “We’re not sitting back and hoping they come to us, we’re recruiting them and saying, look, if you want an opportunity to have a great career and be a part of a new brotherhood, this is the place to do it.”

After four years of active duty as a Machine Gunner, Delgado joined Local 805. Back then there wasn’t a large veteran presence. He says only two or three guys were former servicemen. That’s all changed now. Since the Veterans Education Committee was formed one year ago, 17 veterans have joined the SWRCC, and been hired by union signatory contractors. Of 17, 12 are still a part of Local 805 and five others have moved to other Locals.

“When I left the Marines, I was lost. I needed to find a purpose,” said Delgado. “Out on the sites, there were no veterans, no mentors for me. It wasn’t their fault, it was just that guys didn’t really understand what I was going through.”

A CARPENTER VET FINDS A GAP, AND FILLS IT There are other organizations that seek to help veterans find employment, but many times the effort only goes as far as a job board. Recognizing the gap, Delgado started talking with other SWRCC veterans, like Brother Emmett Cromwell, Local 1607 Business Representative and U.S. Navy Master at Arms, retired. The goal was finding ways to help veterans find purpose and integrate back into society. Doing that would require more than just posting jobs on a corkboard, or online. Delgado and likeminded carpenters began reaching out to veterans and contacting contractors like Center Drywall and McCarthy Co. who were keen on hiring veterans.

Those early conversations were the spark that led to veteran recruitment initiatives across the Southwest Regional Council.

The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters (SWRCC) is committed to helping the brave men and women who have served this country.

INVESTMENTS IN VETS’ FUTURES Through the UBC Apprenticeship Program and the Southwest Carpenters Training Fund, veterans can build a strong foundation for a fulfilling career.

The Apprenticeship program is accredited by the Department of Education, which means veterans can utilize their stipend for on-the-job training. This allows them to pursue career development without committing the extra time or accruing the significant debt associated with traditional four-year schools, all while earning a living wage. But that’s only the beginning.

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COVERED, CONT. Today, veterans all over the SWRCC are helping former servicemen go from a military brotherhood to a brotherhood of carpenters. In Las Vegas, for example, Brother John Whitesitt, U.S. Marine Corp retired, formed the Veterans Education Committee.

Louis Ontiveros, Director of the Southwest Carpenters Training Fund, U.S. Marine Corp retired, is also working to help put veterans on the carpenter career track.

Delgado’s and the COVER team’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Congresswoman Julia Brownley, part of House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, Chairwoman for the State of California Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, have lent their support to the cause. With help from local businesses, veteran apprentices are provided with the COVER Apprentice Starter Kit, which

includes work boots, clothes, basic hand tools, and a gas card for transportation to give new union carpenters a leg-up, all free of charge.

Last year, three veterans attended 805’s Skills Event in Camarillo. This year, they’re expecting more than 20. What started out as a word-of-mouth effort, one brother reaching out to another, has expanded into something with far-reaching impact. “We’re doing everything we can to make sure they have no excuses for failure,” said Delgado. “That’s the most important thing for veterans is finding a new purpose in life, a chance at being a part of a community.”

Today, veterans all over the SWRCC are helping former servicemen go from a military brotherhood to the brotherhood of carpenters.

You pay your taxes, so why should some construction contractors get to CHEAT?

Their tax fraud costs everyone.

Visit stoptaxfraud.net to learn more & fight back.

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“YOU’RE NOT ONLY HERE FROM THE NECK DOWN”: A SHIFTING INDUSTRY

SWRCC touched base with one of our signatory contractors for their perspective on the industry, their company, and the partnership with our Regional Council.

NEFF CONSTRUCTION INC. Headquarters: Ontario, California.

Todd Stragier, Vice President of Field Operations Tell us a bit about Neff Construction and your focus as a company.

Neff Construction has been in business for over 40 years. It’s family-owned and the business is operated like a family. We concentrate on K-12 construction, that’s our marketplace. We know how to do business there and we do it well. We perform construction management work where we manage jobs for the school districts and handle general contracting for school districts, where we self-perform carpentry from time to time. Our carpenters are able to do metal stud framing, casing, the drywall, the lath, roofing, doors, hardware, insulation, T-bar ceiling, so almost everything from the foundation to the roof.

What are some ways Neff Construction is integrating new technology into its projects?

What we’ve done is made sure all our superintendents have smart devices, including tablet computers, smart pads, and smart phones.

These devices allow them to utilize technology for on the job coordination and problem solving.

All our plans are updated by our superintendents, posting real-time Requests for Information (RFI), submittal coordination, change management, and as-built conditions. We use Procore as a central hub to house all our electronic files, including hyperlinked construction plans. So, if something doesn’t work, or when there’s a change in the plans and our subcontractor is out on the job, they can open the document and see the changes in real time. That means the construction team, inclusive of the design team, owner, Neff, and its prime/ subcontractors are all on the same page up-tothe-minute. The speed of the job is determined by

Left to right: Steve Shrader, Jobsite Superintendent, Anthony Simental, Superintendent, Todd Stragier, Vice President of Field Operations, Neff Construction

the speed of the information. Compare that to 20 years ago when we thought it was unbelievable that we could communicate via handwritten fax.

Sharing information was considerably longer, not to mention 20 years ago, the buildings were much simpler. It was essentially, build a box and paint it brown. Today, the buildings have gotten much more complicated in regards to building codes and design aesthetics. We’re integrating more design assemblies and finishes, creating more aesthetically appealing spaces, but the timelines haven’t changed. We can still build an elementary school in 12 months!

Workforce development is an area of concern for many of today’s contractors. What does workforce development and succession planning look like for you?

We’re in a foreign place industry-wide, where companies are dealing with a lot of retirements due to the baby boomer era. We have younger staff that we’re bringing up in order to fill the voids left by the

31

NECK DOWN, CONT. staff that is retiring or planning to retire in the near future. In the past, we didn’t see emphasis on leadership development until the superintendent level.

Culturally, the industry is changing to where folks are investing in leadership development more at the foreman level, sometimes it extends to journeymen, and even the apprentices. At Neff, once a carpenter becomes a foreman, we pair them with a mentor superintendent to teach them how to manage a job, what it takes to be a leader, how to implement tech to benefit the team, and generally how to prepare for that “next step.” Whether it’s an apprentice and he’s learning proper installation of blocking, or a journeyman just starting his development into a foreman role, each transition requires certain steps and a high level of focus from the development staff. We have found it’s critical they all have a mentor with them through those steps and they are able to continue this bond through their career with us. In the past, the industry expectation was sort of “you’re only here from the neck down”. We can all agree that can’t be the attitude anymore. We have to set and reinforce higher expectations: manage the work, sequence the job, stay on top of materials and labor; all while being a student, mentor and coach. The United Brotherhood’s ITC has done a great job with that goal in mind.

We have been sending staff to the ITC Collaborative Leadership Training for about three years and we have seen tremendous results. All the superintendents, foreman, journeymen, and management have come back with a different perspective.

Specifically, we feel they have a better understanding of what their role is, how to communicate with varying demographics, and how to perform more effectively.

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SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY: Spotlight on a Superintendent Anthony Simental, 3rd year Apprentice out of Local 909, is a superintendent for Neff Construction. It’s rare to be a 3rd year apprentice and be a superintendent, but then Simental’s combination of experience, willingness to learn, and team-first attitude are rare, too.

Tell us about your work as UBC Carpenter.

I work for Neff Construction, running projects as a superintendent. I’ve been with them for 16 years now, starting out as a laborer. As a laborer, I basically did grading, equipment operating, laying out materials, miscellaneous concrete patch back and clean up. When I transitioned to a superintendent, they offered me the opportunity to join the Southwest Carpenters Apprentice program. So yes, I am a 3rd year apprentice and a superintendent. I didn’t think I could do it at first, but Neff believed in me and recognized my loyalty and hard work.

What interested you in pursuing a career as a carpenter?

Before I got into construction as a laborer, I was in and out of jobs. I’ve been out on my own from about the time I was 16. At the time, people were selling drugs out of the house I was living in. After some legal trouble of my own, I made the decision that it wasn't a good place for me to be. I had an aunt who took me in and showed me how families should act and helped me to understand my potential. When I met my now-wife, my fatherin-law offered me a job in construction as a laborer. I ended up getting out of it when work was slow, but eventually I came back to the industry working as a laborer for Neff Construction.

How have your trainings at the ITC helped in your role as a Superintendent?

I worked as a laborer for about 13 years and it was tough mentally and physically. I had one of those old school bosses who was very demanding and made the days quite long. I knew I wanted to treat people differently from day one because of the experiences I had with this person. I know what it’s like to hate coming to work. It made it difficult to get up in the morning, and I took it home with me at the end of day. We all know the saying, you treat people the way you want to be treated. You get a lot more out of your team that way. One thing the Carpenters do really well, not just at the ITC, but even at the local training centers, is teaching you how to communicate with people and how to treat up-and-coming guys. There are so many skills I’m learning now through the carpenters that I wouldn’t have learned working as a laborer. They teach you how to build bridges, stairs, roofs, install crown molding, and more. If I accepted the superintendent position as laborer, I would have never learned

SOMETHING NEW, CONT. those skills to keep pushing my career forward. The ITC has also helped with learning everything from being a leader, coach, mentor, as well as the benefit of collaboration. And I’m not even finished yet, I will never stop learning. I want to hit 7th period and learn all I can.

What’s the biggest challenge of your job and what do you love most?

The biggest challenge is multitasking. As superintendent, you have a lot of responsibilities and a lot of people depending on you. There are so many things that come up every day. Being able to manage them all, making sure the work gets done on time and done right all at once, is pretty tough. Oddly enough, that is what I love most. The new challenges, the new responsibilities, and learning the new technology.

There’s something new every day.

BIGGEST SIB CONFERENCE EVER

We put a lot of ourselves into each project. I love to see things accomplished. It feels good to see the end result, knowing what it was before we started.

–ANTHONY SIMENTAL, Local 909

A record-breaking 500 participants attended the 2018 UBC Sisters in the Brotherhood Conference at the ITC in Las Vegas this summer to learn, network, and communicate their ideas, questions, and suggestions. Guest speakers, panelists, small group meetings, networking opportunities, and a variety of workshops generated new ideas and future plans.

The conference theme “It’s Time!” inspired participants to be more involved– it’s time to be an active member; it’s time to be a political volunteer; it’s time to start a SIB Committee; and it’s time to recruit more Union sisters into our trade. Active and engaged membership is key to the Union achieving the goal of 70% or higher market share, and our Sisters aim to contribute to reaching that goal.

IT’S TIME. UBC women are on the move in 2018! For example, Evelyn Shapiro was named the first

woman Executive Secretary-Treasurer Pro tem (EST) in the United States. Evelyn chaired the 2015 Sisters Conference and this year’s as well. She was previously the president of the Pacific Northwest Regional Council and has now taken the reins in her new position as EST there. Debra Romero is currently serving as EST in the Atlantic Canada Regional Council. Debra is the first-ever woman to serve as EST.

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SWWA

WE NEED YOU! ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING A WOMEN’S AUXILIARY OR HELPING FORM ONE? • Promote and protect the interest of our membership.

• Cultivate a feeling of friendship among the members of this Brotherhood and the Women’s Auxiliary.

• Assist our affiliate Locals with member retention and active participation.

• Help create a network of active members of Locals and Women's Auxiliary.

• Pledge to be actively involved in our communities.

• Promote the interests of the United Brotherhood.

• Create a safe-haven for all members and those in need.

• Cultivate a welcome feeling for all family members regarding Carpenters’ Local and Women’s Auxiliary.

• Protect our members by legal and proper means against any injustice that may be done to them.

• Improve the moral, social and intellectual conditions of our members and all working people and the United Brotherhood.

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For questions or further information, please contact your Local office.

In Memoriam 2018:

Remembering the Brothers and Sisters We Lost Richard A Granger 1506 James K Bernsen 721 William E Sidney III 803 Allen S Kohl 1607 Creighton C Blenkhorn 562 James R Plourde 1977 Gerald Michaud 721 Patrick Naughton 1977 Peter Dilella 1977 Jose G Dilone 1977 Gottfried Kotitschke 721 Rafael Amador 209 Calvin W Shane 951 Raymond B Elflein 1319 James J Merron 2375 Donald C Delles 714 James O Martin 209 Gerald H Page 2375 Corwin C Von Miller III 1977 Vernon A Delfosse 409 Michael J Mcnally 944 Louis C Deluna 714 Thomas E Davidson 1977 Jose Siaba 909 Lee Slocum 1977 Michael J Gushue 1977 John L Jankans 1506 Michael W Danylo 630 Robert D Hedden 409 Ascension J Sanchez 1977 Elmer L Workman 803 William L Chapman 209 Oscar Acosta 721 Frank Barnes 1607 William R Stacy 409 Norman D Blose 1977 Gus Morrow 547 Mike Wyhowanec 409 Jesse L Blue 1912 Richard C Phillips 213 Richard E Garringer 1800 Philip D Cashell 1912 Jerry D Gill 1506 Vincent C Canepa 1506 Reid C Mckee 909 John W Rogers 1977 Donald E Olson 1977 Jack A Hanley 1977 William G Nida 803 Roy L Patterson 1977 Billy L Mahan 1912

Dick Koopmans 213 Anthony R Woodshank 1977 Daniel D Chapman Jr 721 Cornelius P Johnson 409 Dennis J Coggins 803 Robert J Taube Jr 743 Seth John Downey 630 Eugene G Talaga 409 Timothy O Dull 547 Roger L Daniels 630 Roy A Workman 1506 Steven Conquest 1977 George N Lynch 630 Leroy Lischefski 1977 Robert W Sturm 944 Ronald G Grove 150 Carl F Pack 951 Huey R Melhorn Sr 714 Danny R Read 2375 Louis E Crutcher 2007 Winfred Williams 805 Edward L Fultz 213 Herbert H Manager 150 George W Mathis 803 Bobby D Bragg 409 Joseph C Chapman 213 Marion J Liuzza 547 Edward Sargent Jr 1977 Ivan C Harkey 150 Jeromy W Eubanks 150 J D Thomas 562 Frank Gregor 150 David M Mackey 1977 Robert G Moroney 562 Charles D Robertson 209 William E Gosnell 1607 Roberto S Souflee 1977 Simon Soto 805 Bobby Ashbrook 1977 Barry E Mcgaughy 409 Aria M Martin 1506 Owen L Stephenson 803 Donald R Slaughter 1607 David C Gallegos 944 Norman D Reed 1506 Ralph J Smit 944 Laverne C Meinke 1977 Joshua Jost 555 Terrance W Morrissey 409 Kenneth Rassman 1800

Steven L Younker 1607 Vernie L Barnett 1607 Harry D Hurston 562 Frank Mohler 562 Boyd Y Davis 409 Ronald C Wittenauer 150 Sylvester G White 1977 Jimmie G Allen 803 Walter J Waite 1977 Donald G Waclawik 1912 Louis L Stutzman 1977 Clifford R Mcmann 661 Richard L Dill 803 Duane A Dirks 803 Steven E Geisler 1912 Thomas E Hunter 714 Carmen Hernandez 213 Charles E Priester 1977 Gordon A Powers 1607 Gordon A Powers 1607 Kenneth I Langstaff 803 Joe Hamilton 1977 Edward P Lujan 150 Wayne E Combee 630 Freddy J Kreutzer 1977 Richard H Wilson 1506 Jack J Roberson 1977 Ernesto M Nunez 213 Victor M Ochoa 971 Richard J Schantz 1977 David J Williams 1607 Longino R Picazo 1506 Thomas M Petty 1912 Steve Benham 1977 Lupe M Lopez 409 Jimmy G Kinsey 409 Harvey L Smith 1977 Richard Acereto 1912 John A Berutto 1912 Jerry A Willson 1977 Joseph A Bagshaw 1607 Leonard C Nez 1319 Farrell Sorensen 1977 Jimmie Chynoweth 1977 Robert K Peterson 1977 William Cranford 1977 Walter Ruesch 1977 Oren L Johnson 1977 Thomas D Loveland 1977 Dale E Kennedy 1977 Gerald A Foote 1977

Jim D Cooper 1977 Kenneth M Nolin 2375 Daniel J Rivero 619 Larry E Kimble 1977 Joseph A Millette Jr 1977 Dennis K Dillard Jr 971 Scott Earl 1977 Roger E Ferguson 1607 Benjamin F Gibson 547 Jamie Ryan 1607 Herbert H Lawson 1977 Rickie B Myers 1977 Daniel R Mason 1977 Richard M Bieberdorf 1977 Farrokh S Ariabod 1607 Ron J Von Eps 630 Ray A Turner 951 August P Becker 409 William J Vanderlee 803 James C Syverud 1977 Richard M Saffiote 1506 Pentti K Holopainen 209 Ian M Anderson 803 Damon Wegerbauer 1977 Bruce M Whitford 944 Dennis A Reese 630 Grant Sorney 209 Fernando Llamas 213 Billy J Kirkham 803 Henry Johnson Jr 630 Benjamin L Self 661 Daniel M Mullen Jr 209 Daniel E Messer 1800 Calvin O Ellis 409 David W Chambers 409 Roger C Lundberg 409 Glenwood D Estey 944 William G Ivany 803 Jack L Hale 2361 Tommy B Wyble 1506 Jerry C Carr 1800 Steve M Candari 630 Bill N Maynard 743 Edward R Rael Sr 409 John Jensen 805 Grant E Mcgregor 213 Jose A Reyna III 909 Richard W Hill 1506 Elie Borenstein 661 Michael A Saenz 409 Richard H Wilson 619

35

IN MEMORIAM, CONT. Dean E Lindsley 547 Tony S Mejia 803 Nicholas Hernandez 721 Barry Culleton 213 Frans O Tereska 209 Robert L Sloan 630 Grant Kirk 714 Gary C Willson 1607 Jessie Battey 1977 Gerhard E Markgraf 619 Castrenze Billetta 721 Donald B Smith 909 Lillian D Tillie 1506 Stanley K Gray 2361 Michael A Nelson 1977 Robert A Chavira 409 Michael A Carnes 2375 Patricia A Lampe 547 Phillip L Rivera Jr 2361 Ronald G Kantrim 1800 Victor J Galindo 409 Joe Loeschnig 1506 Martial Champagne 1977 Jerry S Myers 944 John Ford 1607 Craig D Ewart 944 Joshua J Niemi 1800 Mark C Vogler 547 Raynoldo S Franco 150 Leo Kanter 714 Elvin D Delzell 909 Timothy E Brady 409 Gary B Cochran 803 Richard Impink 547 Frederick D Tibben 1607 Heraclio S Aldana 721 Stephen Lovelace 803 Scott R Clinedinst 2361 Joseph J Cordero 721 Silvino G Acosta 944 Mike J Reeves 2361 Tony A Perez 721 Celia Olguin 630 William L Moore 409 James L Gauthier 630 Hans E Kneile 1977 Calvin M Clark 951 Charles R Reeder 2361 George A Cooper 909 Albert Montez Jr 1506 Wayne W Kizziar 2361 Paul Q Reed 944 Raymond L Randolph 944 Donald E Pickett 944 Fred E Bianes 2361 Filadelfo Cuadra 721

36

Juan Enriquez 1977 Patrick T Buckley 2007 Boyd A Lake 213 Robert D Brown 944 Gary A Lambert 944 Albert E Willcut 2361 Charles Escareno 1977 Anthony Fant 1977 Dewayne M Berryman 1506 Alex Boortz 971 Gary A Gries 1977 James P Burton 2361 Darlene L Hutchinson 944 Deantwone Wingfield 630 Lawrence D Nolan 1977 Randall C Anaya 1977 Dusty R Cloud 1977 Steven C Granaroli Jr 805 Kurt Christensen 714 Kerisiano Asuega 630 Ted T Okazaki 721 Adolfo Maldonado 1506 Alfred N Jacobs Jr 630 Deron R Delgado 1506 Jose Cuadrado 409 Jodie J King 661 Henry Vidales 721 Daniel J Vandewater 150 Ralph Avalos 2375 Russell K Boyd 803 Jack H Reeves 944 Darrel R Gifford 944 Willis M Matero 803 Raymond C Rodriguez 150 Maynard W Wasson 619 Norman C Heath 2361 Raul Luna 630 Lionell B Perreira 714 Luis Delarosa 213 Lyle W Ray Sr 721 Felipe R Zendejas 1912 Robert Kidd 1977 Scott T Slawta 209 Cliff A Gore 209 Christopher A Jackson 562 Douglas B Hooper 213 John Kohut 209 Gary E Brown 619 William M Watson 150 James M Miller 721 Jose Avalos 1977 Kenneth W Foster 1506 Eme Z Diaz 2375 Roger W Smith 1506 David L Ford 909 John Geltermair 409 Gumercindo Campos 803

Carlos B Martinez 630 Julio M Gonzalez 944 Charles H Morland 209 Ruben Padilla 803 Vernon L Kruse 630 Sears T Williams 951 Jerry E Tiberghien 1506 John Timoney 562 Kelley Colburn 1977 Michael E Brame 213 James S Wright 1607 Douglas C Parrott 209 Charles R Aguilera 944 Terry L Bier 547 Nicholas Mendoza 409 Jay E Sanborn 1977 Lawrence M Wales 721 Ronald T Morris 944 Jose Gonzalez 803 Hector Menchaca 743 Dennis L Edwards 2361 Ruben Renteria 1506 Forrest T Koger 150 Douglas G Mahoney 409 Kenneth F Johnson 1977 Marco A Acosta 2375 Bruce H Mercer 1506 Froylan B Majeno 150 Christopher J Scialdone 1977 Richard A Cheek 213 Stevan P Moore 951 Miguel A Inzunza 951 John S Whitby 2361 Jorge Hernandez 1977 Marcella O Brumana 1800 Jerry D Thatcher 630 Ralph L Bitter 944 Larry L Tibben 1800 Jerry K Carr 803 Stanley M Vanzant III 743 Robert A Garcia 213 Benjamin O Quinnett 944 Jose A Jimenez 619 Raul Herrera 721 Ernest L Hood 2361 Isaac I Yamagata 2375 Ruben Flores 661 Thomas G Patten 409 Michael L Tracy 909 Joel Sanchez 1607 Krist O Johnson 547 Andre Potts 630 Lorence P Schmidt 803 Ruben S Aburto 803 John A Vitus 547 Richard L Gray 409 Robert W Stephenson 951

James L Tollett 1506 Luis Garcia 714 Leonard E Wells 2375 Reginald R Evans 630 Gary W Jackson 2375 Rodolfo Hernandez 209 Benjamin D Castro 209 Jim D Wright 721 Ralph R Schwebel 743 John P Rodela 1506 Casiano Romero 951 John W Loucks 944 Donte Johnson 409 James W Thomas 1607 Tadashi Imoto 409 Jiro Nakata 2375 Isaac M Pua 1977 Cezar Fernandez 1977 Andres Rivera 409 Mark E Sanchez 1319 Gary O Nez 1977 Joshua Cordova 1319 David M Cloudt 1607 Michael P Maritschnig 562 Joshua Funderburg 1507 Eduardo Gama 619 Ivan Castaneda 547 Justin Hynum 547 Thomasjohn H Estey 944 Nicholas Glynn 714 Alfredo Cervantes 721 Christopher R Guthrie 209 Jordan Hoyt 944 Cody J Green 944 Adriaan R Brons 944 Michael Vantran 547 Jesus M Aguero 409 Juan C Leyva 971 Martin Fuentes 951 Troy Walton 2375 Jeronimo R Bravo Rodriguez 1977 Jeffrey Esparza 714 Horace E Fender 803 Ryan Serpa 1506 Daniel L Wade 909 Jose Jimenez 619 Ruben Pena 1506 Gerardo Gaxiola 1977

www.carpenterssw.org

BE ON THE LOOKOUT IMPORTANT OPEN ENROLLMENT INFORMATION IS COMING SOON! Shorter Open Enrollment Period: November 1 through November 21

Competitive, Comprehensive Coverage for You and Your Family

This year’s Open Enrollment period will be November 1 through November 21. That’s just three weeks instead of six, as in prior years. Due to this shorter timeframe, the Trust Fund will mail information about your health plans much earlier this year—starting in late August. Be sure to pay close attention to your home mail and read the materials when they arrive.

For 2019, we’re excited to continue offering competitive and comprehensive healthcare coverage for you and your eligible family members, including medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision. You’ll have new, enhanced dental options to choose from. Plus, some of our health plans will provide new customer service offerings, such as online chat, the opportunity to schedule calls at your convenience and dedicated representatives who will be assigned to work with you until the reason for your call is resolved.

Open Enrollment is your opportunity to review your healthcare coverage and add or drop dependents. It’s also a good time pension and life insurance.

Check Out the Trust Fund Website and MemberXG for More Information Visit bit.ly/MemberXG-CSAC for

Starting in late August, visit the Open Enrollment page on the Trust Fund website at carpenterssw.org for information about your 2019

What Trust Fund website Member meetings/presentations Open Enrollment packet and Summary of

24/7, including eligibility and dependent information, enrollment status and more!

When

Where

Late August

Mailed to your home address

Late August

carpenterssw.org

August - December

To be announced on carpenterssw.org and swcarpenters.org

Late October

Mailed to your home address

Open Enrollment Period: November 1st through 21st Tools and information to help you save on January 2019 carpenterssw.org out-of-pocket healthcare costs

Questions?

Call the Southwest Carpenters Trust Fund, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, including lunchtime: (213) 386-8590 or (800) 293-1370 (toll free) or visit the Trust Fund website at carpenterssw.org.

The Trust Fund and Our Healthcare Partners Are Here for You!

THE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS 533 S. Fremont Avenue, 10th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071

CUPP | CARPENTERS UNION PARTICIPATION PROGRAM

GET INVOLVED. JOIN A COMMITTEE.