News

Effective May 30, 2018, the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters was dissolved and local union affiliates were merged into other existing councils, including the New England Regional Council of Carpenters. The local unions newly affiliated with the New England Regional Council include geographic jurisdiction throughout the state of New York, with the exception of New York City.

Local unions 291, 290, 279, 276 and Local 277 are now affiliated with the New England Regional Council of Carpenters. New York State will be transferred to a local union affiliated with NERCC closest to where they live and members of Local 252 who reside in New York are now members of Local 51 in the New England Regional Council.

In order to keep members informed, a list of frequently asked questions has been compiled with answers. Members are encouraged to visit nercc.org and the council’s social media sites regularly for updates. They should also continue to communicate with their local unions and attend union meetings.

What does this mean?

If you are a member of one of the locals referenced, we welcome you to the New England Regional Council of Carpenters. You are now part of an organization that covers New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island, representing more than 28,000 union members. We believe the new structure of our council will enable us to more efficiently use resources and service both members and the industry.

What’s going on with my local?

The numbers and geographic jurisdiction of local unions have not changed. Local union staff, local union offices and local union meetings have not been changed at this time. Local union executive boards remain in place.

Will dispatch of members change as a result of the merge?

Members in New York locals will continue to use the Mix 20/20 system.

Will monthly dues go up? What about our union meetings?

There have been no changes made to union dues, local union office locations or union meetings.

How will we be represented at the regional council?

Eastern District Vice President Mike Capelli will be working with Executive Secretary-Treasurer Tom Flynn and the New England Regional Council Executive Board to establish a process and structure for electing and seating delegates. An initial plan may be created to ensure short-term representation. David Haines and New York Regional Manager Bill Banfield will continue to work on many day-to-day operations in the state as will other staff previously assigned to New York State and the New York State local unions.

What is the status of our contracts, wage rates and benefit fund contributions?

All collective bargaining agreements existing between the union and contractors in New York remain in place. There are no changes to wage and benefit rates or working conditions as outlined in those agreements.

Have there been changes made to benefits or benefit funds?

There have been no changes made to the benefit funds or benefit plans for members in New York locals. All contributions will continue to be made to the same funds at the same rates, as established in the applicable collective bargaining agreements. Likewise, all benefits will continue to be paid in the same manner by the same funds.

In time, the funds associated with the former Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters may be dissolved and funds merged into existing funds in councils now representing covered members. In such a case, you will receive communications from the New England Regional Council of Carpenters and the benefit funds involved.

Have there been changes made to apprenticeship training?

The training and apprenticeship funds and programs have not been changed. Members scheduled for training should continue to attend classes and sessions at the same locations.

In time, the training funds and programs associated with the former Northeast Regional may be merged into the New England Carpenters Training Fund. In such a case, apprentices would receive communications from the fund and other information would be distributed by the New England Regional Council of Carpenters to members.

If I have more questions, where can I get answers?

Executive Secretary-Treasurer Tom Flynn and other members of the council executive board and senior staff will be attending local union meetings throughout New York. Business agents and organizers will also be available to answer questions on an ongoing basis. Frequently asked questions will also be answered on a regular basis using NERCC Alerts, our text-based platform. To subscribe to NERCC Alerts, text NERCC to 91990 on your mobile phone.