Press Release

Since its inception, the Carpenters union has fostered a sense of camaraderie, evidenced by its identification as a Brotherhood. But the bonds that held members close were not always extended to newcomers. Hostility toward nonunion carpenters as well as women and people of color were sometimes overt and intentional, and sometimes a result of tradition and lack of awareness.

Gradual change has been accelerated on a number of fronts in the New England Regional Council. The changing demographics of the industry are one cause. Another is union outreach for recruiting apprentices and pre-apprentices that recognizes past inequity in the union and the industry.

In the last year, the union developed DiversityInConstruction.com to spread the word that our union halls are not only open to women and people of color, but that we’re pushing contractors and project owners to open the gates to their projects, as well.

The New England Carpenters Training Fund has also begun teaching some classes in Spanish, not because participating members don’t speak English, but because research shows that learning comprehension is often greater in a learner’s native language.

Several “clubs” have also begun or expanded—the Sisters in the Brotherhood and the Latino Club, for example—to provide support for members who are still not in the majority of the membership or even represented as equally as they are in society.

We are still one union, united by our struggle to develop our skills to the fullest, produce work of the highest quality and to be respected and compensated for our labor. As we continue to move closer to our membership fully reflecting the face of society, the moral power of our union and the strength of our solidarity will grow.