Craft Spotlight – Brandon Huffman

Brandon Huffman was introduced to the world of the Central Midwest Carpenters nearly 18 years ago when a friend referred him to the shop outside Columbus, Ohio, where he worked that produces Tectum soundproof panels for auditoriums, recording studios, and more. Ohio is not a ‘Right to Work’ state, so workers on a job vote to be unionized, and the only people who can perform work onsite are union members.

“Being a union shop is necessary for negotiation of contracts,” Brandon said. He sees other shops throughout the state that don’t get the benefits that Huffman receives. Whether it’s negotiating for higher wages or employer-funded insurance, the Central Midwest Carpenters fight to get the most possible for its members. The Tectum plant where Brandon works was bought by Armstrong World Industries, a production company specializing in ceiling and wall paneling, and the transition was made easier because the shop was unionized prior. Before the acquisition, it was understood that Armstrong would honor the previous contract and uphold what Tectum had started.

Huffman has held nearly every job possible at Armstrong. From offloading truckloads of wood chips, packing those chips to create the panels, and cooking silicate to coat them, Brandon knows the inner workings of the entire process. “It’s like a puzzle,” Huffman said about how every worker fits together. Each piece is essential to the end product; if one person is behind or underperforming, the entire assembly line can falter.

Brandon is a steward for the Central Midwest Carpenters. He is a voice for his fellow union members inside the shop. He understands how the shop operates, so his insight is invaluable to the union, his coworkers, and management at Armstrong. Even though being a steward can be a thankless job in the shop, Brandon takes solace in the fact that he can make a difference in his brothers’ and sisters’ working experiences.

Being a steward has its challenges, however…

Discerning what he wants and can do for his fellow members was one of the bigger learning curves of becoming a steward. “I want to be able to fix any problem that comes up, but there are some things that come up that I can’t help with,” Brandon said about the hardest part of being a steward. It is still rewarding for Brother Huffman, though. Having a situation that he can help with and being successful keeps him coming back.

Brandon’s mentality embodies the spirit of the union. He tells his kids, coworkers, and himself, “You have to work hard for what you want in life.” With the hard work our members do on a daily basis, the Central Midwest Carpenters and its stewards are there to strengthen the communication between members, the council, and to help make sure the job runs smoothly