Entradas

Rubber City with their Eye on the Ball

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Keeping the Akron-Canton members on top of the area’s biggest projects includes one of their most notable attractions, the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame Resort recommitted to using local, union workers in the next phase of their Hall of Fame Village Project in April 2021. President and CEO of the Hall of Fame Resort and the East Central Ohio Building Trades President jointly signed a PLA to confirm the commitment.

 

The $900 million Phase II includes the development of the Hall of Fame Village.  They plan to build a new hotel, an indoor waterpark, medical facilities, business and research buildings, retail stores, and more. Carpenters recently completed the renovation of the football stadium and are currently working on the Center for Excellence, practice fields for high school students, and the beginning stages of the onsite hotel.

 

From football to basketball, Akron has its share of high-profile places and people.  The kid from Akron made a name for himself across the country but continues to make the biggest impact in his hometown. The Lebron James Family Foundation is expanding their I Promise campus to create more opportunities for the success of their students.

 

The Akron/Canton Hub is proud to have worked on the first section of this project in building key aspects of the I Promise Campus. Representatives worked tirelessly to secure the work for our carpenters in this next phase despite many challenges. By supporting one of our signatory minority contractors, the Hub has guaranteed this high-profile work will be completed using local union carpenters.

 

Building Market Share & Community in Newburgh

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In the Newburgh area, 2021 was all about growing market share and building community – something members in this area excel at. Members worked on big projects, including the Evansville Aquatic Center, St. Vincent Hospital, Deaconess Hospital, a pool at University of Southern Indiana and on a bridge over Green River.

Next year’s work forecast looks solid. Members are working on an ongoing simple cycle project at Tennessee Valley Authority, where AZCO is installing three simple cycle gas turbines. This project kicked off in October. At its peak it will have around 60 carpenters and 15 Millwrights on the project.

Members are looking forward to the Toyota/Lexus line expansion, which is set to begin in early 2022. This $840 million-dollar project will create plenty of man hours. In March, Pratt Industries Paper Mill is coming to Henderson, KY. This $340 million-dollar project will also increase man hours.

In addition to growing market share, members in Paducah are also building the community. Local 357 members are finishing work on a McCracken County Habitat for Humanity home. This is the fourth home they’ve helped build for the organization that helps families and individuals in need of decent, affordable housing achieve their dream of homeownership. Carpenters did the framing, set trusses, roof decking and will set the windows and complete the vinyl siding.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, carpenters mobilized and held a canned food drive. The food drive was so successful, they’ve decided to do it again in 2021 and are currently taking canned food and Christmas toy donations for families in need.

Community Based Organizing

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Our country is experiencing an unprecedented labor movement not seen since the 1940’s & 50’s. Every labor union in the country should be capitalizing on this momentum, but at some point, every union member has to ask themselves…what can I do to help?


Members like you, have and always will be the UBC’s most valuable asset. To reach the UBC goal of 70% market share & the regional council’s goals, we need you engaged.

Throughout our history carpenter to carpenter & community-based organizing have been the most effective tools we have as a union. Many of you are familiar with the IKORCC M.A.C program. The regional council has set up Membership Action Committees and holds meetings in multiple areas in IN, KY & Ohio.

Unlike regular monthly business meetings, this is where you have the opportunity to get involved in our organizing efforts. Activities range from community events, helping our neighbors with small construction projects, but most importantly showing up in force to collectively voice our concerns on carpenter issues.

We are the community, and we will hold elected officials, owners and developers accountable when they let unscrupulous contractors come into our community and steal the work that puts food on our tables. We are putting a schedule of events together for the 2022 M.A.C. agenda & we need you there.

Please contact your local or regional council office for more information & how you can make a difference.

Fraternally,

Ken Lyons

Director of Organizing

Merrillville – Readying for an Influx of Work

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The Northwest Indiana-area is readying for an influx of commercial, roadwork and light industrial projects. Current and future projects exist of: New Franciscan Hospital in Crown Point, new schools and renovations for Hanover Community Schools, Crown Point Community Schools and Duneland Community Schools. Along with this work the area has ongoing maintenance work at industrial facilities.  These projects are projected to create several thousands of man-hours for members.

 

To help grow market share, business representatives have been pursuing multiple solar projects in the area. There are currently nine large scale solar farms slated for development in NW Indiana.  Each project may vary from a one year to two years in duration and have the potential to generate extensive man-hours and long-term employment opportunities for members. The team is currently in negotiations with owners and developers on these projects and feels optimistic about future opportunities.  The solar trend is projected to continue to expand, so members are encouraged to contact the Merrillville training center to inquire about solar training programs.

 

Along with solar training tools made available at the Merrillville Training Center, there are other new opportunities to expand memberships opportunities.  The training center recently invested in a mockup to include the scopes of the entire building envelope.  This includes training opportunities in commercial flat rolled membrane roofing applications, the installation processes of several types of rain screens and various exterior cladding systems, including the science behind the systems and how to apply the weather and waterproofing membranes.

 

The NWI area has historically been a heavy industrial market with the majority of millwright man hours generated from the local steel mills and power generating stations.  With a recent increase of construction projects in the light industrial market, the team has worked with contractors to find manpower.  Recently, they’ve been successful in organizing a group of non-union light industrial workers to pursue this field.

 

Along with organizing this group comes the opportunity to work maintenance in eight new light industrial facilities, potentially generating several thousands of man hours for our membership.  Considering the growth in the light industrial market in NW Indiana, we encourage our signatory contractors and membership to take advantage of the industrial maintenance training programs that are offered at our training centers.

2022 Scholarship Applications Now Open

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Applications are now open for the IKORCC scholarship program. Forty $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in 2022 to eligible member’s dependent children. Twenty of the scholarships are awarded based on scholastics, and twenty others via a random drawing.

The Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council scholastic scholarships are awarded based on 60% high school grade point average and 40% on

 SAT or ACT scores. Twenty scholarships will be selected by random drawing.

The scholarship is to be used solely for the purpose of education in the form of tuition, room and board, and or books.

Sons, daughters, and dependent children of members of the Indiana /Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights are eligible for scholarships provided that:

  • The parent or guardian is now and has been a member in good standing of the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters for at least one year.
  • The son, daughter, or dependent child is a high school graduating senior.
  • The son, daughter, or dependent child will be attending a college, university, or trade school as a full-time student.
  • Application is received at the Council office prior to Friday, March 18, 2022.

All applications must include: 

  1. Signed and dated application form
  2. Signed certificate from a local union official
  3. Signed certificate from the high school principal
  4. Official high school transcripts with grade point average
  5. SAT or ACT scores
  6. Record of extracurricular activities

Click here to download the IKORCC Scholarship Application

IKORCC Programa de Becas

Scholarship applications must be received prior to Friday, March 18, 2022 at the Greenwood Council Office, located at 771 Greenwood Springs Drive, Greenwood, Indiana 46143. 

 

 

Carpenters Build Community at Indiana State Fair

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Nearly a dozen carpenters spent Saturday building something a little different than usual. Instead of constructing buildings – they volunteered to build community and relationships at the Indiana State Fair.

Saturday, August 7th was Carpenters Day at the Indiana State Fair. Volunteers spent the day building keepsake toolboxes with families, recruiting new members and forming community partnerships.

When visitors came to the fair, the first thing they saw was giant banners that said “Welcome to Carpenters Day”. Fair staff wore “We’re Hiring” buttons directing them to our career application. All day long, radio ads for the Carpenters played over the loud speaker and our ads were on the back cover of the State Fair program. The sky ride also had recruitment advertising on the back of the cars.

Volunteers for the IKORCC were phenomenal. They set up four tents, showcased a new “Now Hiring” truck and had a large presence on the busiest corner of the fair. Volunteers handed out recruitment materials and built over 600 toolboxes. You couldn’t walk anywhere at the fair and not see the IKORCC and UBC logo in the hands of kids and adults. Hammy the mascot also made a few appearances!

In addition to building toolboxes, volunteers also sold raffle tickets for a playhouse with proceeds benefiting Carpenters Caring. Carpenters Caring is a non-profit that raises money for IKORCC members in need. This year’s playhouse was built by our partners at Central Nine Career Center. Students in the construction trades class completed the project. Special thanks to these students and their instructor Frank Wormann for their help.

Volunteers raised nearly $600 for Carpenters Caring thanks to raffle ticket sales and plan to continue selling raffle tickets until the drawing in late October.

To view all photos from the event, click here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1esmj3cmm1qx369/AACQNHUnN78hqSh48noCKFaya?dl=0

To view a Facebook live video of the event, click here;
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=675898710474761&ref=watch_permalink

 

Congrats to our 2021 Scholarship Winners

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Congratulations to our 2021 Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters Scholarship Program recipients!  40 students received a $1,000 scholarship toward tuition, room, and board, or books to a trade school or college.

Twenty recipients earned scholarships based upon their high school grade point average and SAT or ACT scores. Another twenty were selected randomly.

Recipients were sons, daughters, and dependent children of members of the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. Parents or guardians must be members in good standing of the IKORCC for at least one year. The son, daughter, or dependent child must be a high school graduating senior or be attending a college, university or trade school as a full-time student.

Congratulations to the following 2021 IKORCC Scholarship recipients:

Madison Alderman
Brycen Allen
Tyler Bakker
Mehandi K Basra
Madelynn Boyd
Kaylee Brown
Chloe Colvin
Aleea Cooley
Alexandra Coreas
Jordynn Dusek
Ty Eaker
Delaney Fox
Logan Fugett
Sophia Fugiett
Kendel George
Noah Hensley
Lauren Hermiller
Mariah Hosted
Detric Hovan
Cory Jarus
Trenton Johnson
Remington Jordan
Kylie Kuhn
Cameron Larson
Owen Leiferman
Carter Liotta
Gabriela Marbach
Ella Mariast
Noah Marshall
Cara Mullen
Emily Ortiz
Skyler Ramsey
Nina Scaparotti
Kurt Siefert
Maria Smith
Heather Stacey
Jessica Stanke
Jonah Vance
Erika Wilkinson

Cleveland-area Locals Raise $84,000 for Up Side of Downs

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$84,000. That’s how much Cleveland-area locals and the IKORCC have helped raise for The Up Side of Downs in seven years. The Up Side of Downs’ mission is to provide support, education and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and communities.

They share a common goal with the IKORCC, a community where all people have limitless opportunities and the ability to pursue their dreams. Check out this video to learn more about our partnership with this wonderful organization.

Member Builds Park to Honor Son

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September 21, 2020 the unthinkable happened for David Sweeney.  David is a 1st year floor-laying apprentice out of Local 171 in the Youngstown area.  He answered his door to learn the news that his 4-year-old son, Rowan, was senselessly murdered.  His life was changed forever.

In the next few months, his family had to figure out how to pick up the pieces of their life after their tragedy.  They wanted a way to honor and memorialize their playful, energetic, happy son.  After much thought, the

family landed the vision to build a park in his honor.

Plans for the park include quality, accessible equipment for everyone to enjoy.  Their hope is that this park will serve as a memorial for other families experiencing similar loss or tragedy, too.

Local 171 has been helping share the fundraising events to help the family meet their goal and when they do, they plan to help build the park as well.

When area representatives learned of the possibility to get help through Carpenters Care, they applied for help.  Carpenters Care intends to plan a fundraising event to benefit the Rowan Memorial Park Trust, (more details will be provided to locals across the council in the coming months).

If you are interested in donating directly to the cause, you can do so at www.rowansmemorialpark.com/donation.

Carpenters Build ADA Friendly Build Playground

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by Sam Garduno

On September 23 and 24th, Union carpenters from northwest Indiana came together when a unique opportunity arose. James Emslander of ICE Scaffold was contacted by the Hunky Hollow Athletic Club to set up an install of ADA friendly playground for children with cerebral palsy.

The Center for Possibilities is a non-profit 501(c) state licensed child care center and specializes in children and adults with physical and developmental disorders. The center offers classes for toddlers, preschoolers, and adults, personal care, lunch, etc.

There was only one problem. The children did not have a suitable facility to play. What did these children need? A playground. It was a simple idea, but not exactly an easy task. They would need help. It was at this point that Hunky Hollow Athletic Club, who donated the money for the playground equipment, started vetting for an installer, and who better to do the job than a group of people that build for a living. We are talking about carpenters, professionally trained union carpenters.

After Emslander and ICE Scaffold agreed to help, they contacted IKORCC Business Representative Sam Garduno, who agreed that this sounded like a great project. The reps in the northwest Indiana office in Merrillville relish at these opportunities, especially when it is for such a great cause. Garduno immediately contacted the IKORCC JATF coordinator Dan Jones, and with Emslander set up all the logistics and came up with a day that instructor Chris Charters and a class of 3rd year apprentices could strap their tools on and help these children out.

When the project day arrived, the apprentices, along with workers from ICE Scaffold and some members from carpenters Hammond’s Local 599 were excited. After a couple of dizzying hours shagging out unfamiliar playground parts, and eager children looking on, the playground began to come together.

After two days of blood, sweat, and maybe or maybe not tears, the project was completed. Alex Morrow, 3rd year apprentice from Merrillville’s Local 1005 was enthusiastic about helping out. “Getting out of the classroom is great, but to build a playground for kids with disabilities so they can have some fun and exercise puts this at a whole different level of gratification.”

As the carpenters wrapped up, the staff and trained volunteers expressed their gratitude and excitement for the kids. It was a project that was very rewarding, especially after seeing the smiling faces of the children using it.