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 During the late 19th
century political and economic forces
created a climate in the construction
industry causing the common man to band
together and demand better working
conditions, a standard for wages, and
quality on every project. Thus, the
Carpenters Union was born. The
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America began in Chicago
in 1881, when 36 carpenters from 11
cities formed a national union. This
union helped to define and give rise to
the workplace as we know it through the
establishment of the 8 hour work day,
the 40 hour work week, and the creation
of a national Labor Day.
 The father of the
Carpenters Union, Peter J. McGuire, is
considered one of the most influential
union activists during the late 19th
century into the early 20th
century. McGuire started as a carpenter
apprentice to a piano maker in 1867, in
New York City. His experience during
the next decade helped form his future
vision, a nationally united union.
McGuire stated, “Eight hours for work,
eight hours for rest and eight hours for
what you will.” This principle still
holds true in today’s workplace.
 Union Carpenters and
Union Contractors of today continue to
fight for the same ideals as their
brothers of the past. Whether it be
safety regulations, the standard of our
industry; 1099 misclassification of
workers, an ongoing battle being fought
through the Legislature; or the
introduction of Project Labor
Agreements, an agreement between the
contractor, subcontractors, and the
unions representing workers; they
continue to strive to make not only the
workplace, but society a better
environment. |
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