EXECUTIVE OFFICER CORNER

I want to thank all of you for the continued trust you have placed in my administration and your leadership team. The overwhelming vote in August to reelect the NCCU Executive Committee officers is inspirational and humbling.

Your confidence further inspires me and your leadership team to work together to ensure a secure future for our Membership and their families. As your EST, I remain mission-driven, accessible, accountable, and committed to fighting every day to grow our Union and make it even stronger.

I am proud of our achievements of the last four years--from successful political and organizing drives to a groundbreaking Master Agreement. These past successes are a foundation upon which we must elevate our Union to an even higher level.

Our work won recognition, praise and honors at our national UBC convention this year. The NCCU has never been this successful, strong, and secure as we are today. And, we will become stronger.

“True North” for my administration is: first, to secure the economic welfare of all Members through more opportunities to work under the terms and conditions of a strong contract and, second, to grow our base of contractors and members.

To those ends, we will further develop the skills of your hard-working staff and re-commit to teamwork. We also will create new opportunities for deeper rank-and-file involvement, leadership development, and mutual support.

I will keep everyone updated on our progress and I look forward to seeing you engaged in these efforts. United together, there is nothing that can stop us.

Nor Cal Carpenters Union: Respect and Power at UBC Convention

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America in August held its General Convention, which occurs every five years.

The Convention was a resounding success. Convention Delegates from your Local Union will be giving reports at the Local Union meetings. In the meantime, I want to share a few highlights.

I have attended five UBC Conventions and never have I seen the current level of excitement, energy and unity.

The Nor Cal Carpenters Union was repeatedly recognized and honored for our achievements at the convention.

On your behalf, I served as Chair of four major committees. Equally important, there was representation from the NCCU on every committee. Your Delegates took their jobs seriously and engaged every day in handling the Union “business” that is key to our future as an organization.

We were further honored when I was asked to formally nominate General President Douglas J. McCarron and his leadership team for election to the General Executive Board.

The Convention prominently featured our successful efforts in Nor Cal, our willingness to work collaboratively with other regional councils and our national leadership. It is widely noted how we address the issues our Membership and industry face with passion and fervor. It is in all of our interests to continue to work together, standing shoulder to shoulder, to bolster our Council locally, and throughout North America.

One of the efforts to streamline the Brotherhood at the Convention was a discussion about retirement benefits. Your UBC leadership is laser-focused on ensuring that Members’ various high-quality benefit plans will always be able to pay for the benefits promised to you.

The UBC leadership rightfully aims to reduce redundant legal and consulting fees. This has led to some consolidation of Pension Funds in other states, which has made UBC funds an attractive partner for investment managers and provided greater bargaining power when it comes to fees, thereby helping to secure and grow benefits for current and future retirees.

Securing Our Collective Future: $200 Million in Fee Savings

As Chair of many of our Nor Cal Carpenters funds, I have happily reported on our successful efforts to eliminate, reduce, and contain consultant and investment manager fees.

It is noteworthy to report to you that fee savings at Nor Cal have exceeded $200 million over all funds in just twenty-eight (28) months. These savings will not only multiply with the passage of time--they will compound as we reap investment returns on them.

Importantly, the Nor Cal pension fund is scheduled to exit its rehabilitation plan, entering the “Green” zone in the next fiscal year.

Nor Cal trustees will explore all options to ensure that your Pension Fund gets even stronger. We will evaluate the best course of action moving forward, including options for partnership with neighboring funds that provide the best benefits for each of you.

Worker benefit plan trustees are bound by fiduciary duty. This is the legal requirement to only act in your best interests. This means that under no circumstances would any Labor or Management Trustee be able to do anything to harm our Membership or intentionally damage funds or benefit levels. Instead, the goal is to ensure that more of your hard-earned money goes to you and increase the economic security of current and future retirees!

As we have done over the last four years, we will continue to provide regular updates and transparency regarding the programs, direction and initiatives of the NCCU, the Training Programs and your Trust Funds. This will include more trainings for Members on the workings of your Union, the Trust Funds, and Training programs.

The bottom line: The Nor Cal Carpenters Union, has never been more secure, respected, and powerful in the grand UBC family as we are today.

Unity and Action are Crucial in Tough Times

Being a leader also means sharing information with you that may not be pleasant or easy.

As you are aware, Northern California has been especially hard hit by the economy. Between 2021 and 2024, the square footage of newly started building projects dropped by 33 percent in our region. This situation is the result of government policy changes, interest rates, inflation of construction materials by over 40 percent, and a general economic uncertainty that has reduced new construction starts.

However, we believe our construction economy has reached bottom. For now, we believe it is practical to expect modest overall construction jobs growth in 2026.

Despite these challenges, we all can make sure that more of the work is carried out by Union Brothers and Sisters. As always, Organizing more employers, turning jobs and fighting for every hour in our jurisdiction is priority one.

I encourage every Member to get involved in their Local Unions and participate in Organizing activities wherever and whenever possible. That is our job and responsibility, to find new and improved ways to face these challenges head on. We will continue to think creatively, and welcome feedback, support, and suggestions from each of you. We must stand together for our common good. A Union that stands together, gets stronger together.

To this end, we have implemented a new service for our Members to protect your interests. The Carpenter Funds Administrative Office is now equipped to allow Members to authorize the payment of yearly dues out of their vacation fund.

By completing the authorization form found at the link below, Members can ensure that they do not fall into arrears or go suspended. Each year the Trust Fund will deduct that money from your account, and cut a check to your Local Union, at which point you will receive your new dues card.

Opting to automatically pay dues will eliminate the need to track whether or not you are current, thereby reducing your to-do list and ensuring you are always ready for work.

Maintaining your Membership in good standing also ensures your access to the protections and benefits that the Union has to offer. This includes being qualified to apply to the NCCU Relief Fund for help when our Members face unforeseen events.

This new program is of course voluntary. However, as participation grows, I believe it will help Membership to remain in good standing, particularly when times are tough.

Thank you again for the trust you have placed in me to continue serving as your EST. Let’s go take what is rightfully ours.

When we stand together, we are unstoppable.

JAY BRADSHAW
Executive Officer

Scan the QR code below for the due’s authorization form: