Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters

Recent News for Union Carpenters
This link contains headlines combined with short introductions for recent news articles
This link will be updated weekly on Tuesdays.
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Miter Saws Recalled by WMH Tool Group Due to Laceration Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with WMH Tool Group Inc. (WMH), of Elgin, Illinois, announced a voluntary recall of the Performax and Wilton 10” Sliding Miter Saws. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. The saw handle’s switch can fail, causing the saw to smoke, spark, and trip circuit breakers, and disable the safety brake. The saw also can keep operating unless the unit is unplugged, posing a laceration hazard to consumers. For detailed information go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08100.html

DeWALT Recalls Cordless Drills due to Fire Hazard - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with DEWALT Industrial Tool Company, of Towson, Md., today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: DEWALT Cordless Drills. Hazard: The trigger switch of the cordless drill can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Incidents/Injuries: DEWALT has received 11 reports of trigger switches overheating. No injuries or property damage have been reported. For details go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08143.html

Alltrade Tools Recalls Power Tool Battery Chargers Due to Burn and Laceration Hazards - Consumers should stop using Battery Chargers supplied with certain Kawasaki branded Power Tool Kits immediately unless otherwise instructed. When used with an incompatible charger, the battery pack can overheat and melt during charging, or can explode during use, posing burn, laceration and bruise hazards to consumers. For details go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08513.html

Recall: Lasko Recalls Box and Pivoting Floor Fans Posing Fire Hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Lasko Products Inc., of West Chester, Pennsylvania, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. An electrical failure in the motor can pose a fire hazard to consumers when using Lasko, General Electric, Galaxy, and Air King Brand Box and Pivoting Floor Fans. The full text with photographs of the release for this recall can be found at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06085.html

Safety Recall - Free Replacement For Timberland Pro Direct Attach Steel Toe Series Boots - The Timberland Company is voluntarily recalling Timberland PRO Direct Attach Steel Toe Series boots made in the Dominican Republic and sold nationwide between September 2005 and September 2007. Product testing has demonstrated that the boots may not comply with applicable safety standards for compression and impact resistance. Consumers could suffer impact foot injuries. No injuries have been reported. For details and further information, click on this link: http://f.e.timberland.com/i/5/949559453/recall1.html

Chain Saw Recalled by Consumer Product Safety Commission
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced Jan. 11 the voluntary recall of Stihl-brand MS 192 T Chain Saws. According to CPSC, these saws can leak fuel, posing a fire hazard. A problem with the saw's clutch assembly springs-which can allow a spring to be projected from the saw housing-has also been discovered. Visit OSHA's Web site for more information on "Working Safely with Chain Saws."

United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
This is our international union and comprises more than 520,000 highly skilled men and women throughout the building-trades industries. The UBC represents and offers training to North America's carpenters, cabinetmakers, millwrights, piledrivers, lathers, framers, floorlayers, roofers, drywallers, and workers in forest-products and related industries.

Sisters in the Brotherhood
Sisters in the Brotherhood is an integral part of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, not a separate women’s union. Their goal is to encourage women within our Regional Council to share, support and learn from each other’s experiences, use that knowledge to grow both personally and professionally, and become more actively involved at all levels.

Apprenticeship Program Information
Here you will find information on how you can start your exciting career in carpentry. The Carpenter Training Center (CTC) provides the training for 40,000 Pre-Apprentice, and Apprentice Union Carpenters. You can refer to our Frequently Asked Questions Page or fill out our Contact Us Page to get additional information.

Carpenters Skill Advancement Program
Find out about all the courses currently being offered to improve the skills of journeymen union carpenters.

INSTALL Floorcovering Program
Provides the most modern, comprehensive flooring installation training for the best-trained floorcovering installation professionals in our region.

Specializing in High Quality Wood Products, over 100 firms and 2,300 highly skilled craftsmen have helped shape Chicago and Northeast Illinois. Custom Architectural Millwork that can be seen in most of Chicago's finest establishments. If you can imagine it, these highly trained professionals can make your dreams come true.

www.cisco.org
Construction Industry Service Corporation
Whether you are building your own home, commercial building or remodeling, this link to the CISCO site will help you find high-quality union resources. CISCO stands for the Construction Industry Service Corporation, the leading source for information on the unionized construction industry in Northeast Illinois.

www.iwj.org

Interfaith for Worker Justice

Interfaith Worker Justice has been a

partner with the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters on numerous organizing campaigns and through its “Building Bridges Project” they have been working with our Apprentice Training Center in pre-apprentice classes to upgrade skills for young adults looking to get into the building trades. They began the “Labor in the Pulpits” program. National Organization headquartered in Chicago.

www.jwj.org
Jobs With Justice
Jobs With Justice has worked in concert with the Carpenters Union.

www.kentlaw.edu/ilhs
The Illinois Labor History Society
It is the premier organization responsible for preserving our labor history. They have accomplished creating the first “National Monument” dedicated to the Haymarket Martyrs in a Forest Park cemetery and the statue in Chicago at the site of the Haymarket Riot. The ILHS has numerous books, videos and stories available.

www.uic.edu/cuppa/uicued
Center for Urban Economic Development
This organization of academics has completed extensive studies on worker related issues, ex-Immigrant Workers, Organizing, etc. The Organizing Dept has participated in some of these studies.

www.cflonline.org
The Chicago Federation of Labor
This organization is the central labor body for over 300 Chicago area unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations. The membership of these unions exceeds 500,000. The main objective of the CFL is to stand up for working men and women by supporting organizing efforts to ensure that workers' rights are upheld both on the job and in the courts.

http://www.ilafl-cio.org/
Illinois AFL-CIO
The Illinois AFL-CIO represents one million union members and is the voice of all working families in the state. Our power lies with the many and diverse people we represent in a multitude of workplaces and in our ability to affect change.

http://www.iowaaflcio.org/
Iowa AFL-CIO
The Federation is a coalition of unions. It is the official organization of the National AFL-CIO in Iowa. The goals of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO are social and economic justice.

http://www.wisaflcio.org/
Wisconsin AFL-CIO
As the statewide coordinating council for all AFL-CIO unions in Wisconsin, the State AFL-CIO determines union policy on state issues, speaks for labor (and indeed for all working people) on matters of public concern, provides services to local unions, and coordinates political and legislative action with its 1000 affiliated unions which represent 250,000 members in the state.

http://www.aflcio.org/
National AFL-CIO
The AFL-CIO's mission is to bring social and economic justice to our nation by enabling working people to have a voice on the job, in government, in a changing global economy and in their communities.

http://www.chicagowomenintrades.org/artman/publish/resources.shtml
Chicago Women in Trades
Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) supports, encourages and trains women in high-skilled, high-wage non-traditional careers. CWIT is a membership-based organization dedicated to increasing women's economic equity. Members include employers, training programs and tradeswomen who work in the construction and manufacturing fields as machinists, carpenters, painters, laborers, and as other well paid skilled workers. Supporters and donors believe in the right for women to choose the career of their choice.

http://www.state.il.us/agency/idol/
Illinois Department of Labor
The mission of the Illinois Department of Labor is to promote and protect the rights, wages, welfare, working conditions, safety and health of Illinois workers through enforcement of the state labor laws, to safeguard the public through regulation of amusement rides, and to ensure compliance with all other labor standards.

http://www.dol.gov/
US Department of Labor
The Department of Labor fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, strengthening free collective bargaining, and tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements.

http://www.misericordia.com/
Misericordia
The Mission of Misericordia/Heart of Mercy is to support individuals with developmental disabilities in maximizing their level of independence and self-determination within an environment that fosters spirituality, dignity, respect and enhancement of quality of life. We promote development of natural family and community support, community awareness, education and advocacy.

www.kidshopeunited.org/
Kids Hope United
Kids Hope United promotes the physical, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual development of children and families in need through a wide variety of family-focused child welfare services.

eNewsletter for Building Professionals -The eNewsletter for Building Professionals helps you stay up-to-date on construction news and politics in the Chicagoland area. Each easy-to-read newsletter includes safety tips, helpful professional advice and important contact information. All of this is free, fresh and updated weekly.