Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Union?

A labor union is nothing more than a group of working men and women who agree to stand together for better wages, working conditions, and benefits. By standing together and bargaining collectively with employers, workers gain the power to negotiate a fair wage for their labor. A power that individual workers do not have. Through unity, workers can insist on a fair wage, health care benefits for both themselves and their families pension benefits for security in retirement, safe job sites, and training for tomorrow's work force.

Peter J. McGuire founded the Carpenters Union in 1881. Since then, hard working families have fought for and won many of the labor standards that we take for granted today. Organized labor is responsible for the 8-hour workday and the 40-labor workweek. Organized labor is largely responsible for the access to a skilled trade now available to men and women of all races through union apprenticeship programs. Members of the labor movement also worked for public education and restrictions on child labor.

Through political education and membership involvement in the political process, organized labor continues to work to protect the rights of working families.

Carpenters Local 1743 represents workers in a variety of (trades) in Cape May County.

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What does a Carpenter do?

A "carpenter" does not just work with a saw and a hammer. Carpenters Local 1743 represents men and women in a wide variety of trades.

Today carpenters build bridges, homes, cabinets, docks, warehouses and high rise buildings. They do tenant improvement work, assemble modular furniture, install computer flooring, and work in the aerospace industry.

Members of the Carpenters Union are commercial and residential carpenters, drywall and acoustic installers, mill workers and cabinetmakers, floor installers, pile drivers and divers, millwrights, lathers, and tile/marble/terrazzo workers.

Contact the local union nearest you for more information on what trades are represented by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.

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What are the Advantages of being a Signatory Contractor?

 The United Brotherhood of Carpenters (U.B.C.) has a long history of representing men and women working in a wide variety of trades in Cape May County. Today, however, having a history is not enough. That is why Carpenters Local 1743 continues to work hard to develop new ways to provide a better service for its members, and its signatory contractors to combat the destruction of area standards.

 In recent years, the Carpenters Union has begun a new chapter in its history, developing a true partnership with contractors signed to the Master Labor Agreement. Working together, this partnership has created new programs to win as much work as possible for signatory contractors. These programs are designed to give Union contractors in the public works arena a level playing field on which to bid, and to recapture segments of the private market where nonunion companies have gained a stronghold.

Carpenters Local 1743 has signatory contractors working in Cape May County. The Master Labor Agreement for Carpenters Local 1743 guarantees all employers the following:

1.

Free transfer of employees throughout the area of Cape May County.

2.

Make-up days on Saturdays at the straight time rate with
prior approval of the Regional Council.

3.

A work Preservation Committee to address requests for modification
of the Master Labor Agreement on a project by project basis.

4.

A one apprentice to five-journeyman ratio.

5.

A pre-apprenticeship classification that is paid at 40% of journeyman scale.

And as always, being a Union Contractor means you have ready access to the most highly skilled, well-trained work force available. In the Carpenters Union, labor and management are working together today, to build a stronger Union tomorrow.

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What are Member Services?

As a member of a local union affiliated with Carpenters Local 1743, you have access to a number of benefits and services. Depending on what trade you work in, most members work under a collective bargaining agreement that sets wage rates and negotiates pay increases, provides health care benefits and allows members to earn credit in a pension plan and annuity plan for retirement benefits.

Not only that, but as a member of the Carpenters Union you have access to a grievance procedure. If you feel that you are being treated unfairly on the job or were wrongly dismissed, a Business Representative can help you file a grievance against the company or individual and if required, take your case to Arbitration.

Most importantly, being part of Carpenters Local 1743 means that you do not stand alone against the company. When you have a problem or go to negotiate, you have the power of 1200 workers standing behind you.

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Locals: Meeting Times? Locations? Telephone Numbers?

Local Union 1743 meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM at:

 

4500 Atlantic Avenue
Wildwood, NJ 08260

We can be reached by phone at (609) 729-0399 or by fax at (609) 729-1305

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For active members: How do I get information about pensions? Life Insurance? Benefits? Medical Coverage? Credit Union

Visit the site at NJCF.org for more information

The Carpenters Union Local 1743 of Wildwood, NJ
Established in 1905

4500 Atlantic Ave.
Wildwood, NJ 08260
Phone: (609) 729-0399
Fax: (609) 729-1305

Jeffrey J. Thiel
President / Council Representative
jthiel@njcarpenters.org

Andrew Bulakowski
Vice President / Council Representative / Tournament Coordinator
abulakowski@njcarpenters.org

Agnes Thiel
Secretary