OUR HISTORY
ABOUT THE CIC
The Carpenters Industrial Council (CIC) was chartered July 1, 2006, by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. The CIC was formed after the merger of four Regional Industrial Councils -the Carpenters East Coast Industrial Council, the Midwestern Council of Industrial Workers, the Southern Council of Industrial Workers, and the Western Council of Industrial Workers.
The principal activity of the CIC is to develop and maintain a unified membership program to improve compensation benefits, safety and work-related issues. The Council also maintains an active organizing program to help non-union workers to have representation and a voice in their workplace. The Council's jurisdiction includes Locals and District Councils across United States. The majority of the Union's members operate and maintain equipment and facilities essential to the forest products industry from initial forest workers to the production and distribution of lumber products. The Union also represents workers in other industries including millwork, cabinet making, trucking, health care and office/clerical.
ABOUT THE UBC
The United Brotherhood got its start in 1881 when 36carpenters from 11 cities came together in Chicago to form a national Union. The convention was the brainchild of Peter J. McGuire, a young, 29-year-old carpenter from New York, who was unanimously elected as the first General Secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, renamed the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America in 1888. The UBC has been instrumental in improving the lives of workers for more than 118 years.
The UBC's first General President, Gabriel Edmonston, called for a general strike for the 8-hour workday in 1884, and this proposal started one of the key political events of 1886, referred to by historians as "the great uprising of labor." Peter McGuire toured the country promoting this movement that culminated in a 340,000-person strike for the 8-hour workday on May 1, 1886. This strike produced higher carpenter wages and reduced work hours. By 1907, 8 hours was the standard carpenter workday while 10-12 hours was common in other industries. In addition, the UBC introduced a system of death and disability benefits.
The UBC is a democratic organization operated by its members- more than 520,000 throughout the United States and Canada. The UBC operates under a written constitution that was written and approved by convention delegates chosen by the membership. Any changes to the constitution and rules governing the organization must be voted on by UBC members. Holding true to Peter McGuire's motto, "organize, agitate, educate," the UBC continues to help working people win Union representation. The Organizing Resources Department develops training programs for both staff and rank-and-file members to more effectively meet the UBC's goal of achieving higher wages, job security and dignity in the workplace.
Today's UBC retains the vision UBC founder and first General Secretary Peter McGuire held dear: "We should not lose sight of our character as a trade Union, and sink ourselves into a mere benevolent society or insurance company. . . We must elevate the craft, protect its interests, advance wages, reduce the hours of labor, spread correct economic doctrines and cultivate a spirit of fraternity among the working people regardless of creed, color, nationality or politics."