UBC Emblem
The official emblem of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America was adopted at the 4th General Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 1884.
The emblem was originally designed by the old National Union of Carpenters, which was organized in September 1864. The motto inscribed therein, “Labor Omnia Vincit,” translated from Latin means “Labor Conquers All Things.” The other elements of design, such as the rule and compass, have the following meanings:
- The Rule signifies the desire of the organization to live by the Golden Rule: "To do onto others as we would wish others to do onto us".
- The Compass indicates that we shall endeavor to surround our members with better conditions, socially, morally, and intellectually.
- The Jack Plane is a tool emblematic of the trade.
- The pale blue color signifies ideas as pure, as clean and lofty as the skies; while the dark red denotes that "labor is honorable", and that through honorable labor red blood flows through the veins of those who toil.
- The Shield or base of the emblem indicates that those legally wearing the emblem are morally bound to safeguard and protect the interests of the organization and it's members.
Peter J. Maguire founded the Carpenters Union in 1881.