Dear Members,

Last night, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf ordered all ‘nonessential businesses’ to close their physical locations. Enforcement of this order will take effect at 12:01 AM Saturday, March 21st. If you are out of work after today, make sure to reach out to your state’s unemployment office, which has been listed for you on our “COVID-19 Updates” Page. This is an evolving situation in Pennsylvania, and we will provide our members with the information they need in a way that is equally quick and accurate.

Essential services in need of construction including hospitals and emergency response for this health crisis are currently applying for exemptions which would lead to work for our members that will assist the public at this time. Governor Wolf’s orders mean that all Pennsylvania Council Offices will be closed on Monday. The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters is petitioning for an exemption so that a small group of staff can work at our Pennsylvania offices Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to be of assistance to our members. The locations in Allentown, Duncansville, and Scranton will be closed indefinitely. We have also implemented plans to make sure that members can still call the regular council numbers for answers during this health crisis. Regardless of if our exemption petition is successful, our staff will still be available to our members. 

Over and over you will hear, “These are unprecedented times,” and they truly are. As we have updated in the past, meetings and conversations are taking place with Funds Co-Chairs, Executive Directors, Trustees, attorneys, and financial professionals to identify what steps we as a union will need to take to best navigate the effects of the current climate, mitigate the loss of work hours, and keep our council on a strong fiscal ground. The more we can ease the burden our members will face during this uncertain time, the faster our union and the union families we serve will come out of this stronger.

We will continue to hope for the best and the overall health for our country. Please use the “Covid-19 Updates” resource page further clarification and the most up to date news on how this health crisis is affecting your union. 

Fraternally,

William C. Sproule

Executive Secretary-Treasurer