Union carpenters are building a stronger future by advocating for fair pay, job security, and better worker protections.
The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters leads the way, championing pro-worker labor laws, fair wages, and safe, dignified workplaces for all.
Learn more about carpenter issues and how our union is shaping the industry by securing a bright future for workers.
Don’t be fooled by the name—”Right-to-Work” laws don’t guarantee anyone the right to a job. Instead, these laws weaken unions by stopping them from collecting dues needed to represent and protect workers. In the 26 states with these laws, unions have less power to negotiate for better pay, benefits, and conditions, while non-union workers unfairly benefit from union efforts without paying dues. It’s a free ride that undermines the strength and solidarity of unions.
The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters remains vigilant, fighting to repeal these unfair laws where they exist and to block any new attempts to weaken unions. “Right-to-Work” isn’t just an attack on unions; it’s an attack on all workers—giving big corporations more power, lowering wages, compromising safety, and diminishing worker dignity.
Prevailing wage laws make sure that workers on public construction projects get paid a minimum hourly rate and benefits that match local standards for their job and area. These laws help protect workers and their employers from unfair competition and ensure high-quality work in the industry.
In essence, prevailing wage laws ensure workers are paid a fair rate that reflects the area’s going rate.
Prevailing wage laws also fund training and apprenticeship programs, creating long-term career paths for workers, including women and minorities, by providing equal pay for equal work.
Protecting prevailing wage laws keeps government spending from driving down local wages. This boosts the local economy by supporting fair pay and job security. These laws ensure union carpenters get fair wages, help build a strong middle class, and create a level playing field for union contractors on federal projects.
The Secretary of Labor sets the prevailing wage based on the local area where the work is performed.
The 1931 Act requires contractors on federally funded construction projects to pay wages and benefits comparable to the local prevailing wage.
This law protects taxpayer investments by ensuring public projects are built to high standards, keeps local tax dollars in the community, and supports good-paying jobs for highly trained, skilled local workers.
Without the Davis-Bacon Act, union carpenters could face lower pay and fewer job opportunities. Protecting this law means protecting your paycheck, job security, and the quality of work in our communities.
The EAS Carpenters Union collaborates with bipartisan officials who support this critical law, regardless of party affiliation.
A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is a pre-hire contract between construction unions and contractors that sets the rules before a project starts. It also ensures local and diverse workers and businesses are included in a project.
PLAs benefit workers and taxpayers. They create opportunities for safe, good-paying jobs, community investment, and cost savings.
A Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is a contract that sets wages, benefits, and working conditions. Every union contractor signs one, and it can be updated regularly.
Collective bargaining uses group strength to ensure union members get the best possible deal at work.
The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), a federal law since 1935, protects your right to improve working conditions and join a union without fear of retaliation.
The NLRA established the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) which enforces these laws to protect your rights and ensure fair treatment.
Think of the NLRB as a union’s umpire, calling fair and foul in the workplace. They ensure workers can join or skip unions, fight unfair practices, and get a fair say—all while keeping the peace with a five-person board and a General Counsel appointed by the U.S. President.
Tax fraud in the construction industry hurts everyone—workers, taxpayers, honest contractors, and local communities. Cheating contractors commit tax fraud by misclassifying workers as independent contractors, committing wage theft, using labor brokers, and paying workers under the table.
These tactics allow them to dodge taxes, avoid paying workers’ compensation, and skip out on local taxes that fund public services like schools, infrastructure, and social programs. The result? Workers are underpaid and unprotected, and communities lose vital funding for essential services.
Our members work tirelessly to educate the public about construction tax fraud, but it’s not enough.
We need stronger enforcement from our leaders and government agencies to hold these fraudulent contractors and labor brokers accountable. Raising fines, closing loopholes, and increasing resources for investigation and prosecution are critical to stopping these greedy practices.
Educate, organize, and demand tougher enforcement to protect workers and our communities.
The EAS Carpenters Union stands against tax fraud. Learn how to fight back!
How Shady Employers Cheat Workers and What You Can Do About It!
Worker Misclassification is when an employer wrongly labels a worker as an independent contractor instead of an employee.
Misclassification takes billions each year from honest people and gives it to cheaters.
In the U.S., employers must pay taxes and benefits for employees. But independent contractors? They’re on their own. With misclassification, shady employers can mislabel workers as independent contractors to pad their profits.
Employers do this to avoid paying taxes and save money, all while denying their workers the rights, income, and benefits that are guaranteed under the law.
The EAS Carpenters Union is here to shield our members from these cheaters and their dirty tricks. Learn more about efforts to stop tax fraud and protect workers.
Responsible bidder language is a set of minimum requirements contractors must meet when bidding on taxpayer-funded projects, like schools, bridges, and libraries. It ensures the community gets high-quality work, not just the lowest price.
Responsible bidder ordinances safeguard taxpayers. They protect against contractors who may offer low bids but deliver poor results, costing more in the long run. By setting standards for who can bid, communities get reliable, safe, and long-lasting infrastructure.
With the rising cost of education, union apprenticeships offer a powerful alternative for future construction workers. But what exactly is an apprenticeship? It’s a hands-on training program where workers learn skills on the job while earning a paycheck—often called “Earn as You Learn.”
These programs are funded by contractors and unions like the EAS Carpenters and provide cutting-edge education in state-of-the-art facilities. They also enforce strict safety standards to ensure that workers, as well as the public, remain safe.
Recently, some politicians and non-union construction groups have tried to weaken these high-quality programs by pushing for new, watered-down “apprenticeships.” These would lower standards, harm the industry, and put future workers at risk.
We need to protect union apprenticeships to ensure high-quality training for the skilled workers of tomorrow!
