Tax Fraud Days of Action 2021
The Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters joined UBC members across the United States and Canada to raise awareness for construction industry tax fraud. Check out highlights from IKORCC Tax Fraud Days of Action events in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.
Indiana Tax Fraud Day of Action Event
The Tax Fraud Day of Action event in Indianapolis was a tremendous success. Business representatives and members of the IKORCC Executive Board spent a few hours educating lawmakers on tax fraud, with a special emphasis on solutions to tax fraud. Of the 150 elected officials invited, 62 lawmakers, both republican and democrat, visited the event and learned more about construction industry tax fraud. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett also attended the event.
The Indiana event was held at the Indiana State House atrium. To drive attendance to the event, IKORCC reps handed out tax fraud toolbox/lunchboxes packed with concrete solutions to fight tax fraud. The theme of the giveaway was, “You already have all the tools you need to fight tax fraud”. The toolboxes were a big driver to our event.
The solutions inside included: enforcing existing laws, creating a tax fraud task force, sharing information amongst government agencies and responsible bidder ordinances or RBOs.
In addition to the in-person event, the IKORCC created a new website, endtaxfraud.com. The website focuses on the actual solutions to tax fraud and what lawmakers and the public can do to help.
Kentucky Tax Fraud Day of Action Events
We held a two day Tax Fraud Awareness event in Louisville, Kentucky this year. On the first day, we visited a dorm under construction at the University of Louisville, with predominantly union subcontractors. We educated members of all crafts about Tax Fraud and how important it is to get involved politically with elected officials to help eliminate this illegal business model. It was an extremely successful event. We also educated and built relationships with company management teams.
On the second day, we took our messaging to a non-union led job site in Louisville. We used this as an opportunity to educate owners, workers and management teams while also gathering info on Labor Brokers, potential future members, and accurate counts of employees being paid cash or with a 1099. This gave us a new angle on how to fight tax fraud.
Ohio Tax Fraud Day of Action Event
Tax Fraud Days of Action in Columbus was a successful day of educating legislators and the public on why tax fraud is a danger to everyone. Legislators from both sides of the aisle and even some who we didn’t have a previous relationship with us, showed up to learn more about tax fraud. Legislators loved the tax fraud lunchboxes and were excited to talk about upcoming projects in their areas and what our organization has going on.
All IKORCC Representatives onsite had legislators from their area represented in the turnout.
Check out a video interview with Democrat House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes about tax fraud.
Here is another video with Republican House Representative Jay Edwards
Former Industrial Representative and UBC instructor Steve Griffith also stopped by and gave us an interview.
New Solar Training Energizes IKORCC Partners
The renewable energy industry is expanding at an incredibly rapid pace. In fact, industry analysts believe that solar power generators, alone, will produce most of the energy needed around the world within 50 years.
To stay competitive in the industry, the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters has embraced this new industry – expanding our capabilities with superior training. Today, we were proud to show off this training to representatives from Pepper Construction.
IKORCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Todd Pancake and Training Director Jerry Burke joined Matt McGriff, Wallace Turner and representatives from Pepper Construction for a solar meeting and observation of a solar class in session.
Today, hundreds of IKORCC carpenters and millwrights are working on solar farms all over Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. To learn more about our IKORCC solar training click here.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Village Signs Historic PLA
CANTON – Last week marked a monumental moment for the Canton area and potentially the future of project labor agreements. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has recommitted to the next phase of their Hall of Fame Village Project being completed using local, union workers. Michael Crawford, president and chief executive officer of the Hall of Fame Resort, and the East Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council President Dave Kirven jointly signed a PLA to confirm the commitment on Wednesday, April 14th, 2021.
“A PLA is a prehire pact with at least one [labor organization] that sets employment terms and conditions for all workers on a building project, regardless of whether their employers are unionized or nonunion contractors”, Bloomberg Law reports.
Canton has the most PLA’s than any other city in the United States with over 100 according to William Sherer, Business Manager for Ironworkers Local 550 and Canton City Council President. A PLA with the Hall of Fame Resort sets a standard for the area and will help spur others’ interest in the agreements, according to Sherer. He said economic development [like this project] spurs more economic development.
Part of this labor agreement includes cooperation with the Stark County Minority Business Association (SCMBA). The goal set by SCMBA and the Hall of Fame Resort is 12% minority participation in all aspects of the project. Kirven told us ongoing projects on site are currently at 19%, exceeding the goal. In a speech at the signing given, Michael Crawford said “we fumbled the ball on community and diverse involvement on the first phase of the project” when talking about the importance of the SCMBA partnership and the Hall of Fame’s commitment to making inclusion a priority in these new phases of construction.
Labor leaders and other government officials were present for the signing as well. City Councilman Jason Scaglione was excited to see people working and bring ‘vacation spending’ back to the region. Fellow councilmember John Mariol was also invested in the importance of the PLA bringing good, union, middle-class jobs back to Canton.
This next stage of construction on the Hall of Fame Village means ongoing work for the carpenters in the area. Senior Business Representative Kevin Ennis says, “continued work at the Hall of Fame has meant a lot of man-hours for our members”. Ennis also said the Council has signed several new minority contractors thanks to the partnerships at the project with continuous requests for manpower on separate jobs. “This [PLA] means steady work for our members for at least another two years if not more.”
Carpenters Refurbish Historic Church
Carpenters have been constructing historic buildings for as long as the United Brotherhood of Carpenters has existed. In every state, province, and city across the United States and Canada union carpenters have made an impact on the legacy. Whether it’s bringing buildings down to put a new one back up or rehabilitating an existing structure, union carpenters prove their skills with each new project.
In Canton Ohio, carpenters have been working on an important renovation at a significant site. At 530 Tuscarawas St W, in a city almost as old as the state itself, Christ Presbyterian Church sits on the same land dedicated for the city’s first house of worship back in 1805 by the city’s founder. Read more
IKORCC Millwrights Build Wind Turbines
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Check out the great work Millwright Local Union 1076 members are doing at a wind farm in Losantville, Indiana.
IKORCC Leadership Visits Anderson Wood
Today IKORCC EST Todd Pancake, IN/KY Assistant Director Charles Davis and Chief-of-Staff Matt McGriff visited and toured the Anderson Wood plant in Louisville, KY. Anderson Wood owners Dave and Ben Anderson gave the tour. They met to show support and partnership with our Industrial market. 
The IKORCC is proud to work with Anderson Wood. Anderson Wood has been a leader in hardwood dimension for over a century, providing a wide array of products manufactured from sustainable American hardwoods.
They supply architectural millwork for some of America’s most prestigious buildings, and also produce institutional furniture and residential millwork that includes strong commitments to dormitory furniture and stair components.
Members working at Anderson Wood are part of Industrial Local 2501.
Read more about Anderson Wood on their website.
Cleveland-area Locals Raise $84,000 for Up Side of Downs
$84,000. That’s how much Cleveland-area locals and the IKORCC have helped raise for The Up Side of Downs in seven years. The Up Side of Downs’ mission is to provide support, education and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and communities.
They share a common goal with the IKORCC, a community where all people have limitless opportunities and the ability to pursue their dreams. Check out this video to learn more about our partnership with this wonderful organization.
Stadium Super Bowl
It’s Super Bowl week and we are celebrating by looking at the amazing NFL football stadiums union carpenters, millwrights and floorlayers have built in Indiana and Ohio. 🏈
Check out First Energy Stadium (home of the Cleveland Browns), Paul Brown Stadium (Home of the Cincinnati Bengals) and Lucas Oil Stadium (Home of the Indianapolis Colts).
Fast Facts:
First Energy Stadium home of the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland, Ohio
Completed in 1999, renovated in 2013
Turner Construction, General Contractor
Cost: $283 million
Capacity: 67,895
Suites: 143
Square Feet: 1.64 million
Paul Brown Stadium home of the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati, Ohio
Completed in 2000
Turner Construction, General Contractor
Cost: $385 million
Capacity: 65,535
Suites: 144
Square Feet: 1.85 million
Lucas Oil Stadium home of the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis, Indiana
Completed in 2008
Hunt Construction, General Contractor
Cost: 720 million
Capacity: 67,000
Suites: 139
Square Feet: 1.8 million
IKORCC Pension Update
Pension Update It’s been an interesting year for the stock market. In the spring, the COVID pandemic caused negative reactions in the markets. Towards the fall, the stock market had many ups and downs due to the presidential election. The good news is that the merged fund in Indiana and Kentucky is still in the […]