Union Carpenters Support Senator Sherrod Brown at Rally

Columbus, OH – Carpenters and millwrights from across Ohio joined together in a representation of strength to get out the vote for this year’s election.

Saturday, October 18th, hundreds of UBC members entered the Columbus JATC Training Center to hear about the importance of this election and reelecting United States Senator from Ohio, Sherrod Brown.

Special guests included Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters Executive Secretary-Treasurer Matt McGriff, CMRCC’s Political Director Jason Clark, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael Donnelly, and CMRCC member from Local 2 Steve Sprague, United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) General President Chief of Staff Anthony Peña, General Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mark McGriff, Midwestern District Vice President Mike Kwiatkowski, UBC General President Douglas McCarron, and United States Senator Sherrod Brown.

The crowd cheered on as McCarron spoke of the work Brown has accomplished in the Senate for unions.

“Senator Brown led the fight that successfully restored over one hundred thousand pensions to workers there in Ohio,” UBC General President McCarron told the room. “There’s no better friend for the Carpenters Union, the working people, and this country than Senator Sherrod Brown.” Read more

CMRCC Answers – What to do When You’re Laid Off

Find yourself out of work? Follow the steps outlined in the video and below to ensure you never miss an opportunity to get back on a jobsite! Read more

VIDEO: Exciting Announcement

IKORCC Hosts National APIC Conference 2022 | UBC Hospital

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

 

Korey Luttman Carpenters

Korey Luttman Inspires Crowd at Graduation

For Local 301’s Korey Luttman, the things he learned in his apprenticeship weren’t just a way to make money, they were a metaphor for his life. He shared his inspiring story of courage and perseverance at the Indiana/Kentucky graduation in October.

“It’s important to build your life on a solid foundation and have structure to keep you stable. When all the weight of the world is on your shoulders, this will keep you firm and stable in your life,” Korey said.

Korey’s foundation was not solid. He was raised in a broken home with parents that suffered from drug addiction. He jumped from school to school, without guidance he was angry and eventually started using drugs and getting into trouble with the police. By the age of 20, he was in prison. “During this point in my life, I was so lost and confused. But I knew I wanted more for myself.”

When he was released from prison, he focused on that goal. He got his life together, married his best friend Lindsey, had a baby girl and started building a future. Despite the better direction, he struggled with supporting his family. His landscaping job had low pay and no benefits. Then, a friend introduced him to Gary Trout, an IKORCC business rep.

Korey was nervous on the way to his interview. “It’s hard to find a job when you’ve served time,” he said. Then, Gary told him what the union is about and that was, “not judging people from their past, but accepting who they are in the present”.

Shortly after Korey started his apprenticeship, but the stresses of having a new baby, attending school and working sent him down a bad path. “During the 2nd year of my apprenticeship, the cracks of my foundation started to show and I turned back to alcohol and drugs to help me cope. I was putting a band-aid on something that needed stitches,” he said.

Korey said it was at this time God intervened. He joined a church, found his true identity and truly started building his life on a solid foundation. In February, Korey will celebrate three years of sobriety. Today, he gives back to the community by helping people overcome their addictions and find meaning in their lives.

His graduation speech was truly moving. We encourage you to watch the full video below:

 

IKORCC Covid-19 Update

COVID-19 Update with EST Todd Pancake

IKORCC’s EST Todd Pancake updates members on COVID-19. EST Pancake answers commonly asked questions and gives tips to members dealing with the coronavirus.

 

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Applauding America’s Essential Workers

In these trying times, the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters would like to applaud America’s Working Class Heroes. From EMTs, police, nurses, and firefighters to carpenters, millwrights, drivers, grocery store clerks, cooks, and more, YOU ARE ESSENTIAL. Thank you for keeping America moving!

 

IKORCC Training Centers Reopen