| Q: Why did New York and New Jersey merge? |
| A: While the small, local union served us well for decades, the duplication in administrative, clerical, legal, and facility costs just became unsustainable in a struggling economy. Rather than risk having more and more members sitting in local halls instead of working on jobsites, union leadership realized we must adapt to remain competitive in the changing market. The larger, stronger NRCC will allow our craftsmen-and-women to speak with one powerful voice to developers, businesses, and government officials. It will create a bigger brand for both commercial and residential development. Most importantly, it will ensure that our members have more opportunities to earn a good wage and bring home a steady paycheck. |
| Q: Who is going to be my new Business Agent? |
| A: There are 13 new locals within the NRCC: five carpenter locals in New York, three carpenter locals in New Jersey, one regional mill-cab local, one regional floorlaying local, one regional taping local, one regional homebuilders local, and one regional piledrivers local. |
| Q: Where can I pay my union dues? |
| A: Dues can be paid at each local. Members also can mail their dues checks to NRCC headquarters at 91 Fieldcrest Avenue, Raritan Plaza II, Floor 2, Edison, NJ 08837. |
| Q: Will there still be union meetings? |
| A: Yes, the 13 new locals will advertise the time, date, and location of their monthly meetings. Once the meeting schedule has been finalized, it will be published on the www.northeastcarpenters.org website. Additionally, each local’s President will provide meeting details to the local membership. |
| Q: How does the merger affect my pension and medical benefits? |
| A: The merger has no effect on members’ pension or benefits. The Empire State Benefit Funds office will administer all benefits for members of Locals 276, 277, 279, 290, and 291. The New Jersey Carpenters Funds office will administer all benefits for members of Local 251, 252, 253, 254, and 255. For more information, members who can call the NJ Carpenters Funds office at 732-417-3900 or Empire State Benefit Funds office at 631-952-9700 for detailed explanations. |
| Q: How do I get added to the ‘Out of Work’ call list? |
| A: Members should call their local office to be added to the Out of Work list. Your local delegate can explain how the new regional dispatching system will affect the work list. |
| Q: Where do I go to get manpower? |
| A: Each of the 13 local unions will supply manpower for current construction projects. |
| Q: How do I view my benefits? |
| A: Benefits are administered through the NJ Carpenters Funds or Empire State Benefit Funds. Members can sign into the Members Only section of the NRCC website to view their benefits. New York members must sign in through the Empire link and New Jersey members must sign in through the NJ Carpenters link. |
| Q: Where can I get more information? |
| A: The NRCC website at www.northeastcarpenters.org will provide the most up-to-date information. Additionally, members should sign up to receive weekly email updates from E.S.T. Michael Capelli. If an answer to your question is not readily available, please contact your local delegate or the NRCC central offices at 732-417-9229. |
