News

Union-backed candidates score key wins in primaries across the South

March 4, 2026

Candidates endorsed by the Southern Regional Council of Carpenters posted strong results in recent primary elections across several states, signaling continued momentum for leaders who prioritize workforce training, public education, and access to skilled-trades careers.

Member spotlight: Thanks to the union, William Harris says he’s done things he never thought he could do and gone places he never envisioned

March 4, 2026

William Harris had barely left his hometown of Aiken, South Carolina, and had never flown on a plane before he joined the carpenters’ union. Eleven years later, he’s become a standout on jobsites and a leader among his fellow members.

SRCC organizer goes on radio labor show to discuss fight to organize louisiana sawmill

March 4, 2026

Randall Sanders, an organizer for the Southern Regional Council of Carpenters, joined The Valley Labor Report radio show and podcast to discuss his ongoing efforts to organize the Canfor plant in DeRidder, Louisiana. A former employee at the plant, Sanders was fired after he tried to organize a union. He’s now an organizer with the …

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Georgia Power Plant Scherer transitions to union maintenance force

March 4, 2026

After many decades in operation, Georgia Power Plant Scherer in Juliette, Georgia, transitioned to a fully union-run maintenance contract. Beginning in January 2025, Georgia Power partnered with Day & Zimmerman to handle the daily maintenance contract for the fourth-largest electric generating plant in the United States.

Skills combine in Nashville to fast-track careers

March 4, 2026

The Southern District Training Trust Fund will hold an interior systems and scaffold combine in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 21. This one-day event is designed for individuals with or without prior experience in the trade who are seeking employment in the construction industry.

SRCC informs Georgia legislators about cheating contractors

March 4, 2026

SRCC staff educated Georgia legislators on construction industry tax fraud during the Working Families Caucus luncheon held in Atlanta Feb. 26. By sponsoring this event, the SRCC had the opportunity to talk with policymakers about an ongoing problem that has allowed companies to misclassify workers and win contracts by underbidding.

Contractor demonstrates innovative scaffold system at Atlanta training center

March 4, 2026

Can a new, German-engineered scaffolding system replace the physically demanding and labor-intensive scaffolding system that is currently standard in the United States?

Staff Spotlight: Enrique Garza’s journey from the field to leadership

March 4, 2026

Every union member has a story, a reason they chose representation, solidarity, and a better future. For Enrique Garza, that story begins with perseverance and grows into a commitment to helping others build the stability he once searched for himself.

SRCC Endorses candidates in 2026 Midterm Elections

February 27, 2026

The Southern Regional Council of Carpenters has endorsed candidates across the South ahead of the 2026 midterm elections for state and federal offices. See information on candidates we believe will fight for working people in our 11 states.

Jamie Ager for North Carolina's 11th Congressional District

SRCC believes Ager will fight for the working class

February 27, 2026

The Southern Regional Council of Carpenters is proud to endorse Jamie Ager in his bid for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. Ager is a fourth-generation farmer and small business owner from western North Carolina who supported community rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Helene. “Ager has demonstrated a strong commitment to working families and the skilled trades,” …

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Southern Regional Council of Carpenters Endorses Geoff Duncan for Georgia Governor

February 26, 2026

The Southern Regional Council of Carpenters is proud to endorse former Lt. Gov. and Democratic candidate Geoff Duncan in his bid for governor of Georgia. We believe Duncan will stand up for Georgia’s working families as governor. During a tour of Carpenters Local 283 in Augusta, Duncan spoke with members and leadership about the importance …

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Montserrat Garibay Endorsed by Southern Regional Council of Carpenters with Government Affairs Director Gary Warren

Southern Regional Council of Carpenters Endorses Montserrat Garibay for Texas House of Representatives(TX-49)

February 23, 2026

The Southern Regional Council of Carpenters is proud to endorse Montserrat Garibay to represent the 49th District in the Texas House of Representatives. As an educator and labor leader, Garibay has consistently championed working families and fought for policies that protect workers’ rights. Her leadership at the Texas AFL-CIO reflects her deep commitment to workplace …

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James Talarico, State Representative from Texas visits the Austin Local 1266 Carpenter and Millwright Training Facility

Southern Regional Council of Carpenters endorses James Talarico for U.S. Senate

February 10, 2026

The Southern Regional Council of Carpenters has officially endorsed Texas State Representative James Talarico in his campaign to represent the state of Texas in the United States Senate. You can read Southern Regional Council of Carpenters Executive Secretary-Treasurer and CEO Kavin Griffin’s statement below: “The Southern Regional Council of Carpenters is proud to endorse Texas …

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Build your work opportunities by taking advantage of free training

February 10, 2026

Through the Southern District Training Trust Fund, SRCC members can access training that will keep you up to date on rapid changes taking place in industries across our region. This free, ongoing training makes you marketable to many employers.

New government affairs team member hopes to inspire change in Oklahoma

February 9, 2026

Growing up in a union family in Oklahoma, Alexandra “Allie” Williams didn’t think she would become a carpenter, joking, “I accidentally joined the union seven years ago.”

Shaping the long-term vision of the Member Engagement Program

February 9, 2026

The Southern Regional Council of Carpenters’ Member Engagement Program coordinators have begun attending a leadership-development program at the United Brotherhood of Carpenters International Training Center in Las Vegas.

‘It saved me’: Union job, family pulls Local 216 member through dark time

February 9, 2026

Shery Ragsdale became a union millwright at age 49, after working as a nurse and a high-level manager with the Tupperware company. Read our Q&A with this Local 216 member to learn more about her bittersweet journey and her message for fellow members.

EST Kavin Griffin Talks Union Carpenters and Millwrights on the Tampa Bay Times

SRCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Featured in Tampa bay times

February 5, 2026

An opinion piece SRCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer and CEO Kavin Griffin wrote discussing opportunities trade careers offer was featured in the Tampa Bay Times on Feb. 4. You can read the full column below or at the Tampa Bay Times.

How to Protect workers from cold stress

February 3, 2026

Even in the South, winter weather can pose serious health risks for workers in our industries. Extended exposure to cold or freezing temperatures – or a combination of cool temperatures, wind, and moisture – can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, trench foot, and other conditions.

Building a skilled workforce: A look at the Southern District Training Trust Fund

January 30, 2026

One of the most critical challenges facing the construction industry is a lack of skilled craftspeople. In some markets, especially here in the rapidly growing South, the work is available, but the skilled tradespeople aren’t. The Southern District Training Trust Fund is working to change that.

Contractor two months ahead of schedule on USPS upgrade project, thanks to SRCC workforce

January 28, 2026

Western Industrial Contractors and its SRCC workforce are eight weeks ahead of schedule as they wrap up the first upgrade in decades of the automated mail sorting system at the Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S. Postal Service processing and distribution center.

Leaders, members discuss increased power, possibilities at SRCC’s first delegate conference

December 19, 2025

Just two months after a merger brought together three regional councils in the UBC Southern District, 132 delegates and alternates of the newly formed Southern Regional Council of Carpenters gathered on Dec. 13 in New Orleans, where they learned more about the merger and how it will benefit members.

Florida Carpenters Regional Council and Southeastern Carpenters Regional Council Joining the Central South Carpenters Regional Council

October 21, 2025

Member Spotlight: The jones family legacy

August 5, 2025

The legacy of the Texas-based Jones family in Local 2232 is profound. John Vernon Jones, a current Council Representative, carried his family’s history with him when he joined the union in 2004. He later worked as a general foreman at the Budweiser Brewery in Houston and as a high-speed rotor balance technician at the Ethos …

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2025 UBC General Convention to be held in August

June 19, 2025

The UBC’s 43rd General Convention will be held Aug. 18-22 in Las Vegas. The convention theme is “The Future Belongs to Those Who Build It.” General conventions are held every five years. Thank you to the members who will serve as delegates at this important event that will set the course of our union for …

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Check out leadership programs at the ITC in Las Vegas

June 19, 2025

World-class leadership and skill-training programs are available to members at the UBC’s International Training Center in Las Vegas. See the schedule of upcoming programs below. If you are interested in attending any of these programs, please contact CSCRC Chief of Staff John West II.

Dwight Daniels adds 70-year pin to collection

May 15, 2025

Local 216 Business Representative Cole Wetzel surprised member Dwight Daniels when he stopped by Daniels’ home in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to hand deliver his 70-year pin. Daniels brought out the shadow box he made for his pins and posed for the photo above. Wetzel said Daniels was eager to add the new pin to the box …

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Southern District training trust funds merged

May 1, 2025

The Southern District training trust funds have been merged to create the Southern District Training Trust. The merged fund can offer more and better training to journey-level members as well as registered apprentices. Local control of training is not changing. All training staff members have kept their jobs, and employers who were active fund trustees have …

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Council real estate update

April 8, 2025

The CSCRC headquarters mortgage has been paid in full. This means all council real estate is fully owned. It includes local offices in Austin, Texas, Baton Rouge and Metairie in Louisiana, as well as property across from the training center in Russellville, Arkansas.

Union skill on display at WEFTEC

April 8, 2025

At the Earnest M. Morial Convention Center, our New Orleans Local 1846 Trade Show Rigging Team installed more than 180 association and exhibitor signs for WEFTEC, the leading event shaping the future of water, hosted by the Water Environment Federation. From precision rigging to expert installations, our skilled union carpenters ensured every sign was securely …

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Kudos to carpenters, millwrights at paper mill project in Waco, Texas

April 8, 2025

Carpenters and millwrights who worked on the Graphic Packaging International project in Waco, Texas, are receiving high praise from contractor CR Meyer. “In speaking with the folks there at CR Meyer, they are just extremely satisfied with what the Central South Carpenters have been able to do with our skill, our professionalism and our ability …

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Huge savings achieved from fund Mergers

April 7, 2025

Work has been done to merge UBC retirement and benefit funds in the Southern District. These mergers lower administrative costs, give you more service, and provide better returns on our investments.

Donnie Newton retires as Local 216 business representative

April 1, 2025

The council presented a plaque to former Local 216 Business Representative Donnie Newton at his last staff and delegate meeting in December.

Member Spotlight: Dayami Hernandez

March 24, 2025

It’s been a busy year for Dayami Hernandez. The Cuba native moved to the United States from Jamaica and, after 20 years of working of as a nurse, became a union solar-panel installer with Carpenters Local Union 551 in Pasadena, Texas.

work opportunities in AR, LA, and MS

February 6, 2025

Current and upcoming work opportunities in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi include those listed below. If you are interested in any of these projects, make sure you are on the ready-to-work list. Contact your business representative for more information.

Work Opportunities in TX and OK

February 1, 2025

Current and upcoming work opportunities in Texas and Oklahoma include those listed below. If you are interested in any of these projects, make sure you are on the ready-to-work list. Contact your business representative for more information.

Three locals hold combo event celebrating graduations, career milestones, retirements, holiday

January 5, 2025

Locals 216, 1836, and 71 held an all-in-one event at the Russellville, Arkansas, training center in December that included a holiday dinner, apprenticeship graduation, member-pinning ceremony, and retirement celebration. Click here to see more photos from the event.

CSCRC staff and delegates with some of the toys that were donated to Toys for Tots

Thank you to everyone who donated to the CSCRC/SIB toy drive

January 3, 2025

The December toy drive, organized by Sisters in the Brotherhood leaders Shanta Prude and Elizabeth Amonson, was a huge success. Members and staff provided more than 200 toys, which were donated to Toys for Tots in Houston. Thank you to all those who made the holiday brighter for families in need.

Recap of December delegate meeting

December 27, 2024

Click here to check out highlights from the December 2024 CSC Delegate Meeting in New Orleans.

Military Veterans Program receives DOL Award

November 11, 2024

The U.S. Department of Labor has recognized the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Military Veterans Program as one of 839 recipients of the 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Award. The UBC MVP Program earned the platinum award for large employers.

Millwrights Install Baggage-Handling System

January 19, 2024

Union Millwrights recently completed a multi-year project installing a baggage handling system at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. This high-tech system is the first of its kind in the United States.

CSCRC featured in Dec 2023 Carpenter Magazine

January 12, 2024

Information about our solar work and a Texas paperboard project both Carpenters and Millwrights are working on can be read in the Southern District Spotlight on pages 18 and 19 of the December Carpenter magazine. Click the link and check it out!

Union Supports employee-status rule

January 10, 2024

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) announced today its support of the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division’s final rule on determining employee and independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

CSCRC helps build home for Wounded Warrior

December 22, 2023

Central South Carpenters helped build a house Sergeant Maverick and his two daughters can call home near San Antonio, TX. We feel privileged to be part of this incredible project in collaboration with Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors.

cscrc members building Recycled Paperboard Facility

November 7, 2023

In April 2023, Graphic Packaging broke ground with their second facility that will leverage the industry’s most modern technology to produce recycled paperboard.