Benefits

Our training, productivity and work ethic means we get the job done on time and on budget. This helps our contractors make money, which means we make money and receive great benefits. Members can receive a copy of the current wages and benefits we receive as part of our collective bargaining agreements, commonly known as our union contract, by contacting their Business Representative or Local Union office.

Free Training and Education

Everybody talks about the need for a skilled workforce in America. The UBC, the Regional Council and our signatory contractors are not just talking about it, we are doing it. Whether it’s apprenticeship training or journey-level skill advancement, our training sets the industry standard for quality and productivity. Training is essential to making us more employable at better wages, retaining and expanding our market share, and distinguishing us from non-union competition.

All of our training is free to members in good standing. We spend millions of dollars each year reinvesting in our skills, and it is all paid for by us, as a union, out of payroll deductions. It does not cost taxpayers a dime.

Health Insurance

North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters (NCSRCC) is part of several self-funded health and welfare trust funds. These funds provide health insurance coverage for members and their families. Coverage is part of our fringe benefit package, which we negotiate with our signatory contractors.

Coverage includes comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage, plus dental and vision benefits. Eligible members pay no monthly premiums. The details of your coverage including eligibility, co-pays, deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses depend on your craft and where you live

Maternity Leave

Female members who are expecting or have recently given birth to a child are entitled to paid maternity leave benefits. This policy is available to all female members working under our benefit funds with the exception of members in our Industrial Locals.

Female members are entitled to:

  • $800/week for six weeks for traditional delivery
  • $800/week for eight weeks for cesarean delivery
  • $800/week for up to 26 weeks for certain conditions during pregnancy or post-delivery

Member Assistance

As a member in good standing, you may have free access to confidential referrals, counseling and advice on a range of issues when you feel you’re in over your head. The Regional Council’s member assistance plan offers counseling for medical, behavioral health and substance abuse.

TEAM has been providing quality employee assistance program services for members of the building trades for over 30 years. TEAM's unique approach assists members (and their dependents) in having direct access to an experienced team of clinicians who understand the unique challenges of working men and women in their day-to-day lives.

Retirement

Most members can look forward to two types of retirement: A defined benefit pension and a defined contribution pension

Defined Benefit Pension
This is a traditional pension. Employers pay a specific amount of money into a pension fund for each hour you work. Once you retire you will receive a specific dollar amount every month — the “defined benefit”.

The amount of the benefit is determined by a formula based on how many years you worked, how many hours you worked each of those years, and a multiplier for each year of service. You have to be vested to be eligible to collect a pension; vesting requires working a designated number of hours for at least five years.
 

Defined Contribution Pension
Most members also have a defined contribution pension. Employers deposit a specific amount of money directly into your personal account for each hour you work. Once you become vested (by working enough hours), the money remains in your personal account. You can designate how your money is invested. You can withdraw the money after you quit working in the craft, when you retire, or under other circumstances.

Vacation

We don’t get “paid vacation” in the same way many workers do because of the nature of construction. However, under certain area agreements some members have a “vacation fund.” Money is deferred into the fund for every hour they work. The money is then distributed on a “vacation check” for them to use as they please. 

Life, Accidental Death and Long-term Disability Insurance

As a member in good standing, you are eligible to receive Life and Long-term Disability insurance certified by MetLife. This benefit, covered by your dues, includes:

  • $10,000 Life Insurance
  • $10,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
  • $1,500/month Long-Term Disability Insurance

Member must meet all eligibility criteria including: 

  • Under the age of 65
  • Not collecting a pension
  • Not paying disabled reduced dues
  • Membership status in good standing
  • Did not opt-out of plan prior to start of coverage 10/1/2017 (one-time only option to opt out)

Disability

If you’re off work because of an extended illness or an injury suffered away from the job, you may be able to take advantage of the Regional Council’s short-term disability benefit. 

In Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, the benefit pays up to $350 a week for up to 26 weeks. In Wisconsin, an “accident and sickness” benefit pays $450 a week for up to 26 weeks. 

Why Work Union

Build Your Life

For more information

For information on becoming a member, complete and submit the form below.

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Have you ever been a member of the Carpenters' Union before?
Do you have either a High School diploma or a General Equivalency Degree (GED)?
Are you a student or graduate of a post-secondary vocational program in carpentry?
Are you currently employed?
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Although North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters does not hire or make hiring decisions on behalf of its partner employers, it is the policy of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Employers utilizing information collected on this website must comply with NCSRCC’s EEO policy or maintain an equivalent EEO policy as a term and condition of use of this site.

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