Increasing Market Share is our Goal

“the higher the market share, the higher the wage”

June 30^th marks the end of the fiscal year for our Market Share report.  This report shows us what percentage of the carpentry market is being done union.  These numbers are very important because the more market we have, the better the chances of increasing our pay scale and benefits package. 

Our Council’s Organizing Department is more aggressive than ever.  That can be seen in the various actions we have taken at jobsites, owners offices, Town Halls and retail outlets, just to name a few.  We could not do this without the support and help of our membership, so I would like to thank all of you for your continued effort to improve our Union and market share.  As for the few of you that feel it may not be necessary to support these efforts, perhaps because you have been working steadily without the help of the Union, remember: the higher the market share, the higher the wage.  We need everyone’s help and support to make them both grow.  The non-union carpenters trying to take our share are working for substantially less in wages and, in most cases, aren’t getting any health care benefits. 

In order for us to convince those not using Union labor to pay more, we also have to convince them we are worth it.  Our skills and productivity will do that for us as long as we continue to be our best.  I urge all of our members to attend retraining classes whenever possible to better yourself in an area you may not be strong in.  Strive to be the best that you can be. 

I know that by working together we can increase our market share and strengthen our Union now and for the future.