I got into the carpenters’ union in 2018. I was fortunate to be able to go to college, but after graduating I was facing a very competitive job market.I knew I wanted to start a life with the woman who would eventually become my wife. We wanted to become homeowners. What better way to become a homeowner than learning carpentry? The carpenters’ union offered on-the-job training, pension, savings, and medical care. With this in mind, I applied to become a commercial carpentry apprentice. I’ve been a commercial carpenter for seven years, and it’s one of the best choices I’ve ever made.The work we do as carpenters is not for everyone. We work in the cold and the heat. We work at significant heights. And we work at all hours of the day. But I try to approach new situations with curiosity and patience.I learned a lot from the apprenticeship, but I learned a wealth of knowledge from my brother and sister carpenters. The people that pursue this career are dedicated and that is inspiring to me.I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunities the union has given me to keep learning and connect with other members of our union across the country.

Let’s take a minute, and wind back the clock to 1984, I was 21 years young. I was a father of two young boys. Ready to build a future, and be that example my children needed to follow. I was working at grocery store stocking when I met a man named Chuck Hamilton, I started doing some work for Chuck. I wasn’t the best with reading, and writing but I was hands on, prompt, timely, and a hard worker. Chuck was my new beginning to a bright future, a career, a pension, an annuity, health insurance, you know all the “benefits” people forget about. Those “benefits” are what the ones before us worked so hard to fight for. Most members to this day don’t understand it, and neither did I. However, I am complete, feel privileged to have a guaranteed pension, an annuity. I was able to assure my children had health care. Closing time, I enter into the end of my career, and time with the union. We all must take a stand together to continue to protect what those before us fought for, because if you let it go, we cannot gain it back. We must be patient with the new generation, we must guide, and teach them, they truly are our future. If we don’t invest into the future we are not investing into ourselves either. I have served as a delegate, a union job steward, and a mentor. I am proud of my accomplishments within the union, and all the projects I have been involved with during my career. I have met some of the greatest men and women over the years, the years I will never forget. The union has been a beacon of light in my life. Lastly, remember my union brothers and sisters, we are stronger together, and stronger in numbers, so stand strong and stand together!

Fresh out of Freedom Area High School in 1994, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. I was never a big fan of school. Tests, homework, and sitting in a classroom all day just didn’t interest me.

One day, my neighbor asked if I wanted to make some extra cash helping him build his new house. I had always enjoyed shop class, but this was different. This was hands-on, real work. Seeing a project come together and knowing I played a part in building something from the ground up was satisfying in a way nothing else had ever been. And the best part? I was getting paid to be outside, working hard, and staying active.

Still, I explored other options. I tried college and worked at a grocery store, but nothing felt right. I missed working with my hands and building something that would last. With my neighbor’s help, I landed a job with a residential carpenter. We did roofing, siding, windows, and even built a few houses. I loved the work, but it wasn’t steady. By then, I had gotten married, and I needed something more reliable.

Eventually, I found a solid job working for a good man who treated his employees well. He paid a fair wage and even provided paid vacation days, which was rare in residential carpentry. Life was good. In 2000, my wife and I welcomed our daughter. Three years later, our son was born. He had some disabilities, which made me think even harder about our future. I needed more than just a paycheck. I needed real security for my family.

That’s when I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. In 2004, I left residential carpentry behind and became a commercial union carpenter. At the time, I didn’t fully realize how much this decision would change our lives.

The union gave me more than just a job. It gave me a career, good wages, health insurance, and a pension. The Pittsburgh Carpenters Training Center didn’t just teach me technical skills. It taught me how to be a leader, how to communicate, and how to take pride in my work.

For 20 years, I’ve done more than just show up to work. I’ve served as treasurer of my local, been a delegate to my labor council, and taken part in phone banks, community clean-ups, and political action efforts. I have worked as a job foreman and steward.

I believe in the union way of life because I have lived the benefits of it. That’s why I pay it forward. I’ve influenced two of my nephews to become apprentices and remind young people that unions fought for the 40-hour workweek, safe job sites, and fair wages.

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters changed my life. It gave me the ability to provide for my family, stand up for workers, and serve my community. I’ll keep paying it forward because when our union is strong, our future is even stronger.