SSMRC provides certified wind-turbine technicians
The Southern States Millwright Regional Council is gearing up to supply wind-turbine commissioning and maintenance mechanics to fill a growing labor need as the wind-power industry expands.
UBC vaccine verification system now available
To meet the demands of contractors, the UBC has launched an online portal to upload proof of COVID-19 vaccination through Training Verication Cards. The portal can be accessed through the UBC Mobile App or from your TVC Card.
Labor Department reinstates Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship
The U.S. Department of Labor announced on Sept. 20 the appointments of 29 members to serve on the newly reinstated Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship, which will provide advice and recommendations on issues related to registered apprenticeship (union apprenticeship programs are “registered apprenticeships”).
Bills in Congress would create jobs for union millwrights, lower taxes and expenses for working-class families
Congress continues to work on approving a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a budget reconciliation bill, both part of the Build Back Better plan that would create jobs for union millwrights and lower taxes, childcare costs, and other expenses for working-class families.
Get to know Robert Strickland, a new business agent for Local 1263
Robert Strickland, a former Marine and an eight-year member of Local 1263, which covers Georgia and the Carolinas, began working as a business agent for that local in September.
Regional directors attend Southern Automotive Conference
Two SSMRC regional directors networked with representatives of automotive-industry manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors during the Southern Automotive Conference, held Oct. 13-15 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Millwright Local 1192, Mammoet Industrial Services tackle Gulf Coast airport expansion that represents series of firsts
Travel to oceanside communities in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle has increased tremendously in recent years, and millwrights from Local 1192 are helping expand the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport to accommodate the growth.
Carpenters’ Helping Hands provides grant to Local 1554 member whose home was flood damaged
Flood waters rose so quickly on Aug. 21 in Waverly, Tennessee, that Michael T. Davis had to escape his home by climbing through a window and into his boat, which the water had pushed against the house.
Member Spotlight: Jessie Patterson
Local 1263 member Jessie Patterson has achieved goals quickly in her millwright career and has discovered a passion for helping others do the same. Finding the millwright trade after leaving the military in 2012 took Jessie Patterson several years, but she’s been on a fast track ever since.
Union millwrights play vital role in building life-saving proton-therapy center for cancer patients
Union millwrights are working with partnering contractor Boldt to double the size of a Houston, Texas, medical center that delivers the most advanced and precise form of radiation therapy to cancer patients.
Local 1263 Business Agent Michael Hamilton retires
After 45 years as a member of Local 1263 and 31 years as the local’s business agent, Michael Hamilton will retire on Sept. 30. Mike will be greatly missed, and we wish him the best in retirement! Michael Hamilton has held many leadership positions within the SSMRC, United Brotherhood of Carpenters, and UBC Millwrights. In […]
New online course covers U.S. government and labor law
All SSMRC members now have access to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters’ online course “101 Constitution: U.S. Government and Labor Law,” which is hosted online in the Department of Education and Training’s Learning Management System.
SSMRC Central Region, Local 1192 host labor-management meeting
SSMRC Central Region Director Jeffrey Smith and Local 1192 Business Agents Clint Smith and Lessie Roberts hosted a labor-management meeting last month at the Florence, Alabama, training center. The event also included a tour of the training center for partnering contractors.
Proposed federal bill would restrict union-organizing efforts
Anti-labor legislation that would amend the National Labor Relations Act to severely restrict the ability of unions to organize workers from within companies has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Siemens Generation Services, SSMRC millwrights leverage long partnership, new technology, and lessons learned to complete project at Farley Nuclear Station four days early
Using a new technique called “virtual alignment,” Siemens Generation Services and Southern States Millwrights replaced 40-year-old machinery during a spring 2021 upgrade of Unit 1 at Farley Nuclear Station near Dothan, Alabama.
Local 1192 members earn SSMRC Community Service Challenge Award for leading effort to support striking miners
Mitchell Howton knows what it’s like to work at the Warrior Met Coal mine in Brookwood, Alabama. He hasn’t forgotten being underground 14 hours a day, seven days a week, with the promise that next week he would get Sunday off – a promise that never materialized.
Member Spotlight: Emerson Romero
After immigrating to the United States and working as a scaffold builder in refineries, Emerson Romero found a perfect career fit as a union millwright.
Stellar millwright performance at MTM facility lands new work across South
After working successfully with SSMRC millwrights at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama, a previously non-union contractor has established a union division and signed agreements with several locals in the SSMRC’s jurisdiction.
U.S. Congress members attend Charlotte training center open house
An open house for elected officials, contractors, and community and economic-development organizations was held Aug. 26 at the new millwright and carpenter training center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
SSMRC developing Sisters in the Brotherhood committee
Several SSMRC sisters have begun building a Sisters in the Brotherhood (SIB) committee for our council. Find out how you can get involved.