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Delegate Updates
MACRC Delegates from across our jurisdiction met in Oak Brook, IL this weekend for a regular meeting to review union business and take note as leadership laid the groundwork for what lies ahead. Reflecting on the first half of 2025, EST Kevin McLaughlin applauded the work that went into signing nearly 100 new contractors, encouraging us all to keep pushing hard in growing market share and work opportunities for the membership. Delegates were also treated to keynote speeches from Helmets to Hardhats Midwest Director Bill Mulcrone and Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren. Mulcrone educated Delegates on the work ethic veterans bring to the building trades and how to attract more of them into our union. Last but not least, Warren shared his experience working in construction as a young man and gave an update on the Bears' desire to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights. Our members stand ready to build that state-of-the-art stadium once the deal is approved.
| | Don't miss the newest issue of the UBC Carpenter magazine! Across the U.S. and Canada we're calling out shady contractors who cheat the system and rip off workers; a new union program is teaching "political economics" that impact your wallet; and an NFL all-star teams up with volunteer Carpenters building homes for wounded vets. | | This Truity Credit Union in Shawnee, KS was originally going to be built non-union but MACRC reps reached out to Truity and were able to get the work flipped our way. Signatory contractor Square UP Construction is taking care of the carpenter package on this Keeley Construction job. Great job, Brothers! | | MACRC members are diving deep into the Shedd Aquarium restoration project, a $500 million job led by Chicago-based general contractor partners Pepper/BMI Construction LLC. New additions include better accessibility, a centralized animal hospital and aquatic science labs, and a dynamic new space for environmental education. This hefty load is expected to be wrapped up by 2027. Our elite training makes us the go-to workforce for projects of this magnitude! | | We joined Mayor Cara Spencer as she toured the historic Jefferson Arms Hotel in downtown St. Louis. Built in 1904 to accommodate visitors to the World’s Fair, plans to restore the 13-story gem have come and gone over the years, but city officials are now excited to see the hard work underway in bringing this landmark back to life. | | |
Up Next: Union Carpenters are in the zone bringing an NFL-style stadium to Northwestern University; St. Louis Scouts learning woodworking turn to expert carpentry instructors for help; Women in Construction Week opens doors and changes minds; and in times of need we lend a hand to our union brothers and sisters.
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Fond Farewell: Dedicated pros who devote their careers to the Carpenters are what we’re built on. Our training program in Elk Grove bids a fond farewell to Assistant Coordinator Kina McAfee, retiring after 30 years of training the next generation of carpenters and millwrights.
…and Don “Red” Illig has been the backbone of our St. Louis training center, keeping the facility maintained and running in tip-top shape for staff and trainees. We couldn’t do what we do without the talents of people like Kina and Red. Thank you both, and best wishes in retirement!
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