Carpenters Center, IBEW honoring Labor Day

Commuters passing the Carpenters Center this week will see a series of reminders about the real meaning behind the upcoming Labor Day holiday. The Carpenters Center media wall will feature images of working people from various industries and a message to celebrate Labor Day by "Honoring Workers" and depicting the people who are "Working for our future."

Starting on Monday, a series of images will rotate on the media wall, each featuring a different profession. Images will change each day throughout the week, with all of the images rotating on Labor Day. Matching images will run on the sign at IBEW Local 103, only a short distance south of the Carpenters Center along Route 93. The coordinated campaign was developed in conjunction with other unions and the Greater Boston Labor Council.

Images on the sign will also be posted on CarpentersCenter.com starting Monday.

Welcome to the Carpenters Center, Local 2168!

Floorcoverers/Carpenters Local 2168 has moved its office space from Adams Street in Dorchester to the Carpenters Center.

The Floorcoverers’ new office is located on the third floor of the Carpenters Center, along with offices for the New England Regional Council of Carpenters, the New England Carpenters Labor Management Program, Shop and Millmen Local 51, Piledrivers Local 56 and Carpenters Local 723.

Please note, while the mailing address for Local 2168 has changed, their phone and fax numbers remain the same:

Floorcoverers/Carpenters Local 2168

750 Dorchester Ave., Suite 3033

Boston, MA 02125

Phone: 617-825-6141

Fax: 617-282-5047

Carpenters Center wins Chapter Energy Project Award

As reported in the New England Real Estate Journal

The Association of Energy Engineers New England selected the Carpenters Center, the new headquarters for the New England Regional Council of Carpenters (NERCC), as a recipient for their annual Chapter Energy Project Award. This award honors projects with energy-conscious design. The Carpenters Center was recognized for its outstanding use of energy and energy savings.

RDK Engineers joined forces with architect and design firm ADD Inc and provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, audio-visual, and commissioning services for the new center located between 1-93 and Dorchester Ave. With the creation of this new three-story building, fully equipped with a 30-foot LED sign that is used to promote the carpentry trade, motorists on the Southeast Expressway have a new landmark to appreciate on their commutes in and out of Boston. The facility was converted from an abandoned two-story commercial building to a three-story, 75,000 s/f center which will train 2,000 students per year. In addition to student classrooms, the renovated space also contains state-of-the-art offices, a conveniently located bank, and an eye-care center for union members. The center also includes energy-efficient lighting features such as incandescent lights with motion sensors and automatic shut-off.

"RDK Engineers has long been committed to sustainable and energy-efficient design practices," said RDK principal Pat Murphy. "The RDK project team truly enjoyed partnering with the New England Regional Council of Carpenters and ADD Inc on a center that was designed to suit the needs of everyone in the Carpenters' Union. We are proud to have been a part of this unique opportunity."

You also read this story on the NEREJ website.

Wentworth Institute of Technology & The Carpenters: A Joint Venture

In the fall of 2008, the New England Regional Council of Carpenters along with Wentworth Institute of Technology's College of Professional and Continuing Education launched a tailored program, which enables union carpenters to earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Building Construction Management in as little as two years.

The first class of carpenters graduated from the program in August 2010. In the short time since the program began, it has already expanded to allow union carpenters to pursue a Bachelor's Degree from the prestigious school.

Members of the Carpenters Union can find the admissions checklist for the Associate Degree in Building Construction Management here. You can also view the program’s curriculum (PDF) by clicking here.

If you would like to speak to someone directly about the program, please contact Jacklyn Haas, Associate Director of Admissions, at haasj@wit.edu or 617-989-4258.

Welcome to the Vision Center!

The Carpenter Vision Center is owned and operated by the New England Carpenters Health Benefits Fund. It offers complete eye examinations and the largest selection of frames available under the Plan. The Vision Center is located at the Carpenters Center, 750 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA and offers afternoon, evening and Saturday appointments.

Carpenters Union members, spouses, and children are eligible for routine eye exam and glasses (2 pairs of single vision-distance and near – or 1 pair of bifocals) once every two years. The facility offers over 200 Covered Frames for men, women, and children and over 80 Collectors Frames for men and women available for a $50.00 co-pay. A large selection of Safety Frames is also available.



While the facility is utilized mostly by members, spouses, and children of the Carpenters Union who have benefits through the New England Carpenters Benefits Funds, the facility is also a Davis Vision Provider. Any outside individual who has Davis Vision as their Vision Benefit is allowed to receive an eye exam and glasses through the Vision Center. The cost is billed through their Vision Insurance.

The Vision Center has three exam rooms and four doctors. There are two Optometrists who perform routine eye exams, one Ophthalmologist who comes in once a month to see patients with medical issues and one Contact Lens Doctor who is available on Wednesdays only.



The Vision Center is conveniently located off of Route 93 (get directions here) at the Carpenters Center, 750 Dorchester Ave. There is plenty of parking available; the facility is an 8-minute walk from the Andrews Square station.

Hours of Operation:
Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm (to book appointments only)
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Friday 8:30am - 3:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Call 617-782-0100 to make an appointment.