Q Where can I get info about starting a carpentry apprenticeship?
A For the BC Provincial Council information click apprenticeship.html where you will also find links to ITAC and CATC and to the Provincial Governments website about cuts to the program. US visitors can find relevant information at the UBC Apprenticeship website.
Q Where can I find out more information on the benefits of joining the BC Carpenters Union?
A You can start at the BCPC Organizing Program page "Protecting Your Future", where the industrial and construction aspects of the Union are explained. Also Local 1598 has a page of FAQs on joining the BC Carpenters Union. For example: Question- WHO SETS MY WAGE RATE? Answer- Minimum rates are negotiated with the employer and the Union. Members have the final say when a vote is conducted to ratify the agreement..
Q Do you have an index page that links the whole website?
A The site map index page is the top *BC Maps* button on the left if you are in frames. It goes to the top of the map index page and all On the Level and Provincial Council links are there just below the BC maps.
If you are not in frames (and there is a frames/noframes button on the middle right of the home page to let you toggle back and forth) then go to the bottom drop down menu *Jump 2* and the map/index page link is there also. Just below the *frames* button is a *index of pages* button that lists over 100 of the pages on CarpsBC. And the next buttons, a *search this site* and a Google Search, lets you search within the CarpsBC website as well
Q I want to bookmark this site, but not on that irritating pass-thru page - and I don't like frames!
A Then you want to add http://www.carpentersunionbc.com/Pages/enter2.html to favorites. However, one feature of being in frames is that the BC hammer logo at the top left always returns you to the home page.
Q I need another Carpentry Workers Benefit Plan claim form, where can I download one for printing?
A You can find helpful information and several forms at the new CWBP website is located at http://www.cwbp.bc.ca/
Q I'm from Texas - what's this "Yankee go home" Canadian autonomy stuff all about? Bush Rocks!!!
A Up here it's more Bush League. Anyway, as Josh Coles points out in his article Captain America, there are lots of pressing reasons for Canadian autonomy, mostly perpetrated by the International and McCarrons shenanigans that are detrimental to Canadians like the US tariff on softwood. Read the June 02 Level article BC Carpenters union demands democracy by Doug McCorquodale for a synopisis of our struggle. Back issues of On The Level are available online also with articles such as former BCPC President Bill Zander's opinions on McCarron and the International in a '99 issue.
Here is how Pierre Trudeau, former Canadian Prime Minister summed up Canada's relationship with America. "Living next to the United States is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even- tempered is the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt." Pierre Trudeau, March 25, 1969, Addressing the Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Q Who is Doug McCarron and what is he doing to the carpenters union?
A Douglas J. McCarron is the General President of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. He is among the most aggressive and controversial of modern labor leaders: a genius to some, a manipulative tyrant to others. See the quasi-balanced LA Times article on McCarron (and a critique of that interview) as well as the Gangbox editorial Who is Doug McCarron.
Q What connection is there to Dubya, McCarron and Hoffa?
A The three Presidents have worked with each other on common issues, such as ANWR, since early 2001. In September 2001 McCarron rode Air Force One with Bush. In June 2002 Bush spoke at the UBC Legislative Conference.
Q Is the UBCJA in the AFL-CIO or out?
A The UBCJA left the AFL-CIO in March 2001 and negotiations for its return have thus far failed.
Q What is the ULLICO scandal all about?
A McCarron sits on the ULLICO board, seemingly to oversee invested carpenters union funds. As far back as 2000 he was among a dozen union leaders used their position to time the sale of their personally held ULLCIO stock. McCarron, who sold 3000 shares, insists his stock trades were proper. See Labor's Enron: Union Officials Profitted from Shady Stock Deal.
Q Are there investigations of McCarron's actions with ULLICO?
A A federal grand jury, the AFL-CIO, and ULLICO itself is looking into the allegations. All are ongoing.
Q I'm from the States and the bloody search engines keep dumping me here! I am only interested in American carpenters union information, eh?
A If you don't see more than enough Stateside news, like the links above, on the CarpsBC home page, how about looking at Carpenters Jawin - an East Coast carpenters union message board, or visiting the current-news website of New York Local 157. There is also a UBC Members email network you could join. Or you could visit the party line UBCJA website, where unquestionably American issues of The Carpenter are available in PDF format.
Q I'm only interested in wood working and home building, where's the stuff on carpentry?
A In frames on the home page you can click the *access to tools* button, or at the bottom of the main home page look in the *Jump2* dropdown menu for Fine HomeBuilding and Fine Woodworking.- the *access to tools* link is also near the middle of the map/index page.
Q I need some clip art and wood graphics for my webpage, where are they and how do I get them?
A Try carpenter gifs and carpenter logos for images, logos and links. When you see an icon you want just mouse-down and *save image as* or *download image to disk* and save in file of choice.
Q We need some safety meeting forms to shove down the bosses throat, what ya got?
A Scroll to the drop down menu on the bottom of the home page for a selection of safety forms and information, such as the *daily toolbox / tailgate checklist* and print out a few with flavour.
Q I found out I'm working for a CLAC company, they say they're a union and I say they suck. Who's right?
A "CLAC is not a real union," said Mary Rowles, a spokeswoman with the CLC (Canadian Labour Congress). "Their reputation is that they're a company union, invited in by companies to create sub-standard agreements that act as a shield to keep out real unions."
Q Are your Organizing posters for sale?
A Go to http://www.carpentersunionbc.com/Pages/organize.html and print out or download your choice. Other posters are linked in the *poster index* menu on the right side of the home page. No charge.
Q I work for the International, where do I get a Local 2300 hat?
A Send 25$ US and a return address to "Fortress 2300 Hat"
#2-2320 Columbia Ave, Castlegar BC V1N 2X1
Q How do I make the CarpsBC portal my start-up page when I boot-up my computer?
A To see http://www.carpentersunionbc.com/enter.html immediately when you sign on to the Internet, make it your browser's home page. If you are not sure which browser version you are using, select your browser's Help menu, and select About. You can also bookmark the site or create a desktop shortcut.
Netscape 6.0 and Netscape 4.0
Go to the "Edit" menu and choose "Preferences."
Select "Navigator" from the Category list on the left.
Under "Navigator starts with" check off the "Home Page."
Under "Home Page" type the following address in the location field:
http://www.carpentersunionbc.com/enter.html
Click "OK."
Internet Explorer 5.0
Go to http://www.carpentersunionbc.com/enter.html
Go to the "Tools" menu and choose "Internet Options."
Click on the "General" tab.
Click on the "Use Current" button.
Click "Apply."
Click "OK."
Internet Explorer 4.0
Go to http://www.carpentersunionbc.com/enter.html
Go to the "View" menu and choose "Internet Options."
Click on the "General" tab.
Click on the "Use Current" button.
Click "Apply."
Click "OK."
