Building Strength, Securing the Future: What the UBC 43rd General Convention Means for Millwrights in Canada
Delegates at the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) 43rd general convention sent a powerful message of solidarity this year: the UBC is united, energized, and ready to meet the challenges of the future. The re-election of General President Douglas J. McCarron and his leadership team to a new five-year term was met with resounding support and celebration from delegates.
General President McCarron has guided the UBC through three decades of transformation. His leadership has emphasized accountability, investment in members, and a relentless focus on growth. With Canadian District Vice President Jason Rowe continuing to represent our members at the District level, the Millwright Regional Council (MRC) is well-positioned to advance our priorities across Canada.
Retention: Defending Jurisdiction in a Changing Industry
The Contracts and Jurisdiction Committee reinforced a point that resonates strongly with millwrights: our work must remain our work. With large scale construction, renewables, and energy projects growing, disputes with other trades are increasing. Delegates emphasized the importance of accurate reporting, timely claims, and strong communication to protect jurisdiction.
“Our strength as millwrights is our precision, our safety, and our skill,” said Mark Beardsworth, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Millwright Regional Council. “If we don’t protect our jurisdiction, we risk losing not only work hours but also the trust contractors place in us. That’s why defending our work is at the heart of everything we do.”
Training: Preparing Members for the Industries of Tomorrow
The Industrial Committee celebrated major wins in refineries, power generation, and pulp and paper – sectors where millwrights remain indispensable. Yet, the conversation quickly turned to the future: hydrogen, carbon capture, and renewable energy. The committee urged stronger collaboration with the International Training Fund (CITF) to ensure members are ready for the jobs of tomorrow.
For the MRC, this aligns directly with our push to establish millwrights as leaders in mechatronics and advanced industrial maintenance. As industries evolve, so must our training and organizing.
Political Action: Economic Uncertainty and Union Stability
The Industry, Trade and Economy Committee provided a clear-eyed view of the economic landscape. Inflation and interest rates have eased, but uncertainty lingers. Construction backlogs remain steady, yet tariff questions persist. The committee reaffirmed the union’s role in shaping pro-labour policies, protecting project labour agreements (PLAs), and pushing back against unfair trade practices.
For Canadian millwrights, this highlights the need for political engagement. Whether it’s advocating for energy projects, ensuring fair competition, or strengthening industrial policy, the MRC continues to play a vital role in defending members’ livelihoods.
Organizing: A Shared Responsibility
The Organizing Committee report was a rallying cry: “Organizing is everybody’s job.” Thousands of new members and dozens of contractor agreements have been added since the last convention, thanks to new tools like texting platforms, digital ads, and targeted campaigns. Still, challenges remain, particularly in regions with weak labour laws and non-union competition.
Through initiatives like UNITE (Union Network for Inner Trade Expansion) and coordinated organizing strategies, the MRC is meeting these challenges head-on. Combining traditional jobsite leadership with modern outreach ensures millwrights are at the forefront of UBC’s growth.
“As millwrights, we know the value of teamwork,” Beardsworth noted. “Organizing isn’t the job of one representative or one committee – it is the job of every member. Every time we prove our skill on a jobsite, every time we bring a contractor on board, we’re growing the UBC one project at a time.”
A Unified Path Forward
The re-election of General President McCarron and his leadership team, paired with the committee reports, signals a unified path forward for the UBC. Defending jurisdiction, preparing members for future industries, engaging politically, and organizing aggressively are not just priorities for the UBC, they are the daily work of the Millwright Regional Council.
For Canadian millwrights, the message from the convention is clear: we are stronger together, and together we will continue to build opportunity, protect market share, and secure a prosperous future for our members and contractors.
About the Millwright Regional Council
The Millwright Regional Council (MRC) is composed of twelve affiliated Local Unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) across Canada. The UBC Millwrights are vital partners in diverse industries such as energy, automotive, aerospace, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. ubcmillwrights.ca
For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Bredin
Director of Communications
Millwright Regional Council
416-757-5161
abredin@ubcmillwrights.ca
