Carpenters Learn More About the Union at Mass

By Marie Elena Giossi

Handing her father tools as he made improvements to their Windsor Terrace home was the beginning of Susan’s career as a finish carpenter, installer and ornamental plasterer.

After years of self-employment, getting jobs through word of mouth and managing all aspects of her business on her own, she’s ready to make the jump and become a union worker.

That’s what brought her to the St. Joseph the Worker/Carpenters Mass, co-sponsored by the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Local Union 926 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, on Sunday, May 6, 10:30 a.m., at the diocesan offices in Park Slope.

After Mass, attendees were invited to a continental breakfast with members of Carpenters Local Union 926 to discuss membership opportunities.

Marie Elena Giossi Photo

Sal Zarzana, president and business manager of Carpenters Local Union 926, center, and a union member, at left, present the offertory gifts to Father John Cush at the St. Joseph the Worker/Carpenters Mass on May 6.

Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows in the chapel at 310 Prospect Park West as Father Kieran Harrington, director of the diocesan Office of Government Affairs and Public Policy, and Father John Cush, director of formation at Cathedral Prep Seminary, welcomed all to the mid-morning Mass.

Attendance was not as high as hoped, most likely due to the abundance of first Communions, baptisms and weddings that take place during this season.

“The people who are here are the people who God called here today,” Father Harrington said, assuring those in attendance that the aim of the day would be fulfilled.

A chance conversation between Sal Zarzana, president and business manager of Carpenters Local Union 926 and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio at the Columbus Day Parade in Bensonhurst last October, led to this event.

The Mass and breakfast were proposed “to bring some more of our members into the Church. I’m hoping more of our members will go back to church and workers who already go to church will come into the union,” Zarzana said.

Organizers chose early May for this gathering to coincide with the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, May 1.

“We come today to honor this great man, Joseph, the humble carpenter of Nazareth, the foster father of Jesus... Joseph stands for us as a model, in fact, the model of what it means to be a worker, what it means to be a believer and ultimately, what it means to be a man,” Father Cush said in his homily.

As he looked upon the congregation, which included a father with two little girls, he spoke about Joseph as a model of faith, hope and love. He related that model to the life and actions of his own father, who was president and business manager for Ironworkers Local 361.

Father Cush said his father “didn’t always like every guy in the union … but he loved the Brotherhood of the Union, working with and for them for a common purpose and goal, which was the betterment of themselves and society.”

“Love doesn’t always mean liking someone. It means wanting the good for them. Love is doing the right thing for our brothers, working towards true and real solidarity,” he told the men and women in attendance.

“Union is key but the most important union is the one we have with God, who gives us the benefits of faith, hope and love,” he said.

After Mass, Susan and others interested in joining the union noshed on bagels and sipped coffee as they met union members.

Zarzana explained that Brooklyn’s local United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America is about 2,500-members strong and they would like to increase their membership by 500 people.

“Right now, we’re running about 80% employed. In this union, there’s something for everyone,” he said.

Besides carpenters and joiners, the union includes millwrights, pile drivers, residential and interior systems carpenters, lathers, framers, roofers, and dry wallers, cabinet makers and floor layers.

Anyone interested in joining the union must be in this country legally and must speak basic English. The union welcomes both men and women, skilled or unskilled, with or without high school diplomas/equivalency degrees.

“We help people get GEDs,” Zarzana said. “Whatever you don’t know school-wise, we’ll have you go to school to learn.”

There are paid apprenticeships available for those who may be new to the industry and career development opportunities, including training courses and specialized certifications so skilled journeymen can stay up-to-date in their field and become proficient in numerous trades.

Union members have the benefit of a union contract, which guarantees fair wages, health insurance, a pension plan, job security and on-site safety, and continuous skill training.

Zarzana asked all interested in joining the union to set up appointments with him this past week. He even offered to waive most of the initial $465 membership fee for those who attended the Mass.

A smile and look of hope came across Paul Stapleton’s face after meeting some men from Local 926. A parishioner at Good Shepherd, Marine Park, he has been installing windows for 20 years and has decided he needs the security and stability that union membership provides.

“I do carpentry and bricklaying. I’m trying to focus more on carpentry now,” said Dennis Brizan, who also attended the Mass with his wife Vern, both parishioners at St. Matthew’s, Crown Heights. “I’m ready to sign up and get going.”

Another Mass and brunch with representatives from local unions is being planned for early September, around Labor Day. For more information about that Mass, call the diocesan Office of Government Affairs and Public Policy at 718-399-5900 ext. 5408. For more information about joining Carpenters Union Local 926, call 718-237-0584.

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