February 2022
MEMBER NEWS
Tim Hurd honored by Millwright Local 1000
The members of Millwright Local 1000 recently honored Tim Hurd with a plaque to recognize his craftsmanship, attention to detail and years of dedicated service to the local’s membership and to the Millwrights Apprenticeship Training Program. Learn more about the recognition here.
Arkansas training center nearing completion
The new millwright and carpenter training center in Russellville, Arkansas is around 85% complete. The 30,000 square feet of the new center will provide three times the space that Russellville's current facility offers. Learn more about the project's progress here.
Helmets to Hardhats offering giveaways
to veterans
Helmets to Hardhats has partnered with Milwaukee Tools to offer giveaways for its weekly Worksite Wednesday posts. Each veteran featured in the posts will receive a free tool package from Milwaukee Tools consisting of a jobsite speaker and a compact cooler.
To enter for the chance to be featured in Worksite Wednesday, veterans should submit the following items to [email protected]
  • Military Service Photo
  • Jobsite Selfie/Photo
  • Branch of Service Served
  • Trade with Local Number and Location
Follow along with Helmets to Hardhats’ Worksite Wednesday posts on Twitter: @HelmetsHardhats, on Instagram: @helmetstohardhats, or on Facebook: @Helmets to Hardhats.
Trampas Jackson's military experience led to seamless transition into union
Until 2018, Local 216 journeyman Trampas Jackson had spent all of his adult life serving in the military or in a federal job, but when it came time to chart a new course in his life, he chose the work of a millwright in the SSMRC. Read more about Trampas here.
Submit your nominations
for Community Service Challenge
Each quarter, the SSMRC recognizes members who go above and beyond in their communities. Members who are recognized receive the Community Service Challenge Award and gifts including a lunch cooler, T-shirt, and $250 gift card. If you know someone who should be honored with the Community Service Challenge Award, please send a text to 855-577-7672.
Member Milestones
Congratulations to the following members, who became journey-level millwrights between Dec. 16, 2021 and Feb. 10, 2022.
Local 216:
John Chenowith

Local 2232:
John Grothaus
James Hodgson
Tommie Matthews
Jordan McDade
Travis Rerich
Bryan Walton

Local 1554:
Aaron Chambers
Local 1192:
Benjamin Mancill
Matthew Copeland
Ethan Rickard
Joseph Crawford
Michael Patriquin
Jessie Crawford
Austin Hosea
Quentavious Barclay
Jacob McLemore
Jonathan Estelle
Joseph Marino
The SSMRC mourns the loss of the following members, who passed away between Oct. 10 and Nov. 15, 2021.
Local 1421:
Robert Ramsey
Local 2232:
Michael Solelo
WORK UPDATES
LABOR AND ECONOMIC NEWS
U.S. adds more than 400,000 jobs; unemployment rate stays steady at 4%
January's jobs report brought positive news: The economy added 467,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 4.0%. Over the last three months, the economy has added 541,000 jobs per month on average, with a total of 6.6 million since January 2021.

White House Task Force releases report
on promoting worker organizing,
collective bargaining
The White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment today released its report which details nearly 70 recommendations – approved by President Biden – that promote worker organizing and collective bargaining for public and private sector employees. Read the Department of Labor's announcement of the report's release here.
Women's wage gap reduced by 40%
when part of a union
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that unionized women earn, on average, 23% more than women who aren't union members, and being represented by a union reduces women’s wage gap by nearly 40% compared with the pay gap experienced by non-union women. Read more here.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Department of Labor making
mental health a priority
In a blog post in January, U.S. Secretary of Labor Mary Walsh shared news of a report that was sent to Congress that highlights the Employee Benefits Security Administration’s commitment to ensuring access to treatment for mental health conditions or substance abuse disorders. Read more about the report here.
Free COVID-19 testing kits available
All U.S. households are eligible to receive four free at-home COVID-19 testing kits from the U.S. Postal Service. Sign up for yours by visiting special.usps.com/testkits
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