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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You’re probably not the first person to ask about days off or Wage Schedules, so we’ve compiled a list of our member’s most commonly asked questions.
DC16 craft Master Agreements are referred to as Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA’s). These agreements are negotiated between the leadership of DC16, craft representatives (representing members/labor) and the craft Management Association(s) with their designated Signatory Contractors (representing management). Ultimately, the vote of each and every member decides whether a CBA is ratified, or whether the demands are not met and the membership decides to go on strike.
Raises and allocations are determined once the CBA has been ratified. For example, a CBA is ratified with the following terms: $6.00 over three years ($2.00 per year increase), contract language could require benefits and or health and welfare increases. So, for a wage allocation, the craft would have an increase of $2.00 minus .25 Cents for benefits and .10 Cents for Health and Welfare; leaving a $1.65 to be allocated per the input of the members for the “wage allocation” vote. Typically, the E-Boards of each local with input from its membership will convene to discuss and develop the best options to present to the craft membership as a whole. The best options will be Motioned, Seconded and Carried to present as the option for your Local’s “wage allocation” vote. Those two options will be Motioned, Seconded and Carried to present as the option for your Locals “wage allocation” vote. All the members will then vote by secret ballot the option that best suits their needs and the needs of their family. *** Historically less than 15% of a local’s membership turns out to vote on their “wage allocation”, thus leaving their voice and future determined by others.
Our International, District Council and all our Local Unions were built by workers that banded together to fight for many, if not all, of the benefits, wages and working conditions we enjoy today. Our strength and solidarity is the bedrock and voice to which we exist and grow from this very day. Our relevance into the future not only depends on being the best and most highly trained workforce, but also the most active in organizing, political action, accesses and opportunity for all in our communities to build a career as a Professional Finisher. Check out our “Get Involved” tab for all current Volunteer Activist Committee activities and also your Local’s Union page for upcoming events in your Region.
You can get involved at every level of your career and your desire to make a difference in your Union. Attend your Local’s Union meetings, participate in your Local’s contract ratification votes, become active in the Volunteer Activist Committee, participate in all your Local’s Unions sub-committees, contract and wage allocation votes, understand and exercise your voice, your vote at the ballot box to ensure labor friendly candidates and initiatives that set the laws and policy that affect and govern our livelihoods.
Your “Over-the-Counter Dues” are to be paid directly to DC16 Centralized Dues and are to be paid monthly, or quarterly (depending on your Local Union Bylaws). Your payment can be made online through our DC16 website at www.dc16iupat.org or by check/money order. To pay online, you must first have downloaded and set up your “IUPAT Mobile Member Portal” by installing the App. available for Apple or Android users.
- Download and open the “IUPAT Mobile Member” App (MMP)
- Choose “Create Account”
- Enter your Member ID Number, Last Name, and Date of Birth
- Enter your e-mail, verify your e-mail, and create your password
- Your Password must be 12 digits, 1 capital letter, one number and one special character (except for $ sign) – Example: Password123!
- Your credentials for the “IUPAT Member Mobile Portal” will be the same credentials for you to login into the DC16 “Pay Member Dues” tab at www.dc16iupat.org
- Should you need assistance with your Member ID please visit your Local Union through the “Local Union” tab on our www.dc16iupat.org website, click your Local Union and you can email your Business representative or Admin directly.
Our online “Payment Portal” will allow you to make a “Monthly Payment”, “Quarterly Payment”, “Annual Payment”, or setup “AutoPay”, to ease the process for your choice of options. Utilizing our online payment method will allow you to access your “Electronic Dues” card through the “IUPAT Mobile Member Portal”.
To pay via check or money order, please send payments to: District Council 16 c/o: Centralized Dues, 2705 Constitution Drive, Livermore, CA 94551. Please ensure to write your Member ID on your check/money order.
Please ensure you check your Local Union Bylaws for your Local Unions rules regarding Dues, Fees and Assessments.
Upon being laid off you should contact your Local Union ASAP to be placed on the Out-of-Work list. If you are an Apprentice and are laid-off for a reason other than a lack of available work you should notify your Business Representative ASAP and your Local Union office to get your name on the Out-of-Work list. You should refer to your Local Union By-laws for maintaining your status on the Out-of-Work list at the beginning of every month.
Your Local Union Business Representative is your first resource for any questions relating to your Local, contract, apprenticeship agreement, Local Union & District Council Bylaws and the Constitution of the IUPAT. The first thing you should do for any workplace issue is to document to the best of your ability all facts relating to the issue/complaint. Date, time, location, people involved, people present and all details outlining the incident/conflict. In addition, once you have memorialized the issue/conflict you should contact your job, or site Leadman, Foreman, Superintendent and then your Local Union Business Representative. Any reports given should also be documented by who & when they were given. For further Union representation, if needed, the Regional Director in the Region your craft is located can and will be brought in to resolve issues/conflicts.
Our Third-Party Administrators facilitate and maintain all (except members in the IUPAT Pension) “fringe benefits” for our members in Northern California and Nevada. Please go to your Local Union page on this site and click the link for your Third-Party Administrator that will take you directly to your plan’s information page.
We, the members of District Council 16, of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, AFL-CIO, believing that organizing and collective action is necessary to foster and adopt ways and means for the continuous improvement of the working and living standards of the members of the Locals affiliated with this International Union; to secure legislation in the interests of our members; to bring about higher wages, shorter hours and better working conditions for them; to influence public opinion by peaceful and legal methods, in favor of our affiliated organizations and all organized labor generally; to promote, encourage and bring into existence satisfactory contractual relationships with employers in the industries from which the members of our affiliates are drawn; to advance and maintain better relations between our members and their employers; and to otherwise enrich the lives of our members and their families and all other working men and women.
Interested in becoming a Union Member?
How To JoinWhether you are new to the Finishing Trades or are a seasoned pro, we are always accepting new applicants.
FIND YOUR LOCAL UNION BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE
Meet the DC16 Team in your Region
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- How to Get Involved
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- How to Become a Shop Steward
- File a Grievance
District Council 16 Leadership
“As a Painter by trade, I have been a proud dues paying member of Local Union 741 since 1998. I graduated from the Painter’s Apprenticeship Program in 2002 and started running work on commercial and industrial painting projects. Since 2012, I am honored to have served my Brothers and Sisters as a Business Representative, Director of Service, and currently as Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer of District Council 16 of the IUPAT. Through the core values of our Union, I am grateful for the opportunity to build upon its foundation of integrity for our members in all chapters of their lives.”
“My name is Brett Davis. I am a second-generation Glazier with Local 1621 based in San Jose, California. With 19 years of industry experience, I have been in the trade since graduating high school. I began my career at Franciscan Glass as an apprentice and then advanced to journeyman after completing my 5-year apprenticeship. I spent over 10 years at one shop and seven years of service on the E-board. I held many positions on the E-board, but my last position was President of the Local Union. This led me to my role as the Business Agent for Glaziers Local 1621 for the past 9 years. During this time, I have gained valuable insights into the industry. As my career moved on in the IUPAT, I was appointed Regional Director of the South Bay Offices, overseeing all agents and their daily tasks, training the newly hired agents and helping them be top performers at District Council 16. With many years of experience supporting our great union and members, this led me to my current role as Director of Service for District Council 16.”
“My name is Lance Ryken, I have been a grateful member of Local 12, the Carpet, Linoleum & Soft Tile Worker’s Union for the past 32 years. I learned the highly skilled trade of floorcovering and countless valuable life lessons as a DC16 union member. I’ve historically been involved in my local union holding a long position as a Trustee on the Local 12 Executive Board. When working as a journeyperson or lead man I always encouraged a healthy teamwork atmosphere to accomplish the projects safely and efficiently.
I have worked for District Council 16 as an organizer for over 20 years, including serving as Lead organizer for many years. I was appointed as the DC16 Director of Organizing in 2020 and throughout my career I have worked on countless organizing campaigns.
It is my honor to be a part of the labor movement, serve our members and contractors, and fight for the rights of workers. I feel it is my duty and privilege to assist the next generation of organizers working for DC16.
As Director of Organizing, I am resolute to battle all opposing fronts who are actively trying to diminish the future of our union.”
“I am a member of Glaziers Local Union 767 and have been so for the last 26 years. In that time, I have served on the Executive board for Local Union 767 as a Member at Large, Warden, Trustee, and Treasurer. I have also served as a delegate to District Council 16 for the last 10 years. In 2012, while a Leadman for Bagatelos Architectural Glass Systems, I was given the opportunity to become an Organizer for District Council 16 to help level the playing field for our signatory contractors and secure more hours for our members. I am proud to be able to continue representing and fighting for our members as your Political and Communications Director.”
“I am Alex Beltran your District Council 16 Director of Training. I am a Glazier by trade and have been a member of Local 767 for the past 24 years. I immediately became involved with the Local holding various executive board positions and I have been a Delegate to District Council 16 since 1998. In 2008 I was hired as a Glazing instructor, and in 2012 I was asked by then Business Manager Doug Christopher to take the position of Director of Training. Training and certifications have always been important to me and I am still constantly learning new products, processes, and teaching techniques in order to better serve the members of our Council. For example, I was one of the first Glaziers in the IUPAT to become a Certified Welding Inspector and Trainer through the American Welding Society.”
District Council 16 Officers
“Getting involved gave me the opportunity to help shape the future of our Union. Now we need everyone to have their voice heard and continue to grow opportunities for our next generation.”
“The best way to predict the future, is to take part in it. Being active in my Union allowed me to be part of the change I wanted to see. My mission now is to empower others to take action and get involved!”
“Hello I’m James Hewett, I was a Union Taper for 18 years, the Business Representative for Local 507 for 9 years and now the Assistant to the Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer for 7 years. I work hard to educate the future leaders of this Great Union, to gain new work opportunities for our working members, and to sign new contractors to our agreements, allowing for a future of prosperity and growth.”
“Hello, I am Tanner Carroll, I have been painting for 8 years and Instructing 3 of those years for the JATTF. My goal is to provide members of the IUPAT knowledge of new techniques, new equipment, and better hands on training throughout their careers, while building themselves and others around them.”
“My name is Frank Hewett. I have been a Taper for over 20 years. I have been on my e-board of union local 507 for many years. I started out as the warden. I have also been the treasurer and vice president. Now I am the local president. I am a delegate to DC 16. I am currently also a trustee to DC 16.”
District Council 16 Executive Board
“Being involved gives your community and your trade a voice. This voice will provide greater opportunities for our future Brothers and Sisters in the trades.”
“The best way to predict the future, is to take part in it. Being active in my Union allowed me to be part of the change I wanted to see. My mission now is to empower others to take action and get involved!”
“Hello I’m James Hewett, I was a Union Taper for 18 years, the Business Representative for Local 507 for 9 years and now the Assistant to the Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer for 7 years. I work hard to educate the future leaders of this Great Union, to gain new work opportunities for our working members, and to sign new contractors to our agreements, allowing for a future of prosperity and growth.”
“Hello, I am Tanner Carroll, I have been painting for 8 years and Instructing 3 of those years for the JATTF. My goal is to provide members of the IUPAT knowledge of new techniques, new equipment, and better hands on training throughout their careers, while building themselves and others around them.”
“Hello, I’m Jose Espinosa. I’ve been a Drywall Finisher for 15 years and as your District Council 16 Delegate. I work hard for the best interest of our membership.”
“Organizing will always be the life-blood of the labor movement, and you, the members, have continually been a driving force in organizing efforts. Member activist participation, hard work, and deep a connection with unionism has shaped our past and will be essential in our future. The Labor Movement “fights to right the wrongs” of exploited workers. It is imperative our members understand our past and commit to the battle ahead.”
“Every member has a voice, use it! Get involved, participate, grow your Union. Help your Brothers and Sisters in the trades when they need it and mentor the generations that will follow in our footsteps. Always remember the obligations that we have all taken ‘I…will never, from selfish motives, wrong a brother or sister, or see him or her wronged, if in my power to prevent it.’”
“I began my career in the Union as a first period Commercial/ Industrial Painter in 1995 and came on the District Council 16 Staff in November of 2008. I am now the Regional Director for the central valley region and the Business Representative for Local Union 294. Currently, I serve as a Trustee on the District Council 16 Executive Board, Trial Board and I also serve as Vice President of the Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Kings County Building Trades and Recording Secretary of the Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Kings County Central Labor Council. I am humbled to be able to serve our membership and very proud of the accomplishments achieved by our membership through training and collective bargaining.”
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