Watch the losses climb from 2017 to now! $8.4 billion a year was lost from 2017 through 2020 and $10 billion a year from 2021.
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WHEN CARPENTERS TAKE ACTION, WE WIN
When it’s time to take action, UBC members always step up to the plate. Here are some recent accomplishments:
2025
From Atlanta, Georgia, to Fort St. John, British Columbia; from New York City to Los Angeles, and in scores of cities and towns throughout the United States and Canada, members and supporters of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America took part in over 150 educational and protest events during Tax Fraud Days of Action, April 12 – 18. Activities included rallies, members holding banners, ride-alongs to job sites with policymakers, an online forum with state attorneys general, honoring responsible contractors, job-site protests and visits with banking officials and insurance commissioners. The campaign to eradicate construction industry employer tax fraud continues to gain attention and score improvements at the local, state and federal levels.
TAX FRAUD DAYS OF ACTION 2025 WRAP UP VIDEO
Here is a sampling:
Toronto, Ontario—UBC Canadian District officials sat down with the newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss a range of issues, including employer tax fraud and the underground economy. Carney was receptive and spoke of the need to work together to address employer tax fraud. Across Canada, UBC council representatives met with staffs of provincial ministers and members of provincial assemblies, exploring solutions to the problem of exploitation of workers caught up in the underground economy.
Honolulu, Hawaii— Wearing “Carpenters In Action” t-shirts, members of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters demonstrated at the state capitol in Honolulu. And in an interview with council representatives, Acting State Insurance Commissioner Jerry Bump stated that workers’ compensation premium fraud “undermines the financial integrity of the insurance system” and negatively impacts workers as well as honest businesses.
Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire—Members of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters demonstrated against tax fraud at rallies and protests in Salem and South Portland, New Hampshire; Bridgeport, Connecticut; and in Lexington, Springfield and Worcester, Massachusetts.
Kentucky—Representatives of the Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters visited jobsites with local elected officials in Lexington to discuss the tax fraud crisis, and a second event was held in Louisville.
North Dakota—Representatives of the North Central States Regional Council held meetings to discuss construction employer tax fraud and solutions with Governor Kelly Armstrong and Secretary of State Michael Howe.
Wisconsin—In Appleton, Madison and Green Bay, representatives of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters hosted ride-alongs to jobsites with local elected officials to educate them about the fraud playbook. Additional protests and job actions occurred in Brookfield and Brown Deer.
See the photos below and read the Days of Action blog for a full wrap-up here
A Northern California flyer gets the word out.Alberta Local 1460 Membership MeetingAlton, Illinois Mayor David Goins Stands Up Against Tax FraudAt a protest picketline in MinnesotaAtlantic Canada carpenters stand up!British Columbia Local 2736 members stand upCentral South Regional Council Political Director Gary Warren meeting with Gulf Coast Bank Representative Cindy CatalanoHanding out leaflets in Florissant, Missouri with Kurt Goodwin and Sam AdamsIn Miami, reaching out to the publicIn Michigan, Integrity Interiors President Evan Howe addressed a press conference. He was joined by State Senators Darrin Camilleri and Kevin Hertel.In NYC, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez addresses the crowd; at left is Manhattan Borough President Mark LevineIn Sacramento, Eric Charlick, Deputy Commissioner, California Department of Insurance, Enforcement BranchMeeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in TorontoMIssouri Times Op EdNear the US–Canada border at the High Rise Pembina TowerNew York City District Council Executive Secretary Treasurer Paul Capurso and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards stand with UBC members!North Central States Regional Council representatives at a South Dakota jobsite visit with state Secretary of Labor Marcia Hultman and State Senator Sue PetersonOn the job with Local 1410 members in Kingston, OntSacramento County District Attorney Thien HoSpeaking to the media in HonoluluStanding up at the Illinois State Capitol in SpringfieldStanding up in Atlantic CanadaStanding Up in Hawai’iStanding up in Miami!Standing up in Ontario, Canada.Standing up in Sacramento!Standing Up, Speaking Out In MiamiCalifornia State Assembly Member Joe PattersonVisiting Alberta Local 2736, MLA Jordan Kealy, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Peace River NorthDrivers on Newfoundland roads saw this billboard protesting fraud
Arizona Attorney Gen Kris Mayes
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs
California UBC Local 909 representatives interviewed exploited workers, members of area school boards and firefighters about the impact of employer tax fraud.
California: In San Diego, School Board Member Richard Barrera goes in-depth to explain how tax fraud harms the effort to provide high-quality public education.
Andrew Bredin of Canada’s Millwright Regional Council breaks down the underground economy and fraud in construction, and says, “If you see it, report it!”
Hawaii Acting Insurance Commissioner Jerry Bump speaks out on the impact of tax fraud
In the Los Angeles area, local government and school officials speak out on the impact of tax fraud in construction.
In Kentucky, a county executive speaks up on Bergen County’s effort to get construction employers to obey the law.
Rallying at the state capitol in Honolulu Hawaii
In the Central Midwest, Ashley Maffioli tells her story
The Michigan Regional Council hosted a press conference on tax fraud featuring Council Representative Mike Jackson, Jr.; Evan Howe, President of Integrity Builders; and State Senators Darrin Camilleri and Kevin Hertel.
The Ohio Senate awarded a citation to the Central Midwest Carpenters for their advocacy for workers and the middle class
Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts speaks out on protecting carpenters’ wages and workers’ rights.
