Within the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) and Joiners of America lies the Sisters in the Brotherhood (SIB), a union organization dedicated to recruiting, retaining and assisting women who are interested in the trades. According to David Gross, executive director, International Standards & Training Alliance (INSTALL), the first committee was formed in 1998 in Boston, Massachusetts. Since then, a total of 131 Sisters in the Brotherhood committees have been established throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here, he provides an update on how the unions have evolved over time and talks in depth on the support and resources the Sisters in the Brotherhood offers to women who are interested in the trades as a career option.