HISTORY

The roots of Lathing Acoustical Drywall Systems Local 1144 run deep. For more than a century the craftsman and women associated with locals that would become Local 1144, have been building Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

Lather Local 104, full of proud, independent and respected mechanics was granted a charter in 1901. Those craftsmen passed-on that pride and feeling of independence. Acoustical and Drywall Local 1982 was chartered in 1952. A few single-minded craftsmen fought to have a specialty local that represented those who had chosen to do what they did for a living. It wasn't easy but they were determined . Today, the local is still moved by that same determination. Those active members saw the changing trends in the building trades and when the time was right, pushed for the merger of locals 104 and 1982. That merger of a combined five hundred-fifty members formed LADS Local 1144. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America presented the new local with a charter, on September 15,1983. Those actions preceded coming changes in the interior systems industry. Once again, the local was ahead of the curve.

Today, LADS Local 1144, with a membership over two thousand five hundred, is the largest local in the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, a five state council that encompasses: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. The jurisdictional area for the current Wall and Ceiling Agreement is Western Washington; from the crest of the Cascades to the Pacific and from the Canadian border south to Winlock. Within that area, the local dispatches; lathers, acoustical mechanics, drywall hangers and metal stud framers, welders, thermal insulators and utility men to the wall and ceiling industry.

Apprenticeship and training is the foundation of the interior systems industry. A joint labor/management training committee oversees a state approved, award winning, innovative, three-year apprenticeship program. In addition, life-long learning is available through a comprehensive journeyman skill enhancement curriculum. 

The local is proud of its longtime partnership with the Northwest Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association, the Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau and the many independent contractors that make up our signatory contractor list. Over the years labor and management have worked in tandem on many important issues that affect the wall and ceiling industry in the area. Labor and management meet, as a committee, on a regular basis.

The members and elected leadership of Local 1144 are dedicated to the continuing principle of excellence in service to the membership, protection and growth of the industry, political action and community service. The office of Local 1144 is in the Labor Temple, 2800 First Ave. room 312 Seattle. Phone 206-441-1144 or 1-800-422-7013. Membership meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm in hall #1 at the Labor Temple. Members are encouraged to attend and participate. "The Rocksheet" a monthly publication with a wide circulation throughout the U.S. and Canada, keeps the membership and others informed of vital and interesting issues and ordinary local business. To be added to the mailing list, contact Susan Clark editor at the local office.

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Eric Franklin