February 3, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As you know your dues are collected to fund the Local, District Council and International Offices of the Carpenters Union. In the past we have kept the dues obligation for early retirees as low as possible. Specifically with regards to retirees, the difference in what we pay in per capita and what we collect has increased over the years, resulting in a shortfall. Since it has not kept pace with Local's obligations to both the International and District Council Offices, we must now correct this situation.

In November 2008, The International Offices ruled for a $3 increase in its per capita contribution from each member, with the exception of early retired-disabled or retirees who have 30 years of service and 65+ years of age. Unfortunately, we can no longer hold off passing along the necessary increases to our early retiree membership as the International and District Council per capita obligation is now reached $69 per member per quarter.

To this end, here is the current breakdown of dues that will be collected by each of our designated membership groups.

·  Early Retirees - Disabled Members:                               $18.00 (exempt from increase)

·  Retirees with 30 years of continuous service

   and 65+ years of age:                                                  $18.00 (exempt from increase)

• Early Retirees who are not

  active working members:                                              $69.00 per quarter

·Early Retirees who continue to work:                            $132.15 per quarter

·General Membership:                                                   $132.15 per quarter

We need to increase the pressure currently being applied through political action and organizing efforts. Both of these require a monetary investment. We are at a critical crossroads in terms of survival for our union brothers and sisters. We need your support and understanding in this matter just as previous retirees supported our efforts in the past.

The above mentioned dues are effective as of January 1,2009. I apologize for not getting this notification out earlier, and trust that this has not caused any major inconvenience or hardship to any of you.

Fraternally yours,

Thomas McKeon