Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund - EIWPF

08/13/2025

When Frank Christensen became the International Union of Elevator Constructors ’ General President in 2012, he made a commitment to improve safety in the elevator industry and reduce jobsite fatalities.

Today, the IUEC is announcing a major milestone in that effort – 1,000 days without a jobsite fatality among IUEC members. What better time to celebrate this achievement than during OSHA’s 2025 Safe + Sound Week.

Under President Christensen’s leadership, the IUEC established an international safety department and safety committee, set up local area safety committees at each IUEC Local, and increased outreach efforts to members and affiliated companies. The membership responded by prioritizing job hazard analyses, always using the personal protective equipment provided to them by their companies, and constantly remaining vigilant of hazards on the job.

To learn more about the IUEC’s commitment to safety, visit:

https://www.elevatorinfo.org/iuec-safety-committee-improving-safety-elevator-industry/

Today we’ve hit 1,000 days without a jobsite fatality among IUEC members. What an accomplishment!

This milestone isn’t just a number — it’s proof of the hard work, care, and commitment every one of our members brings to the job every day.

You’re the reason we’re safe. You watch each other’s backs, you follow the training, and you never settle for less than everyone going home safe.

Let’s keep this going. Here’s to many more days and years of looking out for each other. Stay safe out there!

05/19/2025

Elizabeth Murray-Belcaster, Workforce Development and Public Affairs Specialist for the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund (EIWPF), was recognized as one of Illinois’ ‘Women to Watch’ during the fourth annual Emerging Women Leaders Conference in Springfield.

Illinois State Representative Brad Stephens, who nominated her for this honor, said “I invited Liz to attend the Women to Watch event because of her extraordinary leadership and impact at the intersection of military advocacy, workforce development, and public policy. As President of EMB Consultants, she has been a tireless champion for Veterans and military families, building nationwide partnerships that connect service members to meaningful careers. Her deep experience in coalition building, policy development, and civic engagement - combined with a proven track record of driving real change - makes her a standout leader and a true woman to watch.”

Murray-Belcaster has played a pivotal role in enhancing the International Union of Elevator Constructors Veterans Assistance Program (IUEC-VAP)'s outreach and effectiveness by including the team in meetings at the White House with Task Force Movement, a national Veterans initiative for which she serves as Executive Director. She has also engaged them in high-level advocacy meetings with the Secretary of the VA along with the Assistant Secretary of Department of Labor VETS, as well as the AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council, the American Legion, the Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, and other Veteran-invested communities.

Learn more about the work the IUEC-VAP is doing to help IUEC Veterans and their families by visiting the ElevatorInfo news blog here: https://www.elevatorinfo.org/iuec-vap-launches-local-area-veterans-committees/

03/25/2025

🇺🇸 The International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC), through their Veterans Assistance Program (VAP), is helping Vets navigate VA benefits and disability claims. As IUEC General President Frank Christensen put it: "What's owed to them, they should get."

🪖 The IUEC, along with Helmets to Hardhats, is creating a "wraparound system" for Veterans entering the workforce. It's not just about jobs, it's about replicating the sense of purpose, camaraderie, and security found in military service; and with only 3% of GI Bill beneficiaries using it for on-the-job training and apprenticeships, there's massive potential for growth.

Read more in American Legion’s post ⬇️
https://www.legion.org/information-center/news/washington-conference/2025/february/our-mission-hasnt-changed

The latest meeting of Task Force Movement (TFM) – the public-private partnership to shepherd the military-connected community into jobs in industries needing workers – was held Feb. 25 at the Washington Hilton in the midst of The American Legion’s Washington Conference, itself held in the mids...

02/28/2025

Earlier this week, members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors Veterans’ Assistance Program (IUEC-VAP) were in Washington, DC, to participate in a Task Force Movement (TFM) Partners Meeting at the 65th American Legion Washington Conference.

Featured speakers included Frank Christensen, IUEC General President; James A. LaCoursiere Jr., National Commander of the American Legion; and Kris Rick, Director of the Office of Strategic Outreach from the Department of Labor Veterans Employment & Training Service (VETS). There were also panel discussions on Union Veterans & Skilled Trades, the collaboration between the American Legion & IUEC VAP Claims & Disabilities Support, and Cybersecurity, along with updates on the work of the TFM. The event was moderated by Elizabeth Belcaster, Executive Director of the Task Force Movement and Workforce Development and Public Affairs Specialist for the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund - EIWPF.

Participating in panel discussions were Jason Gray, IUEC-VAP National Chairman; Ryan Donnell, IUEC-VAP National Co-Chairman; Ben Valinsky, IUEC-VAP National Director of Programs and Education, and Jeff Handibode (online), IUEC-VAP National Claims & Disabilities Liaison; along with Martin Helms, Executive Director of Helmets to Hardhats; Will Attig, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO, George Chewning, Senior Advisor, Union Veterans Council; Col. (Ret) Sam Whitehurst, Vice President of the Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services; Esmeralda Silva, Title IX Coordinator and Vice President for Student Affairs at Alliant International University; and Chris Etesse, CEO of Fusion Cyber.

While in DC, IUEC-VAP staff visited with Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (Illinois 3rd district) and attended a Joint House and Senate Veterans’ Service Organization (VSO) Hearing of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs featuring presentations by the American Legion & Multi VSOs (MVA, JWV, NACVSO, MOAA, NASDVA, IVMF, WWP).

To watch a video of the congressional hearing on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs website, visit https://veterans.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=6649

11/11/2024

Today is Veterans Day. To all of the members of our armed forces who have served our country, we thank you for your service.

Please visit the Elevator Industry Work Preservation News Page for a message from the IUEC Veterans Assistance Program:
https://www.eiwpf.org/iuec-vap-message/

Message from the International Union of Elevator Constructors' Veterans Assistance Program on Veterans’ Day.

10/09/2024

🙌🏻 Members and friends of the International Union of Elevator Constructors recently gathered in Kansas City, MO, to celebrate the appointment of Jim Chapman III to his new role as Assistant General President.

🧑🏻‍💼 Throughout the night, when people had the opportunity to speak about their experiences working with him over the years, the same characteristics were mentioned again and again – Jim’s knowledge of the contract, bylaws, and constitution; willingness to answer questions; integrity; and helpful nature with IUEC members from all across the spectrum, from probationary apprentices through retirees with decades of experience.

✅ For more about the event, check out our blog article and video:
https://www.eiwpf.org/iuec-celebrates-agp-appointment-jim-chapman-iii/

12/18/2023

🗣 At the 2023 IUEC International Conference in Columbia, MD, Dylan Angus spoke with union leadership from across the United States and Canada about the importance of avoiding distraction and working safe.

Dylan’s father, Ross Angus, was tragically killed in an on-the-job accident in 2011. A top adjuster and member of IUEC Local 96 in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada), Ross had worked in the elevator trade from his teens until his death at the age of 48.

👷‍♂️ As a Construction Safety Supervisor, Dylan has dedicated his career to improving safety in the elevator trade. “You owe it to your family, your friends, and your colleagues to slow down,” he says.

🛠 He believes the IUEC and signatory companies have made important advancements in safety in the years since his father’s death, and hopes that sharing his father’s story will help continue to move the industry toward a culture of safety. “We’re doing a lot better…. but we’re still having serious injuries every year, we’re still having fatalities. And one serious injury, one fatality, is way too many.”

Read Dylan’s story here ⬇️
https://www.eiwpf.org/importance-of-working-safe-dylan-angus/

11/30/2023

🪖🛠️ The International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) has never forgotten that the sacrifices and patriotism of our servicemembers are the reasons we are able to live and work in freedom. We are proud to have thousands of Veteran servicemembers among our membership.

✨ The new Elevator Constructors Veterans’ Assistance Program (VAP) was created to provide IUEC members who are Veterans with support and resources. It will be a valuable benefit to our Veteran members and their families, helping our nations’ bravest receive the benefits and recognition they deserve.

📣 Learn more about the Elevator Constructors VAP by visiting our blog here: ⬇️
https://www.eiwpf.org/iuec-launches-veterans-assistance-program/

Learn all about the new Elevator Constructors Veterans’ Assistance Program, created to provide IUEC members who are Veterans with support and resources.

05/30/2023

🔧👷 Last week, the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC), the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund - EIWPF, and Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) joined the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) and IUEC Local 71 to highlight for Miami-Dade lawmakers and other County officials the value of hands-on training and education opportunities in the organized elevator industry.

💬 “Everything the IUEC does – it’s all about safety. We fight every day not only for the safety of our members but for a safer industry as a whole. What’s more, the IUEC advocates for the safety of the men, women, and children riding elevators and escalators as part of their daily routines,” said IUEC Organizer Abel Arabitg.

Check out the full story ⬇️
https://www.eiwpf.org/world-class-apprenticeship-training-takes-center-stage-in-downtown-miami/

he International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC), the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund (EIWPF), and Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) this week joined the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) and IUEC Local 71 to highlight for Miami-Dade lawmakers and other County officials t...

05/09/2023

Last week, nearly 100 members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) attended the 2023 North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) Legislative Conference in Washington, DC to discuss issues of importance to working people in America.

President Joe Biden spoke to workers from the elevator industry along with those from more than a dozen other NABTU-affiliated groups about building and rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, crediting the skills they gained by participating in USDOL-registered apprenticeship programs like the National Elevator Industry Educational Program as a critical part of ensuring this work is done right while creating pathways to middle-class incomes for workers and their families.

Additional speakers included Sean McGarvey (President, NABTU), Martin J. Walsh (former U.S. Department of Labor Secretary), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R)(PA-01). IUEC General President Frank Christensen was in attendance as well, welcoming elevator constructors from across the country and representing them on stage alongside leaders of other NABTU-affiliated unions.

While in DC, IUEC mechanics met with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to raise awareness for issues that impact not only the conveyance industry but everyone who makes a living in construction in America.

For more information, check out our blog: https://www.eiwpf.org/iuec-members-attended-the-2023-north-americas-building-trades-legislative-conference/

Nearly 100 members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) attended the 2023 North America’s Building Trades (NABTU) Legislative Conference this week. While there the IUEC elevator constructors and leadership met with dozens of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to voice the...

05/08/2023

We are pleased to congratulate David Morgan on being selected as the Executive Director for the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP).

Before stepping up to his new role, Dave spent some time working alongside us as an EIWPF National Coordinator. While at EIWPF, he was instrumental in the development of EIWPF’s Media team and the ElevatorInfo website. He was also a respected instructor for the Qualified Elevator Inspector Training Fund’s QEI Certification Program. An IUEC elevator constructor since the mid-1990s, Dave was a NEIEP instructor for 21 years, served as a Business Agent/Financial Secretary for IUEC Local 4 in Boston, and, most recently, became an International Vice President and a National Organizer for the IUEC .

ElevatorInfo visited Dave at the NEIEP Instructor Training Center in Warwick to speak with him about his plans for the future of the elevator industry’s most respected educational program – check out this link to learn more.