"In Western Pennsylvania a Carpenters District Council was formed on July 12, 1877 when Local Unions 142, 164, 165, 177, 180, 211, 230, and 237 thought they could better promote the aims of the Carpenters by concerted action. At that time, the primary purpose of the Carpenters Unions were to reduce the twelve-hour day, six-day week and to increase the daily wage of $2.25. Peter McGuire, the Father of Labor Day, and the First General Secretary of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, had organized these Local Unions and imbued them with a spirit of bettering the lot of their fellow workers.
     In their first efforts to negotiations with the contractors, they were able to establish a ten-hour day, with half day on Saturday, and an increase in wages to $2.50 a day. These rugged individualists, led by August Swartz, the first Business Agent; and J.D. Hughes, the President of the District Council; waged a continuous battle to organize additional Local Unions in the Greater Pittsburgh area and to create a better standard of living for the working men and women of that time.
     During the 1890's our [the] Union was confronted not only with a depression and economic upheaval, but also the A.F. of L. chose the Carpenters to spearhead the movement for the eight-hour day. The Carpenters were chosen due to the strength and size of their Organization. After a nine-year effort, they were successful in obtaining an eight-hour day, with four hours of work on Saturday and the wages were established at $2.75 per day.
     During the turbulent labor times starting in the early 1910's, the Carpenters District Council of Western Pennsylvania was led by E.A. Patton and then by William J. Kelly. Bill Kelly was a leader in labor circles in Western Pennsylvania for over fifty years and advanced the cause of unionism immeasurably. He rose from a position as a walking delegate, as the first Business Agents were called, to a General Executive Board Member of the International Organization. Recent leaders have been Carl T. Westland, followed by Joseph A. Senge."

(Source: "Brief History of the Carpenters District Council of Western Pennsylvania", a pamphlet by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America)