The UBC Emblem

Originally designed by the old National Union of Carpenters in 1864, today’s emblem was officially adopted in 1884 by the delegates at the United Brotherhood of Carpenter’s Fourth General Convention. The UBC emblem serves as a symbol of the union’s ideals.

While some of the tools depicted in the emblem are no longer common on job sites, all of the design elements and the values they represent remain vital to the Brotherhood:

• Motto: Inscribed in Latin, “Labor Omnia Vincit.” It means “Labor Conquers All Things.”
• Rule: Signifies the UBC’s commitment to live by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
• Compass: Represents the union’s commitment to the social, moral, and intellectual well-being of its members.
• Jack plane: A tool emblematic of the trade.
• Colors: Pale blue represents our ideas as pure, clean, and lofty as the skies. The dark red symbolizes the blood that flows through the veins of those whose labor is honorable.
• Shield or base of the emblem: Indicates that those legally wearing the emblem are morally bound to safeguard and protect the interests of the organization and its members.

Similar elements and symbols appear on our union label, which is affixed to quality products made by UBC members.