Member Stories

April 13, 2022

Women at Work: Council Industrial Rep Shanta Prude

Council Industrial Rep Shanta Prude grew up in a Carpenters family. Her mother, father, grandfather, and uncles have all been a part of our union. Most still are. Her grandfather joined the local union when it began in the 60’s, so it has always been a part of her life. Because of this, Shanta witnessed the difference between non-union employment and union employment over the span of decades.

Shanta lives in Many, LA, where the only work options include a plywood mill owned by the same company. There is a third option twenty minutes away, a non-union facility, Weyerhaeuser. There was a clear difference in employment between the non-union facility and the union facilities, which offered better pay and access to benefits.

When Shanta began working, she joined the Carpenters Union but did not participate in meetings or events. It was this way for years. Then in 2017, Shanta was invited to attend a SIBS conference hosted at the International Training Center in Las Vegas. She says this experience changed everything.

 “My eyes opened to the enormity of the union, and I was eager to become more involved.”

She began attending meetings and volunteering for events. Then, when the Central South Council needed a SIBS rep, she was selected. Eventually, she was appointed to represent the Southern District for the International SIBS committee and is involved in organizing and planning on the international level.

As time progressed, the rep who signed her into the union, Greg Carter, was ready to retire. Shanta wanted to replace him, so she submitted an application for the position, went through the interview process, and was selected. Now 12 years into her membership, Shanta is working as the Councils Industrial Rep in charge of 7 different facilities.

Shanta is passionate and committed to her work within the council. She spends her days helping members with issues that arise and her evenings planning how sisters can become more involved within the union. She is also organizing the first Central South SIBS Conference, scheduled this summer in New Orleans, LA.