District Council 9

What District Council 9 does

District Council 9 is a non-profit labor union chapter of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) representing painters, decorators, drywall finishers, wall coverers, sign painters, metal polishers, bridge and structural steel painters, civil service painters, lead abatement workers, glaziers, architectural metal and glass workers, and paint makers across the New York metropolitan area, Long Island, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley. Founded in 1910 and headquartered at 45 West 14th Street in Manhattan, the organization operates through 10 affiliated local unions (18, 19, 20, 24, 113, 490, 806, 1087, 1456, 1486, 1974) and provides health insurance, pension benefits, collective bargaining representation, and scholarship programs to more than 11,000 members. The Finishing Trades Institute of New York (FTINY), based at 45-15 36th Street in Long Island City, runs six specialized apprenticeship programs covering each trade with on-the-job and classroom instruction, plus mandatory continuing education across the full workforce.

Revenue mechanics run primarily through recurring per-capita member dues paid by full dues-paying members of affiliated local unions, supplemented by employer per-capita contributions from signatory contractors. The union's distribution model is direct-relationship — contractors bound by collective bargaining agreements hire DC9 journeymen and apprentices on commercial, residential, infrastructure, and government construction projects throughout New York State, with NYC government work (notably a $26 million NYCHA Civil Service Apprenticeship program launched in 2016) representing a strategic government-customer channel for both training and ongoing service delivery. DC9 does not publish pricing or financial disclosures; the organization has no disclosed funding rounds, M&A activity, or external equity ownership, and is democratically governed by elected officers including a Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer and a Director of Organizing.

Name

District Council 9

Legal name

District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

Website

https://districtcouncil9.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

District Council 9 is a non-profit IUPAT labor union representing 11,000+ painters, decorators, drywall finishers, and allied trades workers across the New York metropolitan area, Long Island, Westchester, and Hudson Valley, delivering collective bargaining, health and pension benefits, and six apprenticeship programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Labor Union Services

NAICS

Painting and Wall Covering Contractors (23832), Building Finishing Contractors (2383), Specialty Trade Contractors (238)

SIC

Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction & General Labor Staffing (BPACAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

District HR, Labor Relations & Staffing Offices (EDADABAH), Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG), Heavy Civil Construction Trades (Roads, Bridges & Utilities) (EDAOAAAN), Labor, Employment Standards & Occupational Licensing Boards (BPAIAOAF)

Keywords

• Labor union services
• Finishing trades training
• Apprenticeship programs
• Union benefits administration
• Skilled trades representation

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Union Membership Dues: District Council 9 operates as a labor union supported by membership dues from full dues-paying members of affiliated Local Unions. The organization also receives per capita contributions from employers through signatory contractors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

District Council 9 is a labor union chapter of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) that represents painters, decorators, drywall finishers, glaziers, metal polishers, sign painters, and other finishing trades workers in the New York metropolitan area. The organization delivers skilled craftsmanship across seven core trade service divisions, provides collective bargaining and union representation, administers health insurance and pension benefits to 11,000+ members, and runs the Finishing Trades Institute of New York (FTINY) apprenticeship program covering six trades.

Product overview

District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) is a labor union organization providing skilled craftsmanship services through seven core trade service divisions: Painting & Wall Covering, Structure Steel & Bridgepainting, Window Filming, Sign & Display, Glazier & Architectural Metal and Glass Work, Metal Polishing, and Drywall Finishing. The organization also operates the Finishing Trades Institute of New York (FTINY) apprenticeship program that provides training for future union members. DC9 serves over 11,000 members across New York State and offers scholarship programs for members' dependents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Finishing Trades Institute of New York (FTINY): Training institute providing apprenticeship programs for DC9 members covering painting, decorating, drywall finishing, metal polishing, lead abatement, and other trades.

Products and services

• Painting & Wall Covering Professional residential and commercial painting services including plastering, spackling, wall covering installation, and decorative finishes, delivered through union signatory contractors.
• Structural Steel & Bridge Painting Structural steel and bridge painting services including lead abatement, abrasive blasting, wet blasting, and power tool cleaning for infrastructure projects.
• Window Filming Window film installation services including security film, anti-graffiti film, and solar film for commercial and residential markets.
• Sign & Display Sign manufacturing and installation services including hand-painted walls, billboards, murals, vinyl cutting and printing, and awning fabrication.
• Glazier & Architectural Metal and Glass Work Glazier and architectural metal glassworker services for commercial and residential applications.
• Metal Polishing Metal polishing and refinishing services for brass, copper, bronze, and silver, including protective and lacquer coatings.
• Drywall Finishing Drywall finishing services including curtain installation, surface preparation, taping, and spackling using state-of-the-art tools and techniques.
• Finishing Trades Institute of New York (FTINY) Apprenticeship Program Apprenticeship training program providing on-the-job and classroom instruction for aspiring tradespeople across painting, decorating, drywall finishing, metal polishing, lead abatement, and glazier work. Offers six apprenticeship programs, one for each trade.
• Union Membership Benefits (Health Insurance & Pensions) Health insurance, pension, and member benefit administration provided to more than 11,000 dues-paying members across 11 affiliated local unions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10,000 families provided with pathway to middle class
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Association of Master Painters and Decorators of New YorkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 June 2026Partnership administering the Association of Master Painters and Decorators of New York Scholarship (Painting Industry Promotion Fund). Available to members of Local Unions 18, 19, 20, 24, 113, 490, 1456 and 1486 whose children are graduating high school with at least a B average and attending a four-year university. Applications due July 31.
• New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2016Partnership to create the first civil service apprenticeship program for NYCHA residents. The $26 million program (funded by NYC City Council through 2018) provides training in painting, decorating, drywall finishing, metal polishing, and lead abatement. Upon completion, participants receive journeyman status and union membership. The program specifically targets diverse communities with 86% women and 96% minorities in the apprenticeship cohort.
• Association of Wall-Ceiling and Carpentry Industries (WC&C)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership administering the WC&C Scholarship for children of Drywall Tapers Local Union 1974 or District Council 9 members who have worked for a WC&C Contractor Member for minimum four weeks. Managed through ISTS application platform.
• New York Structural Steel Painting Contractors Association (NYSSPCA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership administering the Tim Ahern Scholarship for children of Structural Steel & Bridge Painters Local Union 806 members. Named in honor of Tim Ahern Sr., a union member who immigrated from Ireland.
• Finishing Trades Institute of New YorkcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining institution that conducts apprenticeship recruitments and provides classroom and on-the-job training for all DC9 trades. Located at 45-15 36th Street, Long Island City, covering New York City, Long Island, and Hudson Valley regions.
• Haren & Keller Painting Corp.minorOthersContractor member that donated paint and supplies for community service projects including the Tourette Association of America headquarters painting project in Bayside, NY.
• Benjamin Moore PaintsminorOthersPaint manufacturer that donated paint and supplies for the Bronx Museum of the Arts refinishing project, estimated value exceeding $20,000.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT): IUPAT is DC9's national parent union, organizing painters, drywall finishers, glaziers, and related trades across the U.S. and Canada. Directly comparable as the umbrella body governing DC9's collective-bargaining agreements, apprenticeship standards, and political advocacy.

Direct peers

• New York City District Council of Carpenters: The NYC carpenters' union represents finishing-trade carpenters and interior systems workers in the same NYC metro market. Operates under a parallel multi-trade, multi-local structure with signatory contractors and apprenticeship programs, making it a direct comparator in scale, governance, and GTM.
• Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York: The umbrella federation of NYC building-trades unions, including DC9. Comparable as the collective bargaining and political-advocacy body that DC9 participates in and whose project-labor-agreement strategy directly shapes DC9's access to large NYC projects.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3: IBEW Local 3 represents NYC-area electrical workers under a similar unionized construction model with apprenticeship programs, signatory contractors, and political advocacy. Comparable in scale, regional concentration, and reliance on public-sector project-labor agreements.
• United Association of Plumbers Local 1 (UA Local 1): UA Local 1 represents NYC plumbers and operates apprenticeship training and signatory-contractor relationships. Comparable as a NYC building-trades union with a similar dues-funded model, apprenticeship pipeline, and concentration in commercial/institutional construction.
• Sheet Metal Workers Local 28: SMW Local 28 represents NYC sheet metal workers with a comparable union structure, training center, and signatory-contractor base. Directly comparable on membership scale, geographic concentration, and apprenticeship-based talent development.
• International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 NY: BAC Local 1 NY represents bricklayers, tile setters, and stone masons in the NYC metro market. Comparable as a finishing/building-trades local with multi-trade scope, apprenticeship programs, and signatory contractor agreements on commercial and institutional projects.
• International Union of Operating Engineers Local 14-14B: IUOE Local 14-14B represents heavy equipment operators and stationary engineers in NYC. Comparable as a large NYC building-trades local with apprenticeship training, signatory contractors, and meaningful public-sector (NYCHA, NYC DEP) contract exposure similar to DC9's.

Others

• Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA): PDCA is the national trade association for painting and decorating contractors, including many of DC9's signatory contractors. Comparable as the employer-side counterparty to DC9 in collective bargaining, training standards, and industry advocacy for the same trades.
• Drywall and Interior Systems Contractors Association: Industry association for union-signatory drywall and interior systems contractors, including employers of DC9 Drywall Tapers Local 1974 members. Comparable as the counterparty contractor association in collective bargaining, apprenticeship sponsorship, and market standards for drywall finishing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DC9_IUPAT

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about District Council 9