In early April a Hennepin County trial judge obtained the first criminal conviction for wage theft in Minnesota history. It represents a significant milestone for union trades labor in Minnesota.
Looking to help fill skilled labor shortages, Minnesota could boost support through legislative action for Building Strong Communities, a program that opens its arms to disadvantaged populations.
Construct Tomorrow’s student participation numbers continue to show high schoolers are interested in careers in the building trades.
In honor of the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week, Women Building Success sponsored the Trades Games Challenge held at the Local 455 Steamfitters Pipefitters Local 455 Training Center in St. Paul.
More than 600 people feasted on 437 racks of ribs cooked at Minnesota Building Trades RibFest, an event that raises money for the Minnesota Building Trades Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee.
Moke Eaglefeathers, Cement Masons Local 633 Apprenticeship Coordinator, runs a summer camp like no other – a ten week pre-apprenticeship program just for young people from Minnesota’s Native American reservations.
Labor union approval continues to ride a crest not seen in nearly 60 years according to the latest poll released by Gallup. Seven out of 10 Americans (70%) say they have a positive view of labor unions.
Participation in Building Strong Communities (BSC), the 12-week apprenticeship preparatory program, accelerated in double digits yet again up a whopping 41% from last year.
On March 23, union plumbers from Local 34 in St. Paul, Local 15 in Minneapolis and Local 6 in Rochester took a Saturday off to volunteer their skills to help homeowners in need of their services. It was part of the 30th anniversary of Water’s Off.
Nine different locations hosted Construct Tomorrow events this school year. With one event remaining, Construct Tomorrow already looks to build upon a strong year.
People stopped to look at the prints that lined the Minnesota State Capitol rotunda in early March, past winners of the Women in Construction Week Photo Contest, just one of the events that recognized women in construction.
For more than 30 years, members of the Central Minnesota Building Trades have acted as the arms and legs for the Share the Spirit Christmas event.
