Senator’s new State Fair booth – like most buildings on the fairgrounds – is union built

Putting up Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s booth on the State Fairgrounds is an annual tradition for the St. Paul Building and Construction Trades Council, but it isn’t the only structure on the fairgrounds built by union members – far from it, in fact.

“A majority of the building on the grounds were built union, going all the way back to the 1950s,” Don Mullin, the council’s executive secretary, said. “That continues today, whether it’s putting up new facilities or maintaining the old ones.

“It’s a great thing for tradespeople to be able to come out with their families to the fair and be able to show them something we build. It’s like we say, we’re proud to build St. Paul.”

St. Paul Building Trades volunteers on hand to help frame Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s new state fair booth included, L to R, (back) Ryan Ponthan, Rob Busch, Mick Christy and Aaron Hill of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, and (front) Joe Navejas, Laborers Local 563; Tim House, Plasterers Local 265; Brian Gullickson, Cement Masons 633.

Brian Gullickson (front) of Cement Masons Local 633 and Joe Navejas of Laborers Local 563 test the length of a crossbeam.

Ryan Ponthan

Ryan Ponthan (top) consults with Mick Christy, a fellow member of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters.

Volunteers from IUPAT District Council 82 pose for a photo with the finished project.

Volunteers from the Painters union.

This year Klobuchar’s campaign – at the suggestion of union tradespeople – purchased materials for a new, safer, state-of-the-art structure.

To ensure the initial installation went right, the council brought together volunteers from several of its member unions Aug. 15. Among them were Carpenters Local 322, Cement Masons Local 633, Electrical Workers Local 110, Laborers Local 563, Painters District Council 82, Plasterers Local 265, Plumbers Local 34 and Roofers Local 96.

“It’s a great opportunity for the Building Trades to showcase the work that we do, and to make sure Sen. Klobuchar has a great place to showcase the work she does for Minnesota,” Mullin said.