In Senate, new DFL majority puts refinery safety atop to-do list

Refinery safety is back on the agenda at the Minnesota Capitol. Union tradespeople helped pack the Senate Labor Committee’s hearing Jan. 12, when members heard public testimony on a bill that would require registered apprenticeship training for workers performing certain jobs in the state’s two petroleum refineries. “In my career it was easy to spot […]

Dems’ climate measure ties tax credits to prevailing wage, apprenticeship

The tax credits will create a projected 9 million jobs building energy-efficient commercial buildings, housing and electric vehicle charging stations, as well as investments in energy sources outside of fossil fuels.

Unions’ pre-apprenticeship program puts more Minnesotans on path to construction careers

Thirty-five Minnesotans are a big step closer to family-sustaining careers in the unionized construction industry after graduating from the Building Strong Communities program last week. Elected officials, union leaders, employers and family members gathered for a ceremony May 5 at North Hennepin Community College to recognize graduates of the pre-apprenticeship program for women, veterans and […]

Minnesota Building Trades on path to becoming Yellow Ribbon organization

The state Building Trades council held a signing ceremony Wednesday with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a federal program that promotes cooperation between National Guard members and their civilian employers.

Report: Union construction sites draw fewer safety violations

In Minnesota, OSHA inspectors found 40% fewer violations per inspection on union worksites than they did on nonunion sites.

Concrete Christmas display showcases union apprentices’ skills

The annual “Concrete Christmas” display will stay up through Dec. 7 at the Cement Masons and Plasterers Training Center in New Brighton.

49ers’ courses offer high schoolers ‘3-for-1’ credit opportunity

Operating Engineers Local 49 is hoping a new partnership with Minnesota Virtual Academy will draw more high-school graduates into the union’s registered apprenticeship program – and help meet future demand for skilled, trained workers in the heavy-equipment industry. At the start of this school year, instructors from Local 49 began teaching for-credit courses open to […]

Making the adjustment: Union apprenticeship programs get creative to navigate COVID-19 safely

The result isn’t always ideal, but what has been in 2020? 

In victory for unions, Trump administration leaves construction out of new apprenticeship rule

Allowing IRAPs in the industry would have created a shortcut around the rigorous standards of registered apprenticeship, unions argued.

IBEW 110’s growing minority caucus hooks up Habitat house in Faribault

Saturday was a national day of service for the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, and 25 volunteers from St. Paul-based Local 110 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers spent the morning roughing in a Habitat for Humanity home in Faribault. The service project brought together journey-level workers, apprentices and their family members. Volunteer turnout was […]