Unions pushed state lawmakers to address the mental-health crisis in their industry, pointing to suicide rates among construction workers that are four times higher than the national average.
New state grants support suicide prevention in construction industry
February 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Tradeswomen honored at local ceremony as Trump halts efforts to diversify industry
July 23, 2025 by
Union tradespeople from across Minnesota gathered at a White Bear Lake banquet facility June 5 to celebrate winners of the 2025 Women Building Success Awards, which recognize women forging careers in an industry long dominated by men. Minnesota Building Trades unions founded Women Building Success (WBS) in 2017 to recognize and promote the achievements of […]
Trump guts agencies key to keeping worksites safe
May 23, 2025 by
Local unions’ Workers Memorial Day observances took on heightened urgency this year, as the Trump administration sought to hollow out federal agencies critical to protecting workers from injury, illness and death on the job. Workers Memorial Day falls on April 28, the date President Richard Nixon signed the Occupa-tional Safety and Health Act into law […]
Up for a challenge: Competitors test their skills at WBS Trade Games
December 10, 2024 by
It wasn’t gold, silver or bronze, but there was plenty of metal in play during the Trade Games Challenge at St. Paul Pipefitters Local 455’s training center Nov. 21. Hosted by Women Building Success (WBS) to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, the friendly, hands-on competition drew nearly 200 participants in its second year. “This event has […]
Updated prevailing wage standards ‘a tremendous win’ for tradespeople
June 10, 2024 by
The Labor Department’s updated federal prevailing wage standards in Minnesota will ensure tradespeople working on the Biden administration’s historic infrastructure investments are paid fairly and consistently, union leaders say.
Construction wage theft back on MN lawmakers’ agenda
March 17, 2023 by
Construction firms in Minnesota would bear greater legal responsibility for the labor practices of their subcontractors under legislation introduced by DFL lawmakers last month. Building Trades unions and worker advocacy groups say the measure is necessary in the wake of reported abuses on non-union construction sites, most notably the Viking Lakes development in Eagan, where […]
HealthPartners member? Former Trades leader seeks your vote in board election
October 25, 2022 by
Longtime union leader Harry Melander is hoping to give working people a voice on the HealthPartners board of directors. Melander, who retired as president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council last year, is one of four candidates running for three open seats on the 16-member board, which oversees the largest consumer-governed health care organization […]
Women Building Success celebrates tradeswomen at awards ceremony
June 3, 2022 by
Union tradeswomen and labor leaders gathered June 1 in White Bear Lake for the Women Building Success Awards, a celebration of local apprentices, journey workers and advocates for women pursuing careers in the construction trades. Women Building Success (WBS) is a Minnesota organization founded in 2017 to recognize and promote the achievements of women in […]
Unions honor fallen tradespeople on Workers Memorial Day
April 28, 2022 by
Twin Cities Building Trades councils observed Workers Memorial Day with a ceremony on the Capitol grounds today, remembering union tradespeople who died from workplace injuries and illnesses over the past year and rededicating their organizations to the cause of safer worksites. “Every worker, regardless of their language, their gender, their skin color, their age or […]
Report: Union construction sites draw fewer safety violations
December 13, 2021 by
In Minnesota, OSHA inspectors found 40% fewer violations per inspection on union worksites than they did on nonunion sites.
Union Advocate 