Minnesota Building & Construction Trades Council

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Minnesota’s Construction Trades Critical to a Reliable, Efficient Energy Future – Building Trades lay out Energy Infrastructure Priorities

Saint Paul, Minnesota -- As Minnesota develops public policy to transition to a reliable, carbon-free energy future, Minnesota construction trade unions representing 70,000 union construction professionals, are advocating for secure, reliable, accessible and cost-affordable energy to ensure the long-term success for Minnesota workers and communities. “We need a strong, statewide strategy for investments in reliable energy that ... View Article

Minnesota Pipefitter’s Energy Impact: Exploring Deanna’s role at a Nuclear Plant

Deanna Thomas’ career as a pipefitter for St. Paul Local 455 has taken her to places that she had never imagined — such as the control room of a nuclear power plant. “It’s a rare experience that I’m very proud of,” Thomas said. “I get to work on or in some of the coolest places that most people just overlook on their drive home.” Most recently, Thomas worked at the Flint Hills Pine Bend Oil Refinery in Rosemount, Minnesota. The refinery ... View Article

Statement on Unemployment Insurance Special Additional Benefits Passed by the Minnesota Legislature

December 14, 2020 - On behalf of union construction professionals across the State, the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades would like to thank the Legislature and Governor Walz for their work in passing 13-weeks of special additional unemployment benefits. According to DEED, more than 87,000 construction trades workers have applied for unemployment insurance since March 2020.  This is more than any other occupation in our ... View Article

Brock, first year Apprentice, Operating Engineers

Brock is in his first year as an Operating Engineer Apprentice. After graduating with a four-year degree, he couldn’t work in his field of study. “I bounced around from one dead end job to another,” he says. In the beginning of 2020, Brock learned about a program called Building Strong Communities, an apprenticeship readiness program sponsored by the union construction industry, the Metropolitan Council, the McKnight ... View Article

Bre Ana, a first year apprentice with the Iron Workers

Bre Ana is a first-year apprentice with the Iron Workers. She says the best part of being an apprentice is getting to see the results of your work. “Even after an 8-hour shift, you can see your work. The beams you raised, the welding you finished. I never dreamed there was a job like this out there.” Bre Ana is currently working at the Metro Transit Rail Yard on Hiawatha Avenue and says it is her favorite job so far. “When I ... View Article

Mahaila, 3rd Year Apprentice

Mahaila, a 3rd year registered union apprentice with the Operating Engineers from Cloquet, is 1,000 training work hours away from becoming a journeyworker. The majority of Mahaila’s work has been on the road in International Falls rebuilding roads from the Canadian border. “I like to travel, and this job has me travelling a lot. I like going to new places, enjoying the scenery,” Mahaila says. The best part of being a 3rd year ... View Article

Statement from Harry Melander on the Passing of Tim McGough

“Last week one of our Construction Industry’s leaders, Tim McGough, passed away unexpectedly. Tim McGough and the McGough family have been the “benchmark” of what an Industry should be. From the buildings they constructed that cover our state to the people that wear the McGough logo, Tim McGough and the McGough family made sure that no stone was ever laid without the care and consideration for its clients and the people whose hands carved ... View Article

Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council Celebrates Historic Bonding Bill Passage

The Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council released this statement on the passage of an historic $1.88 billion bonding bill at the Minnesota Legislature. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Walz, Speaker Hortman, Majority Leader Gazelka, Minority Leader Kent, and the 164 Minnesota legislators who recognize the importance of investing in Minnesota, we can now jump-start the state’s economy and keep Minnesota construction workers ... View Article

Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council Celebrates Bonding Bill Passage in the Minnesota House

The Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council released this statement regarding the passage in the Minnesota House of Representatives of an historic $1.88 billion bonding bill. “The Minnesota House took an historic step today to bond for $1.88 billion to invest in the state’s infrastructure, but more importantly, they voted to invest in Minnesota’s communities,” said Jessica Looman, Executive Director. “This was a bi-partisan effort ... View Article

Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council Endorses State Senators Miller, Senjem and Sparks for Reelection

At the recommendation of the Southeastern Building Trades Council, the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council announced they have endorsed Senator Jeremy Miller (SD 28), Senator David Senjem (SD 25), and Senator Dan Sparks (SD 27) for reelection to the Minnesota State Senate.  “Senators Senjem, Miller and Sparks have proven themselves respected leaders in the Minnesota legislature and advocates for the Building ... View Article

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