Union Up

Most union administration know about Davis-Bacon prevailing wage jobs, but many workers don't.  The idea of being paid a fair wage for a fair day's work is something workers often take for granted.  The good contractors do it right and comply with the law, but there are others who don't.  Workers don't always know about the potential for wage theft from unscrupulous non-union contractors who classify jobs incorrectly and pocket the difference. They often don't know they may be being taken advantage of, and even if they do, they don't know what to do about it.  Some fear retribution or losing their job, or not being rehired when that job is finished.   The Union Up podcasts welcomes Chris Carr, Compliance Manager for the Georgia Foundation for Fair Contracting, and Jarrett Wade, Organizer for the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and HVACR Technicians to talk about Davis-Bacon, educating workers on their rights to fair pay, and how to hold unscrupulous contractors accountable.

Congress has put forth a massive infrastructure bill and the future looks bright for construction. What does that mean to the local trade unions? What opportunities are most important? How will we recruit for the future as we move through COVID-19 into the new normal? Wimblish Owens, BM for Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 148, Robert Duffield, BM for Iron Workers Local 387, and Randy Beall, BM for the Atlanta North Georgia Building Trades discuss the INVEST in America Act, balancing prosperity and safety through COVID-19, and recruiting new talent to the apprenticeship programs and the Locals.

Now that we are getting back to work, what will construction sites be like?  What does our "new reality" mean in terms of worker safety, and how are job sites and projects going to be forever changed as a result? Today we talk with the leadership team of the Southeast's largest trade union, IBEW Local 613.  Business Manager Kenny Mullins and Safety Director Mike Bell join Union Up to discuss managing the balance between safety and prosperity for the members of IBEW as we all get back to work.

This is critical information. Workers are getting laid off, membership is uneasy, families are anxious.  Construction leadership expert DeWayne Ables from Pioneer IQ provides Business Managers not only an excellent 4-part framework to think about leadership, but also a cadence and plan of execution to put it into practice. Keep your team and membership motivated, communicate effectively, and weather this(or any) storm.

In most markets, Construction is deemed "essential", which is great for our members and their ability to continue earning a living. But what about safety during this new reality of COVID-19? How do we balance staying safe with getting the job done? And what unforeseen opportunities might there be as a result? Atlanta North Georgia Building Trades president Randy Beall joins Union Up Podcast to talk about where NABTU stands on these issues and more.

Union Up's Rut Walker hosts a roundtable discussion from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local business managers Kenny Mullins from IBEW 613 in Atlanta, Lou Antonellis from IBEW 103 in Dorchester/Boston, and Bill Blackman from IBEW 136 in Birmingham, AL. We discuss the impact of coronavirus on the local construction economy, concerns over layoffs, latest news from their jurisdictions, and steps they are taking to keep their members safe and informed. (Recorded March 16, 2020)