Since 1903, Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) has been the backbone of the construction industry. Literally. For nearly 100 years, Laborers have been responsible for much of the back breaking work in building America. From laying down new highways, building bridges, mining tunnels and subways, constructing new plants, factories, dams and power plants and erecting new schools, churches, hospitals and houses, Laborers were there.

Now with more than 800,000 members throughout the United States and Canada, Laborers are becoming skilled in many fields beyond construction, such as state, local and federal government services, shipbuilding, health care, mail handling custodial services, food service and hazardous waste removal (including asbestos and lead).

"We have created new opportunities for our members because of our commitment to training and apprenticeship, right here in Minnesota and throughout the country," said Jim Brady, president, Laborers' District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota. "Laborers are proud to be building many of the projects that directly impact families everyday, from stadiums to commercial buildings to highways and bridges."

A commitment to training and apprenticeship sets union Laborers apart from their non-union counterparts. According to Brady, "The demands of today's work means workers need to be better prepared. We place a premium on training and it is reflected in our exemplary safety record and ability to complete projects on time and on budget. It is what makes us Skilled Construction Laborers."

In 1994, the Laborers opened a privately funded state-of-the-art training center in Lino Lakes to provide enrolled apprentices and journey laborers with hands-on and classroom instruction. Today, Laborers are recognized by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry as a skilled trade and their apprentice program is one of the most successful in the state.

So what type of work does a Laborer do? "Mason-tending, scaffold building, asbestos and lead abatement, pipe-laying, demolition, drilling/blasting, tunnel mining and much more," said Brady. In Minnesota and North Dakota there are more than 11,000 Skilled Construction Laborers currently working on a variety of construction, environmental and public works projects. Minnesota Laborers are proud of their success or rehabilitation of the St. Paul Cathedral, demolition of the Federal Reserve Building in Minneapolis and much of the highway construction taking place. Other projects include the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, expansion of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, and the expansion of Regions Hospital.

The hard work does not stop on the job site. "I am proud of our members and their commitment to volunteer work in their communities," said Brady. "Most are humble and won't talk about it. But they are quietly doing things like helping to stock food shelves, picking up clothes for Goodwill and other organizations, serving as Cub Scout den leaders and coaching youth athletics."

Associated with LIUNA, Minnesota LECET is a partnership between Skilled Construction Laborers and Union Contractors. For more information on the Minnesota's Skilled Construction Laborers, the Laborers' Training Center or Minnesota LECET, contact us.