Labor-Management Education Committee – Lee Graham, Spring 2024

Spring is right around the corner, bringing with it warmer weather. For Labor Management, it is a chance to continue the many great opportunities and projects we have been working on throughout the winter months.

In January, we hosted our 21st Annual Upper Peninsula Signatory Contractor Roundtable. We met with representatives from AGC, Bacco Construction, Brunette & Son, Inc., CR Meyer & Sons Company, Dawes Rigging & Crane Rental, Delta-Schoolcraft ISD, Eagle Mine, Enbridge, FA Industrial Services, Inc., Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service, Great Lakes Timber Professionals, Gundlach Champion, Kokosing Industrial, Enbridge, FA Industrial Services, Gladstone Schools, Great Lakes Timber Professionals, Gundlach Champion, Highland Copper Company, James Peterson Sons, Kokosing Alberici, Lakenen Crane & Rigging Service LLC, McNally Crane, Michigan Works!, Miron Construction, MJ VanDamme, Payne & Dolan, Roy Ness Contracting & Sales Inc., UP Building Trades and UP Construction Council. This included key speakers Michael Foley, Highland Copper Company, LLC, Kathryn Houchard, Enbridge, and Mike Smith, Upper Peninsula Construction Council. It was a very successful Roundtable where relationships were strengthened, and good dialogue and conversation continued between Local 324 and our Contractor partners.

In February, we also hosted our 13th Annual Bay Area Signatory Contractor Roundtable. We kicked off with guest speakers Weston Prince, Bay County Treasurer, Jon Gaeth, Consumers Energy and Dan Argentati and Adam Strong, Michigan Fair Contracting Center. We met with representatives from Barton Malow, CAM, Century 21, Champagne & Marx Excavating Inc., Federal Mediation & Conciliation Services, Fessler & Bowman, Fisher Contracting Co., Great Lakes Fusion, Hardman Construction, Helmets to Hardhats, J. Ranck Electric, Inc., M&W Crane Rental LLC, McNally & Nimergood, MDOT, Michigan CAT, Pyramid Paving & Contracting Co., Roese Pipeline, and Wendling Land Management.

In the months ahead, we will have two more Roundtables for the Southeast and Grand Rapids areas and we also anticipate them being successful where partnerships are strengthened.

For 45 years, Michigan Apprenticeship Steering Committee, Inc. (MASCI) has been one of the state’s leading advocates for opportunities that can be provided through Registered Apprenticeships.  MASCI brings together labor, industry, educators, government, public and lawmakers, with the goal of increasing the opportunities, profile and standards that build long and meaningful careers in construction and manufacturing. MASCI held their 2023 Excellence in Apprentice of the Year Awards at the 2023 MASCI BUILD MI Conference. The Manufacturing winner was Franklin Bockstanz and the Construction Trades winners were Jordan Nelson and Andrew Orr. Congratulations to all three winners – their dedication to their craft did not go unnoticed!

We are humbled to partner with the American Cancer Society Construction vs Cancer to help sponsor their upcoming 6th Annual Big Dig of Michigan.  The event will be hosted at Operating Engineers 324 Construction Career Center, 275 East Highland Rd, Howell, MI 48843 on July 13, 2024. Partners will serve as “hard hats” and advocates in the fight against cancer while maintaining leadership in the ever-growing industry of construction. The Big Dig of Michigan gives children and families the opportunity to attend and operate heavy machinery, including excavators, scissor lifts, and more, all while raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research. This festive fair-like event will host a variety of hands-on activities and entertainment. Be on the look out for opportunities to help volunteer at this rewarding event.

The Michigan Safety Conference will be held April 16th and 17th at the DeVos Place. The Michigan Safety Conference is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the improvement of workplace safety and health practices in the State of Michigan. During this two-day event, participants are provided with quality workplace health and safety education. Please visit michsafetyconference.org to find out more information.

The 16th Michigan Construction Career Days (MICCD) is an event where opportunities in and around the construction industry are shown to students, school superintendents, administrators, teachers, and counselors about successful careers in the trades. This construction career exploration is open to all Michigan 7th-12th grade students. The event will be held May 1-2, 2024.  For more information, please visit www.michiganccd.com.

Stay healthy and warm – Summer is right around the corner!

Lee Graham

Treasurer

Executive Director

Labor-Management Education Committee