Annual Legislative Conference features all-star lineup of speakers, the announcement of a new childcare pilot program, and fundraising on behalf of Ukraine. 

 

Washington, D.C. – April 7, 2022 – This week, thousands of building trades leaders from across the country came to Washington D.C. for North America’s Building Trades Unions’ (NABTU) annual U.S. Legislative Conference.

This year’s historic event featured an incredible lineup of guest speakers including President Joe Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senator Lisa Murkowski, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Disney Chairman Josh D’Amaro, Stacey Abrams, and several top Republican and Democratic leaders. Speakers highlighted the importance of building trades unions to maintain and build the middle class, as well as critical policy opportunities that uplift all workers.

In his keynote, NABTU President Sean McGarvey emphasized unprecedented victories delivered for working families by the Biden-Harris administration on workforce development, health and safety, pensions, Davis-Bacon, and project labor agreements. He reiterated to members how important the unionized construction movement is at this moment in history with generational opportunities stemming from the bipartisan infrastructure law.  He also announced a new childcare pilot program to alleviate childcare costs and accessibility burdens for NABTU members.

In an effort to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine, NABTU raised funds throughout the conference, totaling in $650,000 that will directly aid refugees in need. NABTU also pledged to have hundreds of craft trainers at the ready for President Biden and President Zelenskyy to go in and teach Ukrainians how to rebuild their country.

Click here to watch the speeches from this week’s plenary sessions.

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