OSBCTC hosts breakfast at NABTU Conference

The Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council hosted its annual Delegates Breakfast for its affiliated members who attended the 2023 North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) Legislative Conference.

Among those who spoke at the event were Ohio’s two U.S. Senators, Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance.

Additionally, OSBCTC Secretary-Treasurer Mike Knisley and OSBCTC President Mark Douglas address the attendees.

The breakfast provides the Ohio delegates a chance to gather and discuss a range of topics – from politics to issues within their different jurisdictions. Besides the opportunity to speak with each other, Ohio delegates can discuss their lobbying efforts scheduled at the Capital, which is a part of every NABTU Legislative Conference.

During his speech, Brown touched on multiple issues that affect the union construction industry.

He discussed how the investments secured with the passage of the CHIPS Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create job opportunities for workers in the skilled trades across Ohio.

“We passed the most pro-worker infrastructure bill ever, with the strongest-ever Buy America protections,” he said. “And we made sure to include Davis Bacon protections. This is the biggest jobs bill for the trades in a generation. It means more work for tradespeople all over Ohio – repairing roads, building bus shelters, laying broadband cables, replacing lead pipes, rebuilding bridges.”

In addition to investment opportunities created by the legislation, Brown also addressed other funding he has secured for the building trades.

“With this year’s Congressionally Directed Spending, we were able to get funding that’s going to make a real difference for the Trades,” said Brown. “We secured funding for the Building Futures program in Columbus and for the Smart Manufacturing Workforce Program in Cleveland. It means more training programs, more apprenticeships, more opportunities for young people to get involved in the trades and for all of you to grow the skills you already have.”

He also touched on the passage of the Butch Lewis Act, which Brown helped write and sponsor.