Union craftsmen deliver. They have unparalleled skills, a commitment to quality like no other, stable project management and exemplary work ethic. There are many benefits to being a union member or signatory contractor.
- Facts about Union Construction Union craftsmen deliver. They have unparalleled skills, a commitment to quality like no other, stable project management and exemplary work ethic. There are many benefits to being a union member or signatory contractor.
- The Union Construction Industry is the largest trainer and supplier of skilled workers in the construction industry in Michigan.
- The Michigan Union Construction Industry has almost 10,000 apprentices enrolled in training. • First-year union apprentices earn approximately the same amount most state college students pay for a year’s tuition.
- Union apprentices have the necessary skills to seek an associate degree upon completion of an apprenticeship program.
- Union apprenticeship programs have been ongoing in Michigan for over 60 years. • In the union construction industry, journeymen status reflects the completion of a three to five year apprenticeship program.
- Department of Labor records from 36 states show that union programs have enrolled 72 percent of construction apprentices since 1989.
- Union programs have also enrolled almost three times as many minorities and four times as many women as non-union apprenticeship programs.
- Union apprentices receive 1,700 to 2,000 hours of on-the-job education each year.
- Union apprentices receive a minimum of 216 hours of classroom instruction each year.
- The Michigan Union Construction Industry offers the Helmets to Hardhats program, which offers returning veterans career opportunities in the construction trades.
- There are nearly 5,000 union contractors in the Michigan Union Construction Industry.
- Union contractors make a conscious decision to use union labor. As business minded individuals, they know training is what determines productivity on a project.
- Studies found a union workforce to be 17 percent more productive than a non-union workforce. Union labor productivity not only reduces project costs, but also improves the project’s schedule and quality.
- Union contractors, in partnership with the building trades unions, spent approximately $25 million in apprenticeship training in 2007.
- Union contractors provide health insurance for their workers and their dependent families.
- Union contractors provide pension programs that enable their workers to avoid becoming dependent on the state of Michigan as they age.
- Union contractors in Michigan serve as a strong community partner by contributing their time and resources to community efforts.
- For every construction craft in Michigan, there is a union representing that trade.
- Many of the construction unions in Michigan are more than 100 years old.
- Union representatives have a true partnership with contractors in Michigan. They jointly manage apprenticeship programs, pension trusts and industry standards.
- Construction unions, in partnership with union contractors, have established industrywide drug testing programs.
- Union members volunteer for a variety of community organizations throughout Michigan.
- There is a contractor to meet the needs of every customer. No job is too small, no job is too large.