Mr. Smith (and IUPAT) Goes to Washington

I had the opportunity to attend the North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) 2026 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., last month alongside several of our District Council 5 representatives and thousands of union leaders from across the country. It was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we stand together to advocate for the future of our industry, our workforce, and our communities.

Focused on Advocacy

While in D.C., we met directly with congressional and Senate offices representing our five-state region to discuss the issues that matter most to our members. One message was clear in every meeting: unnecessary permitting delays are holding up jobs our members are ready and qualified to do. Reforming that process remains a top priority.

We also heard strong support for apprenticeship and workforce development programs like Trades Futures, Helmets to Hardhats, and other readiness initiatives. These programs continue to prove that the building trades are delivering the safest, most highly skilled workforce in the country.

In our conversations, we emphasized the importance of Project Labor Agreements to ensure safe, stable, and efficient job sites — especially as we partner more frequently with technology companies on large-scale projects. We also advocated for an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes both traditional and clean energy investments to meet the growing demands of our region’s infrastructure.

National Priorities Take Shape

At the national level, NABTU President Sean McGarvey highlighted several major initiatives aimed at strengthening the construction workforce and expanding energy infrastructure. These included new partnerships with companies like Microsoft and OpenAI, as well as significant investments in nuclear energy development. These efforts signal real opportunities for our members and the future of our industry.

At the end of the day, skilled trades like ours are central to solving the workforce, infrastructure, and energy challenges facing this country. It’s encouraging to see that message being heard in Congress, but words alone aren’t enough.

A Call for Engagement

That’s why our work doesn’t stop after one trip to Capitol Hill. It continues back home. District Council 5 is committed to increasing member involvement, and we encourage each of you to stay engaged. Reach out to your elected officials, attend town halls, and make your voice heard. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, those voices will matter.

Our endorsements in the months ahead will reflect how candidates respond to the needs of our industry and our region. Your engagement will help shape that process.

If you ever have questions or want to get more involved, don’t hesitate to reach out.

We are stronger together.

Ensuring a Skilled Workforce for Skilled Labor

If you’re doing skilled work, you need a skilled workforce. That sounds simple, but it hasn’t always been the reality, especially in places like refineries.

That’s why HB 1817 has been such an important step forward here in Washington. It levels the playing field by requiring contractors working in high-hazard facilities to use trained workers who’ve gone through a real apprenticeship and have the safety certifications to do the job right.

Before that, out-of-state contractors could come in, underbid jobs, and bring in workers with little to no training. They could do it cheaper, but not better. And more often than not, our members ended up coming back in to fix that work anyway.

This is dangerous work in an environment where mistakes matter. Making sure workers are properly trained isn’t just about wages, it’s about safety and doing the job right the first time. And it has helped push wages in the right direction for our members who are doing that work every day.

We’re also seeing progress when it comes to misclassification. The Underground Economy Task Force has started shining a light on a problem we see all the time; workers being told they’re “independent contractors” when they’re really employees.

It sounds good on paper, but it’s not reality. These workers aren’t setting their own rates, and they’re not running a business. They’re being told where to be, when to work, and how much they’ll get paid. Meanwhile, the contractor avoids paying taxes, providing benefits, and taking responsibility. That hurts the worker, and it hurts our state.

The task force doesn’t fix everything overnight, but it’s making a difference. At the very least it’s a deterrent, and we’re already seeing fewer people willing to operate in that gray area.

At the same time, we’re focused on making sure there’s enough work out there for our members. Investments in infrastructure, especially bridge maintenance and repair, are critical. Not just for jobs, but for the safety of everyone who relies on that infrastructure every day.

At Local 300, we’re also working to stay connected with our members. We’ve been reaching out directly, asking what they need, what they’re seeing in the field, and how we can do better. The feedback has been clear — people want to be more involved, they just need better access and more information.

At the end of the day, this is our union. The more we stay engaged and look out for each other, the stronger we are.

Want to hear more from Anthony? Watch the Meet your Rep feature.

Social Media Corner

Together, we build stronger communities, protect workers' rights, and create opportunities for success. Stay united, stay strong with IUPAT District Council 5!