Glaziers Local 740 graduates, along with Apprenticeship Coordinator Kevin Bolick (standing third from left).

Graduating apprentices from Drywall Finishers Local 364.

Why We Take Our Endorsements Seriously

Election season is here, and with it comes the opportunity to shape the future of our trades and the livelihoods of working families across District Council 5.

While presidential elections tend to receive the most attention, midterm elections often have an even greater impact on the issues that affect our members every day. This year, voters will choose leaders for Congress, state legislatures, and local positions that make decisions on prevailing wage laws, infrastructure, apprenticeship opportunities, workplace safety, collective bargaining rights, and many other issues.

The election calendar is already well underway. Primary elections have concluded in Oregon, Idaho, and Utah, while voters in Washington and Alaska will head to the polls in August before the focus shifts to November's general election. Throughout the process, DC 5 has been carefully evaluating candidates and preparing endorsements.

One question I hear from members is how our union decides which candidates to support.

The simple answer: We endorse candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to working people and who understand the importance of family-wage jobs, strong apprenticeship programs, safe workplaces, and protecting the rights of union members.

Sometimes those candidates are Democrats. Sometimes they're Republicans. Sometimes they're Independents. What matters is whether they'll stand with working families when it's time to cast votes that affect our members.

The legislative victories we've celebrated over the past several years didn't happen by chance. They happened because we elected leaders who understand our values and are willing to work alongside us to pass good legislation and stop bad bills before they became law.

Every election helps determine who will be making those decisions over the next several years. As endorsements continue to roll out across DC 5, I encourage every member to learn about the candidates, stay informed, and most importantly, vote. Supporting candidates who share our values protects what we've built and continue advancing opportunities.

When we participate in the political process and cast a vote, we're not just electing leaders — we're helping ensure that the voices of skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen continue to be heard where it matters most.

Putting Political Action to Work

Monday, June 29, was an exciting day for our brothers and sisters in Local 1959. I was honored to attend the official groundbreaking for the nearly $1 billon replacement of Cargo Terminal 1 at the Don Young Port of Alaska.

The project is a major investment in one of the most important pieces of infrastructure across our state. The port handles the vast majority of food, clothing, and other essential goods that Alaskans depend on, yet its aging docks and pilings have fallen into serious disrepair. Joining us to mark the occasion were U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, Alaska House Majority Leader Chuck Kopp, and other leaders who helped move this project forward.

Bronson Frye, Business Representative for Local 1959, recently attended the groundbreaking for the nearly $1 billion replacement of Cargo Terminal 1 at the Don Young Port of Alaska. 

For members of Local 1959, this project will create years of work performing sandblasting and applying industrial coatings on the new terminal. It also reflects years of work behind the scenes by our government affairs team, advocating for pro-labor candidates and policies that allow our members to thrive.

In other words, this didn’t just happen by accident.

As President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Southcentral Alaska, I am proud of the role we play in creating real opportunities for our skilled workers. The council brings together leaders from 15 construction unions, including IUPAT, to educate lawmakers and push for common-sense labor policies that strengthen Alaska’s workforce.

That work helped lead to the Anchorage Assembly’s passage of a 2018 ordinance requiring certain large public projects to be reviewed for Community Workforce Agreements (CWAs), establishing workforce standards and requiring contractors to contribute to union health, retirement, and apprenticeship trust funds for the workers they employ.

Cargo Terminal 1 became the first major project to be approved under that ordinance, following six months of negotiations. The agreement was signed last year, and we are now working with contractors and subcontractors to make sure it is implemented properly.

Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance speaks at the podium, flanked by U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan.

Last month’s groundbreaking is worth celebrating, but it’s not the end of the process. We will continue to work to uphold the agreement as construction unfolds over the next four years. While it’s nice to get married, the wedding is only the beginning. The same applies here. Passing a policy is one thing, but administering it is quite another.

Our purpose as a union is straightforward: To organize workers and create work opportunities for our members.Government affairs give us the tools and collective voice to accomplish that mission across every one of our crafts.

In Oregon, IUPAT helped pass legislation requiring that contractors on certain public projects employ glaziers with nationally recognized Architectural Glass and Metal Technician certifications. District Council 5 is working to advance similar standards in Washington, and I intend to begin pursuing legislation here in Alaska.

Certification requirements protect the public by ensuring complex glazing work is performed by properly trained workers. They also defend our craft jurisdiction, support our signatory contractors, and create organizing opportunities for IUPAT.

Whether we are talking about industrial painters at the Port of Alaska or certified glaziers working on public buildings, the principle is the same — good labor policy helps us organize workers, raise industry standards and create work for our members.

Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich (left), Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance (center), and former Anchorage mayor Ethan Berkowitz, stand in front of a large piling at the Don Young Port of Alaska. 

Government affairs is about organizing. And the process never stops. Elections bring new legislators into office, and all that work starts again. If our goal is to increase union membership market share, then we must be involved in politics. There will always be people trying to pass laws that weaken unions, and we need to work even harder to pass policies that create opportunities for working people.

The Cargo Terminal 1 groundbreaking is a powerful example of what sustained political action can accomplish. The groundwork began years before anyone arrived with ceremonial shovels. Now it is our responsibility to turn that policy victory into good union jobs and use it as a foundation for the next one.

That is how we build power: we educate, we organize, we remain engaged, and we put our members to work.

Helping Kids, Building Community

Summer is usually the busiest time of year for our trades. The days are longer, the projects are bigger, and there always seems to be another job waiting around the corner.

But summer is also a time to come together outside of work, reconnect with our union family, and give back to the communities we serve. That’s why I want to invite you to join us for the District Council 5 PATCH Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday, July 18, at Hawks Prairie Golf Club in Lacey, Wash. Breakfast begins at 7 a.m., with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.

Every dollar we raise supports the IUPAT PATCH Foundation (“Painters and Allied Trades for Children’s Hope”). Through PATCH, we support children and families in our five-state region through programs like backpack drives, diaper drives, youth activities, school programs, and other efforts that help kids thrive.

This is my second year organizing our DC 5 tournament, and it’s something that I genuinely look forward to every year. I personally love being able to help kids in need, because I was one of those kids growing up in rural northeast Washington. My family relied on food assistance, thrift stores, gardens, and home-canned food just to make ends meet. I know firsthand how much a helping hand means, and that’s why this event is so close to my heart.

Of course, none of this happens without our incredible volunteers, sponsors, and union members. We’ll have 144 golfers, along with sponsor booths, fun contests throughout the course, prizes, and just an all-around fun atmosphere. Whether you’re competing for longest drive, closest to the pin, or trying your luck at the marshmallow drive, it’s always a great day on the links.

Registration is now full, but tournament sponsorships are still available. If you are interested, please reach out to your local business representative or contact the District Council 5 office at 206-441-5554.

I also want to encourage everyone to stay involved beyond this event. I always tell our members that an educated member is a powerful member. Take advantage of the training opportunities your union offers, ask questions, and stay engaged. Your participation is what makes us stronger.

I hope you’ll join us on July 18. Together, we can enjoy a great day while making a real difference for children and families who need our support!

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