Standing Together Across Our Five States

With legislative sessions in motion across Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, District Council 5 is staying vigilant and committed to the real issues affecting our members every day. That means our painters and allied trades families.

We're prioritizing worker protections, fair competition on jobs, safe worksites, accountable contracting, strong wages and benefits, and policies that support our families and communities. These are the things that unite us and build a stronger future for our trades, and we rely on member feedback to align our work.

A great example came up recently at my home local meeting, where we discussed policies that could make a real difference for us — especially around health care. We talked about ways we can work together to reduce costs and improve access to quality coverage, ensuring our members and families get the care they need without breaking the bank. It's exactly the kind of practical, member-focused conversation that drives our advocacy forward.

We keep our focus on these shared priorities and steer clear of the divisive noise in the media. When we come together on what matters most — fair pay, safety, benefits, and family security — we win real gains, just like we've seen in past efforts across the region.

Here's a quick look at what that work looks like this session:

In Oregon, I testified in support of HB 4027, which provides funding to the Bureau of Labor and Industries to reduce case backlogs, modernize wage and hour enforcement, and strengthen apprenticeship training. We've also opposed SB 1566, which exempts some public works projects from the prevailing wage requirement, diminishing the quality of work.

In Washington, we're supporting HB 2390 and SB 6302. These bills support long-term health for buildings by requiring certification for the installation of custom glazing systems, windows, skylights, and architectural glass (HB 2390) and prohibit misclassifying workers as "independent contractors" to avoid paying a fair wage.

In Utah, we held a non-partisan rally at state Capitol on Jan. 29 in support of fair wages through area wage work standards and ending wage theft by unpaid overtime and misclassification.

In Alaska, we are closely monitoring hearings on Gov. Dunleavy's $1.1 billion Supplemental Budget, which proposes changes to the current fiscal year's spending plan.

Stay tuned for more ways to get involved, from local discussions and surveys to Capitol outreach. Your input and energy make the difference.

GET TO KNOW YOUR BUSINESS REP

BRANDT GOBLE, LOCAL 77

From Soccer Pitch to Union Hall, Teamwork Is Key

By his own admission, Brandt Goble wasn't much of a soccer fan growing up in the Salt Lake Valley. In fact, he said he used to look down his nose at "The Beautiful Game," jokingly declaring his kids wouldn't play unless were somehow born without arms.

Alas, that statement would backfire spectacularly. Not only did his kids play, but their interest would prove infectious. Meanwhile, Goble remembers how his fellow union members in Local 77 — many of whom come from soccer-crazed cultures — would talk about matches on the jobsite, further convincing him to start paying attention.

As a result, Goble said he became hooked. He learned to love the flow of the game and its unique rules, from offsides to stoppage time. It was the beginning of full-blown fanaticism.

Today, he hosts the RSL Random Fan Podcast with his oldest son, Brennan, and their friend, Tyler Thomas, dedicated to covering their hometown MLS team, Real Salt Lake.

Growing Engagement

The idea for starting a podcast, Goble said, came about due to several factors. First was their shared passion for the team — Goble has attended hundreds of Real Salt Lake games by his estimation and has been a season ticket holder since 2008.

Second is the new media landscape that has allowed fan-inspired podcasts to flourish. Beyond simply talking about the team in his home studio, Goble said the podcast has allowed him and his co-hosts to become credentialed media at games, granting them access to the press box and postgame interviews.

Finally, Goble said the podcast and his fandom have been an outlet to maintain his sanity, particularly in the stressful world of organized labor and politics.

Goble describes the podcast as generally more positive than others in the local market, though not Pollyannish. They started about five years ago and have since recorded 200-plus episodes, each a little more than an hour long. Today, they get about 600 downloads per episode, which is considered high engagement for an independent sports podcast.

"Everybody (listening) can have a million different outlets," Goble said. "But, if you do connect, things can happen."

"It's a Team Effort"

Though its popularity has come a long way since Real Salt Lake began play in 2005, Goble said soccer remains a mostly niche sports market in Salt Lake City compared to the NBA's Utah Jazz, the NHL's Utah Mammoth, Brigham Young University, and the University of Utah.

However, Goble said that is part of why he gravitated toward the team. The players, he said, are more relatable and easier for fans to build a strong connection.

Goble also sees similarities between the world's best soccer clubs and an effective union. Whether striking a goal or strengthening workers' rights, the key is working together. One player or one representative, no matter how good they are, can't do it alone.

"It's a team effort," he said. "Generally, the best teams are the ones with the best organization … They know what they want to do, and they stick to that system. They can have a lot of incredible success.

"We here in DC 5 are committed to Utah. We're heading in the right direction," he said.

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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!