Local 18 Business Manager hypes all union project on labor podcast

Insulators Local 18 Business Manager Jason Smith talked about an Indianapolis, Ind. project on the labor-focused America’s Work Force Union Podcast.

Brother Smith talked in detail about the Indianapolis-Marion County Community Justice Center. The highlight of the project is that it will be constructed entirely by union members, including members of the Insulators Union.

Typically, a project labor agreement (PLA) is needed to get such a large project to be done entirely by union members, but Brother Smith said this project will be completed without a PLA.

Business Manager Smith said getting this project was a massive team effort. The various building trades unions and contractors associations worked together to pitch the project to regional politicians. They explained the value of union construction and explained how it will help the regional economy.

Using union labor on the project keeps the wages earned in the region they were earned in. It will provide steady work for hundreds of tradesmen and tradeswomen.

He said the project is expected to be complete by early 2022, although the largest number of tradesmen and tradeswomen will be on the job in the summer of 2021.

The project will provide a place for apprentices to learn and practice their trade while they earn a comfortable living.

It is also set to be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified project. LEED certified projects are those that are built with environmental sustainability in mind. The best part about LEED certified projects is that they provide plenty of work for insulators.

Since mechanical insulation will be needed throughout the facility, Brother Smith was excited to discuss the potential amount of hours members of the Insulators Union will be able to work.

You can listen to Brother Smith discuss the project and related labor benefits in greater detail below: