Local 6 hosts first Firestopping Market Recovery class of 2023

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, made his monthly appearance on the America's Work Force Union Podcast and talked about the LMCT’s first Firestop Market Recovery Program class to be held in 2023.

On the March 22 podcast, Ielmini told AWF host Ed "Flash" Ferenc that the LMCT is offering the FMRP to all Insulator affiliated Local Unions and their signatory contractors who desire to either enter or gain new marketshare in this lucrative field.

Local 6 Boston hosts first FRMP

With several classes already scheduled for 2023, Local 6 Boston was the first Local to host the Firestop Market Recovery Program. Unlike past classes, this one was also attended by fellow union leaders within the Insulators Union’s New York/New England States Conference.

The point of the FMRP is to encourage both the Local Union and its signatory contractors to work together to increase the union's market share for firestop-related work. In order to capture market share, both sides must work together to identify how best to help each other out and gain control of the market.

Educating Union leaders and contractors about firestopping

The course was taught by Superior Insulation President and CEO Tom Dake, Sr. and Superior Insulation Vice President, Fire and Life Safety Services, Tom Dake, Jr. They explained how the market could be highly profitable and how firestop work can help replace lost hours, as coal-fired power plants and nuclear plants are being shuttered in parts of the U.S.

The Dakes discussed their journey into the firestop sector 15 years ago and how they positioned themselves to become one of the top firestop contractors in the nation.

Among the topics covered were:

• How to start going after the work Bidding and estimating a firestop project correctly Legal and liability issues

• One of the reasons this class is beneficial for both signatory contractors and Local Union leaders alike is the honest conversations about the need and availability of Mechanical Insulators trained in firestopping.

• New contractor class coming summer 2023

Ielmini also touched upon another LMCT initiative that will likely debut this summer. He wants to educate current members of the Insulators Union on how to start their own contracting businesses and become signatory with their Local.

The goal is to give current Union Brothers and Sisters the confidence to start their own business and employ fellow HFIAW Brothers and Sisters. Increasing the number of contractors increases the likelihood of more jobs on which Insulator Union members can work.

Check out the entire interview: