Leveling the Playing Field
Building a Future Together
Today’s construction workforce looks nothing like years past. Gender stereotypes have fallen by the wayside and today more opportunities abound for people of all races and ethnicities than ever before. Below highlights stories of tradespeople doing the hard work to provide better lives for themselves and their families.
Joann Greeley
In this episode, Joann and I talk about about her journey to becoming a Red Sealed Certified Electrician in Canada. She shares some of the biggest challenges she has faced while working as a blue-collar worker, as well as her involvement in a program to assist women into building trades apprenticships.
Chadwick Davis
Organized labor unions can provide the structure and security needed to radically change people’s lives. This episode is proof positive. Chadwick shares his story of substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration, and a life spiraling out of control. That is until a moment of clarity showed him a path to a career as a unionized carpenter.
Michael Burch
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical parts of building a strong workforce. In this episode, I speak with Northwest Carpenters Union Community Relations and Outreach Liaison, Michael Burch. Michael and I discuss the importance of Community Benefits Agreements (CBA), Project Labor Agreements (PLA), and apprenticeships in achieving these goals. We also address the need to establish a culture of respect and civility on our jobsites.
