Laborers' Local 231

To gain the skills they need, ongoing training provides the skills required for professional construction. Lifelong learning sets the members of Local 231 apart. Does your project require safety with a sign or a flag? The proper ventilation required in a confined space work area? Union Laborers learn beyond the proper technique. Local 231 members a... re committed to the common goal of profitable, safe, and successful projects. "The quality of our work is subject to public scrutiny every day," says Business Manager for Local 231, Bob Schroeder. The visible, public results which demonstrate the skill of Local 231 members has adorned the west central Illinois region for 75 years. "We work hard," Schroeder adds, "to make sure our members get the proper training." The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) in 1997 awarded the Illinois Laborers' and Contractors' Training Trust Fund a Certificate of Registration for Apprenticeship Training for the trade of Construction Craft Laborer. Soon after the BAT awarded the certification the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC)-composed of members of both the Laborers and contractors-began conducting the four-year apprenticeship program at the Tony Romolo facility in Mt. Sterling. Many members of Local 231 have undergone countless hours of training at the state-of-the-art facility. The signatory contractors and construction customers in west central Illinois can rely on the members of Local 231 to provide the value they seek. The members understand the investment in training pays future dividends and contribute almost a dollar for every hour worked into the training fund. Coupled with the contractors' contributions the two jointly fund the Romolo training center. While visiting the excellent JATC in Mt. Sterling, General President of LIUNA, Terrence O'Sullivan commented, "Training and education is the corner stone of our union. That's what separates us from our competition." As Schroeder says, the members of Local 231 ...Read More