Service + Solidarity Spotlight: NABTU Legislative Conference Celebrates Wins, Sets Upcoming Agenda

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) held its 2022 Legislative Conference this week and took the time to celebrate a year of victories from its 14 craft union affiliates. In addition to President Biden’s remarks, conference attendees heard from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh (LIUNA), numerous members of Congress, labor leaders and other champions for working people.

NABTU President Sean McGarvey (IUPAT) thanked the members for their hard work on many issues in the past year, from the continuing COVID-19 pandemic to keeping critical infrastructure working. NABTU members did “whatever it takes” to get the job done. “In the face of paralyzing fear and anxiety, you did it heroically, humbly and without fanfare,” McGarvey said. “Your fortitude throughout is one of the proudest moments in our history.”

The conference also focused on the present, with the annual Call-to-Action Service Day and by raising funds to support Ukrainian refugees, and the future, by focusing on NABTU’s upcoming priorities during an important election year.

Watch the conference’s opening video celebrating the wins of the past year.