Building Union Power: Mastering the Business of Contracting & Expanding Indigenous Trades Pathways

In this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we dive deep into the two pillars of a thriving labor movement: professional excellence in the business of construction and inclusive recruitment that reaches remote communities. Segment 1: The Business of the Trades with Pete Ielmini Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), discusses why union apprenticeship is about more than just "hard skills." Ielmini breaks down the "soft skills" that define a professional—safety culture, mental health awareness, and leadership. He also offers a candid look at the business side of the industry, explaining why many new contractors fail and what it takes to build a stable, successful union firm in today’s market. Segment 2: Indigenous Inclusion in Northern Ontario with Andy Nieweglowski Andy Nieweglowski, Training Director for LIUNA Local 607, joins the show to discuss a groundbreaking partnership with the Lakehead District School Board and Matawa First Nations. With massive infrastructure and mining projects like the Ring of Fire on the horizon, Nieweglowski explains how Local 607 is removing barriers for Indigenous students—from residency housing to childcare—to ensure local people are ready for local jobs. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why safety culture has shifted from a checklist to a financial and ethical imperative. The "hidden" costs of contracting: Bonding, insurance, and the reality of payment timelines. How LIUNA Local 607 plans to double its membership by 2030. The role of tiny home construction in modern apprentice training.