Have you heard of the construction industry’s most innovative labor-management leader?
If you were at the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust’s (IMPACT) March 8 Regional Advisory Board (RAB) meeting, then chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of some of the organization’s latest innovations.
Hosted by IMPACT, the Rocky Mountain District Council of Ironworkers and Local Union 495, Albuquerque, N.M., the meeting showcased the excellent work the Iron Workers and IMPACT do to benefit Ironworkers, contractors and owners throughout the construction industry. Matt Groskie, President of the Iron Workers Rocky Mountain Region, said that the meeting highlights the “great extent to which all three groups are committed to partnering for success.”
Victoria Mora, CEO of the Associated General Contractors’ (AGC) Albuquerque, N.M. chapter echoed Groskie. “When I compare different workforce development providers,” she said, “what I like about IMPACT’s agenda is that they are aligned with the contractors of the future. There’s such a focus to truly generate master craftsmen.”
Kevin Hilton, Executive Assistant to the CEO of IMPACT, and James McGuire, IMPACT’s newly appointed Western Regional Director moderated the meeting and shared updates on an improved drug testing program. They also addressed important Davis Bacon compliance issues affecting contractors and owners.
Steve Rank, Director of Safety and Health for the Iron Workers, provided a remote presentation focusing on the “deadly dozen” common construction site hazards. The presentation, Rank said, was designed to raise awareness as part of the Union’s “Countdown to Zero Fatalities” campaign.
Local 495 Business Manager Jerry Romero also led the meeting’s attendees on a tour of two mobile training trailers, both of which Local Union 495 purchased thanks to IMPACT grants. Mobile training trailers facilitate access to hands-on training materials and courses for Ironworkers who may be working on a remote jobsite or who live far from a local training center.
“RABs are free meetings jam-packed with free advice, designed specifically for Ironworkers, contractors and owners,” said Hilton. “These are tremendous learning opportunities, so there’s absolutely no reason not to come.” Attendees also have the advantage of getting the very first glimpses at IMPACT’s dynamic array of innovative products and services.
About IMPACT: The Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (www.impact-net.org) was formed in 2003 under Section 302(c) 9 of the Labor-Management Relations (Taft-Hartley) Act. IMPACT is a non-profit, tax-exempt labor-management trust under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. The primary mission of IMPACT is to expand job opportunities for union ironworkers and their signatory contractors through progressive and innovative labor-management programs, training and safety. IMPACT is governed by a 26-member Board of Trustees. Each of IMPACT’s 13 regions is represented by one labor trustee and one management trustee.
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Contact: Brennan Gamwell, Communications Specialist, (800) 545-4921