Laborers' International Union of North America Local 563 Director of Government Relations and New Business Development Pamela Trhlik appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed need to push back against the non-union mindset in North Dakota and how unions from Minnesota can play a key role in the fight.
Local 563 covers the state of North Dakota and the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan, Mankato and Saint Cloud areas.
Trhlik spoke about problems on the Dakota Access Pipeline project. This was a difficult project for union members, as they faced harassment, had equipment damaged, as well as protests and being run off of worksites, Trhlik said. She believes LiUNA and other building trades members handled the situation as professionally as possible, despite the tough situation.
When it comes to energy, members worked many hours at coal-fired power plants. Now, as these power plants are being phased out, LiUNA and other building trades unions are adjusting and developing pathways to gain market share in the alternative energy sector.
As these new work opportunities are developed in North Dakota, Trhlik explained how a number of different unions from Minnesota are assisting with organizing workers in the Roughrider State. North Dakota is a deep red, anti-union state and it is a constant fight to combat this mindset. However, some non-union workers have seen the stability and growth of unions in Minnesota, which led them to reach out to learn about organizing. Together with the help of their Brothers and Sisters from Minnesota, Trhlik believes organized labor will grow, especially within this new generation of younger workers in North Dakota.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.