Kevin Sage, President of the East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council and a Business Agent for UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 149, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed Amendment 1, a proposed Illinois state amendment on the November ballot.
The building trades council is comprised of 127 affiliated local unions, representing over 75,000 craft professionals.
If passed, Amendment 1 would establish a state constitutional right for employees to organize and bargain collectively. It also would effectively prevent So-Called “Right to Work” legislation from taking root, he said.
As an amendment to the Illinois Constitution, the proposal will require a yes vote from 60 percent of the voters to pass, he added.
Sage then spoke about a partnership between the East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council and Parkland Community College to provide a hands-on pre-apprenticeship experience to area high school students.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.