Southern Nevada Building Trades Union’s (SNBTU) Executive Secretary-Treasurer Vince Saavedra joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the generational change unions provide working families as a pathway out of poverty and into the middle class.
He explained how a first-year apprentice needs six months of wages to bring a family of four out of poverty. Saavedra talked about the opportunities unions provide and advocated for the implementation of Community Work Force Agreements. These agreements stipulate 30 percent of a project’s workforce be from the community in which it is located.
He then spoke about the opportunities unions provide women, but acknowledged childcare can often be a roadblock. Saavedra said he is currently working with Nevada legislators to craft legislation that would provide childcare to all registered apprenticeships in Nevada to help fill this need.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics: