United Association Local 157 Plumbers and Pipefitters Field Representative Steve Snyder joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how the building trades are experiencing a wave of retirements since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of apprentice recruitment to replace retired members.
Local 157 represents 1,800 members in west central Indiana and parts of Illinois.
Snyder noted an increase of retirements among the Local’s aging workforce during the pandemic. He said the average age of the Local 157 membership is 54.6 years. Synder estimated that among all U.S. building trades locals about 2.3 million members age 50 or older have retired since the start of the pandemic.
As a result, Synder talked about how the nation’s union building trades industry desperately needs to get younger. Local 157 has ramped up its recruitment efforts in order to grow its apprenticeship programs and stop the decline in membership due to retirement.
He also detailed the massive influx of work his membership faces – about $3.72 billion in development in Tippecanoe County alone, which is part of Local 157’s jurisdiction.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.