Roofers and Waterproofers Local 96 Business Agent Nick Brenner joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the ample work opportunities in the Upper Midwest construction industry and the need for unions to increase recruitment efforts to meet the demand.
Local 96 represents about 1,200 members in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North and South Dakota.
Brenner described the current workload and employment opportunities in Local 96’s jurisdiction as “insane,” since union leaders spend the majority of their time recruiting more workers for the Local’s signatory contractors. The area’s construction industry is booming in the face of a worker shortage caused by the retirement of baby boomers, he added.
Brenner then described his own efforts to recruit new members for the Local, which can be challenging on a job site where union recruiters are not always welcome.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.