>> esteemed leaders and delegates from building trades across our great nation, thank you. for gathering here today. brothers and sisters -- thank you for gathering here today.

brothers and sisters, standing with these phenomenal leaders beside me that represent over 300 men and women from every background and walk of life, i get a little emotional. the members of north america's building trade unions, the men and women we are also proud to represent, you are the foundations of the future. today we get to share a story of progress, collaboration and hope. our journey fueled by dedication and resilience has led us to remarkable opportunities that are paving the way for a brighter future for all. the biden administration has proven to be an ally in our pursuit of progress. president joe biden in every facet of his ministrations is crafting pathways to build america's foundations for the future. the a compass men see has delivered the working -- the accomplishments he has delivered the working people of america and for the future of our

democracy cannot be understated. after 40 years of tireless fights he went above and beyond. he delivered historic pension reform, saving millions of americans, including the building trades members. he delivered with the bipartisan infrastructure law, the greatest infrastructure investment in our nations history, to build safer roach, bridges -- roads, bridges, and broadband across america. he did not stop there. the provisions in this law would expand high-quality market driven training so that more people can pursue their shot at the american dream through the building trades. [applause] mr. mcgarvey: he passed permitting reform. and then when his unprecedented shifts in science investment, president biden is bringing home the semi conductor industry,

jumpstarting thousands of trades careers and funding transformative projects across america. and thanks to joe, the white house has reinforced the congressional intent of the davis-bacon law for which we fought for so hard and so long. [applause] mr. mcgarvey: he delivered all of these massive wins for america while keeping our nation safe and economy secure through a global pandemic. speaking of a massive win, for the first time in history we have labor standards on federal tax credits that fund clean energy projects in the tax code. his inflation reduction act -- go ahead, that is a really big one for us. [applause] mr. mcgarvey: his inflation reduction act delivered an investment that will address climate change, create jobs, and ensure that hundreds of billions of dollars of work in the energy sector will be built with strong labor provisions. in fact, since the passage of

this legislation nearly two years ago, hundreds of clean energy projects have been announced across the country. for some of the project sponsors this is the first time working with us in the u.s. the influence of a labor friendly administration and the lure of maximizing tax credits motivated them to engage with us through mou's and pla's. [applause] mr. mcgarvey: in fact, nearly every tax credit in the ira contains a five time multiplier, where project owners pay prevailing wage. as a result, our members will benefit from projects ranging from battery facilities to geothermal, carbon capture, offshore wind, nuclear, solar, and all beyond. he knows people need to be at the top of the list when it comes to building our clean energy future. and president biden's commitment to workers and innovation transcends all sectors. let me give you an example. just one program hunter biden's

infra-structure law -- under biden' infrastructures law, it is crating seven hydrogen hubs across the country. for every federal dollar invested, we are seeing 10 times the amount of provided investment coming in. you all have worked hard to ensure our members will construct these hubs, locking in thousands of jobs in these growing industries. ladies and gentlemen, you are the folks that are making this happen. the people in this audience, the ones that came before you, have brought forth an achieved a just transition. [applause] and brothers and sisters, working with president biden and his administration, in partnership, we have now finally, after all these years, that just transition. that too is built and will continue to build the offshore wind industry under project labor agreements. our members into straight -- our

members demonstrate we can deliver these projects under tough markets and tougher site conditions. you are the builders of colossal nuclear plants, like -- like one of which number four has been completed. from projects like a lithium mine in nevada to ev charging stations across the country. the men and women of the building trades are working from extraction to construction to deployment of the clean energy revolution. [applause] mr. mcgarvey: not in my lifetime have we had a president prioritize the value of america's skilled workers and the work that they do. we see it in his policies and we also see it in his people. joe filled agencies with people that know the building trades. joe, amanda, brendan, erica, and ross templeton are just a few of

the many to name. with biden's new project labor agreement executive order, more than 50 projects have been put out for bid with the pla requirement and not one agency has asked for an exception. [applause] and there is more to come. president biden has helped government and industry recognize the value of pla's, that these agreements resolve labor issues and improve wages and health and safety standards and ensure large-scale projects are completed on time and on budget with the highest degree of quality, efficiency and safety. more communities are seeing family sustaining job creation, increased apprenticeship opportunities and improved local hiring goals to transition more workers to union construction careers. an apprentice ship readiness -- an apprenticeship readiness program is helping thousands of

women, people of color access to construction careers, boosting local economies and addressing the inequities that have been felt for generations. these are all wins for all construction workers, both union and nonunion. these wins are good for fair contractors and good for american taxpayers. these are wins for america's cities and towns, large and small, urban and rural. these victories are the foundations for the future, and they will echo through the generations. mark my words, the policies today that the bid anden -- that biden and his administration helped us secure are the bedrock upon which we will build a more prosperous and equitable future. this is an extraordinary time for the building trades. [applause]

mr. mcgarvey: we now have pension funds with over $1 trillion in assets. we adopted private equity labor standards. private equity labor principles. did you ever think you would hear that? [applause] mr. mcgarvey: we commend pension fund leaders like calpers in california. thank you for taking the lead on this initiative. we also appreciate large pension funds like the nebf and consultants for stepping up to firms like blue wolf for joining our initiative. we encourage continued investments in our union family of funds. firms likely aflcio housing investment trust provide competitive risk-adjusted returns for our retirement funds while also ensuring that the projects they fund are built and operated 100% union. [applause]

these wins are important because behind every policy win, behind every investment win, there are real workers' lives at stake. your attention, leadership and dedication can truly make or break the foundations we are laying. we cannot back down. we must keep fighting. we must show everyone how our work is transforming this nation, not just in iron, bricks, and metal, but how we, the building trades family, are at the forefront of life-changing good work in this country. over the past year i traveled on an opportunity lifeline tour as we promoted our model, economic and community development, the recruitment, retention, and diversity advancement. we are leaving to maximize investment with billions in public and private sectors throughout america. at these stops we hear stories of our brothers and sisters in

society, what is going to leave behind, that found a home in the building trades. like sierra in nashville, tennessee, who worked three dead-end jobs, living paycheck-to-paycheck, until she was introduced to an apprenticeship readiness program. then in a matter of weeks she went from barely staying afloat at three jobs to working one job with competitive wages and benefits from day one as a ua l ocal 572 apprentice. [applause] seeing her smile and pride when she talks about how she found the life-changing opportunity pipeline in the building trades reminds me why we do what we do. take a person growing up in boston, he dropped out of college and tried best not to succumb to his environment. he eventually landed in trouble with the law. working multiple jobs that were low-paying, experienced racism

working in the nonunion construction sector, making $13 an hour with jobs with no benefits and questionable safety standards. he had no hope he would ever make sustainable wages, much less full health and pension and annuity benefits. he thought not having a degree only meant he would be working for someone else who does. his luck changed when he met the head of the boston building trades at the time, our dear friend marty walsh. he joined the building pathways apprenticeship readiness program. i'm happy to report, 10 years later today, he is a proud local 550 licensed worker, sits as a business agent of the boston building trades in the very same office that marty invited him to tell him there was a place for him with us. [applause] mr. mcgarvey: like them and like

me, many of you in this room may have also found that same opportunity and now we are paying it forward. when i look back and think about what was the foundational pull that changed my life, it was the people i encountered, the mentors in the building trades, the business managers and council leaders like you and marty walsh who empowered us to be the best and reminded us we have a stronger voice when we are together. and brothers and sisters, that is why i'm not surprised we are where we are today, changing lives at the table on every single issue facing this nation. the men and women who we represent are the fabric of america. we are setting up america for success, building the strongest and safest workforce, and data is on our side. excuse me. [coughing] i promised my wife i quit smoking.

by utilizing true workforce to the limit tools like pla's and collective bargaining, we are building more robust and productive workforce is. the latest study shows union activity is 14% higher end labor costs are 4% lower than nonunion. look at the membership growth across the internationals. look at the attention we are getting from the oval office, state and local government, and corporate board rooms. our foundation is taking hold. helmets to hardhats is transitioning more active duty military service members, veterans, national guard and reservists than ever before. [applause] trades futures has taken off supporting over 225 apprenticeship readiness programs in underserved communities, teaching the arp curriculum. correctional facilities in six states for people paying the penalty and who want to change their life.

80% of our arp graduates are people of color and 20% are women. trades futures is growing strong community partnerships like the multimillion dollar partnership with the national urban league and the department of labor. these partnerships are helping to increase access to services and support systems like childcare pilots for our members and increasing our programs that recruit more women into the trades. we are doing all we can to make it easier for women and young parents, not to only come in and complete their training but to stay with us. the pepin's number one priority is to make sure their children -- parents' number one priority is to make sure their children are fed and safe. we are looking for solutions to make that happen. nabtu is taking an all hands approach. thanks to great organizations, we keep advancing health and safety and pension retirement security for our members. we are also prioritizing

investment in workers mental health and safety. some of you saw in the workshop yesterday, we have a new jobsite standard certification called respect. we are committed to creating a better work environment, fostering the brotherhood and sisterhood that binds us. respectful work to raise the profile of the construction industry is a career pathway. not just a financial choice but a better work life choice. workplace harassment and toxic cultures marked by bullying and verbal abuse will be addressed head on. they have no place in our unions. sanitation on job sites will be a priority, ensuring clean and well equipped facilities with amenities for all workers, both men and women. safety and mental health will not be lipservice, it will be a commitment. we will address substance abuse, alcoholism, and provide programs to better recognize and support people, many people, our brothers and sisters who are struggling. contractors and owners worked with us on physical safety over

the last 30 years. we know they can work with us to make our jobsite just as healthy and safe for workers mentally as they are physically. [applause] brothers and sisters, the building trades is doing good things. we are changemakers. in these pivotal moments, among the 3 million members in our ranks, we must stand united as the infrastructure generation, or detect -- architects of the future. as we approach the upcoming election, it is on all of us to safeguard the progress we have made so far. i have been working in washington for over 25 years now. i've have seen presidents and members of congress both democrats and republicans come and go, who have long talked about how they would best in infrastructure, rebuild america, and bring manufacturing back. and nothing happened. until this administration.

now everything has been delivered. [applause] now everything has been delivered at once by president biden and vice president harris and their administration. all of these wins for us are at stake in november. this is true. all of these wins will be rolled back if we don't get our members out to vote for four more years of the most pro-worker, pro-building trades, prounion, pro-american president of our lifetimes. [applause] [cheers and applause] mr. mcgarvey: brothers and sisters, together we have the power to shape a better tomorrow with the true fighter for america's working class in the

white house. together we can deliver the infrastructure generation with foundational opportunities generated by the biden administration and congress' work. talk about our programs we offer and the safe, fulfilling careers that come with it. get the word out about what of -- about what is at stake in this 2024 election and how president biden made only one ask of us, that we ensure women and men who have not had an opportunity for middle-class family sustaining careers are lifted up in the building trades. he delivered for us and let's the liver for him. let's show the world nabtu brothers and sisters are the foundation for the future. enjoy the conference and god bless. [cheers and applause]

>> thank you. ladies and gentlemen, our first guest speaker has been a friend of the trades for many years. he has long advocated for the use of project labor agreements and preached the benefits of middle-class family sustaining union jobs. from his decades spent in the house of representatives to his 24 years in the army national guard, this next speaker is a proven outstanding leader. now, as governor of the great state of minnesota, he continues his leadership, signing the largest infra structure bill in minnesota's history into law two repair fire stations, water treatment plants and so much more. all while offering good be in union jobs -- good paying union jobs, recognizing investing in union workers is good for communities and businesses. brothers and sisters, join me and welcoming to the stage a true national leader advancing

our cause, the governor of minnesota, tim walz. [applause] ♪ >> ♪ i won't back down you can stand me up at the gates of ♪ ♪ i stand my ground won't be turned around and i'll keep this world from dragging me down going to stand my ground and i won't back down i want back down hey baby there ain't no easy way out hey baby i will and my ground

and i won't act down i know what right i have just one life ♪ ♪ ♪ [applause] >> i tell my wife, i want to come into every room like that every time. fantastic. it's incredible to be here. you're governor used that song in his campaign. he backed down. just so we know. he backed down. president mcgarvey, it's my sincere hope after you saw that -- i taught school for 20 years so i know what it looks look --

like. every american saw that speech, the race is over. i heard you all at 3:00 a.m. last night. it's forgiven that you didn't cashed -- cast that fire on everything. think you for all that you do. proud to be here with you today. proud to stand with your brothers and sisters for the work you do. not just for union members but for all workers. i'm proud to have the privilege of being the governor of minnesota but i come about speaking in front of you honestly. for several decades, i was a dues paying union member. i sat in the seats you sit in. should be a few more of us as governors and members of congress. i have to tell you, in my first campaign for congress, in a debate, my opponent said, jim is in the pocket of organized labor. i said, that's a lie. i am the pocket.

it seemed to me that if he was attacking me for standing up for collecting -- collective bargaining, apprenticeship programs, health care, retirement, i would roll the dice on that and see how it went. it worked out pretty well. [applause] now, you don't get elected to congress or governor as being a public school teacher because you certainly have no money and you are busy in the classroom. i will tell you who did it. there's a lot of folks here scattered around the round -- room. they came in with me. the minnesota building trade was with me from the start of what we did there. now, they weren't with me because of my boyish good looks and magnetic personality. they were with me because we had shared values. we cared about the same things. we were there to work for working people and to see the power of what we could do.

everyone told us, you have this teacher national guard guy. he has the unions walking with him and parades. good luck with that. there has been one other democrat since 1892 in that congressional district and we had a 12 year incumbent. we won that race. we won the race as a means to an end. it's not about winning races so you can bank political capital for the next race. you win races so you can improve people's lives. that's what those folks know. that's what they do. [applause] i have to tell you, because we are good minutes ettore -- minnesota lutherans, we have a role. if you do something good and talk about it, it no longer counts. you have to get someone else to talk about you. so thank you for that, for telling those things. i will talk about the building trades of minnesota. folks who not only do their job but put out the extra time to do the work necessary because you know what it means.

when we were able to win the election in minnesota in 2022 when we weren't supposed to, we did something we hadn't done in decades. we want to pro union maturity in the house and senate. [applause] so we got to work. some of you come from states where you have to spend all your time fighting back right to work legislation. we are a hockey state. it's bad politics for me. i'm a football guy and i like to go on offense. i said, we are not going to play defense or say minnesota is a right to work state. that's a given. it was going to strengthen the right to collectively bargain. we were going to ban the practice of having a captive antiunion meetings, you go to jail if you do that in minnesota. [applause]

that's the way -- that's why people walked in those parades. we have an attorney general that enforces them. we passed the largest infrastructure acts in minnesota. every single green energy job is going to be a good union job. we continue to run and run and run on making these things happen. we had a hell of a partner in joe biden. i served in congress. someone asked me, do you miss being in congress? i would rather eat glass then begin congress. but we've got good partners. those who are here getting it done. they come up with the dumbest names. gretchen whitmer in michigan got this right. fix the roads.

that's what the bill is. just fix the roads and bridges. we saw more money come into minnesota at any time in our history. a couple months ago, joe biden wasn't superior, wisconsin. those familiar with the great lakes, that's the terminus or get that's the western edge of the st. louis seaway. we've been trying to fix it. joe biden showed up a couple months ago and delivered a billion dollars of federal infrastructure money. we are going to have 3000 construction jobs for the next three years rebuilding that bridge. that's good stuff. mr. president, you will be glad to know the first thing i did was buy the biggest sign we could and said, this bridge is brought to you by joe biden and the folks care about lakes. [applause]

you have a president who is willing to put his money where his mouth is, get things done. look, i see it. i know you are rank-and-file members. i hear it and i know it. look. you are nonpartisan. you will support people who support labor. you've done it. i know if you find a prolabor republican, the first thing you do is take a picture of them because it's like a sasquatch. the second thing is, back them. we will take anybody who wants to come on board. that's where you've been. send them in. look, i don't disagree with republicans because they are republicans. i disagree because they are wrong and that's a big difference. i get it. you are rank and file members.

they are not super exciting. the news tells us every day that people aren't excited about it. i hear your members say this. i'm just not into politics. it's fair. that's their opinion. my opinion is, too bad. politics is into you. so you better start figuring out what you are going to do. how are you going to make that happen? we have to talk to our members. they can't be voting against their interests. i will give you a free red hat if that's what it takes. you are members voted against us , voted against all the federal money, spends all the time criticizing the president. wanted to show up for the ribbon-cutting for the bridge. hell no you are not showing up. you are not. no. no.

so look. i have the privilege now of being the chair of the democratic governors association. there's 23 of us. we represent the majority of minnesotans. it wouldn't be surprise to you, they are strengthening the middle-class, expanding the right to bargain, making sure kids have cal -- health care. we did something in minnesota coming -- minnesota, so exciting, you shouldn't get patted on the back for doing what you are supposed to do. we can at least feed our children. our kids get free breakfast and lunch. it's a good thing. they can eat. [applause] i saw this week, a letter came out because of what our brothers and sisters down in tennessee at the uaw said, no more of this, we are unionizing. we will get this done.

so what happened is, six governors came out with a letter a couple days ago in those states and threatened workers. and said, if you unionize, this is what's going to happen. like that was something new. they've been doing that since the beginning of time. that's what they do. what we need to make sure is, you can be sure that my governors are going to put out a letter and say, we are going to support you in every way we can. we want you to organize. we want you to unionize. we want you in our state. [applause] so -- [applause] so look. you are here and you know it. i know this is preaching to the choir. the choir needs to think.

now's the time for the choir to sing. elections have consequences. if your members are struggling with this and they make it personal, just be very clear. like in my first campaign. building trades work with me because of necessarily who i was. they were with me for shared values. don't vote for a person. vote for what they stand for. in this election, it's clear. somebody stands for collective bargaining. somebody stands with unions. somebody stands for project labor agreements. somebody is making sure prevailing wage matters. making sure pensions are clear. take the names off of it. queen -- quit worrying about how old somebody is. joe biden wishes he was younger. donald trump wishes he wasn't going to jail so it's a wash. so vote for -- [applause]

so vote your values. stand together. i will say this. if we do that, we are building the foundations for the future. thank you all. [applause] ♪ >> that wasn't a bad way to kick it off, right? governor wallace, thank you again for all you've done for the men and women of the building trades of minnesota. i will go a little off script here. i'm a glaser by trade.

when i started in philadelphia, the jewish community, it was one of their core businesses. so i learned some things. most people in this room know the words. mention is a team -- term of enduring. they are saying what a fine human being you are. somebody that can be trusted as a partner. our next feature has been a great ally to us in the u.s. department of labor. first as deputy secretary. consistent in working with us to help further our efforts to support our buildings trades brothers and sisters. the acting secretary served as a california labor workforce development agency secretary. she enforced workplace laws, combated wage theft, insured health and safety on the job,

connected californians to quality jobs, administered worker's compensation and paid family leave. she is a nationally recognized expert on workers rights and civil rights and is dedicated her career to advancing justice on behalf of disenfranchised communities. brothers and sisters, please join me in giving a real welcome to the secretary of labor of the united states, julie sue. ♪

>> ♪ risin' up, back on the street did my time, took my chances went the distance, now i'm back on my feet just a man and his will to survive so many times, it happens too fast you trade your passion for glory don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past you must fight just to keep them alive it's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight risin' up to the challenge of our rival and the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night and he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger ♪

face to face, out on the heat hangin' tough, stayin' hungry they stack the odds still we take to the street for the kill, with the skill to survive it's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight risin' up to the challenge of our rival and the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night and he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger risin' up, straight to the top ♪ ♪ [applause] >> thank you all so much. there's nothing like the buildings trades entrance. thank you. we feel like when you come in

like that, it's better to stop there and not say anything. but i very much appreciate you all having me. and for that warm welcome. thank you so much. truly, not only for your introduction but for your lifetime of work on behalf of working men and women in this country, for your leadership. to everybody on this stage. i feel the power. not just when i'm here but when i'm traveling around the country. and i can't imagine having better partners than all of you. i want to give a shout out to our brother mike munro who does tremendous work here. [applause] it's really great to see all of you in our nations capital. since i'm usually traveling across the country visiting all of you, like when i went to ua 290 in oregon.

that's right. i met with jeff. if you are here, thank you so much. i met mariah dority. she's a single mom who was at her local social services agency to apply for food stamps and medicaid. she saw a flyer for an apprenticeship program in the pipe trade. now, she told me at that time, she could not tell you what a pipe wrench looked like. but she went ahead and applied. that decision changed her life. maria is now a proud ua local 290 member who has quadrupled her income in the last four years. [applause] and today, like so many of you in the building trades, she put in a hard days work and gets rewarded for it. and she gets to see the pride in her children's eyes.

it's not just mariah. across the country, your union halls are bursting with new apprentices. i felt that same energy when i visited the chicagoland training center. [applause] thank you so much for welcoming me there. i felt it at the southern nevada building trade in las vegas. from the milwaukee electrical to the ironworkers local 848 in charlotte. there's really good reasons for all of this energy. it's not just because of our sisters and brothers. unlike the promise of an infrastructure week that never happens, president biden is investing in infrastructure decade. that's right. [applause] and that means that tradesmen and trades women have gone to

work, repairing roads and bridges, modernizing airports, making sure that every family that turns on the faucet gets clean drinking water, and every for our -- family that powers up a computer has access to affordable internet. president biden is investing in america and the building trades are building america. [applause] now, none of this happened by accident. it's happening because of all of you. your advocacy, your solidarity, your leadership, and the infrastructure that you have built. i don't just mean the physical infrastructure. not just the impressive products of your skills and your hands. i mean the infrastructure you put in place to make sure that every worker has their shot at the american dream. what am i talking about? i'm talking about prevailing

wages. something that exists because you, the building trade, advocated and put it into law. i'm talking about project labor agreements born out of the unions that i see here today. i'm talking about apprenticeships. you made all of these things possible. you are not only fueling our economy with the most highly skilled, intelligent workers in the world. you've built an infrastructure that protects good pay, good jobs, and good pathways into those jobs. but i know that you know that before president biden came into office, that infrastructure like our physical roads and bridges needed some serious attention. the reagan administration 40 years ago -- [booing] upended prevailing wage laws. the last administration before the one currently in office was determined to weaken them even

more. when president biden came into office, we said, not this time. not on our watch. we strengthen federal prevailing wage requirements and we fortified the law, reinforcing your vision and making it stronger than ever before. [applause] and today, the department of labor data safety row protects and provides wages for more than one million construction workers. [applause] and that number is only going to go up as we break ground on new projects. and for every piece of historic legislation that president biden signs, we've built prevailing wage protections into those laws. it's not just prevailing wages. let's talk about pll. no president in history has ever

required project labor agreements on federal consumption projects. under president biden we said, let's see what we can do on our watch. [applause] a couple months ago, i went to cleveland with the mayor, david, the local building trades. i announced a rule that requires pla's on virtually all federal contracts valued at or above 30 miller -- $35 million. [applause] in just the first three months of the new rule, the biden administration has included more patients with pla requirements than in the last 10 years. [applause] and you are feeling them, right? you are seeing that. that means more workers with collectively bargained wages and safety protections. again, we are reinforcing the

infrastructure that you built. i know all of you in the building trades and generations before you have been fighting for pla's for over a century. we've got to protect them and expand them. i always say, it is simple. union workers make sure that the job is done on time, on task, on budget. sometimes under budget. that's a good thing for taxpayers. [applause] let's talk about -- the last administration tried to weaken those. they try to say, we discover price training programs without weight progressions, where your only option is to stay with that employer. we will call that an apprenticeship. once again, we said not on our watch. registered apprenticeships are the gold standards. one of the most powerful ways that workers can find their place in the middle class.

we not only fought back on the apprenticeships, we are investing big and regulatory apprenticeships. the department of labor has already invested in a partnership between trade futures and the national urban league. that's a historic partnership to connect more communities to registered apprenticeships. in less than a year, we've enrolled over 3700 people including over 700 women and over 2000 people of color and apprenticeship -- in apprenticeship readiness programs. [applause] this is what it looks like. in ohio, we are helping veterans get good paying construction jobs. in milwaukee and new york, childcare for the working parents to join the building trade. in north dakota, the first-ever pre-apprenticeship program with a tribal college. it's absolutely essential that

we continue to create pathways for all of america's workers. something you all care about, opportunities for all communities. i met sherry willard from north carolina. she's been doing hvac work for a decade. she takes pride in what she does. but she told me that never in all of her time has she worked with another woman and maintenance, much less another black woman. so together, we are saying, not this time, not on our watch. today, president biden's historic federal investments are creating opportunities that will draw from this talent of all of america's workers. i leading the way. president mcgarvey, it's been exciting to see it grow bigger each year. it was like 4000 last year, right? [applause] i also want to commend each union on the stage for your

respect certification program to create better working environments for men and women in every craft. i'm eager to hear more on how to implement that program. i'm also thinking of jimmy williams who has brought more women and people of color into the union. [applause] and the transportation workers who set a goal to double the number of women during the 2019 convention. [applause] in places like atlanta, i will see you in a couple days. state and local labor leaders are working together to make sure that good union jobs are available to every single community. the ability to join a union, the ability for a life-changing job, these things should not depend on the zip code in which you are

born or the circumstances in which you grew up. that's right. [applause] and whether a good job -- whether any job is a good union job shouldn't depend on the industry you work in either. as industries grow and change, we know that we have to be vigilant about the kinds of jobs we are creating. you know and i know what happens if we allow industry to cut costs off the back of working people. as soon as president biden took office, electric vehicle sales have been on the rise. we are going to make things in america again. with the help of president biden's agenda, 300 electric vehicle manufacturing facilities have been announced. at the department of labor, together with our sister agencies in education and energy , we created a national standard for registered apprenticeships in the battery manufacturing industry. i say that because this means

that new booming industries are also built on the foundations that you all have built. again, none of this work i want to say it happens because president biden promised to be the most pro-union president in history. [applause] and we are delivering on that promise. it's not just a talking point, it's what drives our work. it's a combination of having union joe in the white house, that is a powerful one. i'm going to share one last story. rose evans was struggling to

provide when she became a journey worker with the sheet metal workers union. her daughter saw just how much a good union job meant, so she enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship program that was funded by the department of labor and today, mom rose is working on her second project funded under president biden's investing in america agenda. this one is in kokomo, where she works alongside her daughter. [applause] i'm going to close with something you all know very well. we are not just talking about jobs, we are talking about careers. we are talking about building intergenerational wealth. we are talking about families going from just getting back to getting a real shot at home ownership, and pride, security,

time off, and some breathing room. that is what is possible when we invest in workers. we are not done yet. this prounion, pro-worker president is going to keep investing in all american workers come in every corner of america, and we cannot do this work alone. we will keep on saying this is our time and on our watch, let's keep making history. let's keep building. thank you so, so much for everything you do. [applause] ♪

>> thank you again for your tireless efforts on behalf of working people in america. before we get into our next piece of business, i've been around for little while and i want to take a personal point of privilege and tell you a funny story. it wasn't funny at the time, but it was 2015, i'm sure most people will remember the president of ua at the time. we had our election, it was my first time getting elected at my convention president of the north american building trades union. i got up there and thanked everybody, my partner, i thanked

him, i sat back down my chair is the process went on and bill leaned over to me and said, god, what an asshole you are. you thanked everybody in the room and you didn't thank her. he said you better find a jewelry store and you better find one quick. but i want to say that everybody in this room has a spouse that helps them do our jobs. we all understand the long hours of travel, the long nights, none of us would be so successful without that support at home, and i have a double benefit because my wife actually knows this business and i just like my wife to stand up for a second and be recognized. [applause]

proud member of ua local 602. my daughter, my nephew and my father, the mentor of our family. thank you for all the support over the years. i'd like to take a moment to thank those of you who got their hands dirty and answered the callbacks today. we're going to roll a slideshow. giving back to the community is what we do. we appreciate you volunteering at the national mall and the district of columbia highlands yesterday. let's take a moment to applaud our brothers and sisters.

that's announce our winners. rand and, will you please pull the two winning names. cedric sommerville. [applause] in our second winner is karen freese. [applause] please make your way to the

right-hand steps to the stage and receive your gift. congratulations to you both. remember tomorrow afternoon we will be pulling the winning ticket, major grand prize for your day of service. ladies and gentlemen, our next speaker is the 58th mayor of cleveland, ohio. since taking office two years ago, he has built a strong relationship with the building trades and has been an advocate and support of project labor rights. he is committed to putting people in neighborhoods first. delivering high quality city services and leading to change and building a stronger and safer cleveland for all residents. he serves as chair of the national bipartisan coalition and vice president of the democratic mayor's association. please welcome to the stage mayor justin bibb. ♪

♪ ♪

>> thank you so much. [applause] first, i want to shout out our president of the cleveland buildings trade coalition. let's do a round of applause if we can. i was going to judge dave for his music selection, but you get an a plus with that song, so we are in good shape. ladies and gentlemen, good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to address you today. i'm justin bibb, mayor of the great city of cleveland, ohio. that's right. and i am so honored to stand before this esteemed gathering of skilled craftsmen, all of you

and the more than 3 million professionals play a vital role in shaping every aspect of our landscape and infrastructure. your dedication to excellence and commitment to your craft are the pillars upon which cleveland and the nation stand. your expertise and skill are evident in every structure and every road that connects our neighborhoods. your dedication to quality and safety ensures that the buildings you construct will stand the test of time and serve generations to come. i stand here today not just as a mayor, but as a partner, and strong advocate for the building trades. [applause]

you see, your work is not just about constructing buildings and roads. it is about building community, creating opportunities and crafting the future of our great city. together, we have the power to make a lasting impact on the lives of our residents in the vibrancy of our neighborhoods. the theme for this year's conference, foundation for the future, is fitting in more ways than one. the work that you do is not just about bricks and mortar. it's about creating homes for families, schools for children, and spaces for communities to come together. now, the spaces are foundational. they are the building blocks of our neighborhoods and our cities. and this organization has also

laid the foundation for recruiting and retaining workers to the building trades from all walks of life, creating opportunities for middle-class family sustaining jobs in the construction industry for decades to come. and i know this firsthand. my uncle who served prison time for a robbery paid his time, came back to our home on the south side of cleveland and didn't know how he would find a way back to his path to achieving the american dream. it was the building trades that gave him a quality shot at life. this organization. you see, your advocacy creates opportunities for hard-working people to bring the american dream within reach, and build generational prosperity and

mobility. and our president, president joe biden, has done more probably than any president in american history to create good paying union jobs in cities like cleveland all across this great nation. and nowhere is this more real than in cleveland, ohio. when we had the covid-19 pandemic come to our city, it was the american rescue plan that gave america's mayors the opportunity to put real money in our neighborhoods. i will give you one example. right now, in cleveland, we are so close to creating over 400 building trade jobs to finally close the digital divide in

cleveland, ohio. as the president described this worked perfectly this time last year at this very conference, last april, the folks in this room are leading what president biden called the blue-collar blueprint to rebuild america. growth in manufacturing and trade jobs, a growing economy, increasing innovation, massive investment in infrastructure, and at this very moment, we are witnessing the reactive is asian of once forgotten cities and towns all across america. from my vantage point as a mayor, the momentum is just beginning. the chip act paved the way for 10,000 jobs, including seven

thousand construction jobs in columbus and central ohio. that's right. the inflation reduction act is helping people afford energy-efficient appliances, buying new and used electric vehicles and make updates to their home to help mitigate the impact of climate change. and of course the historic bipartisan infrastructure law is helping us eliminate lead service mines to ensure safe drinking water for our children, close the digital divide with citywide broadband and improve transit infrastructure, equity, and options. in there is so much more in the pipeline. these progressive policies benefit all of us and we are grateful for your advocacy and the tremendous impact that it has. it is unions that produce

prosperity. strengthens families through better wages and benefits and boosts civic participation. all of these activities serve to strengthen our democracy. and everyone in this room knows what it takes to make sure we meet this moment once and for all. [applause] i don't have to tell you that the threat of a leader who promises to stand with workers but does exactly the opposite is very real. the threats of cuts to programs that working and middle-class americans have to count on is real. the threat of losing ground with

hard-fought progress coming out of the pandemic is real, and we all know that we cannot afford to go backwards. as we look to the future, we face both challenges and opportunities. the demand for affordable housing, sustainable infrastructure, and skilled labor is greater than ever before. but i believe that together, we can see these challenges for the opportunities they are and build a brighter future in cities nationwide. [applause] in cleveland, we work collaboratively with our cleveland building and construction trades council toward a city that is inclusive, resilient, and prosperous for all its residents. the cleveland building

construction trades council is the umbrella organization for more than 29 local unions working in the construction industry across our region. these unions represent more than 10,000 highly skilled and highly trained craft workers, working with developers, building owners, contractors, and individuals who rely on a productive and professional workforce. and i am committed to working in tandem with the building trades to address the challenges and sees the opportunities that lie ahead. together, we can create new pathways to economic prosperity, expand opportunities for job training and apprenticeships, and ensure that the benefit of development are shared equitably among all our residents.

in closing, i want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. for your hard work, your dedication, your passion for your craft. your contributions to cleveland and to the nation are invaluable and i am honored to partner with you in building a stronger, more vibrant city for everyone. and i know we will continue to work together shoulder to shoulder to create beacons of opportunity, innovation, and progress for future generations. america's mayors are with the building trades every step of the way. so congratulations, god bless you all, god bless our great

country. thank you so much. [applause] ♪ >> thank you, mayor, for the

amazing job you have done and continue to do for the working people of cleveland. brothers and sisters, in the fall of 2016, the governing board started our capital strategies program to focus on better organizing our members money to ensure that every responsible investment was made to better maximize our resources into put money to work in ways that simultaneously created union jobs. with that work we have deepened our partnership with public pension funds and state treasuries across the country. this includes the illinois state treasurer in his role he effectively manages $56 billion. he has earned illinois taxpayers more than $2 billion for safe, smart investing. he also serves as vice chair of the illinois state board of investment which manages over $26 billion pension assets for state employees. a year ago the treasurer and i convened the call on union

activism leaders to mobilize working people against attacks on responsible investment. december of 2023 he announced $75 million allocation to the infrastructure fund. his work has been recognized nationally. he was unanimously elected president of the bipartisan national association of auditors and treasures in 2022 and president of the national association of state treasurers in 2023. that said, please join me in giving a very warm welcome to illinois treasurer. ♪ [applause]

♪ >> thank you. good morning. thank you members of the governing board. i would not be here today without your support. by that, i mean i wouldn't be standing here without the support of organized labor

throughout my life. i father was a member of teamsters local 26 for 45 years. my mother retired as a member of fb local 31, and i stand here today because union wages put food on our table. union health care benefits paid the hospital bill when i was hit by a car riding my bike at age 13. in a union pension means that my father and mother were able to retire without having to rely on my brothers and me for support. i want to thank president biden for convincing congress to save pension plans, including the one that supports my dad. i family will tell you the building trades, the unionized

building trades are still vital to america. my brother james believes it too. so much so that he has completed two apprenticeships for both the operating engineers in the carpenters. my brother out of job at the university of illinois. they had good benefits, then he had to go through a second apprenticeship. i also have uncles and cousins with the laborers. with the ironworkers, electricians, plumbers, and family in a bunch of other different unions.

you can be everything to everyone. as a teamster, my dad hauled rock and asphalt to work sites across central illinois. he worked hard. he worked long hours. he took his showers when he got home, not before heading out to work before dawn. we never took summer vacations. summer was when dad worked. i think more than a few of your families know how that works. in my political career, organized labor has been with me every step of the way. in fact, it was during an internship with the southwestern illinois building construction trades that an ironworker first encouraged me to run for office. he made calls to make sure i received the endorsement of the afl-cio. i was eventually elected to the state sitting where i passed bills to help local communities get funding for infrastructure projects. it was while serving in the

senate that i was approached by michael carrigan, ib member and president of the illinois afl-cio. he told me that i should run for treasurer. just like when tad encouraged me to run for the state house, i wasn't expected to win. i had the backing of working families and organized labor. they funded my campaign, they knocked on doors, and at the election of 2014, a very bad year for democrats, our democratic governor went down in defeat, but i won. it has not just been union money and boots on the ground that have been important to my election. it's also been union backers. my dad believed in high quality. he believed in buying things that were built to last and

taking care of them, whether that was clothes that would hold up while working construction, or in his vehicles. on the screens here hopefully we've got a picture. this is my dad. he had a ford f 100 pickup truck that he loved, and he spent hours polishing and waxing that truck and i would often help him. he taught me my brothers how to take care of it. he has had his current dodge pickup truck for 25 years. that is him standing in the bed of the truck. he also took care of his international semi. he owned it for 28 years. put over 1.5 million miles on it. that is him climbing into the cab for the last time before he sold it. that truck was built to last,

and he took care of it. but fortunately -- and fortune, too many people today think we live in a disposable society. you something once and then throw it away. or it breaks, and they throw it away. my dad taught me to think differently. he tell me to invest in things that are built to last and to take care of them. when we think differently, we find solutions that others can't or won't. the men and women of organized labor understand that we are stronger when we stand together. the building trades know that is important when we build things that they are built to last. i have applied this way of thinking to my job as state treasurer. when we invest, we know that we have a larger voice when we speak together. i have worked with many of your pension funds to directly confront this disposable culture and insist that in america, our strategy is, built to last. when we invest in companies, we

are owners. and as owners, we have a voice that cannot be ignored. when marathon petroleum locked down there you unionized workers at a refinery in minnesota and try to replace them with scabs, we knew that that was a bad business strategy. treating your skilled workforce like they are disposable is a recipe for disaster. management may try to increase profits net quarter, but we don't care about the next quarter, we invest in the next quarter-century. [applause] so companies will be around and valuable when your members are ready to retire. we join together with labors and teamsters and other -- others to demand that marathon come back to the table. individually, we may not have a lot of shares, but collectively,

we cannot be ignored. when berkshire hathaway decided they would select the contractors to build pipelines in the midwest by using a reverse auction, we were appalled. pipelines. if anything should be built to last, it is critical infrastructure. management was treating the labor to build this investment as if they were disposable. we joined with the ua, with the laborers, with other democratic state treasures and with other union pension plans and we objected. we may not win every fight, but we are not afraid to sit across the table from the ceos and make sure they use skilled labor and they build projects to last. if you build it right the first time, you will save costs over the long run.

we also thought differently about my office. when i took office, we were paying over $800,000 to lease space in two different buildings. we want to bring all of our employees together in one building and we wanted to own it. we found a building that no one else wanted. we saw potential that no one else did. and we got a very good deal. brought everyone together under one roof and wanted to make sure it would last well beyond my years as treasurer. to do that, we used union labor. we used union labor to renovated, to make it more energy-efficient, ada acceptable , and compliant with modern fire codes. it now cost us less every year to operate then the leases we were paying, and we are saving money every year. we did all of this while complying with historic preservation needs, abraham

lincoln's bank. lincoln used a bank at moraine bank, our new building. signing a pla was a requirement for the general contractor and every subcontractor and we bid a roughly five movie dollar project. i think lincoln would be proud. i think lincoln would be proud because he once said, quote, i'm glad to know there is system of labor where the labor can strike if he wants to and i would to god that such a system prevails all over the world. today our building is the envy of the rest of state government, and all of the work to make it that was done by your members. because we built it right, it will last for decades. we also thought differently

about our unclaimed property department. for decades we returned money to individuals in our state. when i took office, it was the same time that antiunion governors declared war on organized labor. war is costly, so we prioritized finding money for unions. to date we have returned roughly $3.1 million in missing money to various building trades. payouts range from over $1 million to the ua down to as little as three dollars and $.55 or teamsters local 710. doesn't matter how big it is, it is your money and it should be back into your accounts because we know that getting money into your account does a lot more good for the working men and women of our state than it does sitting in a bank vault in springfield.

so i am the chief investment officer for the state of illinois and my credit investors have invested a certain way for decades. we thought differently. i've seen pension funds investing in ppp projects that make money doing it. and i knew that we could not only make money for the states, we can make our state more competitive and we would put people to work in the process. we worked with the operating engineers, the laborers and several other trade unions to pass legislation to create a first in the nation infrastructure find under a state treasurer. in illinois we now have a $1.5 billion find dedicated to making investments in roads and bridges. communication infrastructure, alternative energy, public housing and much more. but if we are going to build it,

we should build it to last. we wanted that message heard by anyone who wanted our money. i was proud to deliver that message when i announce that our first 75 movie dollar investment was with the union labor life insurance company. our economy won't be solid if we just develop video games. america needs to build. we know it in illinois. i think you need to share that message in your state. you can make your state or competitive and you can put people to work. if you would like to see this kind of investment and union built projects in your state, let me tell you, it is possible. we stand ready to share our blueprint. you need to reach out to your treasurer, your representatives and senators and asked them to think differently. unity -- you need to ask him to

invest in unionville infrastructure, but remind them that when they build it, make sure that it is built to last. [applause] i will in by saying we are going to build for the long-term in illinois. in order to do that, we need to work hard on elections at home. we win when we give people with good jobs with good wages. joe biden understands that. that's why he passed the bipartisan infrastructure investment act that is using union labor to rebuild o'hare airport, chicago's union station, and projects like these throughout america. i'm going to the white house this afternoon for discussion on strong labor principles when investing. it doesn't have to be like this, i remind you of the alternative.

does anyone remember donald trump in his infrastructure week, but never built a thing? do you remember how his department of labor was hostile to unions? i do, and i don't want to go back to that. joe biden gets it. he is the first president in american history to walk a picket line. joe biden gets it. he may be viewed by some people as old, but that's not a reason to throw him away. i my father taught me, he still has a lot of good miles in him. he has been here for us, and it's our time to do our part, like my father taught me. we need to get to work and take care of his legacy, because together we will keep rebuilding this country, and together, we will build it to last.

thank you very much for all you have done for me and thank you very much for all your going to do this file. -- this fall. ♪ [applause] ♪ >> thank you, mr. treasure. there's very few people in this hall today who can stand next to mr. michael munro look each other eye to eye. that is a tall drink of water right there. thank you for the work you're

doing for families in illinois and across america. ladies and gentlemen, i like to take a moment to give a spotlight to another conference we host every year. trades women build nations, has quickly become one of our finest accomplishments. it is the world's largest annual gathering of women building trades members and the largest building trade event that occurs on a yearly basis regardless of gender. which means it is bigger than this conference. last fall we hosted it right here in this hotel. we had to turn away 750 women who wanted to register because there wasn't enough room and the fire marshal would have shut us down. it was like nothing i've ever seen before. nearly 4000 trades women packed this room with incredible

energy, solidarity and sisterhood. let's take a minute to watch the highlight from 2023. roll the video, please. >> sisters, ladies, friends, welcome to the 2023 trades women build conference. >> the future of the building trades is in this room right now. >> solidarity, strength, and sisterhood. it's not just a tagline, it is a way of life. >> i had a dream that someday i would be in a room where i was not the minority. this is amazing. >> that is who we are today, because of you. >> women are building the future.

keep it up, nothing can stop us. >> is a lifestyle. we are family. >> we don't agonize, we organize. [applause] >> as you can see, this conference is a can't miss experience. some of our sisters who make up the committee are here with us this week. we applaud them for their hard work as they help lead the way to recruit more women within our ranks to try -- drive positive change in our industry. this fall, conference information will be available on our website in the coming months and we encourage you to help trades women within your ranks in this amazing conference. you heard our last speaker, made

a few comments about corporate leaders and how difficult some of them are dealt, and this is -- this man that comes out of a coal mining family isn't your regular ceo. he is a friend and a brother. so brothers and sisters, our next speaker's chairman, president and chief executive officer of outbound -- alabama power and their parent company are true friends for the building trades. they work hand-in-hand with our members to provide electricity to more than 1.5 million customers across the great state of alabama. he has been a key pillar in growing the strong relationship between alabama power and nabtu.

they continue to place great value in the voice of workers. his time in industry has only increased safety efforts to expand the hiring of more women and veterans and apprenticeship readiness programs. we ask him to speak to you today and we acknowledge he has been a true ambassador who is willing to spread the word in rooms that he has the opportunity to be in on the benefits of having strong labor management. brothers and sisters, give a very warm welcome to a true friend of the north american building trades, mr. jeff people's. ♪

♪

>> how is everybody doing today? i saw up on the screen that sean and i were dressed exactly the same. fantastic to be here. also, do i have anybody from alabama in the house today? roll tide. i have a little something for you later on. let me start by saying i'm humbled and honored to be here. i have been working in the energy industry for 40 years in this relationship is one of the true highlights and joys of my life. on behalf of the southern company, our ceo and subsidiaries across the southern system, alabama power, georgia power, mississippi power and southern company gas, thank you. we understand that the north american -- without the north

american building trades, we cannot be successful. the energy industry and the nation cannot be successful. our success lies in the relationship with this governing board, the secretary-treasurer and this president, because when we need help -- let's give them a hand. [applause] when we need help, maintaining or building, we turn to the building trades and we get the job done together. you help us power the homes and communities, we have 9 million customers across our entire footprint and because of your hard work and dedication, we are able to serve them. so again, from the bottom of my heart, and i know we've had many people come up and many people talk, and today you may hear somebody that is smoother than me, but you're not going to hear anybody that wants to be here

more than me today to celebrate the success with you. i guarantee you that. i've known president mcgarvey for nearly a decade and i consider them both friends and brothers. a wise man once told me that through good business come good friends. this friendship was established years ago in my backyard, and on behalf of southern, it was long before i was doing labor relations for southern, relationship was built long before i was the ceo of alabama power. i also want to let you know that this friendship will continue for years to come. [applause] working together, southern company and the building trades in my opinion have developed the

strongest labor-management partnership in the country. we share commitments, safety, training, and one of the things that i love is focusing on union men our growth. the other thing i feel so good about is the unparalleled trust we have across this governing board along with the president and secretary-treasurer. these people care and they work with us about growing union jobs, so let's give them a hand again. [applause] i'm going to run through this part pretty quickly. this is about us as a company. alabama power was founded in 1906. we serve about 1.5 million customers. we've got 40% coal, 30% natural gas, and about 30% clean energy. we have 6000 employees, of which 40% are members of the international motherhood of electrical workers, the ibew.

everybody in the back said i could do what i wanted to do, should have known that. these employees are essential to help us provide clean, safe, reliable, portable power to our customers and communities. alabama power is part of the greater southern company system which is focused on building the future of energy. we have seven electric and natural gas utilities serving really across all 50 states. we are ranked as the number one most admired electric and gas utility by far and we are very proud of that. one of the primary reasons for that is in total we have 28,000 employees and 9000 of them are members of the ibew.

how we do work is just as important as what we do, and for us, it all starts with safety. we know that our work has risks. we collaborate with our employees to manage those risks focusing on the cultural transparency and learning and empowering every employee with the authority to stop work whenever it is needed. there is nothing more important than our employees and your members returning home safely every day. i will tell you we are committed to doing everything we can to enhance our safety culture and provide the resources needed to keep our people safe. just like all the other things we do about maintaining in construction, we turn to the building trades to work with you guys to make sure we stay at the forefront. we all share in the responsibility and must have a personal commitment to safety.

it is all of our responsibility. i spoke earlier about the strong partnership we have with organized labor. all of our ceos along with president mcgarvey and the governing board of presidents, we meet twice a year. we are proactive and intentional when it comes to growing union jobs. it is because of the forward thinking of president mcgarvey and your governing board of presidents that we are able to create a national labor agreement, that we use all across the southern footprint. this agreement has expanded to cover most of our plans if not all and even our construction projects. because of that agreement today, our three year average for all craft labor is 52 million man-hours. 65% of that is you guys. this is something that i am especially proud of, for our

contractors, because of this agreement and because of this partnership, that is the equivalent of 10,000 additional full-time jobs for you members every year. what makes that even more important is that in the states that we live in, the industry average is usually around 10%. because of the relationship that we have and the forward thinking that has gone on here, that has occurred in the southeast. i am familiar with the impact on working families. when it comes to staffing, i know there are differences around the number of employees needed to construct, maintain and operate an asset. we are and will continue to have a measured, responsible

approach, balancing the need to provide critical power while maintaining customers clean energy needs at the forefront of our minds. we're committed to working with our employees to ensure that everyone who wants to continue to work with us as the opportunity and training necessary for the jobs of the future. we know it can be done. as our fleet transitions, will continue to do that with you all and i'm very proud to say that not one ibew member has been replaced at any time. i'm very proud of that. in addition, we are committed to continuing to identify opportunities for man-hour growth across our system because we know when we grow, it creates jobs and economic growth in our communities. we partner with the ibew on new and emerging efforts to help with any displacement of workers , having the first connectivity crew in america which handles

all aspects of fiber insulation for makeready work to intermediate cable splicing. in the past couple of years we've been able to meet -- to mate -- to make meaningful growth in our utilities. we had southern company and alabama power know when we work with the building trades we get the job done safely and effectively. you all get it done. thank you for that. back in november we were excited to announce a commercial operation of a new 726 megawatt gas-fired combined cycle down in mobile, alabama. because of the dedication and hard work of our employees, contractors and the many women of the north american building trades that the project was completed on budget and on schedule. as a new ceo, i was very happy that that first project did that.

we came in on budget and on schedule 60 miles north of that, another company building a sister unit to that, the exact same unit with the different work posture was not on schedule and not on budget. give yourselves a hand because that is value on display every day right there. that is money. let me say this right here, this is one of the great things about being in this position. one of the commitments of a continue to make going forward, we are going to build it in alabama, we're going to build it with union labor. [applause] you may have seen the headlines

over in waynesboro, georgia. without some work going on to build the first newly constructed nuclear units in more than 30 years. providing safe, reliable emission free energy to over 5000 homes and businesses. this month, unit four achieved 100% power and is in the process of completing final testing for commercial operation. in our goal for net zero carbon emissions by 2050. its success would not be possible without the leadership of president sean mcgarvey, the secretary-treasurer who has gone on to another role, and current secretary brandon bishop. during this project, brandon and i worked together in a lot of different times and hours. we spent so much time over there we bought braves jerseys and had

to pay georgia taxes. we had a global pandemic while we were trying to build local, but it was the largest giant producing project in georgia with over 9000 workers. because of our strong partnership and shared commitments to safety, our people, we stood up a medical clinic together. this along with other efforts kept our employees and your members willing and able to come to work every day. as a result, the planned vocal construction site never set down. when we at southern today talk about what were going to build and how we're going to do it, the next sentence is a big one just. that's the ingenuity and tenacity that makes our projects together successful. you work with us, thank you so much for that. we also know that when we work with our brothers and sisters in the building trades, our impact is significantly greater.

womb we align our efforts are mutual advocacy, we have a collective voice when it comes to regulatory action, legislative and public policy that can create mutually beneficial outcomes and we are able to put even more people on the pathway to meaningful careers where they can earn a good wage and support themselves and their families. many times people just do not simply know how to acclimate themselves for employment. one of my big platforms in the state of alabama is workforce development and the apprentice reddish -- readiness program we do with the building trades is a model for america. it is one of the best things you can possibly do. because one of the things we faced is that this challenge is often in underrepresented communities, including women, people of color as those who are

most impacted. a few years ago we created when the purse industry finds that designates four cents per hour for advancing diversity and growth among the trades. we've been able to support organizations like trades futures, helmets to hardhats. we provide scholarships, mentorship and internship programs. we are educating small business.