Labor-Management Education Committee – Lee Graham, Spring 2026
Spring is right around the corner, bringing with it warmer weather and for Labor-Management, it is a chance to continue the many great opportunities and projects we have been working on throughout the winter months.
In January, we hosted our 23rd Annual Upper Peninsula Signatory Contractor Roundtable. We met with representatives from A. Lindberg & Sons, Bacco Construction, Barton Malow, CR Meyer & Sons Company, Dawes Rigging & Crane Rental, DeGrand Construction, Desjarden Excavating Inc, Enbridge, Gundlach Champion, Highland Copper Company, James Peterson Sons, Kokosing Alberici Traylor, Lakenen Crane & Rigging Service LLC, McNally & Nimergood, Michigan Department of Labor & Economics, Miron Construction, MJ VanDamme, Northern Michigan University, Northern Tire Co., Payne & Dolan, Peninsula Boom & Equipment, Roy Ness Contracting & Sales Inc, UP Building Trades, UP Construction Council, Walsh, and Wolverine Trucking. This included key speakers Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, Paul Meneghini with Enbridge, and Mike Smith with UPCC. It was a very successful Roundtable where relationships were strengthened, and good dialogue and conversation continued between Local 324 and our contractor partners.
In February, we hosted our 15th annual Bay Area Signatory Contractor Roundtable. We kicked off with guest speakers Jim Barcia, Bay County Executive, and Doug Wunder, Consumers Energy. We met with representatives from Ameriscapes Landscape, AZCO, Bay County, Bierlein Services, BP Contracting, CAM, Champagne & Marx Excavating, Cold Creek Services, Consumers Energy, Dobson Industrials Inc, Enbridge, Fisher Contracting Co, Glenwood Contracting LLC, Great Lakes Fusion, Hardman Construction, Helmets to Hardhats, J. Ranck Electric Inc, M&M Excavating Company, M&W Crane Rental LLC, MacAllister Rental, MDOT, Roese Pipeline, Sunbelt Rentals, Tri-City Groundbreakers Inc, Welke AG Time & Drainage Services, and WDI.
In the months ahead, we will have two more Roundtables for the Southeast and Grand Rapids areas and we also anticipate them being successful where partnerships are strengthened.
For 47 years, Michigan Apprenticeship Steering Committee, Inc (MASCI) has been one of the state’s leading advocates for opportunities that can be provided through Registered Apprenticeships. MASCI brings together labor, industry, educators, government, public and lawmakers, with the goal of increasing the opportunities, profile and standards that build long and meaningful careers in construction and manufacturing. MASCI held their 2025 Excellence in Apprentice of the Year Awards at Pinckney Community High School on December 4, 2025. The Advanced Manufacturing winner was UAW Local 699’s Anwar Collins with Nexteer Automotive and the Construction Trades winner was Operating Engineers 324’s Nathan Kwapis with Payne & Dolan. Congratulations to the winners – their dedication to their craft did not go unnoticed!
We are honored to partner with the American Cancer Society “Construction vs Cancer” to help sponsor their upcoming 8th annual Big Dig of Michigan event, hosted at the Operating Engineers 324 Construction Career Center, 275 East Highland Rd, Howell, MI 48843 on July 11, 2026. This is where partners will serve as “hard hats” and advocates in the fight against cancer and while maintaining to be leaders in the ever-growing industry of construction and STEM. The Big Dig of Michigan gives children and families the opportunity to attend and operate heavy machinery, including excavators, scissor lifts, and more, all while raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research. This festive fair-like event will host a variety of hands-on activities and entertainment. Be on the look out for opportunities to help volunteer at this rewarding event. We could not do this without our volunteers and industry partners.
The Michigan Safety Conference will be held April 14th and 15th at the Lansing Center. The Michigan Safety Conference is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the improvement of workplace safety and health practices in the State of Michigan. During this two-day event, participants are provided with quality workplace health and safety education. Please visit https://michsafetyconference.org/ to find out more information.
The 18th Michigan Construction Career Days (MICCD) is an event where opportunities in and around the construction industry are shown to students, school superintendents, administrators, teachers, and counselors about successful careers in the trades. This construction career exploration is open to all Michigan 7th-12th grade students. The event will be held April 29th and 30th. For more information, please visit www.michiganccd.com. If you are interested in volunteering, please look out for the volunteer info link on the website.
Stay healthy and warm, Summer is right around the corner!
Lee Graham
Treasurer
Executive Director, Labor-Management Education Committee