News and Updates

Upcoming Labor Day Weekend Events:




COLORADO


Taste of Colorado

Where: Civic Center Park

When: Sept. 3–5, 2022

Come out and enjoy the end-of-summer celebration, complete with multiple outdoor performance stages, dozens of food vendors, a large arts and crafts marketplace, and an expanded Kids Zone packed with family-friendly activities.


Denver Chalk Art Festival 

Where: Golden Triangle Creative District

This long-running Denver festival follows street painting traditions that originated in 16th century Renaissance Italy when artists began transforming asphalt into canvas using chalk. This year more than 100 artists will be beautifying the streets in the Golden Triangle Creative District.   

When: Sept. 3–5, 2022



ILLINOIS


39th Annual Labor Day Parade

Where: John Deere Harvester Works parking lot at 1100 13th Avenue in East Moline, IL.

When: Line up starts at 8am. September 5 , 2022 - 11:00 AM

A bus will be provided for walkers who would like a ride back to their vehicle at the end of the parade route. The parade will begin to roll out at 11:00 am.


The 2022 Rock Island Labor Day Parade 

Where: The parade starts in Rock Island, Illinois at 33rd Street and marches west along 18th Avenue. At 24th Street, the parade turns left and continues south to 25th Avenue, then turns right and disbands into the Rock Island High School parking lots.

When: Line up will begin at 8:30 AM, Parade begins at 9:30 AM September 5th.



IOWA


Labor Day Picnic: Clinton, Iowa

Where: Eagle Point Lodge, 4101 North 3rd Street, Clinton, IA

When: Sunday, September 4th from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.



Labor Day Picnic: Cedar Rapids, IA

Where: Hawkeye Downs 4400 6th St SW 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

When: Monday, September 5th 202

11am to 4pm 

Food served from 11:30am to 1:30pm 

Music by members of the Musicians Union 

Entertainment for the kids too

Door Prizes!!


Labor Day Picnic: Council Bluffs

Where: Lake Manawa, Shelter 6

When: Monday September, 5th @ 4-7 p.m.

Join us for a Labor Day picnic co-sponsored by the Pottawattamie County Democrats and the Western Iowa Labor Federation. We will be celebrating workers with free food, drinks, sides, and baked goods, as well as an opportunity to meet and greet local pro-labor candidates for office. All community members are welcome! 


Labor Day Parade: Des Moines

Where: Marching East from the Iowa State Capitol to the Fairgrounds on Grand Avenue.

There will be buses at the fairgrounds for pick up and drop off.

When: Monday September, 5th

Parade kick off at 11 a.m.

Line up starts at 8 a.m.


NEBRASKA


Labor Day Parade: Omaha, Nebraska

Where: Downtown Omaha

When: Monday, Sept. 5 (11 a.m.)


THE PARADE STARTS MONDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH AT 11 A.M.  IN DOWNTOWN OMAHA!

Events will be from 11 a.m. to  3:30 p.m.  

All American Car Show. Entry  Fee $15.  Registration 10 a.m. to  noon. Judging    2 p.m. Awards  3 pm. Click to read the flyer


EVENTS

11 a.m. Labor Day Parade, downtown Omaha

11:30 a.m. Event opens

 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.    

Mega Ride Tickets on site for sale $35.00, ride all rides all four  days for one price. You can buy Mega Ride Tickets at all Hy-Vee stores for $35.00

 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.    

Todd Armstrong Shows – Gigantic Midway Carnival

 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

             Kiddie Kingdom – kiddie rides for all ages

11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

International Food Booths – Kiddie Kingdom area

 1p.m.– 3 p.m. 

Powerskips

11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

​​ Vendor Booths – in front of Entertainment Tent

11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    Omaha Wild Clowndum –in Kiddie Kingdom

Noon – 4:30 p.m.       

   All American Car Show (in back of lot D)

 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.          

Amazing Lindy, balloons variety

1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.   

Martika Variety Entertainer

 Noon – 9 p.m.       

Live Shark Encounter


BANDS

12:30 – 1:30 P.M.        

CRAZEE’S ON THE BLOCK

2:00 P.M.  – 3:00 P.M.    

SINNERS & SAINTS

3:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.    

BEAUTIFUL SIX

5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.    

RED HOT

6:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.  

 SHOOT TO THRILL



Notice From DC81 Director of Training Howard Baker In Regard To National Apprenticeship Week 

New College Credit & Degree Opportunities for IUPAT Members and Families

The International Finishing Trades Institute (iFTI) continues to build affiliations with institutions that offer advanced educational opportunities for union members and families.

Partners in Learning with

Columbia Southern University

The iFTI is pleased to announce that we are now partners in learning with Columbia Southern University (CSU). Based in Orange Beach, Alabama, CSU offers a variety of online associate, bachelor, master's and even doctoral degree programs for IUPAT members and families at a discounted rate.

This includes Business Administration, Environmental Management, Occupational Safety & Health, Criminal Justice, and Information Systems & Cyber Security among a large variety of other fields of study.

The iFTI partnership with CSU offers these discounts for IUPAT members and family members:

In order to enroll, you will need to reach out to the Admissions Team at CSU (800-977-8449 ext. 6521). They will evaluate your transcripts and credits to see what classes you can receive credit for.  Please mention that you are a part of the International Finishing Trades Institute's Articulation Agreement so that you can receive the 10% discount.

Instructors can qualify to be sponsored participants.  For more information on being sponsored, and if you have any questions, email FTIInternational@iupat.org.

Download a full list of opportunities on the iFTI and CSU Learning Partnership HERE.

iFTI Engages with the American Council on Education to Expand College Credit Opportunities for Apprentices


The International Finishing Trades Institute is one of nine training and education institutions accepted into the American Council on Education (ACE) Apprenticeship Pathways project with the goal to increase the opportunity for apprentices to earn college credits for completing iFTI training curriculum. Specifically, the iFTI Painter Decorator Apprenticeship Program course materials.


ACE, the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities with more than 1,700 colleges and universities as members, led a team of faculty reviewers to thoroughly evaluate the Painter Decorator Apprenticeship Program course materials for college credit eligibility. The faculty reviewing the courses considers the depth, range, and thoroughness of the course content, materials, and assessments which holds the iFTI to a higher degree of accountability and ensures an expert and skilled workforce.


The iFTI review is published in a national guide which will help colleges and employers recognize student competencies and experiences garnered through the apprenticeship program and align the member with an educational pathway.


“The fact that we not only offer our apprentices the skills and safety training for a successful career in construction but now also additional opportunities to earn college credits for that training which can be applied to the start of a college degree program, expands the personal professional horizon for our apprentices,” said iFTI Executive Director Anton Ruesing. “That gives us yet another tool for the recruitment and retention of apprentices to successfully grow the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.”


The iFTI continues to partner with the ACE Apprenticeship Pathways Project to include apprenticeship curriculum from other crafts in addition to the Painter Decorator training materials in the immediate future.


Painter Decorator IUPAT apprentices should contact their district council director of training for more information on how to qualify for these degree credits.






Join The Pass The PRO Act Campaign!

The bosses have been rolling back our labor rights for nearly 100 years. And for decades, politicians have offered little but empty promises. It’s time to find out which side they’re on. The Pass The PRO Act campaign is planning to lobby every member of Congress, every Senator and the Biden administration to get them on the record pledging to fight for the PRO Act in the next session. With a grassroots, state level approach, union locals across industries will work together to find out which side the politicians who work for them are on.


About the Pass the PRO Act Campaign

President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to “be the most pro-union president you’ve ever seen.” The labor movement played a pivotal role in delivering Biden’s victory, now it’s time for the Biden administration to deliver for workers.

In February of this year, Congress passed the PRO Act. It has 218 cosponsors in the House, 41 cosponsors in the Senate, and the support of both President-elect Biden and VP Kamala Harris.

It’s time for each and every one of them to fight for and demand the labor law reform we need, beginning with the PRO Act.

The PRO Act would dra­mat­i­cal­ly grow work­ers’ pow­er on the job by expand­ing union mem­ber­ship, reform­ing decades-old labor laws, banning so-called ​“right to work” laws and end­ing employ­er intim­i­da­tion or inter­fer­ence in union drives.

We’ve been sold false promis­es for decades, and it must come to an end now.

If the labor movement stands together united across industries in this one demand, we can win.

The stakes for all of us couldn’t be high­er.

After nearly 100 years without positive labor law reform, we must work together to pass the PRO Act.

The Pass the PRO Act Campaign is supported by 70 unions and federations comprising 5 million members.

10 ways the PRO Act can transform labor rights in the United States


Scholarship Notice 2020

S. Frank “Bud” Raftery

IUPAT Member 1935–1986

General President March 1965–June 1984

At the 25th General Convention held in Washington, D.C., in August 1984, a resolution was passed, creating the S. Frank “Bud” Raftery Scholarship Fund in honor of his service to the International Union, his accomplishments and his progressive thinking.

At the 27th General Convention held in Washington, D.C., in August 1994, then General President A. L. “Mike” Monroe and the General Executive Board, who strongly believed in the principles for which the scholarship was created, passed another resolution to increase the S. Frank “Bud” Raftery Scholarship Fund to $20,000.00, allowing for 10 scholarships of $2,000 annually.

All sons, daughters, and legal dependants of IUPAT members in good standing are eligible to apply for this scholarship award.

All applicants must submit an essay, not less than 1,000 or more than 2,000 words, on an essay topic chosen by the IUPAT Scholarship Committee.

Click on the application link below to learn more about this scholarship and how to apply.

Download more information


A.L. “Mike” Monroe/Ralph D. Williams, III Sports Scholarship

At the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades’ convention in 1999, the A.L. “Mike” Monroe/Ralph D. Williams, III Sports Scholarship was introduced and ratified into the union constitution. This groundbreaking program was created to offer student athletes the opportunity to pursue their athletic ambitions while earning an advanced educational degree at the academic institution of their choosing.

The namesakes of this new scholarship program were both accomplished boxers as teenagers. In fact, Williams was elected into the Pennsylvania State Boxing Hall of Fame as well as being an avid football player. Yet, despite their athletic talent, neither man had the resources to attend college and instead joined the trades at a young age. This scholarship, named in their honor, will give IUPAT members’ sons and daughters the chance for the education they never attained.

All applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered:

The award is contingent upon the student enrolling in the school of their choice within one year of the award date or the   award is forfeited.

Click on the application link below to learn more about this scholarship and how to apply.

Download more information


VOTING

Are You Registered?

Would You Like To Register?

Can't Make It On Election Day?

IUPAT Activist Pledge


As Union Members, we look out on our industry and see anti-union anti-worker forces making inroads into our communities, into my industry, and it is leading towards an era of wage stagnation, diminishing worker protections, growing income inequality.

The work of the convention is only talk unless we act unless we stand up and speak in one loud, unified voice.

We are union, and we can beat back anti-worker anti-union attacks. With our collective voices, we can drive the conversation; we can expand work opportunities, skills training, and win back market share.

Pledge:

I want to be a part of the fight against anti-worker anti-union forces. Therefore, I pledge to help my union to mobilize 20,000 activists annually, expand our skills training, engaging in large organizing campaigns, and fight for issues that directly affect me and my work opportunities.

 As a proud member of the IUPAT, I pledge to help my union, by doing my part to help mobilize, organize, and train so that the IUPAT is the strongest union in my community, my state, and my country.

Public Sector Fall Recertifications

SCHEDULE FOR FALL 2020 RETENTION/RECERTIFICATION ELECTION 

Type of Employer: All employers AEAs, K/12, Community Colleges

Collective bargaining agreement expiration date:  June 30, 2021 June 30 – August 31, 2021

Employer must submit collective bargaining agreement by this date for election to be scheduled: August 24, 2020

PERB eFiles Notice of Intent to Conduct Election: August 26, 2020 

Employer must email employee list by this date: September 2, 2020  

CEO fee payment/ request for extension of payment due: September 14, 2020  

PERB eFiles Direction of Election/ Notice of Election: September 16, 2020  

Election Period: October 13 – October 27, 2020

Fall 2020 Retention and Recertification Election Schedule (telephone/web-based) All Employers: Contracts with Expiration Date of June 30, 2021 AEAs, K/12, Community Colleges with Expiration Date of June 30-August 31, 2021. 

PERB will conduct a retention and recertification election by telephonic and web-based ballot. The schedule for this telephonic/webbased election is as follows: 

August 24, 2020 All collective bargaining agreements must be emailed to the agency by this date.

August 26, 2020 PERB eFiles Notice of Intent. Employers may begin sending PERB initial voter lists to determine election fees. 

September 2, 2020 Last day for Employer to submit initial list to determine the election fee. Last day for parties to object to Notice of Intent or, if no Notice of Intent was filed, to notify agency that an election should be conducted. 

September 14, 2020 Last day for Employee Organization to pay the election fee. Last day to provide PERB with sufficient evidence of contract extension. 

September 16, 2020 Direction/Notice of Election filed. Voter must be employed on this date in the bargaining unit to be an eligible voter unless the parties agree on a different eligibility date. Employers may begin sending PERB updated voter lists. Employer must notify Employee Organization when employees leave the bargaining unit. 

September 23, 2020 Last day for Employer to update voter eligibility list. 

October 6, 2020 Last day for Employee Organization to propose additions or deletions from voter list. Last day for the parties to mutually agree on any changes in the voter eligibility list. Last day for a party to challenge a voter’s eligibility. 

October 13, 2020 Beginning of election period. Voters may begin to cast their ballots by calling the toll-free 7:00a.m. number or logging on to the voting website. The number and website will be provided in the Notice of Election. 

October 27, 2020 End of election period. Voters must cast their ballot by phone or online prior to this time 9:00a.m. and date in order for the ballot to be counted. A PERB election agent will review the tally of the results at PERB’s office. 

November 8, 2020 Last day to eFile objections to the election. Last day to eFile postelection challenges. 

Last modified July 24, 2020 

 

PUBLIC SECTOR RECERTIFICATION FAQS

Question: Who is PERB?  

Answer: The Iowa Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) is the neutral State agency responsible for administering Iowa’s collective bargaining laws as set forth in Iowa Code chapter 20. 

Question: What are retention and recertification elections?  

Answer: A retention and recertification election is an election required by Iowa law and initiated by PERB pursuant to Iowa Code section 20.15. In this election all eligible voters (employees in that job classification whether members of the union or not) will be asked whether they want to retain and recertify their current representative (union) as their exclusive bargaining representative. 

Question: Who is conducting retention and recertification elections?  

Answer: PERB has the legal responsibility of conducting the retention and recertification elections as directed by Iowa Code section 20.15. 

Question: Does PERB have experience conducting elections?  

Answer: PERB has been conducting elections since the 1970s. The first retention and recertification elections were held in the fall of 2017. 

Question: Why is PERB using Election-America aka Yes Elections as part of the election process?  

Answer: Election-America is an election services company with national and international experience for both public and private clients. PERB will be conducting hundreds of elections with thousands of voters in a very short time frame. Because PERB is a small agency with many other responsibilities aside from conducting elections, PERB requested the help of an election services vendor. 

Question: When will I be voting in a retention and recertification election?  

Answer: A retention and recertification election occurs approximately ten months prior to the expiration of a collective bargaining agreement between the employer and the certified representative. 2 

Question: How will I receive notice about a retention and recertification election?  

Answer: PERB will notify the employer and the certified employee organization (union) through PERB’s electronic-filing (e-filing) system about PERB’s intent to conduct the retention and recertification election. The employer and certified employee organization are required to maintain and update the representative or agent for service in the bargaining unit case file as necessary. After receiving the eligible voter list from the employer and receiving payment from the certified employee organization, PERB will then e-file a “Notice of Election.” The employer is required to post copies of the Notice of Election in the manner and locations customarily used for the posting of information to employees. Additionally, if the employer normally distributes information to employees by other means, such as by email, the employer is required to promptly distribute the notice to the employees in that manner as well. The “Notice of Election” will provide the method of voting (meaning whether the voter will be voting in-person, by mail, or by internet or telephone), the date, time, and place of the election period, and the purpose of the election. 

Question: How will I know if I am eligible to vote?  

Answer: Those employees who are in positions listed in the unit description as provided in the “Notice of Election” on the date or dates of eligibility are eligible to vote in the election. The employer provides the list of eligible voters to PERB. The employer and the certified employee organization may discuss and mutually agree to eligibility of employees. If you have questions regarding your eligibility, please speak to your employer or certified employee organization. 

Question: How do I vote?  

Answer: This varies by election. PERB carefully considers many factors when choosing the method of voting. The method of voting will be listed in the “Notice of Election.” The methods of voting are:  

o On-site elections where the voter casts a ballot by going to the designated place at the designated date and time of the election. 

o Mail elections where PERB mails the ballot to the voter and the voter returns the ballot by mail. 

o Telephonic/Web-based elections where a voter casts a ballot by either calling the designated number or going to the designated website to cast a ballot. If the voter is unable to vote using the method selected, the voter must promptly contact PERB to arrange an alternate voting method. 

Question: Why do most voters have to vote online or by telephone?  

Answer: Telephone and online voting is easy, secure, and cost effective when PERB conducts many elections at the same time. 

Question: Do I have to vote in a retention and recertification election?  

Answer: No. An eligible voter is not required to vote in a retention and recertification election. However, if an eligible voter does not vote in the election, it is essentially the same as a “no” vote. The certified representative needs to have a majority of all eligible voters vote “yes” in order to be recertified. 

Question: Will anyone know how I voted?  

Answer: No, this is a secret ballot. No one, including PERB, will know if you voted “yes” or “no.” PERB will be able to confirm to the voter, and only the voter, if the voter has cast a ballot, but PERB does not know how a person voted. 

Question: If I don’t vote, is that the same as voting “no”? 

 Answer: Correct. A non-vote essentially acts as a “no” vote. If an eligible voter does not vote in the election, it is essentially the same as a “no” vote because the certified representative needs to have a majority of eligible voters—not a majority of those voting in the election—vote “yes” to be recertified. 

Question: How do I vote in a telephonic/web-based election? 

 Answer: Log on to https://vote.yeselections.com/iaperb/or call 1-877- 639-7161. The voting system is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the voting period. You will be asked for information to verify you are an eligible voter. After successfully logging in you will be asked if you want to continue to be represented by (the name of your current union) for the purpose of collective bargaining. You will then be instructed on how to vote “yes” or “no” and asked to confirm your choice. After you confirm your choice, your vote will be electronically submitted. 

Question: How long do I have to vote?  

Answer: This depends on the method of voting and varies by election. If you are voting in a telephonic/web-based election, you will likely have two weeks to cast a ballot. If you are voting in a mail-ballot election, you will likely have three weeks from the date the ballot is mailed to you until it is due back to PERB. If you are voting in an on-site election, you will likely have one day to cast your ballot. 

Question: Can I change my vote after I have submitted it?  

Answer: No. 

Question: What if I have trouble using the telephonic or web-based voting system?  

Answer: Call the Election-America (aka YesElections) Help Desk at 1-800- 503-8671. It is available twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week during the election period. 

Question: What does the employer have to do in a retention and recertification election?  

Answer

1. The employer must update the representative or agent for service in the BU case file as needed.

2. The employer must provide an accurate list of the employees to PERB in a timely manner. The employer must also notify the 5 employee organization to let them know the list has been sent to PERB and notify the employee organization how many employees are on the list. The employer will be asked for a subsequent list and must provide that subsequent list if information has changed. After the second list, the employer must promptly update the employee organization if an eligible voter leaves employment prior to the close of the election. 

3. The employer also must post and distribute notices to the affected employees. The only notice the employee receives, by law, is through these notices provided by the employer. The certified employee organization may also distribute this information, but is not required by law to do so. 

4. The employer needs to provide PERB with the collective bargaining agreement. The receipt of the collective bargaining agreement triggers the recertification election process. 

5. Employers must respond promptly to PERB’s inquiries throughout the election process. 

Question: If the Employer sent the voter list to the certified employee organization, does it need to send the list to PERB?  

Answer: Yes. Even if the Employer has provided the list to the certified employee organization, the Employer needs to send the list to PERB. 

Question: Does the employee organization (“union”) have to pay for a retention and recertification election? 

Answer: Yes. Iowa Code section 20.6 requires employee organizations to pay the fees required to cover the cost of certification elections, decertification elections, and retention and recertification elections. PERB rule 621—15.1 sets the fee amount. 

Question: When and how will I know the results of a retention and recertification election?  

Answer: Within a few days of the close of the election period PERB will electronically file the tally of ballots that the employer is required to post 6 and distribute. PERB will also have the unofficial results available on our website, https://iowaperb.iowa.gov/. 

Question: What does the employee organization (“union”) need to do to “win” a retention and recertification election?  

Answer: The employee organization must have a majority of all eligible voters (not a majority of voters), vote “yes” in favor of recertification. 

Question: What happens if the employee organization (“union”) wins a retention and recertification election?  

Answer: The employee organization continues as the representative for the bargaining unit. 

Question: What happens if the employee organization (“union”) loses a retention and recertification election?  

Answer: The employee organization is decertified and is no longer the bargaining unit’s representative. The contract between the employee organization and the employer is void and unenforceable. 

COVID-19: General President Rigmaiden's Call For Congress To Take Immediate Action

One of the largest and most politically active building trade unions in North America has issued a clarion call for U.S. Congressional action to support workers who have been impacted by COVID-19. Read the full statement

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) represents construction workers in fifty U.S. states and in every Canadian province. Today, the union has issued a four stage response platform, titled as the “IUPAT BOLD ACTION PLATFORM FOR WORKING FAMILIES” which the union says is essential to protecting the economy and working families, and which they hope to see reflected in any upcoming stimulus package.

In conjunction with the release of the response platform, IUPAT General President Ken Rigmaiden issued the following statement, calling on Congress to act.

“COVID-19’s impact is financially devastating for millions of working families in our industry and beyond who are now grappling with tremendous uncertainty about what their paychecks, health care, and future will hold. In just one week, we have already seen the economic impact to our industry through widespread and sudden layoffs in many areas of the country.

The last time our nation faced a similar crisis, millions of workers were left with nothing. In the meantime, CEOs and Wall Street got billions of taxpayer dollars to cover their losses and pay their bonus checks. We must not let this historic pattern of workers being left behind repeat itself. All workers must be afforded basic human rights by their government in the face of this crisis -- as opposed to just another bailout for the corporate elite.”


Rigmaiden’s statement continues:

“Right now, large corporations are lining up with their hands out for federal aid, while workers are losing their jobs, their health insurance, and their economic security. Our membership works in every sector of the US economy from hospitality, retail, real estate, infrastructure, to the public sector. We will fight to ensure our members, and workers across this country, are not left behind by Congress.

The IUPAT will be among the legions who will be calling for workers’ basic human rights to be put first. Together, if Congress takes bold action now to support working families, we can get through this crisis and ensure our health, financial and economic well being.” 

- Ken Rigmaiden, General President, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

The IUPAT has established the Finishing Industries Disaster Relief Fund to assist brothers and sisters who face serious financial need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and give our members a platform to lend a helping hand to one another. Our brothers and sisters need our help. Will you answer the call?

If you can, please consider donating to the fund. If you cannot contribute, please spread the word to friends and family. Our brothers and sisters are in dire need, and any amount counts to help them aid their families through these difficult times.

The IUPAT is constantly monitoring the situation to provide our members with the most up-to-date information and resources to help. We have suspended dues, approved Annuity Fund withdrawals, and established call centers to field members’ questions and connect them with resources. Now, we all must support our fellow union members because our union sticks together in times of need. That’s what unions are for.

We all hope that you, and your families, are staying safe and healthy.

WE ARE UNION | TOGETHER | IN SOLIDARITY

-Ken Rigmaiden, IUPAT General President