Local 25's Poma wins Craftsperson award

Iron Workers Local 25 member Tony Poma has been named the 2019 The Association of Union Constructors James J. Willis Craftperson of the Year. 

The award, which recognizes outstanding labor-management cooperation and quality craftsmanship in the union construction and maintenance industries, was presented at a special ceremony on May 2 at the National World War II Museum during the Association of Union Constructors' annual Leadership Conference in New Orleans.

Tony was nominated by Kiewit Power Constructors for his outstanding work as General Foreman on the General Motors M-5 Flint Body Shop and General Assembly Addition in Flint, Michigan. In addition to the Craftperson of the Year statue, Tony was also awarded a selection of tools from TAUC Legacy Partner DEWALT.

The James J. Willis Craftperson of the Year Award honors outstanding labor-management cooperation and quality craftsmanship in the union construction and maintenance industries. N ow in its 30th year, it is given to building trades members who have a gift for recognizing the vision of a project and can bring that vision to fruition in a professional manner. Apprentices, journeymen, foremen and general foremen from all crafts are eligible for nomination.


Solid construction numbers in Michigan

Michigan was one of 43 states that added construction jobs in April, as our state and the nation continued to shrug off a tough winter and look toward a healthy construction season.

An analysis released May 17 by the Associated General Contractors based on monthly U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers said that Michigan gained 700 construction jobs in April compared to the previous month, and was up 6,500 jobs compared to April 2018.

"Construction employment rose in most states over the past year, yet the record number of job openings at the end of March implies contractors would add even more workers if they could," said chief economist Ken Simonson. "The count of states with rising construction employment in the latest month would be still higher if more workers were available."

Michigan's 3.9 percent increase in construction jobs over the past 12 months ranked us No. 20 among the states.

The top three states for construction employment percentage over the past 12 months were West Virginia (+33.7 percent), Nevada (+14.6 percent) and Arizona (+12.3 percent). Activity in the slowest states included Vermont (-7.2 percent), Louisiana (-5.5 percent) and Maine (-4.1 percent).

In terms of actual jobs added, Texas (+32,500), Florida (+22,600) and Arizona (+19,800 jobs) are booming.