About the CLMC
Labor-Management Partnership

The Construction Labor-Management Council of Greater Wisconsin, Inc. was created in 1990 to be a vehicle for a better labor-management cooperative effort in the construction industry. Both workers and management contribute funds to create a better climate for union construction in Wisconsin. Goals include the promotion of union construction; creation of a more diverse and highly qualified workplace and to promote apprenticeship in the construction industry.

Most people assume that business and labor must somehow be antagonistic towards each other. It is true that at times there is a friction between the two. In the unionized construction industry the reality, is that more often than not, we work together. After all, we have a common goal of creating a positive business climate that includes profits for business and good paying jobs for workers.

Cooperation between labor and management is important in a business climate where multiple variables impact success, growth and employment stability. Market pressures, service quality, technological changes and governmental actions can complicate efforts to improve the business climate for contractors and workers.

Effective partnerships between labor and management are a win-win for both. In our world, unionized employees benefit from the ability to know that they are part of a team that rewards hard work from highly skilled employees. Management benefits from a partnership where the employee understands the difficulties that an owner has in making the business work. After all, we are in this together. When business rewards workers as a partner and when employees are part of the solution, the business makes money and the worker is rewarded with a good job with good pay and benefits.

In today's world, we see an emphasis on profits at all costs. This has led to jobs being shifted overseas and a relative decline in prosperity for many workers. One thing is true about the construction industry…it can't be shifted to China or Mexico. Because of this, a cooperative effort that rewards a highly skilled workforce benefits all of us.

There is nothing wrong with business making money. There is also nothing wrong with providing workers a good wage with good benefits. The Construction Labor-Management Council is here to make sure that the old adage about "a rising tide lifts all boats" is true for our industry. That's refreshing!