FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2023
Contact: Emily Pritzkow, Executive Director
media@wisconsinbuildingtrades.org
Phone: 608.338.9964
Labor-Industry Partnership Paves the Way for Nemadji Trail Energy Center’s High-Quality Union Construction
SUPERIOR — Today, the Northern Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council signed a Letter of Intent for a Project Labor Agreement with Minnesota Power to ensure the construction of the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) is done with skilled union labor.
“This project is a testament to the power of collaboration, ensuring that our highly-trained workers contribute to a cutting-edge facility while upholding the highest safety and workplace standards,” said Emily Pritzkow, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Building Trades Council, “Through a Project Labor Agreement, we are setting a gold standard for construction excellence, ensuring that Northern Wisconsin reaps the benefits of quality jobs and reliable energy production.”
The Letter of Intent was signed at the Wisconsin AFL-CIO Building Trades Council Conference in Superior. At peak construction, the $750 million flexible, low-emitting natural gas facility will generate 350 family-supporting jobs in the area, representing the largest private investment in Douglas County history. The project will also sustain approximately 20-25 permanent jobs, 150 indirect jobs, and an estimated $2 million annually for state and local governments. A critical resource in Wisconsin’s overall energy transition, this facility will help support the expansion of renewable energy and reduce dependency on fossil fuel and other legacy facilities.
###
About WBTC
The Wisconsin Building Trades Council was founded in 2018 to carry on its member unions’ proud traditions, many of which have been defending workers’ rights for over 130 years. Today, WBTC supports and furthers the efforts of 17 different craft member organizations in the building trades, with over 40,000 members overall. All are working together to:
- Ensure and increase the number of Wisconsin jobs that support Wisconsin communities
- Increase investment in building, energy, water, and transportation infrastructure
- Ensure fair and prevailing wages and workplace safety protections for all workers on all Wisconsin construction projects
- Develop Wisconsin’s current and future workforce through high-quality, accessible union apprenticeship programs and continuing education opportunities
- Support initiatives that improve diversity and inclusion in the construction industry
- Support and advocate for responsible bidder ordinances and other actions or efforts that protect fair wages, workers, and surrounding communities
Member Unions
- Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers District Council of Wisconsin
- International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers
- International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers Local 18
- International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Union 107
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 200
- International Union of Elevator Constructors
- International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 7
- Ironworkers District Council of North Central States
- North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
- Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Local 599 and 633
- Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council
- The Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association
- United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, & Allied Workers
