Promotion of "Helmets to Hardhats"

WHEREAS, the union construction apprenticeship system is a historic, worldwide model for education and training of highly skilled construction workers; and

WHEREAS, nationally there is a critical need within the construction industry for men and women with prior experience who exhibit discipline, leadership, and the ability to work in a team environment, and who are drug free; and

WHEREAS, the military service men and women returning from the United States Armed Forces have served their country with great distinction; and

WHEREAS, these returning military service men and women deserve effective and timely coordination, cooperation and assistance to return home where there is an opportunity for quick re-entry into civilian life so they may become productive citizens and pursue the American dream that their service helped protect; and

WHEREAS, an established national model exists that includes criteria to connect military service men and women with qualified contractors who provide for direct entry into construction apprenticeship programs has been designed and implemented by the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO; and

WHEREAS, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the existing highly-skilled union workforce of the high-demand, high-wage construction industry is committed to increase its capacity by attracting military service men and women to our state-approved apprenticeship programs; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO fully supports the Helmets to Hardhats Program; and be it finally

RESOLVED, that the President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will transmit a copy of this resolution and other information to all relevant parties in order to demonstrate its ardent support of the Helmets to Hardhats Program.

Submitted by:
Robert J. Haynes, President
Louis A. Mandarini, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer