Common Sense Coalition Applauds Laborers’ Union’s Commitment to Training Workers for the Future
June 30, 2005

(DEFOREST, WI) – There is no substitute for learning by doing, and today that mission moved a step closer to reality as Labor Union #113 broke ground for a new Laborer’s Training and Apprenticeship Center in DeForest.

“Worker training must be one of our top priorities if economic expansion is to continue in Madison and Dane County. We congratulate the leaders of #113 for their dedication and commitment to workforce development,” said Peter Munoz, spokesperson for the Common Sense Coalition. “We look forward to these new highly-qualified workers who will benefit from the training they will receive. It is a win-win situation for us all.”  

Curt Brink, president of Decisions Analysis Group and member of the Common Sense Coalition interim executive committee, commended #113 for its forward-thinking leadership in getting the center built. “This new training facility will help provide local developers and contractors with the continued high-quality workforce they need to get projects finished on time and on budget.”

One of the Common Sense Coalition’s goals is to create a non-partisan forum for discussion and engagement on critical issues that promote economic vitality – and this new training facility enforces that vision.

The Laborer’s Training and Apprenticeship Center was funded by the Laborer’s Training and Apprenticeship Fund, a labor-management fund jointly administered by labor and industry representatives who work together to supply the labor industry with the safest, most skilled and productive workforce possible.

The Wisconsin Laborers' District Council is an affiliation of five Laborer Local Unions, representing nearly 9,000 construction craft laborers across the state. Working with employer partners the District Council members are dedicated to protecting and improving the lives and livelihoods of members and members' families through the wages, benefits, programs and services achieved through collective bargaining. 

The Laborers' Union represents workers in construction, hazardous waste remediation, health care, education, maintenance, food service, clerical, state and municipal government, and the postal service. The Laborers are one of the fastest-growing unions in the AFL-CIO, having increased from 8,000 members at its inception more than a century ago, to more than 800,000 members today.

The Common Sense Coalition is a grassroots organization consisting of individuals from more than 60 small businesses, 17 labor unions, developers and non-profit organizations who believe in jobs, justice and a brighter future for all Madison and Dane County residents. Coalition members care about the success of our community.  To this end, Coalition members are committed to promoting new views and new voices into the policy discussion in Madison and throughout Dane County with a bold and progressive perspective.

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