The council brings together unions from across Minnesota to coordinate efforts on issues important to workers in the construction industry. This year’s convention was the last for President Dick Anfang, who retired (see related story), and Secretary-Treasurer Russ Scherber, who stepped down to devote more time to his work as a Pipefitters union representative.
At their convention July 29-31 in Rochester, delegates elected Harry Melander, executive secretary of the St. Paul Building & Construction Trades Council, as president and Mike Hawthorne, business manager of the Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council, as secretary-treasurer.
Elected as trustees were Glen Johnson of Operating Engineers Local 49, Mike Syversrud of Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 633 and Jack Votca of Steamfitters Pipefitters Local 455.
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| Retiring Minnesota State Building Trades President Dick Anfang administered the oath of office to (from left) Glen Johnson and Jack Votca, trustees; Harry Melander, president; Mike Hawthorne, secretary-treasurer; and Mike Syversrud, trustee. Photo by Michael Moore |
They take office at a difficult time for workers in their industry.
“There are a lot of unemployed construction workers in Minnesota,” said Melander. “I don’t believe our elected officials know how dire our industry is right now. If they did, they would have done something this last (legislative) session.”
Promoting policies that create jobs will be the main focus of his work as state Building Trades president, he said. In addition to coordinating the efforts of Building Trades unions, the council’s officers lobby and testify at the state Capitol and other venues.
Melander, who has served as a St. Paul Building Trades representative and then executive secretary since 1997, has been a union carpenter since 1973. Both his father and grandfather were also union carpenters.
“In 2012, my family will have 100 years of continuous membership in (Carpenters) Local 87,” he noted proudly.
Hawthorne is a 25-year member of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 Minnesota/North Dakota. He has been business manager of the Minneapolis Building Trades since June 2008.
Both Melander and Hawthorne will continue their full-time jobs with their local Building Trades councils while also serving as officers of the statewide council. In that respect, Melander’s tenure will differ from that of Anfang, who held the presidency as a full-time position.
At the convention, delegates voted to return to the structure in place under Anfang’s predecessors.
“The old model was a more efficient way to operate,” Melander explained. “Obviously the economy has something to do with it, too.”
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The council brings together unions from across Minnesota to coordinate efforts on issues important to workers in the construction industry. This year’s convention was the last for President Dick Anfang, who retired (see related story), and Secretary-Treasurer Russ Scherber, who stepped down to devote more time to his work as a Pipefitters union representative.
At their convention July 29-31 in Rochester, delegates elected Harry Melander, executive secretary of the St. Paul Building & Construction Trades Council, as president and Mike Hawthorne, business manager of the Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council, as secretary-treasurer.
Elected as trustees were Glen Johnson of Operating Engineers Local 49, Mike Syversrud of Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 633 and Jack Votca of Steamfitters Pipefitters Local 455.
|
| Retiring Minnesota State Building Trades President Dick Anfang administered the oath of office to (from left) Glen Johnson and Jack Votca, trustees; Harry Melander, president; Mike Hawthorne, secretary-treasurer; and Mike Syversrud, trustee.
Photo by Michael Moore |
They take office at a difficult time for workers in their industry.
“There are a lot of unemployed construction workers in Minnesota,” said Melander. “I don’t believe our elected officials know how dire our industry is right now. If they did, they would have done something this last (legislative) session.”
Promoting policies that create jobs will be the main focus of his work as state Building Trades president, he said. In addition to coordinating the efforts of Building Trades unions, the council’s officers lobby and testify at the state Capitol and other venues.
Melander, who has served as a St. Paul Building Trades representative and then executive secretary since 1997, has been a union carpenter since 1973. Both his father and grandfather were also union carpenters.
“In 2012, my family will have 100 years of continuous membership in (Carpenters) Local 87,” he noted proudly.
Hawthorne is a 25-year member of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 Minnesota/North Dakota. He has been business manager of the Minneapolis Building Trades since June 2008.
Both Melander and Hawthorne will continue their full-time jobs with their local Building Trades councils while also serving as officers of the statewide council. In that respect, Melander’s tenure will differ from that of Anfang, who held the presidency as a full-time position.
At the convention, delegates voted to return to the structure in place under Anfang’s predecessors.
“The old model was a more efficient way to operate,” Melander explained. “Obviously the economy has something to do with it, too.”
Related articles
Anfang\’s Trades career marked by innovation, community service
Minnesota construction workers especially hard-hit by recession