Over 90% of applicants now have job placement leads after the successes at the July 30 Manufacturing Recruitment, hosted by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO (MALC). The event had close to 100 participants, ranging from dislocated workers to those seeking employment at a better workplace to those re-entering the workforce after serving time. The goal was to help employers find qualified candidates, and the results are looking good.

A strong partnership in the event's groundbreaking foundation included representatives from unions International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, United Auto Workers, United Steelworkers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, WI State AFL-CIO,  and non-profits LETC The Hire Center, Triadaworks Employment Services and WRTP/BIG STEP Job Training.

The Hire Center is a specialty Job Center providing re-employment and retraining services for dislocated workers residing in or laid off from employment in Milwaukee County. Generally speaking, a dislocated worker is a worker who has suffered a layoff with little likelihood of return to previous employment or who has been notified by the employer of impending job loss due to a plant closing or substantial layoff. Learn more.

According to Rhandi Berth, Vice President, WRTP/BIG STEP Job Training is a unique national model that makes it easier for employers to keep and grow jobs. In manufacturing, employers typically find and assess workers who become union members later. WRTP/BIG STEP is an expert in helping individual businesses in the industrial sector with this recruitment. The July 30 event, however, was the first to partner with cross-sector industries and employers through multiple international union affiliate representatives. It offered an opportunity to connect skilled workers with quality employers who provide family supporting wages and strong benefits. 

First, everyone listened to presentations from the Advisors to gather some general background information.

Then, each person had at least 15 minutes with an Industry Career Advisor. The participants received info about the many union benefits and area union employers and about good jobs that were available, opening in the near future, or job fairs that were scheduled. The advisors  shared information about unions:  negotiating contracts, the location of union shops in the area, and the benefits of being in a union; such as, voting on the conditions of your work contract in terms of health care contributions, vacation days, and other negotiable items. 

During planning, each of the participating internationals conducted an overview of their employers: for what types of positions they’re hiring currently or within the next 6 months, what their pay rates were and what their benefits were so the participants could assess real current or upcoming opportunities.

30-year IBEW 2150 member and Industrial Career Advisor, Mike Bruening, explains:

"I thought the whole event was very exciting because it gave us a great opportunity not only to find quality candidates but to educate them about the  advantages of becoming union. We got to spread the word and talk about the benefits we were able to negotiate and the benefits that would be there for them if they would choose to become an employee at one of the companies we represent. IBEW 2150 represents over 420 people at SPX in Waukesha. We build large transformers you see in substations. It’s a really neat job."

Bruening found six people which he could personally recommend for the upcoming job fair. That is six more than if he did not participate as a Career Advisor. One participant he spoke with at first seemed to have little manufacturing experience and offered one-word answers. Bruening kept telling the story.

"She was very shy, just the nicest person. So I started talking to her. She had a degree in college and some other stuff that wasn’t really going to help her here, and finally she told me she worked at a pit lube, like a Jiffy Lube Oil Change. She loved working with her hands. She said she changed the thermostat in her husband’s car and got it done in 45 minutes. I said, 'You’re cut out for manufacturing!  And you know, I’m going to recommend you for a job fair.'"

One person who was helped at the event had just gotten released from prison and, after speaking with him,The Hire Center indicated he should give them his resume.  "We just heard today that he got a job at roughly about $12 starting pay," says Berth.

“I can’t thank you enough,” he told them.

Martha Love, a volunteer with WRTP/BIG STEP said the exit interviews were "heartwarming ." 

"For instance, one man was able to get a job, but it didn't pay enough to cover his child support. A career advisor noticed his incredible record of never missing a day on the job and identified what was needed to expedite his situation into something that paid just a little more money so that this young man could improve his quality of life.

"A mother who worked at GE as a security officer had manufacturing experience and wanted back in so she could have a set schedule — giving her time with the children when they needed her most. Other folks were excited because their POs had sent them, possibly from hearing about it through the police force, with whom the event was shared through WRTP/BIG STEP. Everyone was just pleased. They felt respected. 

"There’s no more joy than to work with your labor brothers and sisters to help people in the community to find their voice." 

Love is pleased, because the participants were happy. Bruening is similarly emotionally moved by some of the participants' stories:

"I was surprised at how many good, qualified people are out there, and looking —but they can’t find the great jobs. There was another man I interviewed who came with his friends. All 3 are working at a former union employer that’s claiming bankruptcy. They got bought out by another company and because there was no successor language in the contract, all their benefits were taken away."

Bruening says that after participating in the event, he is a big believer in it. 

"I would definitely do it again. It not only provides a great value for the folks trying to find a job, but if they never end up getting a job through the job fair we’re educating the general public about the benefits of the unionized workforce and what it provides for working people."

All job recruitment participants that followed up,  took a test and passed received a job opportunity, if not two or three. Some are still going through the process, but the scores have all been passing and over 90% have taken the tests.

"Part of our goal is to help labor and management work together in a safe environment that brings more benefits to everyone,"  Berth explains. That goal seems to be accomplished at the July 30 event, with a high ratio of placement and optimistic anticipation as we look forward to the next recruitment partnership opportunity. For more information on job recruitment opportunities, contact WRTP/BIG STEP at (414) 342-9787.

Here is the union benefits handout shared with the participants:

For more information on the union advantage, contact the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
633 S. Hawley Rd. Ste 110 on
Milwaukee, WI

414-771-7070 Phone

www.milwaukeelabor.com Website

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