Women in the Trowel Trades

Demographic and labor-force projections indicate that in the years ahead the U.S. building industry will have a much larger proportion of women in its ranks. The same is likely in Canada.

“In 2002 and the years that follow, a significant number of new entrants to the workforce will be women. Competition for these new workers is fiercer than ever—from every industry,” says BAC Secretary-Treasurer Jim Boland.

Members of the first Board of Directors of TNT, a new national advocacy group for women in the trades, include BAC members Angela Olzcewski of 7 NY/NJ, far right first row, and Colleen Muldoon, IMI Education Coordinator/55 OH, third from right, back row.

The International Union’s initiatives to reach out to current and potential women members have increased in recent years, most notably with the creation of the BAC Women’s Task Force in 1995, a panel of members who advise the IU Executive Board. And in response to the 2000 BAC Apprenticeship and Training Task Force recommendations, IMI is redoubling its efforts to provide local JATCs with recruitment materials geared specifically to women.

Education plays a key role in improving conditions and lessening potential hostility or discrimination on the job site. The IU has provided guidance to Local Union representatives and members on handling sexual harassment complaints through several ongoing officer education programs, including the Steward Training program. Likewise, IMI offers similar training for apprentice instructors, and will soon institute a comprehensive program as part of its new foreman and supervisory training.

BAC and IMI also participate in a number of tradeswomen advocacy organizations, including the newly formed Tradeswomen Now and Tomorrow (TNT).

BAC attendees at TNT’s first official meeting included Executive Council and Local 1 Washington member Annette Ludwig, IMI Education Coordinator and Local 55 Ohio member Colleen Muldoon, and Angela Olzcewski of Local 7 New York/New Jersey. Muldoon and Olzcewski were elected to the TNT Board of Directors.