Portland Hosts AFL-CIO Union Industries Show

For 60 years, the AFL-CIO Union Industries Show has traveled to a new city annually to educate the public on the quality of union-made products and services, and the benefits good union jobs bring to individuals and communities. This spring, the Portland, Oregon Convention Center was stage to the event, which highlighted the show’s theme – “Good Jobs Build Strong Communities.”

Local 1 OR President Keith Wright, Apprenticeship Coordinator Joe Luna, Business Manager John Mohlis, and BAC President John J. Flynn.	Local 1 OR’s outstanding craftsmanship was showcased at this year’s exhibit.

The BAC/IMI booth was one of more than 150 exhibits at the event. Local 1 Oregon’s officers, members, and retirees, along with BAC/IMI apprenticeship and training coordinators, set up the exhibit and were on hand to speak to attendees about career opportunities with the Union and the benefits of building with BAC members. A variety of activities and demonstrations in brick, block, tile mosaic, and stone were featured at the booth, each highlighting the skilled BAC craftworker.

BAC President John J. Flynn said of the event, “Local 1’s officers and members, along with their training staff, are to be congratulated on doing a great job of demonstrating the BAC advantage to the public. All of the feedback has been positive and will go far in promoting our work and our members.”

The Union Industries Show is North America’s only all-union exposition focused on the promotion of union products and craft skills. The show, which is open to the general public, attracted over 200,000 visitors from the Pacific Northwest.