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Labor Secretary Hilda Solis Praises LIUNA's Training Programs, Stands in Support of Union's Effort to "Build America"

Kicking off a two-day swing through Michigan and Ohio to talk about economic recovery through innovation and investment, Secretary Solis stopped at the Michigan Laborers' Training & Apprenticeship Institute, meeting with trainees preparing for new jobs in fields such as residential weatherization.

As trainees demonstrated skills they learned, Solis praised LIUNA's top-notch training facilities and courses, as well as its partnership with Detroit Job Corps on green construction. Solis also noted that high-quality technical training programs such as LIUNA's - coupled with innovation and government investments to fix our nation's infrastructure and clean energy needs - will be a large driver of the economic recovery. With over 40 years' experience in construction worker education and similar facilities in all 50 states, LIUNA is well-positioned to train thousands of workers to build the transportation systems, energy infrastructure and green buildings of tomorrow.

"At a time when one-in-four construction workers are unemployed, Secretary Solis' tour is about giving a voice to men and women who can be put back to work if Congress commits to rebuilding our roads, bridges, railways, and developing a clean energy infrastructure," said Geno Alessandrini, Michigan Laborers' District Council Business Manager. "LIUNA is proud that Secretary Solis is carrying the banner with us in the fight to Build America, and that our effective training programs - such as our weatherization training program - are catching her eye."

The call to Build America, issued by Solis today, has been echoed by others including President Obama in his recent State of the Union address. LIUNA's 500,000 members, through the Build America campaign, have been fighting to build our country for years.

Solis' tour, which also included a stop at a Chevy Volt plan in Hamtramck today, comes on the heels of last Friday's job report that showed nearly 2 million construction workers unable to find a job, with the number of construction jobs at its lowest point in 15 years. Investing in building America could help turn the tide and create millions of jobs, allowing our nation to remain globally competitive in the 21^st century and leave a positive legacy for taxpayers and future generations.

For more information on LIUNA's campaign to Build America please visit: http://liunabuildsamerica.org/

The half million members of LIUNA - the Laborers' International Union of North America - are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build America.

LIUNA
Jaclyn Macek Houser, 517-420-4372
jmacek@liuna.org