In a leaked memo, the North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU)* has started attempts at establishing a working relationship with the Trump Administration, but in doing so have chosen to remain silent on issues that would knowingly affect workers. The memo contains many points regarding actions the federation has taken (“have been responsive to White House requests for information”), but also has a list of items the federation “remained silent” on. These items are:
- As hundreds of thousands of future job hours were cancelled with the pause of Offshore Wind Leases
- When funding was paused for cancer screening program for Building Trades members funded by the Department of Energy (BT Med)
- As DOT removed preferences (not mandates) for RAISE Grants to be awarded to applicants that utilize project labor agreements
- As an NLRB member was fired along with the general counsel
- As DOGE went into DOL; note that NABTU declined to join the AFL-CIO’s lawsuit when asked
- As federal government attorneys announced agreement with 90 day pause to review new prevailing wage rule
- About PLA Executive Order exemption for DOD projects
It should come as no surprise in the wake of the Trump Administration’s attack on workers’ rights and the NLRB, that business unionism [or in this case, moribund craft unionism—Ed.] is unable to launch a coherent fight and instead relies solely on exhausting legalistic means. For decades, the AFL-CIO misleadership has attacked rank-and-file militancy, avoided strikes, and allowed the bosses to run amok; this is now culminating in attacks that these misleaders of labor are not capable of fighting.
NABTU is not the only union that is cozying up to Trump in 2025. Teamsters Sean O’Brien has aided Trump’s attack on workers by endorsing Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who has stated she will not fight back against right-to-work laws. O’Brien also had Josh Hawley on his “Better Bad Ideas” podcast attacking undocumented workers, accusing them of taking American jobs. Shawn Fain has also supported Trump’s tariff plans, believing they will prevent jobs from going overseas, but has also contradicted himself in the same statement, proclaiming he doesn’t want American workers pitted against those in other countries.
The misleaders of labor continue to weaken unions in this country, afraid to fight for rank and file interests. In turn, union density will continue to decline because when the going gets tough, business unionists capitulate to the bosses.
*NABTU is a labor federation of 14 unions in the building trade including International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Teamsters), International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC), International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC), International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA), International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), United Association – Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Techs (UA), United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers (Union Roofers), International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (Boilermakers), International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (Insulators), International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IW) and The Canadian Building Trades Unions (CBTU) and is a part of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
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