The Alabama State Building and Construction Trades Council (ASBCTC) and the Association of Skilled Trade and Transportation Unions (ASTTU) have announced a new strategic alliance aimed at supporting union workers in Alabama’s construction industry.
The partnership, officially unveiled June 18, brings together two major labor organizations with a shared commitment to union solidarity, advocacy, and worker empowerment. The initiative is designed to expand protections, benefits, and long-term support for union Members statewide.
“This collaboration reflects our shared belief that when unions work together, we’re stronger,” said Carl Galdine, Director of Membership and Benefits at ASTTU. “ASTTU exists to support unions and protect Members. This alliance creates new opportunities to do exactly that by helping Alabama’s skilled trades workers access critical benefits, advocacy, and national-level support tailored to their needs.”
As part of the alliance, ASTTU will provide voluntary benefits designed to supplement and protect union wages, including disability income protection, additional medical expense coverage, and guaranteed-issue life insurance. These benefits come with no cost or administrative burden to ASBCTC-affiliated unions.
ASTTU and ASBCTC also plan to collaborate on workforce development efforts and initiatives aimed at protecting labor standards and amplifying union voices. ASTTU’s national partnerships in safety, labor education, and worker advocacy will further support these objectives by connecting Alabama unions to a broader network of resources.
The organizations emphasize that their partnership is especially significant in a right-to-work state like Alabama, where union growth and Member engagement can be more challenging. By working together, the groups aim to strengthen union participation and expand organized labor’s footprint across the state.
“Our Council is committed to creating more work opportunities, achieving living wages, and protecting the benefits our Members and all construction workers rely on,” said Bill Blackman, President of the Alabama State Building and Construction Trades Council. “This alliance with ASTTU strengthens that mission by expanding access to valuable benefits and reinforcing the economic security of Alabama’s skilled trades workforce.”
The collaboration is part of a broader national trend toward increased cooperation among unions across sectors. ASTTU continues to build partnerships that empower union families and strengthen the labor movement in the face of evolving challenges.
