Our Proud History
Established in 1908, the longstanding mission of the Rhode Island Building & Construction Trades Council (RIBCTC) is to empower members with consistent work opportunities, creating employment security and economic stability. Today our highly skilled, well-trained and safety conscious workforce represent a collective body of more than 10,000 union craftsmen and women in and around the State of Rhode Island.
A Voice in the Workplace
Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council organized at the turn of the century to change the long hours, unfair wages, unsafe working conditions, as well as the lack of economic security and dignity on the job. Through the years, our forefathers worked tirelessly to champion the rights of working men and women. We fought alongside other union members and were successful in changing the way America treated its working citizens.
Economic Justice
The fight for economic justice through the power of collective bargaining became law through the National Labor Relations Act in 1935. The Intention of the act was to give workers: “the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid and protection.” Other important worker protections followed.
Yet, even today we must continue to fight against the powerful political forces that would rollback protections for workers. LINKS AFL-CIO
Our Legacy
We are proud of our great legacy of standing up for workers rights. The actions of our forefathers and our collective organizing efforts today, allow our proud and deserving craftsmen and women to achieve the means to a sustainable, middle class American way of life. Our legacy has enriched our communities through our commitment to quality construction that will withstand the test of time. We are proud of every road, bridge, waterway, airport, rail station and landmark building our members have constructed.
Thanks to the superior training, experience and professionalism of our tradesmen and women, we can count on transportation systems that are secure and reliable; new schools that are safe and toxin free; and 21st century treatment facilities that produce clean waterways and safe drinking water. Our cutting edge skills are reshaping America's energy future with wind turbines, solar power projects, and natural gas plants.