ASTTU and Alabama State Building and Construction Trades Council Establish Strategic Alliance to Support Workers Across Alabama

ST. LOUIS and BIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of Skilled Trade and Transportation Unions (ASTTU) and the Alabama State Building and Construction Trades Council (ASBCTC) are proud to announce a strategic alliance aimed at strengthening protections, benefits, and long-term support for union Members across Alabama's construction industry.

Rooted in shared values of solidarity, advocacy, and worker empowerment, this alliance brings together two influential labor organizations committed to improving the lives of union Members and advancing the broader labor movement. Through this collaboration, ASTTU and the ASBCTC will work together on initiatives that enhance Member support, boost engagement, and reinforce the vital role of organized labor in Alabama's workforce and economy.

The Alabama State Building and Construction Trades Council is a multi-union organization representing the collective interests of skilled trade unions across the state. Its affiliated unions span every major construction craft, from electricians and plumbers to ironworkers, operating engineers, and beyond. This broad representation reinforces the statewide impact of the partnership.

"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."

ASTTU delivers voluntary Disability Income Protection designed to safeguard the strong union wages that ASBCTC fights for every day. Additional medical expense coverage offered through ASTTU helps close critical gaps left by traditional health insurance, while guaranteed-issue life insurance ensures families have financial security when they need it most. These tailored, voluntary benefits are provided at no cost or administrative burden to ASBCTC Member unions, enabling local leaders to enhance Member support while maintaining complete control at the local level.

More importantly, this joint effort establishes a strong foundation for future collaboration on efforts that protect labor standards, invest in workforce development, and uplift union voices throughout the state. ASTTU's broader engagement with trusted allies in safety, labor education, and worker rights advocacy contributes to this mission. These partnerships connect unions to valuable tools and resources that strengthen both their Members and their movements.

The partnership between ASTTU and ASBCTC highlights labor's continued ability to adapt, unite, and expand its reach, particularly important in right-to-work states like Alabama. This collaboration focuses on strengthening unions, increasing Member participation and retention, and expanding organized labor's presence statewide. Together, ASTTU and ASBCTC are building momentum toward a stronger and more unified labor movement across Alabama.

"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 between ASTTU and ASBCTC is part of a growing national effort to bring unions together across sectors in service of shared goals. As the challenges facing workers continue to evolve, ASTTU and its partners are building the infrastructure needed to protect, support, and empower union families for the future.

About ASTTU
The Association of Skilled Trade and Transportation Unions (ASTTU) is a national organization committed to supporting and empowering unions and their Members in the skilled trade and transportation sectors. ASTTU partners with unions across the country to provide voluntary benefits, advocacy resources, and Member support tools that help protect and strengthen the labor movement. Learn more at www.asttu.org

About ASBCTC
The Alabama State Building and Construction Trades Council (ASBCTC) is a statewide organization representing the affiliated unions and Members of Alabama's organized construction workforce. Dedicated to the stability of employment and the economic security of skilled workers, the Council works to create more work opportunities, achieve living wages, and protect benefit standards. ASBCTC unites multiple construction crafts under one banner, advocating for workers' rights and promoting the value of union labor across the state. Learn more at www.alstatebct.org

SOURCE Association of Skilled Trade and Transportation Unions (ASTTU)