WASHINGTON – The Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA) became the 38th affiliated union of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO. As America’s largest transportation labor federation, TTD represents millions of workers across the country in aviation, rail, maritime, transit, manufacturing, construction, school transportation, public safety, and other industries.
Organized in 1864, the OPCMIA is the oldest building and construction trades union in the United States. At the national, state, and local level, the union promotes the recruitment, training and welfare of their skilled trades members across the U.S. and Canada.
“Through our world-class pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, OPCMIA recruits and trains skilled plasterers and cement masons,” said OPCMIA President Kevin Sexton. “The strength of our union is as durable and storied as the cement and plaster materials that our members work with every day. The construction and transportation trades are forever intertwined and we look forward to working with TTD to advance the cause of skilled trades workers.”
The TTD and OPCMIA have long advocated for federal policies and rules that will promote the welfare and safety of trades workers. From building on the investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and advocating for Project Labor Agreements for federally-supported construction projects to supporting a federal heat safety standard for outdoor workers and urging Congress to pass the PRO Act, our work continues from one administration to the next.
“At 38 unions strong, our federation’s increasing membership reflects the growing unity of the labor movement, especially among members in skilled trades careers,” said TTD President Greg Regan. “Cement masons and plasterers have built projects of historic significance and beauty across this nation. We are proud to welcome them to our federation and are ready to get to work for the skilled workers of today and those in generations to come.”
###