“I like your stilts!” remarked U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, as she spent time with the workers building a veterinary facility in Mequon. Dave, a ceiling finisher, glanced over with a big smile and replied with a hearty “Thank you very much!” Chavez-DeRemer, who has a petite build, joked that she’d enjoy the added height of the stilts, but also remarked that she is impressed by the important work being done in the building, which will open in October as a specialized veterinary hospital.
“I love to see all the specific training it takes to do hospital facilities,” she told the workers. Nathan Laurent, Vice-President and Co-Owner of Keller, Inc., the company responsible for the project, discussed the advanced technology needed to build an animal hospital. The crews were asked to install specialized filters and HVAC units, electrical work required to run x-ray and MRI machines, and additional sound proofing and insulation to keep each animal calm and safe. Electricians from Gillitzer Electric Services, Inc. explained that they received extra training so they could be part of building Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center’s multiple animal hospitals in the Milwaukee area.
“My goal as labor secretary is to support all American workers,” Chavez-DeRemer told the group. “There will be organized labor, there will be private sector. We want the employees to have a choice, and we want every state to have their choice in what they want to do,” she added.
Kelly Tourdot, President of ABC of Wisconsin, explained that it’s not uncommon for merit shops to work with union contractors on specific projects. “Our members are happy to work together to complete projects. We value competition, and we want the best people working on projects, and competing on a level playing field.”
Tourdot introduced Chavez-DeRemer to Payton Beisbier, an electrical apprentice with Gillitzer Electric Services, Inc., and to Michael Schumacher, a Commercial Project Manager/Co-Owner at Keller, Inc. Both men went through ABC’s apprenticeship program. They said their training was valuable, not only for the skilled work, but also to prepare them to grow into managers. “ABC’s program is trying to also impart the soft skills needed for apprentices to become trainers. That’s why I wanted to go through their program,” Schumacher explained.
Tourdot said she is proud of ABC’s apprenticeship program, which broke records this year with more than 2,500 apprentices currently training in one of 12 distinct trades. She also said she’s pleased to support the merit shops in Wisconsin. In a merit shop environment, she explained, employees can be cross-trained. “Flexibility allows Keller, Inc. and Gillitzer Electric Services, Inc. to be more creative on projects. They can have an employee who works as a carpenter, but they might also be trained to run the backhoe, so they can help in various areas of the projects.”
“Everyone’s here to get the work done and get home safe,” added Laurent. “I’m so glad you said that,” said Chavez-DeRemer. “Keep your employees safe, that’s number one, and make sure they have good paying jobs and go home to their families.” All agreed.
Chavez-DeRemer finished her tour by thanking the workers for their efforts, and then meeting with members of the press.
“The goal of this president is to grow the economy, create a bigger piece of pie, so that we can be dominant not only here in the America but across the world, so that we are building an America with an American workforce,” she said.
ABC of Wisconsin ended the visit with an invitation for the secretary to return to Wisconsin, and see more of the excellent work being done throughout the state.
