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How to Join a Construction Union

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Generally, experience, testing and gaining proper recommendations are steps workers can take to meet eligibility requirements to join a union. Once you join a local union, you can contact your local union contractor and submit an application to join the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), one of the largest unions in the United States.

Apply for an exemption if you have worked more than 4,000 hours in the construction field. Submit payroll reports, pay stubs or the latest W-2 from your employer that show the dates and hours that you worked. Include a letter of confirmation from your local union business manager or agent that notes the type of work you performed on the job including masonry, demolition or scaffolding.

Apply for membership through the apprenticeship program if you have worked less than 4,000 construction hours. Meet the program's eligibility requirements. Show identification to prove that you are at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Present a valid driver's license and pass a drug test.

Contact one of the three New Jersey training centers including the Laborers Local 472 Safety Education and Training Center, 378 County Road, Cliffwood, NJ 07721, the New Jersey Building Laborers Training Center, 31 Mott Avenue, Jamesburg, NJ 08831 or the Laborers Local 172 Safety Education and Training Center, 1100 Blackhorse Pike (Route 322), Folsom, NJ 08037 and sign up for training.

Apply for membership with LIUNA. Contact your local union contractor or business agent to request an application after you have met the 4,000 work hour requirement. Refer to the link titled "Find a Local Union in New Jersey" in the resources section to locate your local union contractor or business agent. Pay the initiation fee which typically cost $450.00. Pay three months of dues in advance which typically cost $90.

Tip

This is how to join LIUNA through the New Jersey Laborers' Union.

The apprenticeship training program consist of 4,000 hours of on the job training in addition to 400 hours of classroom study. Keep in mind that the training is at no cost to you if you qualify for the program.

Warning

Keep in mind that the work hours you are seeking credit for in order to be exempt from participating in the apprenticeship program must have been served over the last ten years as work hours noted previous to ten years will be declined.

Resources
Tips
  • This is how to join LIUNA through the New Jersey Laborers' Union. The apprenticeship training program consist of 4,000 hours of on the job training in addition to 400 hours of classroom study. Keep in mind that the training is at no cost to you if you qualify for the program.
Warnings
  • Keep in mind that the work hours you are seeking credit for in order to be exempt from participating in the apprenticeship program must have been served over the last ten years as work hours noted previous to ten years will be declined.
Writer

Rhonda Campbell is an entrepreneur, radio host and author. She has more than 17 years of business, human resources and project management experience and decades of book, newspaper, magazine, radio and business writing experience. Her works have appeared in leading periodicals like "Madame Noire," "Halogen TV," "The Network Journal," "Essence," "Your Church Magazine," "The Trenton Times," "Pittsburgh Quarterly" and "New Citizens Press."