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A recent study shared on unionstats.com revealed that nearly 80% of Wisconsin’s construction workforce chooses to work for a merit shop. This does not surprise us. Our members are invested in their employees, providing ongoing training, benefits and mental health support to be sure they are both physically and psychologically safe on job sites. Their investments are paying off. A record number of apprentices chose to join our program this year. We have countless leaders in our membership who began as apprentices and rose to own their own companies, employing countless more. They are living the American Dream, working hard, and rising to success.
We believe part of our job is to support the elected officials who stand for the merit shop companies we represent. With this in mind, ABC of Wisconsin has endorsed two candidates in Wisconsin’s spring primary. We are endorsing Brad Schimel for Wisconsin Supreme Court and Brittany Kinser for State Superintendent. We support them because their policies reflect the priorities of our members, like protecting property, enforcing laws, developing skilled workers, and more. As they each take their turns campaigning in Wisconsin, we invite them to enjoy the facilities built by our workforce, and remember the dedicated men and women in Wisconsin’s merit construction industry. We also encourage our members to vote anytime between now and April 1. Each voice is critical to the outcome of these elections.
Our association represents more than 1000 member companies, which includes at least 25,000 men and women in Wisconsin’s construction workforce. Our members are responsible for building the hospitals, schools, meeting halls, roads and businesses that keep our citizens safe and our economy running. These same members are growing family businesses, sponsoring the events and nonprofits that make our communities great, and training the next generation of apprentices to take over and build with excellence. We welcome candidates to tour our programs and see how Wisconsin is bridging the construction skills gap.
Kelly Tourdot, President, ABC of Wisconsin
MADISON, Wisconsin – Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin, Wisconsin’s largest commercial construction trade association, voted this week to endorse Brad Schimel for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Race.
“Our members need a judge who is tough on crime, specifically contractor theft. Brad Schimel has a strong record of enforcing laws, and recognizing the serious impact theft has on Wisconsin’s businesses,” explained Jeff Disher, a former Board Chair and an active member of ABC’s legislative committee.
An estimated one billion dollars’ worth of construction equipment is stolen from construction sites every year, with the average cost of a single equipment theft at $30,000.[1] That number does not include the value of stolen raw materials or loss of productivity from shutdowns and delays.
“Everyone has seen the videos of retail stores being cleaned out by shoplifters who have no fear of facing consequences for their crime. Theft from construction companies may not be as well known, but it is just as harmful to those family-owned small businesses that are literally building Wisconsin,” said ABC of Wisconsin President Kelly Tourdot. “Construction companies are already dealing with supply chain issues, inflation, and finding workers. The last thing they need is a judge who doesn’t enforce the criminal laws on the books.”
The April 1 race will determine whether liberals or conservatives control the state’s top court.
“The stakes are high, and the outcome of this election will have a ripple effect for many years. We strongly encourage all our members to get out and vote in this election,” said Kyle Kraemer, Chair of ABC of Wisconsin’s Board of Directors.
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1 Source: The National Equipment Register — a service that facilitates information sharing with insurers, equipment owners, and law enforcement.
MADISON, Wisconsin – Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin voted this week to endorse Brittany Kinser for Wisconsin’s State Superintendent.
“Wisconsin taxpayers are spending more than ever on K-12 education, and getting less return on that investment. The incumbent DPI superintendent’s solution is to dumb down test scores,” said Brad Austin, president of Corporate Contractors in Beloit and a former ABC of WI board chair. “Even Governor Evers, who was previously DPI Superintendent, criticized the move.”
“Parents, students, and teachers are beginning to recognize that college isn’t for everyone, and that young people can have a family sustaining career in construction that cannot be outsourced overseas,” said Kelly Tourdot, President of ABC of Wisconsin. “But, high school graduates need to be able to read and do basic math when they get to the jobsite. The current status quo isn’t working. That’s why ABC of Wisconsin is supporting reformer Brittany Kinser.”
In addition, Kinser supports youth apprenticeship, and exposing students to the strong opportunities and good paying jobs available in skilled trades.
“Our workforce and our infrastructure will require more skilled people in construction. We are supporting Kinser because she understands this, and is prioritizing educational outcomes that produce skilled graduates,” said Kyle Kraemer, Chair of ABC of Wisconsin’s Board of Directors. “We encourage all our members to get to the polls and vote on April 1. “
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Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2025, Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 with 67 chapters and more than 23,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC helps members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abc.org. The Wisconsin Chapter, based out of Madison, is among the largest in the country with more than 1,000 member companies. ABC of Wisconsin’s Apprenticeship Training & Trust currently trains nearly 2,500 apprentices in 12 trades. Learn more at abcwi.org.
Would you like to know one of my favorite takeaways from SuperCon? It’s that our members have amazing and powerful stories to tell about their businesses. Hearing these stories energizes me and reminds me of the important work we do to champion the Merit Shops of Wisconsin. Our shared work isn’t always easy, but it is successful when we work together. We all have stories to tell about the successes of our teams! (You can help us tell your story by joining us at the Capitol in April)
We aim to share the success of the contractors who choose to work based on their merit, and not on a union affiliation. ABC’s latest analysis shows that nationally, 90% of the construction workforce is currently choosing to work without union affiliation. In Wisconsin, we know approximately 8 out of every 10 construction workers are merit shop. It’s reasonable to assume companies and workers choose this because they understand the benefits.
It is our job to share the benefits of the merit shop with the policy makers who affect our industry. That is why we’re planning a lobby day for April 23 in Madison. I encourage all of our members to participate and share with legislators why you choose to be a merit organization. Our individual stories are compelling.
For example: We have a member who began as an ABC apprentice, later became a business owner, and rose to Chair the ABC of Wisconsin Board of Directors. Her story champions the success she earned by her own work and determination.
Another member chose to be merit shop because he could cross train his employees. When one trade’s work was slowing down, he was able to reassign those employees to assist another trade in their work. This allowed for business efficiency AND it allowed him to keep everyone employed.
A third member values the family culture of his business. He wants to be actively engaged in the lives of his employees and help them meet their personal and professional goals. Being merit shop means he can communicate with them directly, work alongside them to improve their situations, and build a company together. As a merit shop, he can negotiate directly with his employees.
Few legislators are exposed to the work we do and, without our stories, they don’t understand why we see problems with prevailing wage, project labor agreements, and other policies they consider. In this issue, you’ll note several marketing focused articles aimed at helping you differentiate your business. The same work can be done to fine tune your stories and prepare you to explain the benefits of your merit shop affiliation.
We aim to share our stories at our April 23 lobby day. Register now. It’s free to attend. I promise we will make certain you are comfortable, well-prepared, and ready to have these discussions. You have impactful stories to tell!
