Building Trades Council

What is Building Trades Council?

The Central Minnesota Building Trades Council or the CMBTC provides support for union workers in the various construction industries. The primary aim at the CMBTC is the promotion of growth and development of unions related to the construction trade. We ensure a safe, fulfilling, working environment for tradesmen and women. We preach a strong sense of support between unions and union workers so that trade unions have a real and strong presence in their community at both a local and national level.

The mission of Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council

The Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council is a pillar behind unionized construction workers in central Minnesota. The council has seventy thousand working members providing leadership and advocacy for the workers.
Our mission is to:

  • Organize, harmonize and coordinate activities, interests, and functions of its members to form an effective and efficient central organization.
  • Promote healthcare and safety for building trades workers
  • Engage in research, outreach and legal activities to advance the interests of partner unions and their members in the construction trades industry
  • Promote the development of affiliated construction trades unions

Common Workplace Injuries

Accidents and mishappenings occur daily in the workplace. Injuries are common for workers at the building and construction trades sites, helpers and iron shipbuilders. There are strict safety regulations and collective bargaining agreements within the union. However, these can not always prevent accidents.

  • Overexposure to toxic chemicals like manganese can lead to chest pain, and lung problems and require treatment.
  • A construction worker might slip and fall on the equipment or concrete floor. Fabricated equipment may cause lacerations and deep cuts that need stitches.
  • Workers may be a victim of traumatic brain injuries caused due to slipping.
  • Workers might even fall from a scaffolding and break bones, suffer spinal injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
  • Site workers also face the risk of suffering from crushed limbs or fingers while performing their duties.

Compensation offered to union workers is a no-fault system, so regardless of the situations leading up to the accident, employers have to cover all the medical expenses caused by such injuries.

Different Kinds of Workers’ Comp Benefits

Workers of the building and trades union enjoy different kinds of benefits. There are four significant benefits: income, medical, death, and burial.

  • Income benefits:

Offer a significant part of the income of a worker that he loses when suffering from a work-related injury or illness. The worker also gets full income if they suffer to permanent impairment.

  • Medical benefits

Include payments for reasonable and essential medical care to treat a specific work injury or illness.

  • Death benefits

These are given to replace part of the lost income for the eligible family members of workers who lost their lives at work.

  • Burial benefits

These are payments for the deceased worker’s funeral costs.

Nothing can compensate for the loss and pain a worker or their family go through when he or she suffers an injury or mishappening. However, one should always be aware of their rights as a worker. The eligible family members or the injured worker get certain benefits if they suffer some illness at their workplace.

How Can Lawyers Help You To Claim Workers’ Compensation?

All injuries, minor and major that are sustained while at work are completely covered under the workers’ compensation. It is your primary responsibility to protect your legal rights by following the steps previously listed. Do not try to deal with the insurance company on your own, all by yourself because they might pressurize you into signing documents that might result in loss of your rights. The duluth building and construction trades council representative will help you get your filed claim started. An attorney familiar with the workers’ compensation will help you with further proceedings.