President Joe Biden’s Executive Order, which requires the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on federal construction projects valued at more than $35 million, will apply to $262 billion in federal construction contracting and impact nearly 200,000 workers. A PLA...
Category
America’s Workforce Podcast
A New York City tragedy: The Deadly Consequences of Ignoring Firestop
On Jan. 9, fire broke out in a third floor apartment at a 17-story high rise in the Bronx. Before long, thick smoke rose through the tower and filled all 17 floors, killing 17 people, including eight children. It was New York City’s deadliest blaze in three decades....
Mechanical Insulators Will Abate Lead Paint Under Infrastructure Bill
Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) Executive Director Pete Ielmini appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how the infrastructure bill will put union Mechanical Insulators to work across the nation. Lead is commonly...
More Mechanical Insulators will be needed to fight climate change
As the nation grapples with the reality of climate change, energy efficiency will be at the forefront of many infrastructure endeavors. Mechanical insulation will play a critical component in the fight against climate change, as the need to insulate America’s...
Illinois law will create union jobs in renewable energy transition
As more people embrace the transition to green, renewable energy, millions of good paying union jobs will be created. The recently passed Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act puts the state on the path to be 100 percent independent of fossil fuels by 2045, and...
Ielmini Discusses how Mechanical Insulation Fights Climate change
Numerous studies have demonstrated that insulation is the most effective and cheapest approach to optimize energy efficiency in buildings. On Sept. 22, Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joined the...
Ielmini discusses the importance of firestop safety measures
According to the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, nearly six in 10 people killed in fires are not in the room where the fire originally started. This disturbing statistic speaks to the importance of firewall safety. If you can stop a fire from spreading, property damage...
Ielmini discusses veterans in the trades on AWF Union Podcast
As the labor shortage in the building trades increases, the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers and the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management and Cooperative Trust encourage people of all backgrounds to seek a career in the...
Ielmini promotes end-user training on AWF Union Podcast
The Mechanical Insulators LMCT is reaching out to end-users to educate them on the value of mechanical insulation. Mechanical Insulators LMCT Executive Director Pete Ielmini appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, a daily, labor-focused podcast, to explain...
Addressing Mental Health Issues and Suicide Prevention
The construction industry is one of the deadliest in America, not only due to the nature of the work, but also because of its high suicide rate. Once considered a taboo subject, building trades leaders are now addressing the subject and are working to educate people...
Latest Posts
Insulators Advance Mental Well-Being Initiatives
The Insulators Membership Assistance Program (IMAP) continues to progress and advocate for mental health initiatives to support the well-being of members of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers. Recently, IMAP’s professional...
Jim Petrides discusses Insulator industry news on AWF podcast
Jim Petrides, Senior Mechanical Insulation Specialist for the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a recent study that demonstrates the importance of mechanical insulation. Petrides...
LMCT Releases Large Entertainment Venues Study
In early 2025, the Insulators LMCT was asked to take part in a study on behalf of a regional sports authority group regarding mechanical insulation. Venue Solutions Group, the owner’s representative, requested the evaluation of a large baseball stadium and a...
Weber and Sanchez Introduce Federal Mechanical Insulation Act of 2025
Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas) and Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) introduced the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act of 2025 which will help save taxpayer money.
Director Ielmini discussed firestopping, the FMIA and more on AWF podcast
Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss critical topics impacting the mechanical insulation industry. The conversation centered around the...
Sánchez, Fitzpatrick reintroduce bipartisan MIIIA
Reps. Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) reintroduced the bipartisan Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act, H.R. 2463, today to create jobs and promote energy efficiency. The bipartisan legislation will create jobs for members of the...









