Wisconsin Building Trades Council Welcomes New Executive Director Emily Pritzkow

Madison — The Wisconsin Building Trades Council (WBTC) Board of Directors has appointed Emily Pritzkow as the organization’s new Executive Director.  Pritzkow will take the lead in coordinating WBTC’s efforts to unify the state’s 16 craft organization members and nearly 40,000 union workers.

“I am excited to be a part of growing the WBTC and furthering its goals,” Pritzkow said. “Our objectives include promoting jobs that support Wisconsin communities, fostering advanced skills among Wisconsin’s current and future construction workforce, finding innovative ways to increase diversity and inclusion in the union construction industry, and, most importantly, to help our members increase their market share so they can grow their numbers and keep Wisconsinites working.”

Pritzkow most recently served as Chief of Staff to Gordon Hintz, the Democratic Leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly. Prior to her role in the Democratic Leader’s office, she staffed Rep. Hintz for two budgets on the state’s powerful Joint Finance Committee, as well as multiple legislative sessions overseeing vertical construction projects on the State Building Commission. She is an effective leader who is respected by lawmakers, advocacy organizations, and staff from all across the political spectrum. With this background, she is well poised to lead the WBTC into the future.

As Jac Weitzel, WBTC Board President and Executive Director of the Building and Construction Trades Council of South-Central Wisconsin, observed: “Ms. Pritzkow’s extensive experience building relationships and her policy background, coupled with her appreciation of the role unions play in giving workers a voice and keeping them safe in the workplace, make her uniquely qualified for this position.”

“Union tradespeople build the infrastructure that Wisconsinites depend on daily and that keeps our state moving forward,” Pritzkow added, “There is no shortage of stories to tell about the issues working men and women face every day. They want to be treated and paid fairly. They want meaningful work that will allow them to build a strong future for themselves, and to return home safely to their families each night. We are a coalition that looks at every angle to achieve these goals—at the ballot box, in the Legislature, within city halls, the courts, and wherever else the fight for our rights, our voice, our jobs, our wages and benefits, and our safe working conditions takes us.”

About WBTC

The Wisconsin Building Trades Council was founded in 2018 to carry on its member unions’ proud traditions, many of which have been working for workers’ rights for over 130 years. Today, WBTC supports and furthers the efforts of 16 different craft member organizations in the building trades, with nearly 40,000 members overall. All are working together to:

• Ensure and increase the number of Wisconsin jobs that support Wisconsin communities
• Increase investment in building, energy, water, and transportation infrastructure
• Ensure fair and prevailing wages and workplace safety protections for all workers on all Wisconsin construction projects
• Develop Wisconsin’s current and future workforce through high-quality, accessible union apprenticeship programs and continuing education opportunities
• Support initiatives that improve diversity and inclusion in the construction industry
• Support and advocate for responsible bidder ordinances and other actions or efforts that protect fair wages, workers, and surrounding communities

Member Unions

• Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers District Council of Wisconsin
• International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers
• International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers Local 18
• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Union 107
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 200
• International Union of Elevator Constructors
• International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139
• Ironworkers District Council of North Central States
• North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
• Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Local 599 and 633
• Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council
• The Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association
• United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, & Allied Workers

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.