Who We Are

LECET works with LIUNA Signatory Union Contractors in Minnesota & North Dakota on many issues pertaining to the Union Construction industry, including tools to win more Projects and Jobs.

Who We Are

 

MINNESOTA LECET | LIUNA MN & ND: PROMOTING THE UNION CONSTRUCTION ADVANTAGE

The Laborers – Employers Cooperation & Education Trust (LECET) of Minnesota and North Dakota was created in 1992 as a non – profit joint Labor Management Cooperation organization affiliated with Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Minnesota & North Dakota. LECET works to promote and advance opportunities that benefit the Union construction industry while addressing initiatives that are of mutual benefit and concern for both LIUNA signatory Union contractors and skilled construction craft LIUNA members. For over 120 years, the Union Construction Industry has delivered the best in construction: reliable energy, clean water, public and private buildings and infrastructure, transportation Roads & Bridges, public transit, utilities infrastructure, healthcare and education sector facilities, affordable housing and so much more to our communities every day. Working with LIUNA and our signatory contractors is the Union Advantage.

 

LECET VALUE ADDED SERVICES INCLUDE: 

LECET Safety Driven Program •  LECET Safety Seminars and Professional Development  • LECET Scholarship Program • Hosting Industry Related Open Houses & Events • Industry Networking  • LIUNA Union Construction Careers & Workforce Promotions  • Strategic Advertising & Marketing Efforts • Timely Industry Communications • Tracking Construction Projects Across All Industry • Advancing Worker Safety & Health Promotions

 

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Info@mnlecet.org

PH: (651) 429-1600

What's New

Health & Benefit Fair Planned for Saturday April 18, 2026 at the LTC

Get Connected to Wellness!

Join Us: Saturday April 18, 2026

Laborers Training Center

2350 Main St.

Lino Lakes, MN  55038

8 AM – 1 PM

Food & Prizes

Great Presenters

Meet with Health and Wellness Professionals

Kids Zone

Fun for the entire Family!

 

Health & Benefit Fair Planned for Saturday April 18, 2026 at the LTC

LABORERS FAMILY FUN-RAISER PLANNED FOR SAT. AUGUST 15, 2026 – Como Regional Park, St Paul!

ATTN: LIUNA MN&ND Members and Friends of LIUNA!

JOIN US, Saturday Aug 15 at Como Regional Park, St. Paul, MN for our 2026 Laborers Family Fun-Raiser.

  • Enjoy our Family Picnic
  • Raise money for Laborers Charities
  • Kids Activities and Bounce Houses
  • BBQ lunch – hot dogs, sweet corn, ice cream
  • Free for the entire family.  Suggested cash donation to one of the Laborers Charities while at the event.

View: LIUNA Family-Fun Raiser Picnic

LABORERS FAMILY FUN-RAISER PLANNED FOR SAT. AUGUST 15, 2026 – Como Regional Park, St Paul!

LECET SAFETY SEMINARS ANNOUNCED FOR 2026

Series Events:

Jan. 22, 2026 (10 AM to 1 PM), lunch Included – Minneapolis MN 

Session 1: Introducing the Laborers Health & Safety Fund of North America

Session 2: What’s Your Emergency Response Plan?

Register HERE for Minneapolis

Feb 4, 2026 (10 AM to 1 PM), lunch Included – Rochester MN

Session 1: What’s Trending in Safety?

Session 2: What’s Your Emergency Response Plan?

Register HERE for Rochester

Feb. 10, 2026 (10 AM to 1 PM), lunch Included – Duluth MN

Session 1: What’s Trending in Safety?

Session 2: What’s Your Emergency Response Plan?

Register HERE for Duluth

March 13, 2026 (9 AM to 11 AM) – Lino Lakes MN 

Show & Tell 9 – 10 a.m.  In the Zone Safety Simulation

LECET Annual Union Contractor Open House & Safety Driven Awards Ceremony 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Register HERE for Lino Lakes

If your company is interested in learning more, contact Minnesota LECET at (651) 429-1600 | info@mnlecet.org

 

 

 

LECET SAFETY SEMINARS ANNOUNCED FOR 2026

LIUNA MN & ND HOSTED BROADBAND INDUSTRY FORUM

CONNECTING MINNESOTA:  A Forum on Broadband Development & Workforce

LIUNA Minnesota and LECET hosted a Broadband Industry Forum on January 9, 2025 at the Laborers Training Center in Lino Lakes, MN with hundreds of industry stakeholders and contractors attending. LIUNA is proud to offer the required Broadbrand training curriculum for the “orange card”.

READ ABOUT IT IN LECET NEWS 

LIUNA MN & ND HOSTED BROADBAND INDUSTRY FORUM

2026 LIUNA CONSTRUCTION CAREER FAIRS ANNOUNCED

ATTENTION: Construction Career Seekers

LIUNA MN & ND and LECET are proud to announce this year’s lineup of career fairs. These career fairs are a great way to connect with Union contractors on site, who hire Laborers to meet their needs.  In all, we will have a total of 70 Union contractors joining LIUNA at these career fairs in 2026. Please register in advance and meet up with us at one of these events:

Lino Lakes MN on March 24, 2026, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Laborers Training Center located at 2350 Main St., Lino Lakes, MN 44038

Register HERE for Lino Lakes

Mankato MN on March 31, 2026, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Kato Ballroom located at 200 Chestnut St., Mankato, MN 56001

Register HERE for Mankato

Rochester MN on April 2, 2026, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Rochester Eagles Club, 917 15th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904

Register HERE for Rochester

Duluth MN on April 7, 2026, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Duluth-Harborview, 505 W Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802

Register HERE for Duluth

Bemidji MN on April 8, 2026, from 3 p.m. – 6p.m. at the South Shore Hotel, 1019 Paul Bunyan Dr. S. Bemidji, MN 56601

Register HERE for Bemidji

St. Cloud MN on April 21, 2026, from 3 p.m. – 6p.m. at the Rivers Edge Convention Center, 10 Fourth Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301

Register HERE for St. Cloud

In the meantime, LIUNA Signatory Union Contractors are always looking for good people who are interested in a construction career. If you are motivated and ready to work, please contact the Union Contractors and inquire about opportunities.

Please visit our JOBS BOARD  and register, to learn about potential construction career opportunities that LIUNA is made aware of.

To learn more about Apprenticeship and how to get started: VISIT

To locate a listing of Union contractors, by area and market sector, visit: UNION CONTRACTOR DIRECTORY

2026 LIUNA CONSTRUCTION CAREER FAIRS ANNOUNCED

BUILD THE NORTH JOBS BOARD

FOR CURRENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: CLICK HERE >>

Check out our LIUNA MINNESOTA & NORTH DAKOTA JOBS BOARD*

This site is for construction career opportunities in both Minnesota and North Dakota.
Bookmark and check this Jobs Board regularly.

*The LIUNA Build the North Jobs Board is a representation of job opportunities that LIUNA MN & ND is aware of through contractor and industry communication at the time of each job posting.  As positions open and close and the season’s change, the postings can change as well. Candidates are referred to Union Contractors, who do all employment hiring.

To locate Signatory Union Contractors with LIUNA Minnesota & North Dakota, who may be hiring, visit our UNION CONTRACTOR ON LINE DIRECTORY

To learn about Apprenticeship and how to get started, visit: BUILD YOUR FUTURE WITH LIUNA!

BUILD THE NORTH JOBS BOARD

North Dakota and Minnesota Locals

Find any Affiliate

Please search by State or Province

Contact Information

LIUNA Laborers Union Local 563 Joe Fowler , Business Manager Minneapolis Union Hall, 901 14th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone:
612-781-6933
Email:
jfowler@local563.org
Website:
https://www.liunaminnesota.org/locals/563
LIUNA Laborers Union Local 1091 Derek Pederson , Business Manager Duluth Labor Temple, Hall A 2002 London Road 55812 Duluth , MN
Phone:
218-728-5151
Email:
laborers@local1091.com
Website:
http://www.liunalocal1091.org/home
LIUNA Laborers Union Local 405 Lorne Lundeen , Business Manager 1848 2nd Avenue SE, 55904 Rochester, MN
Phone:
507-282-2349
Email:
lornelundeenlocal405@gmail.com
Website:
http://www.liuna405.org/home
LIUNA Laborers Union Local 1097 Shawn Braford , Business Manager 712 4th St N, Virginia, MN 55792
Phone:
218-741-3638
Email:
sbraford1097@gmail.com
Website:
https://www.liunaminnesota.org/locals/1097
LIUNA Laborers Union Local 363 AJ Lange , Business Manager 312 Central Avenue SE 55414 Minneapolis , MN
Phone:
612-379-4740
Email:
local363ajlange@gmail.com
Website:
https://www.liunaminnesota.org/locals/363
LIUNA Laborers Union Local 563 - Bismarck, ND 58504 Joe Fowler , Business Manager 2210 E. Broadway Ave., Bismarck, ND
Phone:
701-223-5991
Email:
jfowler@local563.org
Website:
http://www.liunanorthdakota.org/home
LIUNA Laborers Union Local 563 - Fargo, ND Nick Slavicek , Director of LIUNA North Dakota 3002 1st Ave. North, Fargo, ND 58102
Phone:
701-527-7132
Email:
nslavicek@local563.org
Website:
http://www.liunanorthdakota.org/home

What We Do

Minnesota LECET’s mission is to promote the many benefits of Union construction while addressing issues that are of mutual benefit and concern to both signatory Union contractors and Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) members in Minnesota & North Dakota.

Minnesota & North Dakota LIUNA
Minnesota & North Dakota LIUNA

Chartered in 1968 by the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), LIUNA Minnesota & North Dakota (a.k.a. Laborers District Council of MN & ND), is based in St. Paul. The District Council is governed by an Executive Board and Delegate Assembly serving LIUNA members and retirees of five Local Unions in Minnesota & North Dakota: LIUNA Local 363 (Public Employees in Mpls, St. Paul and other locations in Minnesota);  LIUNA Local 405 (Rochester, Red Wing, Winona & Austin);  LIUNA Local 563 (Twin Cities Metro, Mankato, Saint Cloud, Western MN & North Dakota);  LIUNA Local 1091 (Duluth and Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas Counties in NW Wisconsin) and LIUNA Local 1097 (Virginia – iron range, Bemidji and NW Minnesota).  Shown here: https://liunaminnesota.org/locals

Market Expansion Program for Union Contractors
Market Expansion Program for Union Contractors

 Project Alerts for Signatory Union Contractors through LECET’s MEP Program

LECET provides FREE resources to track & expand market opportunities for LIUNA and signatory Union contractors through our Market Expansion Program for Contractors (MEP).

The LECET Market Expansion Program is a unique project lead service, designed by LECET for LIUNA signatory contractors. MEP tracks construction opportunities in the commercial building and heavy/highway construction markets per the contractors business development goals. For other construction markets including industrial and energy project leads or other large scale construction opportunities, Signatory employers may contact LECET.

Safety Driven Program
Safety Driven Program

Minnesota LECET Safety Driven Program Rules and Forms:

For all the Nomination Forms and Rules, contact Minnesota LECET at 651-429-1600  info@mnlecet.org or kjohnson@liunaminnesota.org.

*Quarterly Awards Program – Each quarter, Signatory Union Contractors can nominate Laborers for the Safety Driven Laborers Quarterly Award program. Nominated Laborers receive a complimentary T-shirt by LECET just for being nominated and winners will pick from a variety of prizes including jackets, coolers, all provided by Minnesota LECET and are shown each quarter in the LECET Feel the Power Newsletter!

*Annual Awards Program – In January of each year, Signatory Union Contractors can nominate one Laborer for the Safety Driven Laborers Annual Award program based on their safety driven performance in the prior calendar year. Contractors may also apply for the Safety Driven Contractor Annual Award of Excellence.  All prizes and awards furnished by Minnesota LECET.

RULES & FORMS WILL NO LONGER BE PUBLISHED HERE.  To register for communications and to be notified of nomination deadlines, please contact kjohnson@liunaminnesota.org

 

 

LECET Safety Driven Golf Classic: 

Save the Date – July 7, 2026 at Keller Golf Course, St. Paul, MN

Minnesota LECET started the Safety Driven Program in 2007 as a way to recognize both Laborers Union (LIUNA) members and Signatory Union Contractors for their safe work record and proactive approach in improving overall safety. The program includes our Safety Seminar Series for Union Contractor employer representatives to gain additional knowledge on current topics related to construction site safety and member / worker health.

Annually, we hold our LECET Safety Driven Golf Classic for Union Contractor Representatives and invited vendors and guests. All proceeds gained through the golf classic  go toward Laborers Safety Driven Anual Award recognition.

The 2025 Event is now completed.

To learn more, please contact us at info@mnlecet.org.

 

Academic Scholarship / Leadership Grant Program
Academic Scholarship / Leadership Grant Program

The Minnesota LECET Academic Scholarship and Leadership Grant program helps eligible candidates advance in the construction industry through this specialized financial assistance program awarding $92,000 since 2007.

Financial assistance is available only to current LIUNA MN & ND members and their immediate family members in the construction trades industry and to staff, representatives / interns working for signatory Union Contractor’s of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota. To verify eligibility, contact Minnesota LECET: kjohnson@liunaminnesota.org

For information about the Minnesota LECET Academic Scholarship & Leadership Grant Program contact:  Minnesota LECET at 651-429-1600.

2026 Scholarship Program will be made available on January 1, 2026

Applications due: June 12, 2026

CONGRATULATIONS 2025 WINNERS:

John Benolkin – Rice Lake Construction

Jacob Blomquist – Ryan Companies US Inc

Takudzwa Bosha – PCL Construction

Samuel Deters – Knutson Construction

Calvin Hayward – Ryan Companies US Inc

Declan House – PCL Construction

Evan Johnson – Bolander

Juan Antonio Juarez – Mavo Systems (LIUNA 563 member)

Mitchell Leonard – Rice Lake Construction

Mason Olofson – Ryan Companies US Inc

Olivea Roth – PCL Construction

Nathan Weckop – Bolander

SAFETY DRIVEN PROGRAM

Since 2007 over 2,000 skilled construction craft LIUNA members and hundreds of signatory Union contractor employers have been recognized in the area of safety excellence through the Minnesota LECET Safety Driven Program. Recognition is given through communications and at LECET’s Annual Union Contractor Appreciation Open House, each Spring. The program has created a platform for contractors to network and share best practices with one another, effectively raising the bar for safety in Minnesota, North Dakota and wherever the Union Signatory Contractors work. Participation in LECET Safety Driven is free for signatory Union contractor employers with all recognition and awards provided by Minnesota LECET.

As part of the Safety Driven Program, Minnesota LECET’s SAFETY SEMINAR SERIES is an educational series designed for Union Contractor representatives covering a myriad of topics in the leadership, professional development, safety and occupational health arena. Prior topics have included: trench safety, covid protocols, silica awareness, elevated work platform safety, hospital protocols, chop saw safety, focus four, leadership development, mental health and more, with over 49 sessions held since 2014!  Safety Seminars are held annually in the Twin Cities and Northern and Southern Minnesota.

Minnesota LECET: (651) 429-1600  info@mnlecet.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAIR CONTRACTING FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA

Working closely with LIUNA Minnesota and the Minnesota State Building & Construction Trades Council,  Fair Contracting Foundation of Minnesota continually monitors and works on issues of mutual concern to the Union Construction industry that affect both Union construction workers and Signatory Union Contractors in Minnesota.   <Click Here to Connect with FCF>

 

 


Davis-Bacon and Prevailing Wage - Aug 3, 2018 Report
Fair Contracting Foundation Resources
MN Responsible Contractor Law - 2015
Project Labor Agreements
Right to Work Laws
LIUNA Right to Prosper

CAREERS

INTERESTED IN A LIUNA CAREER?

Minnesota LECET | LIUNA Minnesota & North Dakota

81 East Little Canada Road, St. Paul, MN 55318

Phone:     651-429-1600
Email:       info@mnlecet.org
* Required

Visit the LIUNA Minnesota & North Dakota Jobs Board:

www.BuildtheNorth.com