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Laborers perform physically demanding tasks in a variety of weather conditions that require strength, endurance and agility. Local 225 Laborers work in the demolition and environmental remediation industries throughout Chicago and the surrounding nine counties. We offer two contractor sponsored programs for either the career-mined or the summer employment individuals.
Minimum of 18 years of age.
Valid Driver’s License
Social Security Card
Completed 10th Grade/GED
Pass Substance Abuse Test
Join the Laborers’ Union
Physically Able to Perform the Work
The Laborers’ Apprenticeship is designed as a two-year program. A minimum of 2400 hours of on-the-job work training and 360 hours of classroom training is required over the course of two years in order to graduate as a journeyworker. Apprentices start at 60 percent of the journeyworker’s rate and progress to 70, 80, 90 and 100 percent as they fulfill specific work and training requirements. Benefits (medical, dental and pension) are established using the same guidelines as for journeyworkers. Environmental apprentices will have to achieve certification as an asbestos and/or lead worker and obtain an Illinois license before beginning work. Your sponsoring contractor can arrange the necessary training at no cost at either of our training facilities.
Flaggers Certification | Hazardous Communication | Construction Math |
30-Hour OSHA | Scaffold Technology | Concrete Placement |
Mason Tending | Pipelaying | Burning |
Pneumatic Tools | Print Reading | Confined Space Entry |
Silica Awareness | Lead-Paint Awareness | Asbestos Awareness |
| Year One | ||
| First Six Months | 60% of Journeyworker Scale | $27.54 |
| Second Six Months | 70% of Journeyworker Scale | $32.12 |
| Year Two | ||
| First Six Months | 80% of Journeyworker Scale | $36.72 |
| Second Six Months | 90% of Journeyworker Scale | $41.31 |
| Program Completion | 100% of Journeyworker Scale | $45.90 |
Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescriptions and Pension
The Permit Worker Program allows employers to hire individuals to work up to 500 hours during a calendar year at full journeyworker wages. Most of the need for permit workers occurs from May through September so this is an ideal program for students, teachers and pre-apprentices who want a high-paying job for the summer. Although this is a temporary position, permit workers will have the full representation and protection of Laborers’ Local 225.
Permit workers must be re-sponsored each year before beginning work. Four calendar years is the maximum allowable for any permit worker. Those permit workers who want to enter the trade as a full-time employee must be sponsored by a signatory contractor into the Apprentice Program. No individual who has been terminated from the Apprentice Program will be allowed to work as a Permit Worker. Individuals failing the substance abuse test are not eligible for sponsorship for one year.
Important: Environmental permit workers will have to achieve certification as an asbestos and/or lead worker and obtain an Illinois license before beginning work. Your sponsoring contractor can provide details on obtaining the training. Courses are typically 3-5 days in duration and can cost up to $600.
Permit Worker Wage (June 1, 2021 – May 31, 2022)
Time and a half paid for work over 8-hours in a day.
Time and a half and double time paid for work on weekends.
First, do you meet all of the requirements listed above to enter into either the Apprenticeship Program or Permit Worker Program? Important! You must be able to provide the original Social Security Card and transcripts from school. Gather up those documents!
Second, do you meet our contractor’s expectations/skills for Laborers?
Must be able to lift heavy objects.
Must be able to work in hot and cold environments.
Must be able to work at heights from ladders and scaffolding.
Must be able to work in enclosed spaces.
Must be medically fit to wear a respirator.
Must be able to work up to 12-hour shifts if needed.
Must be able to work with/near machinery.
Must have reliable transportation.
Desired skills (not required):
Bilingual.
Experience with pneumatic tools.
Experience with boom and scissor lifts.
Experience with concrete floor prep machinery.
Third, if “YES” to both questions above, then fill out the form below. Your contact information will be sent to our union environmental and demolition contractors. They will contact you directly about employment opportunities within their respective companies. Remember to bring all of the required documents to any interviews or hiring events.
