The apprentice Piledrivers of the Southeast WI Carpentry Training Center, Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Training Center and the students of Operating Engineers Local 139 Training Center participated in a "joint" training effort that brought the 2 trades together to reinforce safe productive pile driving practices. Diesel, pneumatic and vibratory hammers were used to install sheet and "h" piling in various controlled situations.

                      Piledriver instructor Dave Juskie, local 578, provided the hands-on expertise and training supervision while the students learned the various skills needed to safely communicate with the Operating Engineers. Students worked hand-in-hand with the Operators with "tips" and "secrets" shared freely between the two crafts to promote a safe work environment.

                      Tom Miller of the Edward E. Gillen Co. provided Vulcan pneumatic hammers, leads and all accessories for the hammers along with a skilled journeyman to assist in pneumatic hammer set-up and basic tool maintenance. Tom also provided a presentation of the "contractors point of view" to confirm and reinforce the partnership relationship that must exist for successful contractors to continue to capture and maintain market share. A special "thanks" to Roger Kopplin of FABCO for the free use of the compressor needed to run the pneumatic hammer.

                       This is another situation that demonstrates  Labor Unions and employing signatory contractors ARE working together to plan for the future!!!!