The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) made history in Las Vegas from August 10–14, 2026, hosting its first-ever Building Union Power Summit. In a decisive shift toward a member-driven culture, half of all attendees were rank-and-file workers actively on the tools—not just union staff and officials.
The iFTI kicked off the week with the Directors of Training (DOT) Seminar, a dedicated day to gather and discuss key training initiatives. The event featured curriculum updates alongside presentations on EHS Highlights, the Impact of Federal Policy on Construction, and Leveraging Apprenticeships for Workforce Development.
Throughout the week, members from across North America packed interactive workshops focused on strengthening union democracy, launching offensive bargaining strategies, and improving mentorship to retain the next generation of tradespeople.
The energy quickly spilled into the streets when more than 400 IUPAT delegates joined the picket line with UNITE HERE Local 226, marching in solidarity with Las Vegas hospitality workers fighting for their first contract. The inaugural summit marked a bold turning point for the IUPAT, sending members back to their jobsites more organized, unified, and ready to build collective power.
