Laborers' Local 785

09/11/2026

A day we will never forget.

September 11, 2001 changed our country forever. We remember the lives that were lost, the first responders who ran toward danger, the workers who helped in the days and months that followed, and the families who still carry that loss today.

For so many of us, the memories of that morning are still crystal clear. We remember where we were, what we were doing, and who we were with when we heard the news.

Today, we honor them by remembering.

Where were you on September 11, 2001? What were you doing when you first heard what was happening? Share your memory in the comments.

🇺🇸 9/11 — Never Forget.

09/05/2026

This Labor Day weekend, 19 of our journeymen and apprentices showed exactly what dedication looks like by giving up part of their holiday weekend to come in for flagger training. What makes it even better is that this training wasn’t even planned. It started with one member who needed the certification for work, and once the opportunity became available, 18 more members stepped up and said they wanted in too. Whether they were seasoned journeymen or apprentices still learning the trade, they chose to spend their time investing in themselves, sharpening their skills, and making themselves more valuable in the industry. That tells you everything you need to know about the mindset of these members. They’re hungry. They want to learn, they want to work, and they want every opportunity they can get to better themselves and their careers. Training like this helps keep our members safe, keeps our jobsites moving, and makes sure we continue to provide contractors with a skilled, dependable, and professional workforce. We are proud of every one of them for taking the time to be there and continuing to raise the standard of what it means to be a union laborer.

This is what commitment to the trade looks like — showing up, learning, improving, and putting in the work even on a holiday weekend when nobody was requiring them to be there. One member needed the training for work, and 18 others saw an opportunity to improve themselves and jumped on it. That kind of hunger and dedication does not go unnoticed, and it speaks volumes about the men and women who make up our membership. These are members who aren’t waiting for opportunities to come to them — they’re preparing themselves so they’re ready when those opportunities arrive. A big thank you to everyone who attended and to those who helped make this last-minute training happen. And don’t mind the instructor’s middle finger in the picture… apparently he’s dedicated to training, just not to having his picture taken. 😂 Happy Labor Day weekend to all of our members, and thank you for continuing to represent the trade with pride.

06/05/2026

Congratulations to Terance on his recent graduation from Tompkins Builds and on taking this exciting next step by joining Laborers’ Local 785!

Terance has shown the drive, dedication, and work ethic it takes to build a strong future in the skilled trades. We are proud to welcome him into the Laborers family and excited to watch him grow, learn, and succeed in this career. The future is bright, and we believe Terance has a lot to offer our industry.

At Local 785, we truly value the partnerships that help connect motivated individuals with meaningful opportunities. A big thank you to the entire team at Ithaca Area Economic Development for their continued commitment to strengthening our workforce and building the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

We also want to give a special thank you to Mira Kuroyedov, Workforce Development Manager. Her commitment, hard work, and dedication to creating opportunities for members of our communities do not go unnoticed and are deeply appreciated.

Congratulations again, Terance — we’re proud to have you with Laborers’ Local 785!

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. From all of us at Local 785, we remember their courage, their dedication, and the freedom they helped protect. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

05/22/2026

Cornell University’s Laborers are being misclassified as "assistants," stripping away their dignity and work! Cornell and the New York State AFL-CIO can fix this. Will you help?
Send a letter of support now!
👇👇👇
https://notassistants.org/

Laborers' Local 785

Cornell and the AFL-CIO are misclassifying skilled union laborers as 'building trade assistants.' Send a letter to decision makers and demand they correct it.

05/22/2026

Union Laborers working on Cornell’s campus are skilled, trained construction professionals — not “assistants.”

That title downplays their craft, their training, and the dignity of the work they perform every day.

Cornell has the power to correct this. Now we need your help.

It only takes a minute to make your voice heard.

Click the link and send a letter today: https://notassistants.org/

04/30/2026

04/16/2026

Proud to be at Try Trades in Big Flats, NY today, helping introduce young people to the opportunities that come with building a career in the trades.

Events like this are a great way for kids to have some fun while also getting a hands-on look at the skills, teamwork, and hard work that make our industry strong. One of the highlights of the day will be the wheelbarrow races, where they’ll get a chance to compete, laugh, and experience a small part of what it means to work together.

The trades offer more than just a job — they offer a future, a skillset, and a chance to build something real. We’re always proud to support events that help inspire the next generation.

04/13/2026