BUD graduates wish retiring Program Director Russ Signorino well

ST. LOUIS – Graduates from the Building Union Diversity (BUD) program had the opportunity thank BUD Program Director Russ Signorino (seated, third from left in the front) for his service and wish him well on his upcoming retirement at a Dec. 9 party in his honor at the IBEW Local 1 union hall. Tim Carter (right), an IBEW Local 1 apprentice and graduate of the 21^st BUD class, shared his gratitude at the event and told Signorino: “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for you. You’ve made a positive impact on my life and the lives of many others.” The St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council launched the BUD program in 2014 as a recruitment tool to encourage more minorities and women to get into the union building trades. In April, the Missouri AFL-CIO created an affiliated non-profit organization called the Missouri Works Initiative, which took over the BUD program in St. Louis and plans to use its existing expertise to expand the program throughout Missouri. – Labor Tribune photo