Miron Champions Be More Than A Bystander Program
In 2023, the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters (NCSRCC) launched its Be More Than a Bystander (MBTAB) training in response to longstanding issues of gender-based bullying, harassment, and violence in the construction industry. Through facilitated discussion, this program aims to help participants understand the impact of workplace bullying and harassment, provide strategies to support victims, take action as an ally, and use real-life scenarios and group discussions to develop these skills.
Since its launch, NCSRCC has partnered with many signatory contractors to provide Be More Than a Bystander training to all positions of construction within the companies, from members in the field to management and positions of leadership.
This past winter, Miron Construction furthered their commitment to confronting these work site issues by offering the Be More Than a Bystander training during their annual employee summit.
Miron hosts their annual field and yard summit, usually split into 2 sessions, as an ongoing effort to offer training and an opportunity to discuss company updates, industry trends, and spend time teambuilding.
Miron employees stretching before the second day of the summit.
Dave Walsh, Vice President of Human Resources at Miron, was thrilled to be able to bring this training to the company. He shared, “I’m so glad there’s a program like this available, and I’m thankful that the Carpenters have come forward to share it with us. I would highly recommend Be More Than A Bystander to anyone.”
The theme of this year’s summit was "Work Together, Win Together". Eleven NCSRCC instructors facilitated BMTAB training to smaller groups, in two separate sessions, to over 425 of Miron’s employees. This small group approach ensured a more personalized and impactful experience.
NCSRCC Business Representative facilitating the Be More Than A Bystander Program.
The training brought together employees in various roles, including yard operations, field crews, superintendents, and foremen. Megan Bruckner, a yard laborer at Miron for the past four years, was one of the attendees. She found the training particularly valuable, stating, “The Be More Than a Bystander training is important because it raises awareness. I really appreciated the open discussions. In our industry, we don’t often get the chance to speak freely and share our experiences, so having a space to do that made a real difference.”
Megan emphasized that the training’s relatability made it a meaningful experience. “I hope any man in the room who has a wife, sister, mother, or daughter would take this training seriously. Hearing real stories from women in the industry can have a lasting impact,” she said.
Miron Construction is taking bold steps to transform the culture of the construction industry. By prioritizing Be More Than A Bystander training and instilling these values among employees, the company is working to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for all.
To learn more about the NCSRCC Be More Than A Bystander training and how schedule a training in your area visit https://northcountrycarpenter.org/training/be-more-bystander