T-R PHOTOS BY LANA BRADSTREAM Senate Democratic candidate Theresa Greenfield learns about restoring old masonry work from Bricklayers Apprenticeship Center Training Director Chris Busch on Saturday. Greenfield was offered a tour of the facility and took advantage of the opportunity.

Senate Democratic candidate Theresa Greenfield received a tour of the Bricklayers Apprenticeship Center in Marshalltown on Saturday.

Greenfield will face incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) in the Nov. 3 election.

Three people — including Bricklayers Apprenticeship Center Training Director Chris Busch and Business Agent and Vice Chair Ray Lemke – welcomed Greenfield and told her about their operation.

“Unions are an important part of my life,” Greenfield said. “When they invited me here for a tour, I wanted to take advantage of that. Unions play a key role in our work force.”

Busch pointed out various skills of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Local 3 teach apprentices. From properly applying caulk to restoring old masonry to creating sidewalks and roads, Greenfield learned about everything the participants engage in and how the training equates to quality workmanship and higher pay.

Busch told Greenfield BAC workers make more than their counterparts.

“We have to justify that,” he said. “We have to be better. We have to be faster.”

Greenfield agreed, saying BAC workers build structures which last for generations.

“So that’s why that investment, in my opinion is so worth it,” she said. “We’re getting highly trained labor and the skills that go with it that makes for better public projects.”

The stop in Marshalltown and the tour that accompanied fit with Greenfield’s “Small Towns, Bigger Paychecks” plan she released on July 13.

Aspects of her proposal include:

• Growing small Iowa businesses – Greenfield said that can be done by expanding access to credit for small businesses and empowering the Small Business Administration. Reducing regulation from the federal government is another step she would like to see done.

• Rebuilding infrastructure – She wants broadband to be available throughout Iowa and believes Iowa workers should be given the opportunity to earn money through rebuilding infrastructure.

• Keeping jobs here and bringing more back – Greenfield said tax breaks to companies that send jobs overseas must stop.

• Investing in debt-free training from community colleges – Greenfield would like to see more promotion of union apprenticeships and vocational training programs.

• Promoting inclusive economic growth – She wants to see Black, Brown and Indigenous business owners get the same opportunities to start or expand businesses. Greenfield said that can happen through ending discriminatory lending practices and investing in community development financial institutions.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.