International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

What International Union of Painters and Allied Trades does

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) is a nonprofit labor union founded in 1887, headquartered in Hanover, Maryland, and domiciled in the United States. It represents 140,000 workers across the U.S. and Canada in seven finishing trades: commercial painting, drywall finishing, floor covering, glazing and glasswork, industrial painting, sign and display work, and trade show work. The organization operates through 100+ Local Unions and District Councils, with member representation, collective bargaining, and apprenticeship training delivered via the International Finishing Trades Institute (iFTI) using a Learning Management System. IUPAT's wholly-owned benefit entities include the Industry Pension Fund, Industry Annuity Funds, the Painters and Allied Trades Veterans Program (PAT-VP), the Helping Hand substance abuse and mental health program, the PATCH Foundation, and the Labor Management Cooperation Initiative (LMCI). Members access services through local union halls, a Mobile Member Portal app (iOS/Android), the IUPAT UNITE app, and the Union Plus benefits program.

IUPAT generates revenue exclusively through recurring membership dues from its 140,000 members; per-capita dues rates are not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market motion is community-led, with recruitment driven by organizing new shops, collective bargaining campaigns, the Job Corps pre-apprenticeship pipeline (59 programs in 32 states since 1969), and the iFTI apprenticeship program (minimum 144 hours classroom instruction plus on-the-job training). Marketing channels include the iupat.org website, the quarterly Painters & Allied Trades Journal, social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube), the triennial General Convention, and District Council community events.

The value proposition centers on measurable wage and benefits advantages: union members earn 15% more than non-union counterparts on average, IUPAT tradespersons earn 12% above the national average, 96% of unionized workers have health benefits (vs 69% non-union), and 84% have retirement plans (vs 49% non-union). The core technology stack is administrative rather than product-oriented: Google Analytics, JotForm, Mailchimp, a WordPress-based website, and the iFTI LMS. IUPAT does not develop or deploy AI/ML capabilities. Leadership is headed by General President James A. Williams Jr. and General Secretary-Treasurer Gregg Smith, with regional and functional General Vice Presidents; the organization has achieved several historic "firsts" in building trades leadership, including the first Black General President (2013), first Latino General Vice President (2020), and first female General Vice President (2023).

Name

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

Legal name

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

Website

https://iupat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1887

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

IUPAT is a nonprofit labor union founded in 1887 that represents 140,000 workers across the U.S. and Canada in seven finishing trades, including commercial and industrial painting, drywall finishing, glazing, and floor covering, delivering collective bargaining, apprenticeship training, and pension/benefit services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Labor Union Services

NAICS

Specialty Trade Contractors (238), Painting and Wall Covering Contractors (23832), Other Building Finishing Contractors (238390)

SIC

Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)

akta.pro primary industry

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Worksite Financial Wellness & Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) (FSAIAMAN)

Keywords

• Labor union representation
• Finishing trades apprenticeship
• Collective bargaining services
• Union pension benefits
• Trades worker training

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanover

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Union Membership Dues: IUPAT generates revenue through membership dues paid by its 140,000 members across the United States and Canada. Members pay dues in exchange for representation, collective bargaining, training programs, pension benefits, annuity funds, and other member services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IUPAT is a labor union that represents approximately 140,000 workers across the United States and Canada in seven finishing trades: commercial painting, drywall finishing, floor covering, glazing and glasswork, industrial painting, sign and display, and trade show work. Core services delivered to members include collective bargaining representation, apprenticeship and continuing education through the International Finishing Trades Institute (iFTI), retirement benefits via the Industry Pension Fund and Industry Annuity Funds, health and welfare benefits through Union Plus, a Mobile Member Portal app, and various member assistance programs.

Product overview

IUPAT (International Union of Painters and Allied Trades) is a labor union representing 140,000 workers in the finishing trades across the United States and Canada. The organization operates as a union organization rather than a technology product company, offering trade representation for seven skilled finishing trades (Commercial Painter, Drywall Finisher, Floor Coverer, Glazier and Glassworker, Industrial Painter, Sign and Display Worker, and Trade Show Worker). Member services include the Mobile Member Portal (MMP) mobile app, Industry Pension Fund, Industry Annuity Funds, and Union Plus benefits program. Educational programs include the iFTI (International Finishing Trades Institute) apprenticeship program, continuing education courses, Job Corps pre-apprenticeship training, and the Painters & Allied Trades Journal. Additional support programs include Helping Hand (mental health/substance abuse assistance), PATCH Foundation (youth support), PAT-VP (veterans program), and CORE Committees for diversity and inclusion. The organization also offers LMCI for labor-management cooperation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mobile Member Portal (MMP)

Quantifiable outcome

• Members earn 15% more than non-union counterparts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Job CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1969IUPAT has operated a Job Corps pre-apprenticeship program since 1969, offering training across 59 programs in 32 states. The program provides entry points for workers into finishing trades careers.
• Labor Management Cooperation Initiative (LMCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLMCI promotes the interests of skilled IUPAT workers and employers through labor-management cooperation.
• PATCH FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2001, PATCH has supported organizations that provide education, medical services, and sports for youth.
• Union PluscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUnion Plus provides benefits, services, and product discounts for union members and their families, including scholarships, health insurance, legal programs, and discounts on various products and services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE): Building trades union representing heavy equipment operators, mechanics, and surveyors in construction. Comparable to IUPAT in structure (local unions, apprenticeship programs, multiemployer funds) and in concentration on construction craft labor.
• United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Techs: Building trades union representing 350,000+ plumbers, pipefitters, and HVAC service technicians. Operates a parallel apprenticeship/training infrastructure, multiemployer pension plans, and structured collective bargaining much like IUPAT's finishing trades model.
• SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers): Building trades union representing sheet metal workers, HVAC technicians, and transportation workers. Operates apprenticeship programs and multiemployer benefit funds analogous to IUPAT's iFTI and Industry Pension Fund.
• International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC): Building trades union representing bricklayers, tile setters, plasterers, and cement masons. Operates an International Training Center and multiemployer pension funds with the same union model as IUPAT, serving construction finishing-adjacent trades.
• United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America: One of North America's largest building trades unions, representing carpenters across commercial and residential construction. Like IUPAT, UBC organizes workers via local unions, negotiates collective bargaining agreements, runs joint apprenticeship programs, and operates multiemployer benefit funds.
• International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers: Building trades union representing ironworkers in structural and ornamental construction. Shares IUPAT's emphasis on apprenticeship delivery, collective bargaining, and union-only job placement through local unions.
• Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA): Represents construction laborers, with a comparable model of training (LIUNA Training), multiemployer pension/health funds, and District Councils. Operates in the same construction end-markets as IUPAT.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW): Major building trades union representing ~775,000 electrical workers across construction, utilities, and manufacturing. Mirrors IUPAT's model of local union halls, apprenticeship training, and multiemployer pension/benefit funds serving construction craft workers.

Broad incumbents

• AFL-CIO: National federation of 60+ unions including IUPAT itself. Sets broad labor policy, organizes political advocacy, and provides shared services to affiliated building trades unions; comparable at the federation level rather than as a direct competitor.
• North America's Building Trades Unions: Umbrella organization of building trades unions (including IUPAT) that coordinates apprenticeship standards, project labor agreements, and federal infrastructure advocacy. Functions as a peer federation rather than a competing union for members.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/goiupat
• YouTubeyoutube.com/GoIUPAT
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoIUPAT
• Instagraminstagram.com/goiupat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Union of Painters and Allied Trades