The federation is organized in state, provincial and local councils. , its funding consisted of an initiation fee, a
per capita tax of 70 cents per member per month, an annual levy, agreements negotiated, sale of supplies and assessments.
Purpose The NABTU was founded as a way to overcome the jurisdictional conflicts occurring in the building and construction
trade unions. It was largely unsuccessful in this task; conflict ended only after the
Taft–Hartley Act largely outlawed
jurisdictional strikes. The NABTU coordinates the activity of building and construction
trade unions belonging to the AFL–CIO by establishing jurisdictional rules, coordinating how work is assigned at construction sites, mediating jurisdictional and work assignment disputes, and coordinating interaction between the AFL–CIO's construction unions and employers. It also coordinates the efforts of local unions in the building trades, including contract negotiations with employer organizations and apprenticeship and training programs. The NABTU also conducts research into construction workplace health and safety issues. It lobbies the
United States Congress and executive branch agencies (such as the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration) on health, safety, wages (e.g., the
Davis–Bacon Act of 1931), and other legislative and regulatory issues. The organization also helps its affiliate unions establish, coordinate and uphold minimum educational standards for apprenticeship and journeyman training programs. The NABTU´s purpose is described in 13 sections as coordination, organization and formation of local councils, apprenticeship training, health and safety practices, dispute resolution and jurisdiction, engagement with industry, negotiations of wage and working conditions, legislative activity, research and public communications helping members to become elected officials. ==Political positions==