ACT-OH

Affiliated Construction Trades of Ohio

Abbreviation	ACT Ohio
Type	Nonprofit advocacy group
Tax ID no.	27-2940966
Headquarters	Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Executive Director	Matthew A. Szollosi
Parent organization	Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council
Website	www.actohio.org

ACT Ohio (also referred to as ACT-OH or Affiliated Construction Trades of Ohio) is a nonprofit advocacy organization linked to the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council. It focuses on matters affecting unionized construction crafts in Ohio, among them prevailing-wage requirements, project labor agreements, apprenticeship training, and related public-policy questions.

The Affiliated Construction Trades Ohio Foundation is classified as a 501(c)(5) organization under EIN 27-2940966. Its headquarters are at 41 South High Street, Suite 2325, Columbus, Ohio. Matthew A. Szollosi, a former Democratic state representative from the Toledo area, has served as executive director since the organization began full operations in 2013.

By 2014 the group was reported as representing roughly 90,000 workers in various construction crafts statewide. Later statements place the figure near 100,000 men and women working under the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council.

Much of the organization's early advocacy centered on defending Ohio's prevailing-wage laws. State lawmakers have repeatedly introduced measures that would allow local governments to opt out of those requirements. Szollosi and ACT Ohio argued that such changes would reduce participation in apprenticeship programs funded by hourly wage assessments and would shift work to lower-wage out-of-state contractors. In 2017 public comments Szollosi stated that labor costs typically constitute about 23 percent of total project costs and that studies showed prevailing wages do not materially raise overall project costs while encouraging the use of trained workers.

The organization also conducts political activity through a political action committee. Contributions and endorsements have been extended to candidates of both major parties when their records aligned with building-trades priorities such as infrastructure investment, opposition to right-to-work legislation, and preservation of prevailing-wage standards.

In early 2014 ACT Ohio made a maximum legal contribution of $12,156 to the re-election campaign of Republican governor John Kasich. Szollosi, who had opposed Kasich's Senate Bill 5 collective-bargaining limits in 2011, cited the governor's emphasis on infrastructure spending that generated jobs for union members on highway and bridge projects, together with attention to apprenticeship training. That same year the group endorsed Democrat Connie Pillich for state treasurer over Republican incumbent Josh Mandel, identifying Mandel's support for right-to-work laws as the decisive factor. The endorsement was described as the organization's first in a statewide executive race.

Through the mid-2010s the organization continued to provide campaign funds to candidates of both parties with the stated goal of retaining influence regardless of which party held power.

Ahead of the 2022 gubernatorial election ACT Ohio endorsed Republican governor Mike DeWine for re-election over Democrat Nan Whaley, parting company with the broader AFL-CIO. Group leaders pointed to DeWine’s infrastructure record, including support for a gas-tax increase that funded highway and bridge work, and his opposition to right-to-work measures. Szollosi stated that the executive board decides solely on the basis of what is best for building-trades members. Former Ohio Democratic Party chairman Jim Ruvolo later observed that construction unions place prevailing-wage protection above nearly all other issues and have directed significant funds to Republican candidates who help block repeal of those rules or can exercise a veto.

In 2023 ACT Ohio lobbied for House Bill 205, which would establish minimum training standards for outside contractors performing temporary maintenance and construction work at Ohio's three oil refineries. Testifying before the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, Szollosi described the measure as centered on worker safety rather than expansion of union ranks. He noted that the construction trades invest approximately $60 million each year in apprenticeship training and that of 272 qualifying training programs in Ohio, 163 were non-union. The bill provided that 65 percent of outside-contractor employees would need to meet Class A standards (completion of a state- or federally approved training program or registered apprenticeship) by 2024, rising to 80 percent the following year, with the balance required to meet Class B standards of at least 6,000 hours of experience.

Day-to-day operations are directed by Executive Director Matthew A. Szollosi. The affiliated foundation has reported annual revenues exceeding two million dollars in recent filings. Those funds support research, educational outreach and legislative activity. The group supplies research and promotional assistance to member locals and monitors regulatory and economic developments that affect the construction industry. Legislative priorities continue to include preservation of prevailing-wage rules and support for project labor agreements that incorporate community-benefit provisions on large infrastructure projects. The organization also partners with schools to develop training pathways for construction occupations such as electrical work, masonry, and heavy-equipment operation.