SPECIAL FEATURE ––––––––––––––––––––– Strengthening labor – a strategic objective Shared challenges and optimism emerge through new international forum By Chris Woelfel, Contributor Installation labor groups face the same challenges around the globe: a lack of qualified install- ers, little interest in youth pursuit of the trade, and depressed wages. That key conclusion was the major takeaway as NTCA leaders met with Assoposa, the Italian labor association and the Federation of European Tile Fixers (EUF) in Bologna, Italy, this fall. Leaders representing more than a dozen countries gathered for the meeting at Cersaie at the end of September in Bologna, Italy – the first labor meeting of its kind – to discuss how collaboration among the organizations can benefit the industry both globally and in each nation individually. “Identifying common chal- lenges is the first step in help- ing our installer community in the U.S. develop ways to address the issues we face,” explained NTCA Executive Director Bart Bettiga. Representatives from Italy, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, The Netherlands and the United States were there to give an overview of the state of their labor and express an interest in finding ways to work together. European labor leaders were somewhat surprised that the U.S. has similar issues to theirs and expressed optimism that collabora- tion could help the associations by sharing successes and obstacles. “It’s encouraging for all of us to be sitting at the table for the first time,” explained EUF President Leaders representing more than a dozen countries gathered for a meeting at Cersaie in Bologna, Italy. 70 TileLetter | December 2017