North Coast Area Labor Federation President and United Steelworkers (USW) District 1 Representative Pat Gallagher made his regular appearance on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, as he discussed President Biden’s recent clarifications to the Buy American Act and what it will mean for U.S. manufacturing.
Both the North Coast Area Labor Federation and the USW are thrilled with the Biden Administration’s guidance on the Buy American Act and how it pertains to the infrastructure bill, he said.
The guidance states all iron and steel used in infrastructure projects must be melted and poured in the U.S., as well as mined from U.S. mines. Further, more than half, about 55 percent of the cost of components for all manufacturing products, must be made in the U.S. This will increase to 75 percent by 2029. All construction materials must be made in the U.S.
Biden also tightened up waiver requirements, Gallagher noted. Companies must exhaust every possible avenue before they are granted a waiver, he said.
These requirements will make a world of difference for U.S. manufacturing, especially the steel industry, he added.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about this topic: