Jacob Morrison, President of the North Alabama Area Labor Council and co-host of The Valley Labor Report, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the introduction of paid parental leave for state employees, the potential ban on Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and recent “Hands Off" rallies against federal policies.
Morrison began by discussing Alabama's recent legislation granting paid parental leave to state employees, including teachers. The law, effective in July, provides eight weeks for mothers and two weeks for fathers, covering childbirth, adoption, stillbirth or miscarriage. Morrison said the policy passed with overwhelming support, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of supporting working families. Morrison highlighted the role of organizations like Alabama Arise and the Alabama Education Association in advocating for this change, adding that it can potentially improve the lives of state employees and their families.
The proposed legislation to ban PLAs on federal construction projects poses a threat to organized labor in Alabama. Introduced by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), the bill aims to eliminate agreements that set wage standards, working conditions and safety regulations on construction projects. Morrison said PLAs do not exclude non-union contractors but ensure they adhere to union pay scales, ultimately benefiting all workers. He cited studies showing that PLA projects are often less expensive due to reduced rework and delays, countering claims that they are wasteful. Morrison said the potential ban could undermine job quality and wages in the construction industry, further harming the blue-collar workers in the state.
Finally, Morrison discussed the recent “Hands Off” rallies in Huntsville, Ala. The protests drew significant attention, he said, with around 2,000 participants expressing dissatisfaction with federal policies. Morrison noted that this was one of the largest anti-Republican protests he had witnessed in the area, highlighting widespread concern over Social Security and Medicare. The event featured strong union representation, with several labor council-affiliated union members speaking. Morrison emphasized the importance of solidarity among workers, noting that attacks on unions often signal broader threats to the working class.
Listen to the full episode above to hear more from Morrison.
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