Sheet Metal Workers Local 206 Business Manager and Financial Secretary Dave Gauthier joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the billions of dollars in federal, state and local funds available for school districts to improve air quality systems and what it means to the sheet metal industry.
Local 206 has about 1,000 members in the Greater San Diego area.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, International Sheet Metal Air Rail and Transportation (SMART) Local Unions have lobbied for legislation to increase funding for school districts to improve their ventilation systems, Gauthier said. President Biden made billions in federal funding available to school districts. This is in addition to similar funding offered by California and several local municipalities.
He believes the government funding could create billions of dollars of work over the next few decades for the Union sheet metal industry.
Gauthier also talked about the importance of supporting politicians, regardless of party, who support policies and programs that provide jobs for union members.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.