Growing bipartisan support for Mechanical Insulation Act in Congress

Executive Director for the Heat and Frost Insulators Labor Management Cooperation Trust, Pete Ielmini, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act. Ielmini also talked about the ways the LMCT is educating Congress and the work they are doing to bring mental health and suicide prevention awareness and assistance to members of the Insulators Union.

The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act has Ielmini knee-deep in the world of legislation in an effort to get the bill passed. If passed, the bill would require an evaluation of the mechanical insulation in all federal buildings every four years, and it would save millions of dollars, Ielmini said. The bill has bipartisan support, being co-authored by a Democrat and Republican Representative. As Ielmini looks for more support in the House and Senate, many members of Congress are being educated on mechanical insulation.

The bill currently has 10 co-signers, but there’s no minimum requirement. The more supporters of the bill, the better. To further educate members of Congress, the LMCT is hosting a webinar to share the process of a mechanical insulation audit and the savings the government can expect. Addressing the numbers and science behind mechanical insulation is the process required to get the votes needed, Ielmini said.

Transitioning to the work the LMCT and Insulators are working on for mental health and suicide awareness, and Ielmini’s use of a poker chip. On one side of the chip has contact information for resources, and the other has the 988 helpline. At events, Ielmini passes two chips out to each person, one for them and one for someone else. The Insulators also have a program for all members to contact that is 100 percent confidential and helps members get the assistance they need at any time.

To hear more from Ielmini, please listen to the entire show above.