Pete Ielmini, the Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Trust, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the possibility of legislature providing more work to union insulators, educating the public on the job of an insulator and how to fight labor shortages in the trades.
Ielmini gave an update on the proposed legislation that addresses the need for mechanical insulation in government buildings, the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act. The bill aims to protect federal buildings from becoming a financial liability by providing a mechanical insulation audit once every four years. The results of the audits could influence additional commerce and put insulator brothers and sisters to work, Ielmini said. The second bill, the Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act, would provide tax rebates to corporations and governments that install mechanical insulation. Ielmini believes this act would increase work opportunities for union contractors.
He also discussed the importance of educating the public on what mechanical insulators do, especially their work in fire-stopping. Because the fire-stopping components of mechanical insulation fight against smoke from fires —the leading cause of death in fires — the work a mechanical insulator does saves lives, Ielmini said. He continued to discuss more benefits of mechanical insulation regarding fire-stopping and how it could track where a fire started.
Finally, Ielmini discussed Labor shortages in the trades. Unions are placing a high priority on training recruits and giving them an opportunity to work. Unfortunately, many trades face a contractor shortage; without contractors, there can be no union work. Quality work creates union contractors, helps workers stay in the industry and can improve staffing with more recruits seeking long-term, well-paying careers.
Listen to the entire podcast to learn more about the Mechanical Insulators: