Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation (SMART) Local 263 Business Manager Russ Jaeger joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the impact cuts to Iowa’s unemployment benefits have had on the construction industry.
Local 263 represents 350 Sheet Metal Workers in the greater Cedar Rapids, Iowa area.
Jaeger called the Republican-dominated Iowa state legislature anti-union, as it cut unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 16 weeks. He pointed out construction work is a seasonal job in Iowa, and many construction workers rely on those benefits to make ends meet during the winter. He believes the cuts will force some construction workers to take jobs in other industries, which will further exacerbate the construction worker shortage.
Jaeger also talked about how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has created work opportunities in the sheet metal industry to improve ventilation systems.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.