Central Ohio's tech boom has building trades poised for growth
Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council (C/COBCTC), joined the America's...
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Executive Director of the Maine Labor Climate Council, Francis Eanes returned to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the veto of one of the two offshore wind bills by Gov. Janet Mills. Eanes also discussed the next steps to get the offshore wind bills passed.
There were two proposed bills relating to the development of the offshore wind industry in Maine. One bill that originated in Congress would ensure that state utilities purchase the wind energy produced. The second bill, originating from the Governor’s office, would handle the development of docks to handle the infrastructure needs of the offshore wind development. After amendments were made to the dock bill that added a Project Labor Agreement into the bill, Gov. Mills vetoed the bill, claiming it would unfairly help unions, Eanes said.
The addition of the PLA language to the bill was made to match the trend of offshore wind developments down the coast. Eanes also pointed out that the infrastructure funding also has similar PLA requirements. The Council argues that no favoritism was shown to unions, as any contractor can bid on jobs with a PLA, they just need to meet the requirements. Increasing the standard of work required has been proven to help protect and improve all workers no matter union affiliation, Eanes said.
The Council is currently working with the Governor’s office to find a way to improve the vetoed bill. It is the Governor’s chance to help reindustrialize many of the cities and counties that were hurt by jobs being sent overseas and show that she stands with workers, Eanes said. By keeping the PLAs in the bill, all workers benefit from a fair and safe working environment. Gov. Mills said, “Maine won’t wait,” to help lead the transition to green energy. If she is going to stand by that and make it a just transition, she will need to find a resolution that works for everyone, Eanes said.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.
America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.
America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers.
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