Clark Herman, the president of CSPH International, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the growing trend of mining companies signing Project Labor Agreements with local unions. Herman is an expert in labor relations with vast experience on both sides of the Atlantic and globally. He develops and implements successful labor relations strategies between clients and trade unions.
Most mining sites are found in relatively remote areas with no local workforce and operating and repairing mining equipment takes a lot of skilled training. According to Herman, it’s this need for skilled, highly trained labor that leads directly to working with unions.
With no new labor laws since 1935, Herman said labor relations are struggling as the law doesn’t represent the advances made in labor-management over the last 85 years. However, the current climate is beginning to allow for better relationships, and Herman expects drastic improvement in labor management as the trend of mining companies signing PLAs with unions continues.
With the new reliance on US-made goods in the EV and chips manufacturing industries, a new reliance on locally-sourced precious metals has been found. PLAs like the ones in the mining industry open new supply chain options to these manufacturing plants that don’t involve importing the precious metals needed. Not only does the supply chain become better prepared, but unions continue to grow as these new projects will require greater manpower.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.