International Union of Operating Engineers Local 132 Attorney and Lobbyist Justin Williams returned to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the opportunity for work in the Local 132 jurisdiction.
The 4,000 members of Local 132 are ready to work on projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Williams said this funding is a long time coming and is needed to repair roads and bridges.
Thanks to the IIJA, there is a major need for people to join the trades, including becoming an operating engineer. He noted this is a great time for people to start a career that will provide them an opportunity to earn good wages, excellent health insurance and great retirement benefits.
Among the sectors in which members are working is the energy field. Williams said Local 132 has signed agreements with wind project developers to build and repower windmills. Due to the rising price of crude oil, there is also a major push to construct natural gas-fired powerhouses.
In addition to the work outlook, Williams spoke about the political environment in West Virginia.
The legislature just finished their session and the construction industry was able to stop a piece of bad legislation. State senators tried to cut the unemployment insurance from 26 to 12 weeks. This would negatively affect construction workers, who are seasonal workers.
He said members of the West Virginia legislature are starting to slowly acknowledge the repeal of the state’s Prevailing Wage did not work to create jobs. Those politicians who are disconnected from the reality of Prevailing Wage need to be voted out of office, he said.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.