Politics and Local 26

The PRO Act

A legislative priority for the AFL-CIO is HR 2474, the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and it’s identical version in the US Senate, S. 1306. This legislation, would rewrite the rules around labor law in this country.  The PRO Act was introduced in the US House of Representatives (HR 2474) by Virginia Congressman Robert “Bobby” Scott.  The following MD, VA and District of Columbia representatives have signed as co-sponsors:

Maryland:  Raskin, Cummings, Trone, Brown, Sarbanes, Ruppersberger and Hoyer

Virginia:  Beyer, Luria, Spanberger, McEachin, Connolly and Wexton

District of Columbia: Holmes-Norton

The identical bill was introduced in the US Senate (S 1306) by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA).  The following Senators have signed as co-sponsors:

Maryland:  Cardin, Van Holland

Virginia:  NONE!

Virginia Senators  Tim Kaine and Mark Warner have not signed-on to support this bill. 

Tell them to SUPPORT THE PRO ACT (S. 1306)

Senator Kaine’s Office :  703-361-3192

Senator Warner’s Office:  703-442-0670

View pdf

Call for Action: Help Protect IBEW Apprenticeships
DOL Rule Could Threaten Quality, Safety and Pay in Construction Industry
July 19, 2019

The future of America's construction workers and the integrity of our industry is at risk. A new proposal by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) could drive down training and labor standards in construction registered apprenticeship programs and set off a race to the bottom throughout our industry. And we have a month to stop it.
• In June, the DOL proposed regulations to implement Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs). Unlike the Registered Apprenticeship model, the IRAPs puts the fox in charge of the henhouse. The new IRAP system will give private organizations, such as employers and trade associations, free rein to create new watered-down standards and certify subpar apprenticeship programs.
• While we applaud the government’s interest in expanding apprenticeship opportunities in new industries, IRAPs have no place in construction.
• The proposed IRAP regulations provide a temporary exemption for the construction industry. But this could change when the DOL issues the final version of the regulation. We need to make sure that when the final regulations come out, the construction industry exclusion is permanent.
• The construction industry is, by its very nature, among the most dangerous industries. Workers perform difficult physical labor and are often exposed to extreme temperatures, heavy machinery, and toxic substances. To guard against industry’s inherent dangers and promote first-rate work, workers must receive the highest quality education and training. For over 80 years, Registered Apprenticeship Programs have provided just that.
• The public is also at risk. Having the safest roads, bridges, schools, and utilities, requires the best trained workers with the highest level of skill. Anything less, especially an untested program with lowered training standards will put public safety at risk.
• The proposed IRAPs differ significantly from Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Construction registered programs help recruit, train and retain workers through progressive wage increases; apprentice-to-journeyworker ratios that promote safety; quality assurance assessments by the government; uniform standards; mandatory safety training; instructor eligibility requirements; and transparency requirements. The proposed IRAP regulations abandon the important protections of the registered model and give employers license to implement whatever low-road standards they see fit.
• Second-rate IRAP certifications would undermine the gold-standard that the Registered Apprenticeship Programs have attained. IRAPs in construction would jeopardize both the quality of construction and the safety and security of the construction workforce, weakening every community across the country where these workers reside and are needed.
We have until August 26, 2019 to make our voices heard before the Department of Labor issues the final regulations.
HOW TO HELP: Submit a comment to the DOL at saveibewapprenticeships.org/

Important VA General Election November 5, 2019

All Virginia Senate, House of Delegates and County Board of Supervisors seats are up for election this year!

To VOTE on Tuesday, November 5, 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (General Election)
• Register/Update Address by: Tuesday, October 15, 2019
• Request Absentee Ballot by mail by: 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2019.
• Request Absentee Ballot by appearing in person by: 5:00 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2019

Can’t make it on Election Day?
• Request Absentee Ballot by mail by: 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2019.
• Request Absentee Ballot by appearing in person by: 5:00 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2019

To Register to vote on-line click, go here

Virginia Primary Elections- Local 26 Wins Big!

Local 26-endorsed candidates won big victories in their primaries on election day! These victories open up great opportunities for us to increase our market share in northern Virginia, resulting in more work and improved wages and benefits.

 

All three Commonwealth Attorneys backed by Local 26 won: Steve Descano in Fairfax County, Parisa Dehghani-Tafti in Arlington county, and Amy Ashworth in Prince William County. These were tough races and our support made a difference! They have each pledged to use their position as prosecutors to go after law-breaking contractors who have a business model that cheats workers, robs the government and undermines law-abiding businesses.

 

Local 26 candidates for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors also won their elections. Walter Acorn and Rodney Lusk both toured the Local 26 training facility, and they are committed to supporting union apprenticeships on jobs in the county. Jeff McKay, who won the 4-way primary for Chair of the Board of Supervisors, and James Walkenshaw, have also pledged to work with us to facilitate relationships with developers and high road construction. Importantly, when the General Assembly enacts legislation allowing best value procurement, PLAs, and prevailing wages, these officials will be ready to implement the new laws.

 

Lee Carter, a champion for workers in the House of Delegates, was able to fend off an anti-union challenger with our help.  Lee was targeted because of his introduction of a bill to repeal the so-called “right to work” law, and because he champions unions.

 

Local 26 gave critical support to Dick Saslaw who will be the next majority leader of the state senate. Saslaw faced a tight election, and he has expressed his strong gratitude for our support and he has promised to support measures to incorporate PLAs into all state construction projects.  Senator Barbara Favola also won her primary with our help, and she is reaching out to developers to push for project labor agreements.

 

This initial foray by Local 26 into primary elections is only the beginning of our union’s flexing of its political muscle in Virginia.  Although we have started with Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun Counties, we need to now move more actively into the Valley and the rest of the territory we cover in Virginia.

 

Our involvement in politics is NOT for partisan purposes. Whether a candidate is a Democrat or Republican, the criterion for our support is whether or not they will help our union grow and thrive.

 

We encourage all the members to get more involved in politics in the locality where you live. Form relationships with your elected officials and teach them about how the union offers value to contractors, to the public and to the workforce. 

 

Commonwealth Attorneys

Arlington –Parisa Dehghani-Tafti Win

Fairfax – Steven Descano Win

Prince William – Amy Ashworth Win

 

Fairfax County Board Of Supervisors

Chairman - Jeff McKay Win

Braddock District – James Walkinshaw Win

Lee District – Rodney Lusk Win

Hunter Mills District – Walter Alcorn Win

 

Prince Williams Board of Supervisors

Neabsco District- Victor Angry Win

Potomac District – Andrea Bailey Win

Coles District – Raheel Sheikh Win

Occoquan District – Kenny Boddye Win

Woodbridge District –

Margaret Franklin Win

Frank Principi Lost

 

VA State Senate

State Senate 28 – Qasim Rashid Win

State Senate 31 – Barbara Favola Win

State Senate 35 – Dick Saslaw Win

VA House of Delegates

House District 38- Andres Jimenez Lost

House District 49 – Alfonso Lopez Win

House District 50 - Lee Carter Win

House District 87 – Hassan Ahmad Lost

Your VOTE = Your VOICE, Your RIGHT and Your POWER!

A No vote is a Yes vote for the candidate you don’t want to represent you!

Virginia 2019 General Assembly elections and county board elections--All 100 Virginia House of Delegates and 50 Virginia Senate seats are up for election!

The Primary election is Tuesday, June 11th. Polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The last day to register or to update existing registration for the Primary is May 20th, 2019

The last day to request an absentee ballot be mailed to you is June 4th by 5 p.m.

You can do it all at vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation

Politicians on Our Side

We at Local 26 are bringing in local politicians to show them what we can offer to their constituents in the way of training for a lifetime career in our trade. And also the type of training they should expect in the workforce that is building their projects in their County’s and Communities. We are in a full blown effort to secure more work for our members to be able to support their families for now and into the future.

I'll Be There Award

In November 2018, Business Manager George Hogan presented the DC Jobs with Justice "I'll Be There" award to Washington, DC, Attorney General Karl A. Racine. AG Racine has been vital to the efforts being made by Local 26 to get rid of a BAD Player, Power Design, in contracting in the Metro area. To read more about the efforts Local 26 has made to bring down such nonunion companies, check out the 4th Quarter 2018 IN Charge magazine.