Infrastructure package, if passed, will make dramatic and necessary change

October 28, 2021

Home>News>Members Journal>Fall 2021>Infrastructure package, if passed, will make dramatic and necessary change
The bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and reconciliation package, being negotiated as of press time, presents a historic opportunity for millions of Americans and for the labor movement. If and when it is passed, it will represent the largest infrastructure investment in almost a century, with the potential to create a generation of good-paying union jobs and boost economic growth thanks to the biggest labor reforms since the days of the New Deal.
At the same time, SMART is working on making sure Congress gets this package right. That’s why it is essential that Congress passes the bipartisan infrastructure deal and reconciliation package together and that both contain strong labor and worker protections.

If and when it is passed, it will represent the largest infrastructure investment in almost a century, with the potential to create a generation of good-paying union jobs.

This means any project receiving federal support complies with a base of labor standards that include prevailing wage, registered apprentices, the elimination of misclassification and wage theft, and neutrality agreements so that workers are given a fair choice to form or join a union.
The package includes local hire provisions, so wages stay local, and robust funding for school construction, so schools can improve and update indoor air quality and put thousands of SMART members to work.
President Biden proposed $100 billion for school construction and, as of now, that number is fluctuating during negotiations.
Additionally, the House reconciliation package includes rail and transit safety provisions that will keep Amtrak and transit operations fully funded while providing a jumping-off point to enhance safety for America’s railroaders.
See Below For Highlights of Currently Proposed Legislation That Will Have A Direct Impact On SMART Members

HIGHLIGHTS OF CURRENT STATE OF BUDGET RECONCILIATION:
(as of Oct. 25, 2021)

Labor standards on clean energy tax credits:
  • Over $180 billion in clean energy tax credits, with a bonus tax credit for paying prevailing wages & using registered apprentices.
  • New $4,500 tax credit for union-made electric vehicles built in the United States.
  • New $500 tax credit for batteries manufactured in the United States.
Labor law reform:
  • Some of the most significant labor reforms since the New Deal have the potential for being passed in this bill. This includes new civil monetary penalties for existing unfair labor practices committed by employers during union organizing campaigns. The penalties are a dramatic step up from current sanctions and reach $50,000-$100,000 per violation.
  • New civil monetary penalties for new unfair labor practices, which include the holding of captive audience meetings, striker replacements, mis classification, lockouts and compulsory arbitration with fines of $50,000-$100,000 per violation.
  • For the first time, sanctions can be made against individual corporate officers, so directors and company CEOs can be personally liable. For example, if a director knew about an unfair labor practice and didn’t do anything about it, he or she could be held personally liable with significant penalties.
Union dues:
  • In 2017, the Trump administration removed the tax deduction for union dues. In this bill, that deduction is restored with a $250 cap.
School construction:
  • Currently, $82 billion for school construction and modernization is included in this bill.
Registered apprenticeship funding:
  • An additional $74 billion is included for job training that includes the expansion of registered apprenticeships and funds new workforce training programs to fight climate change.
Health and safety that will benefit union members and families:
  • For the first time ever, Universal Paid Leave is included, with up to 12 weeks, along with a $3,000 per child tax credit extended to 2025. This is in addition to universal pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as two years of free community college.
Childcare centers:
  • Over $15 billion is included in this bill to build childcare centers, which includes work for energy retrofits and HVAC systems that will put union sheet metal workers to work.
Affordable housing:
  • There is a $50 billion increase in affordable housing, which includes building energy retrofits & HVAC systems to put members to work.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CURRENT BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LEGISLATION FOR SMART:
(as of Oct. 25, 2021)

  • $550 billion over current spending on basic infrastructure, which is mainly focused on building roads, bridges, airports, electric vehicle charging stations, drinking water, transit, rail/Amtrak and power grid modernization.
Energy efficiency/HVAC upgrades:
  • The bipartisan infrastructure bill includes $250 million to be used for an energy efficiency revolving loan fund, which can be spent on indoor air quality.
  • $50 million for an energy efficiency pilot program for nonprofit buildings to conduct energy efficiency upgrades, including HVAC systems.
  • $500 million for school energy efficiency that can be used to upgrade ventilation.
Transportation funding:
  • $6 billion for Northeast Corridor grants, along with an additional $16 billion for the national rail network.
  • $36 billion for the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail, with $24 billion set aside for the Northeast Corridor.
  • $5 billion for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant program.
  • $3 billion for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program.
  • $50 million for restoration and enhancement of the current rail system.
Amtrak reforms:
  • New stipulation that prohibits contracting out work if current employees who can perform that work are currently furloughed, as well as new requirement that requires Amtrak to staff station agent positions at stations that receive certain levels of traffic.
  • New rules requiring that Amtrak and commuter rail employees who are victims of assault must now be covered by critical incident stress plans and the benefits and protections provided by such plans.
  • To avoid reduction in operating service, a new rule is included that increases the difficulty for Congress to eliminate a long distance route.
Registered apprenticeship funding:
  • An additional $74 billion is included for job training that includes the expansion of registered apprenticeships and funds new workforce training programs to fight climate change.
Health and safety that will benefit union members and families:
  • For the first time ever, Universal Paid Leave is included, with up to 12 weeks, along with a $3,000 per child tax credit extended to 2025. This is in addition to universal pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as two years of free community college.
Childcare centers:
  • Over $15 billion is included in this bill to build childcare centers, which includes work for energy retrofits and HVAC systems that will put union sheet metal workers to work.
Rail safety:
  • The bill requires a National Academies study on the safety of trains longer than 7,500 feet, as well as the requirement that FRA incident reports include information on train length, the number of cars and the size of the crew on board. The DOT must also create a process to better involve stakeholders, including rail labor representatives, in its investigations.
  • Finally, a new rule requires a quarterly report on failures and functions of Positive Train Control technology.

 

SMART members lead in push for infrastructure

On Wednesday, September 23rd, a delegation of San Francisco Local 104 sheet metal workers delivered signatures from members living in U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s district on behalf of SMART SM and TD members across the United States. This photo was taken in front of her office prior to making the deliver y. From left to right: Danny Campbell, Business Representative; Aloysius Cummings, Apprentice; Zhi Zhu, Apprentice.

 
SMART Local 73 sheet metal workers were with the education secretary in Illinois on the return to school road trip. According to LU 73 President and BM Ray Suggs, “using skilled & trained workers for HVAC upgrades & repairs is the key to achieving safe indoor air quality.”

 
SMART Local 33 sheet metal workers joined Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in Ohio to talk about adult education and apprenticeships. According to Local 33 Business Manager Tim Miller, “increasing registered apprenticeship is critical. Skilled & trained workers are essential to safe indoor air quality & making sure our schools reopen safely.”