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POLITICAL UPDATE
As we at the Keystone + Mountain + Lakes Regional Council of Carpenters know, election day is not the only way our union is involved in politics. Yes, our members take to the streets to get the vote out and support candidates that share the pro-labor values. However, we also work 365 days a year to hold these candidates accountable and create policies our working families need.
FIGHTING RIGHT-TO-WORK
The ght against right-to-work laws and legislation is an ongoing battle that we are determined to win. In West Virginia, the court battle continues over the 2016 law that was passed by anti-labor politicians. The KMLRCC is focused on this court case and supports its process through the court system. The Virginia Commonwealth has been a right-to-work state ever since the Taft- Hartley Act emboldened states to attack workers rights in 1947. For the rst time in decades, there is a genuine opportunity to elect a pro-labor majority legislature in Virginia. If achieved this
would be a real victory for our hard-working members in one of the least labor-friendly states in the country. Our members will be knocking on doors, phone banking, and voting for candidates that can support the already introduced repeal of the misguided right-to-work practice of Virginia. These possible victories in West Virginia and Virginia will help our union as we continue to push back against politicians that are looking to expand right-to-work legislation in our regions other states.
GAINING MARKET SHARE IN ENERGY
Fighting for workers' rights is an essential step to bettering the lives of our members. Making sure new work opportunities are available through policy initiatives is another. Legislation has been drafted and/or introduced in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that will help protect and create new jobs in the energy industry. Pennsylvania and New Jersey are home to several nuclear power plants that employ many of our members. Our Council provides this industry with highly skilled workers that have safety training certi cations and have passed rigorous security clearances. Ensuring the continued investment from states to protect these jobs as well as the reliable energy they provide to our communities is an important issue that we are proud to work on with elected leaders including New Jersey Democratic State Senator Troy Singleton, Pennsylvania Republican State Senator Ryan Aument, and Democratic Representative Tom Mehaf e. Bipartisan support, along with political pressure from our members, will help pass these bills and protect good-paying jobs.
Progress in renewable energy initiatives will bring additional work to our members.
Progress in renewable energy initiatives will bring additional work to our members. It is our goal to continue educating and assisting federal and state elected of cials as we work towards creating legislation that will spur research and development of the solar and wind energy industries. There is also great news from our shore bordering states with investment taking place and approvals being reported for renewable industry construction. In the State of New Jersey, the Board of Public Utilities has given Danish power company Orsted approval to build wind turbines off the coast of Atlantic City.
Though our political team battles every day to protect workers’ rights, and bring real, good-paying job opportunities to our members, we are stronger when members understand what's at stake and make their voices heard!
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