Strong Contingent of Construction Unions at the Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention’s focus on infrastructure in their 2024 platform highlights the ongoing significance of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This act has already funded over 57,000 projects across various sectors such as transportation, clean energy, and broadband expansion, reinforcing the administration's commitment to rebuilding and modernizing the nation's infrastructure.
The platform emphasizes the job creation impact, noting that 880,000 construction jobs have been added under the Biden administration, thanks to the IIJA and the Inflation Reduction Act. These projects are backed by strong labor protections, including Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements and project labor agreements, which ensure fair wages and working conditions for workers. The platform also underscores the importance of Buy America mandates, further boosting domestic manufacturing and job creation.
The convention also featured significant representation from organized labor, with leaders from major construction unions like the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) endorsing the Biden-Harris administration's efforts. They contrasted these accomplishments with the previous administration's unfulfilled promises on infrastructure, highlighting the tangible results seen under current leadership.
In labor policy, the Democratic platform reaffirms support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, a crucial piece of legislation for organized labor that aims to strengthen workers' rights. Despite strong opposition from business groups, the Democrats are committed to advancing this agenda.
While most construction unions have thrown their support behind the Democrats, the Teamsters union, notably absent from the convention’s speaking roster, remains uncommitted to a presidential candidate, reflecting a more independent stance in the current political landscape.
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