Union Employers are ‘Forever Grateful’, and Hopeful Biden’s Work Will Carry Over

TAUC/Cappella Photography

At a Dec. 11 construction union event, speakers expressed cautious optimism about the industry but raised concerns over the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming change in the Oval Office. Union leaders and contractors commended President Joe Biden’s administration for its contributions to the industry, including the IIJA, CHIPS Act, and updates to the Davis-Bacon Act.

Sean McGarvey, president of North America’s Building Trades Unions, praised Biden’s executive order requiring project labor agreements (PLAs) for federal projects over $35 million, which has resulted in 13 agreements with open-shop contractors. “We in the building trades will be forever grateful for what the president did,” McGarvey said, though he acknowledged the order will likely be revoked under Trump. “What we do know is that on Day 1, President Biden’s executive order on PLAs will go.”

Trump’s labor secretary pick, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., stood out for her pro-labor record. Chris Buckman of BMWC Constructors called her “a surprising choice,” while economist Anirban Basu described her as “one of the most pro-labor Republicans in Congress.”

Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., a self-described “pro-labor Republican,” earned applause when he pledged to defend Biden-era policies like Davis-Bacon updates. “We on the Republican side are getting more pro-labor Republicans,” he said.

While Trump’s administration brings uncertainty, McGarvey emphasized that Biden-era funding will continue to deliver benefits for workers and contractors, as labor remains a key political focus.

“We’re still the pretty girl at the dance,” McGarvey said.

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