Delegates heard from Congress’ two highest-ranking friends of labor Sept. 24, as Democratic leaders in the U.S. House and Senate sung the IBEW’s praises and pledged to remain fierce advocates for the union on Capitol Hill.
In video addresses to the 41st International Convention, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jefferies, both New York Democrats, said the IBEW was essential to the narrow passage of historic pro-union bills under President Biden, and they are enthusiastic about how much more can be accomplished if their party wins control of Congress in November.
“When we win back the House of Representatives, we will pass the PRO Act to protect the right to organize, and — always and forever — we will promote Davis Bacon prevailing wage standards,” Jefferies said.
Schumer said the IBEW’s fight for the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and 2022 CHIPS and Science Act is still paying dividends, even as the White House and Congressional Republicans erode the laws’ provisions.
“Right now in New York, union workers are building Micron’s new semi fab, the largest semiconductor plant in the nation,” Schumer said.
Meanwhile, the infrastructure law “has created more building, more construction than we’ve seen in America in decades,” he said. “And I insisted that every federal dollar be spent on union labor.”
Over the past two turbulent years, he and Jefferies said, their party has been battling for workers, good jobs, organizing and bargaining rights, and more — making a few strides and staving off some of the worst attacks.
“So we’re fighting hard, and if Democrats win back the Senate, you ain’t seen nothing yet in terms of good labor jobs,” said Schumer, who also cited permitting reforms and energy legislation benefitting consumers and workers as priorities.
