A MESSAGE FROM THE
A MESSAGE FROM THE OPERATING ENGINEERS UNION Action Alert STOP the Attack on our Training! Greedy, anti-union contractors want to destroy the IUOE Apprenticeship Program THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL) recently released a proposed rule to expand apprenticeship programs in the United States through an Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP). The regulation creates a parallel track of apprenticeship that no longer has to go through the process of registering and maintaining accountability to the DOL’s Office of Apprenticeship or a State Apprenticeship Council. The current proposal excludes construction, and does not allow the parallel system to exist in the sector. But we need to make sure the exclusion stays in place in the final version of the rule. Greedy, anti-union contractors have been using apprenticeship as a way to evade federal and state prevailingwage laws for years. They lie about whether an apprentice is actually registered. It’s the only way a worker on a publicworks project can be paid less than the prevailing wage. If this rule allows IRAPs into construction, there will be a massive hole blown in prevailing-wage laws. We cannot allow this back-door attack on prevailing wages and apprenticeship. The IUOE invests over 0 million in training each year. IUOE Local Unions sponsor 100 apprenticeship and training TAKE ACTION NOW: SaveIUOEApprenticeships.org programs at 127 training sites. If construction were to be included in industry programs, it would allow greedy, antiunion contractors to destroy our apprenticeship programs by lowering our standards, cutting corners, and boosting their profits on the backs of their workers. The anti-union ABC is aggressively lobbying to include construction in the final version of the rule. Unfortunately, the Associated General Contractors adopted the same position. We need every IUOE member to submit comments to the DOL by August 26, 2019. Urge the DOL to keep the exclusion for construction in the industry-recognized apprenticeship program final rule. The International has created a website to assist members in submitting their own comments. It’s easy and takes just a few minutes. Together we can beat back the attacks on our apprenticeship programs by powerful special interests. Don’t let greedy, anti-union contactors undermine our training standards and our prevailing-wage laws! Greedy Contractors are trying to destroy the IUOE Apprenticeship Program We all know that IUOE training means: • Fair Pay Workers who complete an IUOE apprenticeship program earn 0,000 more over the course of a career. • Better Safety Workers who complete an IUOE apprenticeship program are less likely to be injured or lose their life on the job. The IUOE invests 0 million dollars every year creating the best trained workforce in the world. IUOE apprenticeship programs produce highly skilled Operating Engineers who deliver projects ontime and under-budget. But greedy anti-union contractors want to destroy our apprenticeship programs. They are determined to lower our standards, cut corners, and boost profits on the backs of their workers. It’s time to make our voices heard and stop the assault on our training. Visit SaveIUOEApprenticeships.org to learn more and make your voice heard. 6 INTERNATIONAL OPERATING ENGINEER SUMMER 2019 7
