MTD Urges House to Pass H.R. 6
In a letter to the House of Representatives, the Metal Trades Department expressed its support of the the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R. 6).
See the full letter.
31821-HR6support letter
MTD Urges Congress to Assist in Reinstating Obama Era EO
In a letter to Congress the Metal Trades Department has asked leaders to assist the Department in lobbying President Biden to reinstate Obama Executive Order 13495 which was revoked by Trump in 2019.
The Obama EO 13495, “Non Displacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts,” provided some protection to qualified service workers when a government contracts was replaced with a new contract and successor contractor at the same location.
See the full letter
3.16.21 Correspondence to House-Senate Leaders EO Revocation-Restoration 13495
President Hart Pens Letter to Senators Urging Support for IAM Striking Workers at Bath Iron Works
In a letter supporting IAMAW Loal Lodge S6 workers on strike at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, Metal Trades Department President James Hart urged Senators Collins and King to use their resources to “combat against corporate greed and the union busting agenda of the General Dynamics Company, whose untenable actions threaten the national security mission of our country and the social fabric of the Pine Tree State.”
The 4300 workers at Bath Iron Works have been on strike for more than a month.
7.29.20 MTD-Sen King BIW
7.29.20 MTD-Sen Collins BIW
MTD and Its Allies Call on Congress to Pass the Heroes Act
We urge all members of Congress to strongly support the “HEROES ACT” Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act.
June 29, 2020
|
Hon. Mitch McConnell |
Hon. Charles Schumer |
|
Hon. Nancy Pelosi |
Hon. Kevin McCarthy |
RE: “HEROES ACT” Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act
Dear Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, and Leader McCarthy:
The Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO and the undersigned labor unions represent tens of thousands of shipbuilder’s, shipbreakers, harbor construction workers, longshore workers, and other essential port and maritime workers. We build, maintain and operate the ships and facilities that provide our nations supply chain and national defense. We are the American workforce that continues to perform their duties diligently and with distinction, regardless of risk or exposure to COVID-19, ensuring that food and medical supplies are unloaded and delivered to combat this heinous virus.
Unfortunately, a number of our nation’s essential maritime employees have already passed away from COVID 19. Many more in the maritime and its related workforces have been hospitalized due to coronavirus illnesses and now face long term consequences to their health and family finances.
We strongly support the changes in the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act embodied in the “Heroes Act” passed by the House of Representatives on May 15, 2020. The Act, in separate sections, creates a presumption of causation of workplace illness arising from virus exposure for certain federal workers and for workers covered under the Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act. It is imperative that maritime industry “Heroes” receive the temporary or permanent disability benefits provided by the Act, as well as reasonable medical expenses and death benefits. The legislation does not blame employers or insurance carriers for the pandemic. The only legislative requirement of employers is that they comply with applicable safety and health regulations. Employer experience ratings or premiums will not be affected, as insurance carriers are provided relief through the legislation that allows them to recoup losses for COVID-19 related expenses.
This provision among many contained in the “Heroes Act” is an important next step in our country’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, providing compensation and critical health and safety protections for workers. The affiliates of the Metal Trades Department, and their partners in the labor movement, strongly urge the Senate to adopt the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act provision(s) in the House of Representatives Heroes Act.
As you begin to complete your work on the next round of stimulus and worker protection legislation, the undersigned organizations urge you to enact bipartisan policy provisions that will guarantee the health and safety of all American workers.
Sincerely,
Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO
Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO
Federal Workers Alliance
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers
International Longshoremen’s Association
International Longshore and Warehouse Union
International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots
National Association of Government Employees-SEIU
National Federation of Federal Employees
Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ International Association
Laborers’ International Union of North America
6.29.20 SENATE HEROES - CARES ACT SIGN ON LETTER
MTD Joins Multiple Labor Organizations in Letter Calling on Congress to Ensure Voter Access
The Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO joined multiple labor organizations in a joint letter to Congress urging leaders to act swiftly to pass legislation that ensures every eligible voter is able to participate in the 2020 elections amid COVID-19 and that future elections are resilient to national emergencies – including natural disasters and pandemics.
See the pdf of the full letter below.
6-16-2020 Joint Union letter on Racial Justice & Elections
MTD President Hart Thanks Congress for Nonpartisan Legislative Efforts During Unprecedented COVID Outbreak
MTD President James Hart penned a letter to Congress yesterday thanking them for their bipartisan efforts to help American workers and businesses during this unprecedented time. See the text of the letter below. Or download the full letter here.
4.23.20 Congressional Leader Manufacturing Letter
Text of the letter:
Congress has appropriated 2 trillion plus dollars for employers to pay their overhead and employees during this crisis and will very likely have to appropriate billions more. That is what government should do and the members and affiliates of the Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO, are thankful for your nonpartisan legislative efforts during this heinous time of pandemic in our country. The hard work of your respective caucuses have given Metal Trades manufacturing and production employers many of the tools they need to survive this economic crises.
I would like to further commend the Secretary of Defense and the US Navy for steps they have taken to reboot our economy. They have built upon your legislative initiatives, and changed their procurement policies to allow pre-payment to supplier chains to pay their overhead and employees to produce critical components for ships, fighter aircraft and engines. The Navy has added another half billion dollars for advanced procurement. Since these suppliers exist in all 50 states, millions of skilled industrial workers will have a job that will help lead the recovery. Above all, this commitment tells any potential enemy that we are still capable of defending our nation.
Once again, thank you for your time and consideration in addressing the needs of America’s manufacturing workforce during this time of economic distress. Your continued support is greatly appreciated!