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News from the Metal Trades

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MTD Joins New Coalition Focused on Creating Jobs and Infrastructure Projects at U.S. DOE Facilities05/15/2020The Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO has joined a new coalition focused on creating jobs and infrastructure projects at U.S. Department of Energy facilities. The coalition, Energy Communities Alliance, is calling on Congress to support a one-time $7.25 billion increase in funding for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) program. In […]...
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Letter to Congressman Scott on the Heroes Act05/13/2020Dear Chairman Scott: On behalf of the Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO, and its 17 International Union affiliates comprised of tens of thousands of shipbuilders and industrial workers employed in private and government shipyards and industrial plants throughout the country, I am writing to commend and strongly support legislation originating from the House Education and Labor […]...
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Congressional MEMO: Federal Employee / Government Contractors Issues (COVID-19)04/30/2020As Congress considers additional measures to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO, urges all members of Congress to conduct collective and individual oversight of current enacted “Cares Act” legislative packages that both Houses of Congress overwhelmingly passed to help American workers. This is necessary as many enacted solutions relating to issues affecting workplace safety and employment conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are not being properly administered or carried out. Congress needs to do even more through legislation to help American workers during this pandemic crisis. However, it behooves the legislative branch to ensure that the new fixes currently enacted and in place are being correctly administered and benefitting the intended targets. I respectfully present the following issues for your information, attention and much needed remedy:...
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Families First Coronavirus Response Act04/28/2020The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. ► PAID LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS Generally, employers covered under the Act must […]...
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In Response to COVID-19 Pandemic: Metal Trades Members and Families Can Complete Bachelor’s Degree for Free This Summer04/27/2020Because of the current economic and health uncertainty facing many of our members, your union is making it possible for all students who enroll through the Metal Trades Low-Cost Degree Program at Central State University this summer to complete their degree with no out-of-pocket costs....
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MTD President Hart Thanks Congress for Nonpartisan Legislative Efforts During Unprecedented COVID Outbreak04/24/2020MTD 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 Size: 273.83 KB Format : PDF Preview Text of the letter: […]...
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A Special Note of Pride and Thanks!04/18/2020Dear Metal Trades Council Member, On behalf of a grateful union and workers throughout the land, I want to salute essential employees everywhere and give a special shout out to North America’s Metal Trades workforce. From my first day as a Metal Trades Representative, I became aware of the special talents and traits that metal […]...
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Coalition Chronicle Highlights MTD’s Role in Saving Philly Shipyard04/16/2020In the April 2020, special edition of the Coalition Chronicle — Report to the National Industrial Base Workforce Coalition — Metal Trades Department President Jimmy Hart’s work on behalf of his members at the Philly Shipyard are spotlighted. The article explains that in 2019, at a Coalition meeting to address U.S. Shipyards and workforce readiness, […]...
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A Message from President Hart: Happy Easter04/10/2020...
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First of its Kind Labor-Management, Government Collaboration Brings Back Major Shipyard from the Brink of Extinction04/08/2020Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO Leads the Way in Putting America’s Shipbuilders Back to Work WASHINGTON, DC-Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO President James Hart announced today that Philly Shipyard, Inc., had been awarded a contract for the construction of up to five (5) National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV) from TOTE Services, LLC. MTD President James Hart said, […]...
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Metal Trades Department President Jimmy Hart is saddened to announce the passing of our esteemed past President Paul John Burnsky04/06/2020President Burnsky passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2020 of pneumonia. He was born on April 7, 1921, in Throop, Pennsylvania, the son of the deceased Anastasia and John Burnsky. Paul J. Burnsky was predeceased by his loving late wife Marian Ian (nee) Smith, whom he married in 1944 and is survived by 5 children, […]...
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ISSUES TEMPORARY RULES IMPLEMENTING THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT04/02/2020On April 1, 2020, the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued temporary regulations on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). The 124-page document largely follows the previously published FAQs by the DOL, but it does set forth some additional clarifications on the requirements imposed on employees asking for leave and the documentation that […]...
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