Tag Archives: Ironworkers

Ironworkers Looking To Train The Next Generation With New Training Program

  By New Hampshire Labor News | April 5, 2013 - 4:00 pm | ,
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IronWorkers International Logo

The Ironworkers is looking for Gen Y leaders to fill positions in the rapidly expanding Ironworking industry.

The Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) announces two all-new courses designed for Ironworker Contractors, scheduled July 15 – 18 in conjunction with the Ironworker Instructors Training Program in Ann Arbor, Mich.

“Project Management” and “Bidding to Win,” IMPACT’s new courses, are designed both to train future construction industry leaders and to help Contractors grow their business operations. With these courses, IMPACT hopes to help fill the thousands of Ironworker jobs needed to repair and renew the nation’s ailing infrastructure in the coming decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job boom will be driven by the “need to rehabilitate, maintain or replace a growing number of older highways and bridges.”

“We train Ironworkers specifically to complete the kind of large, challenging projects that North America needs to build,” said IMPACT Labor Co-Chair Walter Wise. He added that, while Ironworkers are trained, skilled and ready to work, Ironworker Contractors must also ensure their competitiveness with efficient operations to increase their capacity to grow. Wise is General President of the Iron Workers Union.

Many Ironworker Contractors are part of the Baby Boomer generation and are grooming Gen Y employees as their successors. Demographers sometimes refer to Gen Y as the “echo boom” because of the large size of their generation compared to Gen X. By 2020, more than fifty percent of all employees in the United States will be part of Gen Y, which is loosely defined as the generation of individuals born between 1980 and 2000.

“With the shortage of Gen X workers in the construction industry, it is vital that we maintain continuity in our leadership through innovative courses like these,” said IMPACT Management Co-Chair Bill Brown. Brown points out that it’s also vital to maintain superiority in management and construction technique throughout the industry. “These courses are top-notch in terms of reinforcing project management and bidding skills among veteran and new Contractors alike.” Brown is the President of Ben Hur Construction Co. in St. Louis.

Expert construction industry consultants from FMI will lead “Project Management,” July 15 – 16, while IMPACT’s Cindy Quiroz will lead “Bidding to Win,” July 17 – 18.

About IMPACT: The Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) is an independent labor-management partnership designed to create work opportunities in the North American ironworking industry.  Our primary mission is to provide a forum for Ironworkers and Contractors to discuss effective strategies to expand job opportunities through innovative labor-management cooperative programs.  IMPACT provides expertise in training, construction certifications, marketing, construction project tracking and bidding, insurance and Davis-Bacon compliance efforts.  IMPACT also administers a world-class substance abuse program to ensure that Ironworkers are safe, drug-free and ready to work.

Veterans Day Is Not The Only Day We Honor Our Vets

  By Matt Murray | November 11, 2012 - 8:00 am | ,
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helmets to hardhats

Today is the day when the nation stops to honor the brave men and women who have served our country.

Home of the FREE because of the BRAVE

‘Welcome Home’ the two words that every veteran looks forward to hearing.  Now as we celebrate Veterans Day we need to talk about the biggest problem facing veteran, unemployment.

In 2011 President Obama took this problem very seriously and pushed the “VOW to hire Vets Act” which has continued to lower the unemployment rate of veterans to its lowest point in years.

The President is not the only who have taken pride in helping our veterans returning home.  America’s Building Trades have been helping veterans find good careers through their Helmets to Hardhats program.

“Because of their military experience, these guys no longer have the kid in them,” said Doug Williams, Business Manager of Iron Workers Local 433. “They have discipline, can follow instructions and are not afraid to work hard. They are the kind of men we need in our industry.”

The Helmets to Hardhat program is also using returning vets to help heal America’s wounds here at home.  Veterans are currently working on rebuilding the World Trade Center.

“I had just arrived at my duty station when Sept. 11 happened,” says Lawrence Gotti, Ironworkers Local 40, a U.S. Army Veteran. “Being from New York and going through what I’ve gone through, It’s just an honor—it’s a point of personal pride to be here now working on any part of the World Trade Center.”

See the special Veterans Day message from Iron Workers General President Walter Wise

Locally the Iron Workers Union (local 7) have helped many veterans receive the training they need to build a long career as an ironworker.  Last year Shawn Cleary, Business Agent for Local 7, gave a speech at a local ‘Topping Out’ ceremony for graduating Helmets to Hardhats graduates. (Video)

While Helmets to Hardhats is a phenomenal program to help returning vets one organization has been helping vets for far longer.  The US Postal Service has a workforce of over 600,000 people and over 25% are veterans.   Even better is that 8% of the workforce are disabled veterans.  The USPS is one of the largest employers of returning veterans in the country, and now that is in jeopardy.

The funding problems the USPS is facing would reek havok on the workforce.

The Postal Service announced in August that it wants to reduce the workforce by 220,000, and is seeking authority to lay off as many as 120,000 workers.

If 120,000 postal workers were laid off, approximately 26,000 veterans would be affected.

Below is an ad created by the American Postal Workers Union in conjunction with Save Americas Postal Service to highlight these cuts.

As we move away from the Presidential election and into the Lame Duck Congress we have to be very mindful that there are many pieces of USPS recovery legislation that may come up.  Some of the legislation is good and would fix the over-funding of their retirement system, while others would end up closing post offices, and stopping six day delivery.

Working to save our USPS is just another way we can provide our returning vetrans with good careers here at home.

A Special Veterans Day Message From Iron Workers General President Walter Wise

  By New Hampshire Labor News | November 11, 2012 - 6:00 am |
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Throughout the history of the United States and Canada, we have asked our sons and daughters to defend our liberties and keep the flame of freedom burning bright for the rest of the world.

The commitment and sacrifice of these proud Veterans has not gone unnoticed.

Throughout our 116-year history, the ranks of the Iron Workers has swelled with proud Veterans. Their service has not only protected nations—it has helped to build them.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Ironworkers opened our hearts and arms to those returned from Vietnam, saying, “Welcome home, Brother!” And we have reaped untold benefits from their service as Union Ironworkers during the past forty years.

To offer the same opportunities to those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Iron Workers—together with the other 14 building trades—secured federal funding for Helmets to Hardhats, a program that helps Veterans transition from their military duties to career opportunities with fair wages and benefits. But after “no earmarks” erased funding and the Department of Defense would not sacrifice one cruise missile to fund Helmets to Hardhats, it was the building trades, our contractors and our customers who stepped forward to ensure that veterans have access to training and secure jobs after they have served their country so patriotically.

Our Veterans did not serve just one day a year.  They laid their lives on the line, and we should never miss an opportunity to thank them for their service—and for our freedom. The Iron Workers remain steadfast in supporting our men and women in uniform, as well as in our commitment to provide career opportunities to build our great nations.

Thank you, Veterans, for all that you do.

Walter W. Wise

General President

Iron Workers Union

Iron Workers President Wise Sends Post Election Message To Members

  By New Hampshire Labor News | November 7, 2012 - 5:00 pm | , , , ,
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IronWorkers International Logo

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Once again, our faith in democracy and the American people has stood up to the unlimited dollars and fraudulent campaign of the radical right and re-elected President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden to a second term.  Carrying the battle as the only organization truly representing the middle class was the AFL-CIO, and leading the way was the Iron Workers through your hard work and efforts.

I wish to thank every member, their family and friends who voted, your Local Union leadership and volunteers across this nation who made sure that the truth was in the hands and minds of our members.  The cause was just, the battle fierce and your commitment carried the day for Ironworkers throughout North America.  Your voice at the ballot box has given us the tools, and we will use them to expand work opportunities, grow our Union and create a better standard of living for you and your family.

Your support of our Union and the Ironworkers Political Action League proved invaluable during this election.  That intensity, activism and support must continue now through the halls of Congress.  After surviving the obstructionist politics of our enemies during the last four years, we must continue to carry the battle to every Congressman on every piece of legislation to make sure our voice is not stifled.

Ironworkers sticking together gave us this great victory, and Ironworkers sticking together will give us a better future.

Thank you for helping to build our great Union.

 

Walter W. Wise

General President

Iron Workers

www.ironworkers.org

International President Wise of the Ironworkers Talks About the “CHOICE” We Face This Election

  By Matt Murray | October 17, 2012 - 10:11 am | , , ,
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IronWorkers International Logo

Today the President of the IronWorkers, Walter Wise, put out a new message to all of the IronWorkers in America.  ”This election is about choice” he said.  Pres. Wise is absolutely right.  Do we want a President who wants to reinvest our country by rebuilding our nations roads and bridges, therefore putting more workers on the job? Or do we want to elect a President who fights for “corporate people” and the Associated Builders and Contractors?

While this message is directed to the members of the Ironworkers union, it is the same for all people who work in any building trade.

The Presidents Message

As a Union Ironworker, you have a choice to make this Presidential Election.  When President Obama urged Congress to pass a vital infrastructure bill to put more Americans back to work, Romney’s political party said “no.”  Now, where is the investment for our future? The answer is simple: Job-creating infrastructure investments have been blocked by Republican filibusters in the Senate.


A special video message from General President Wise: You have a choice to make in this Presidential Election.

Fairness & Equality For All: A Special Endorsement Message From General President Wise.

American Taxpayer Money Going To Chinese Companies For US Construction Projects

  By Matt Murray | July 29, 2012 - 5:45 pm |
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Chinese Steel AAM

Like many people I do my best to try to buy American made products.  Sometimes it is difficult to do.  Even the replacement parts for my American made Chevy were made in China.  So like I said, I try.  I would also hope that our Government follows these same ideals.  This is not entirely the case though.  President Obama has tried to force more local jobs in Federally funded projects by requiring Project Labor Agreements.  These PLAs help by hiring local workers and use American made products.  Take for example a bridge reconstruction project.  These PLAs would be required to use American made steel.  Sadly this is not the case when it comes to state and local projects.

A short while back the State of California wanted to rebuild the Bay Bridge between Oakland and San Francisco.  The problem is that the Bay Bridge construction project is using Chinese steel.  ABC News did this story on the Bay Bridge Steel.

The Alliance for American Manufacturing’s ‘Should Be Made In America‘ website explains the problem:

The new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and dozens of other major infrastructure projects nationwide are being built with foreign steel and manufactured materials.

Scott Paul, AAM’s Executive Director explains:

That the U.S. needs to repair trillions of dollars in crumbling infrastructure over the next decade, including nearly $500 billion worth in California alone.

From Should Be Made In America.com

These are your taxes going to some other country for products that could have been made here.  Just imagine the boost to the economy if $500 Billion dollars were invested in California.  That money would help hire hundreds of workers.  It would also help the economy nation wide by using steel from the mills throughout the U.S. The Bay Bridge project has also faced extreme criticism and delays. Once again Scott Paul, AAM’s Executive Director explains:

“The problems with the Bay Bridge project could have been avoided if California officials had made it in America. Instead, the project is costing American jobs, undermining California’s environmental goals, and facing numerous delays.”

Many people have asked “Why is President Obama and the taxpayers stimulus money going to Chinese companies?”.  This drew so much attention that FactCheck.Org even responded to these claims.  There is a s simple answer.  He did not.  The State of California rejected the Federal Money.  By rejecting the Federal money the bridge repair would not be mandated to use a Project Labor Agreement or required to use American workers or products.

This is also bad for the taxpayers in California.  The Federal Government offered to pay for a majority of the Bay Bridge construction with stimulus money.  However the State of California declined to use that money.  Hundreds of millions of dollars the Federal Government set aside specifically for road repairs.  Instead the people of California paid for the entire project.  What about all the other projects that could have been done with California tax dollars if they would have used the Federal money to repair the Bay Bridge.  Instead the people of California had their state taxes raised to cover the cost of a project that their Federal taxes would have paid for.

The problems continue in other states.  In Michigan, they are working on plans to reconstruct the Detroit River Bridge.  Again they are planning to use Chinese made steel in the construction claiming a lack of American made steel available.  The AAM responded by saying:

“We are confident that U.S. and Canadian officials will do the right thing, and we will be watching as this project unfolds to continue to stress the importance of using quality, reliable steel from American and Canadian mills.”

Now we need to press the NH Legislature to ensure that the Memorial Bridge construction project is done with local NH workers and American made steel.  At the end of last year, Iron workers from New Hampshire were trying to bring attention to the outsourcing on the Memorial Bridge Project. They even posted this video, to help raise awareness.  Right now the NH Iron Workers are in talks with Archer Western (the project contract winner). So far Archer Western has agreed to hire a union subcontractor to install the rebar for the project.   They are also still in negotiations over the where structure’s steel will come from.

Be sure to keep watching the NH Labor News for updates on the Memorial Bridge project and our efforts to ensure local projects are done by local workers using American products.

Who is the AAM?
The Alliance for American Manufacturing (The AAM), a labor-business partnership that is committed to rebuilding our nation and strengthening our manufacturing base. It’s time to make your voice heard. Tell your leaders that you want your tax dollars to rebuild our nation, putting men and women to work here in America. The blueprint for the future should be Made in America.

“Our (the AAM Should Be Made In America) campaign is designed to spark changes in federal, state, and local procurement policies. We are engaging the American public with real and practical ideas about how taxpayer money should be spent on rebuilding our nation,” said Scott Paul, AAM’s Executive Director.

Machinist Union is Helping Their Community and Yours

  By The New Hampshire Labor News | May 30, 2012 - 10:00 pm |
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I wanted to take three minutes to talk about some of the great work that labor unions are doing in their community.  The International Association of Machinist have been helping to support the Guide Dogs of America program since 1948.  Guide dog help thousands of people who have problems with their vision. The best part is that is all free, thanks to the generous support of the IAM.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the IAMAW, is a large union that is active in more than 200 basic industries as defined by the US Department of Labor. It maintains one or more agreements with almost every major employer in the USA and Canada.
Goals of the IAMAW include: raising wage rates to correspond with the rising costs of living, ensuring equal pay for equal work regardless of sex, race, or national origin, providing a safe and healthy workplace, and securing benefits such as paid sick leave, medical coverage, and retirement/pension funds.
The IAMAW is a strong supporter of Guide Dogs of America and is proud of their role in the founding of our school. We offer our special thanks to the IAMAW for their part in founding our organization and for their continued generosity and dedication since 1948.
If you would like more information about the IAMAW, visit their web site atwww.iamaw.org.

NH Labor News Election 2012: Support for Carol Shea-Porter, Hampton Dems Push For State Rep Seats, and more

  By The New Hampshire Labor News | May 26, 2012 - 7:30 pm | Uncategorized
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Another voter for Carol Shea-Porter

UNH grad, veteran thanks Shea-Porter – NashuaTelegraph.com: “Thanks to former U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter and the post-9/11 GI Bill that she co-sponsored, I graduated from the University of New Hampshire School of Law this month.
Carol is a relentless advocate for today’s veterans. One bill she introduced as a member of the House Armed Services Committee is the reason why the Pentagon ended the practice of military burn pits, a practice that could become the Agent Orange or Gulf War Syndrome of my generation.
Hundreds of American troops became sick from overexposure to toxins released from the burning of plastics in these open air pits in Afghanistan, Iraq and Djibouti.”

State House Elections
Three Hampton Dems take aim at House seats | SeacoastOnline.com: “HAMPTON — Three Democrats have announced they plan to run for state representative seats representing Hampton, saying it’s time to bring “common sense” back to Concord.

Chris Muns, Dick Desrosiers, and Mike Edgar all announced their candidacy during a recent meeting of the Hampton Democrats Committee. The election filing period has not yet begun.

Hampton currently has five state House seats that are under Republican control.

A redistricting plan approved by the House and Senate, which is being challenged in the courts, calls for Hampton to have four seats. The fifth seat would be shared with Hampton Falls and Seabrook.”

State Senate Election


Prescott announces re-election bid | SeacoastOnline.com: “EXETER — District 23 State Sen. Russell Prescott, R-Kingston, announced he is running for re-election.

Prescott said he wants to bring job creation, support for small businesses, and taxpayer-friendly policies to the state.

“During the past term, I am proud of the record that this Senate has created,” Prescott said. “From cutting spending to removing barriers for small businesses and entrepreneurs to grow, my colleagues and I focused on economic issues, and I believe New Hampshire is recovering at a stronger pace than many of its neighbors.”

Prescott cited unemployment numbers in the state and his district to show an effect to the Senate’s pro-growth policies. In the Exeter area, unemployment dropped from 7.4 percent in January 2011 to 5.7 percent in April 2012. In Rockingham County, the rate dropped from 6.5 percent in January 2011 to 5.0 percent in April 2012. Statewide, the rate dropped from 6.2 percent in January 2011 to 4.7 percent in April 2012.

“There is more work to do, but we are going in the right direction,” Prescott said.”

NH Governor Election
My partner in the foxhole of life – Fosters: “Jackie Cilley is my partner in the foxhole of life and we have each other’s backs. After serving in the NH House and NH Senate, she’s now running for governor of our great state. I know from having watched her service up close and personal that she has the backs of all of those who she serves. She’s just made that way. She wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth (anymore than I was). She comes from the mill town of Berlin, N.H., and from a millworking hardworking family. Nobody gave her anything.

I can’t say that I trust a lot of politicians — another one of those lessons learned. However, I’ve lived with a politician and a public servant who is not like any politician you’re likely to meet. She’s clear spoken, she’s passionate and she says what she means (can’t beat that one). The fact that she’s my wife makes me very proud.”

US Congressional Elections
Bass starts re-election campaign in NH – Boston.com: “NASHUA, N.H.—New Hampshire Republican U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass is kicking off his re-election campaign.

Bass is running for New Hampshire’s 2nd District. He’s starting his “Commitment to New Hampshire” campaign on Monday by speaking to the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women at the annual Lilac Luncheon in Nashua.

Stops in Keene, Claremont, Salem, Concord, Littleton, Pittsburg, Berlin and Jefferson are planned for the rest of the week.

Bass served six terms in Congress before losing in the Democratic wave of 2006. He narrowly defeated Democrat Ann McLane Kuster in 2010. She is running for the seat again this year.”

US Presidential Election
John DiStaso’s Granite Status: Obama camp: Romney ‘out of touch’ for saying class size alone doesn’t matter to education quality | New Hampshire NEWS0602: ““Mitt Romney is out of touch with reality and with the needs of our students and teachers,” John Day, a retired 28-year Manchester Central High School English teacher, said during a conference call organized by the New Hampshire Obama campaign. “Every teacher, every parent and really everyone with a little common sense knows that smaller class sizes are better.”

Day said he chaired the English Department at the school for 23 years, and, “I can say unequivocally that when you’re trying to teach, you can’t have huge classes. Students learn best when their teachers are intricately involved in the learning process.”

James Kvaal, Obama campaign policy director and a former deputy undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Education, said Romney’s overall education plan “would take us backwards, just like he did as Governor of Massachusetts” and “would abandon the national commitment to turning around failing schools.””

Fact check: Sununu misfires on Bain ‘jobs’ claim – USATODAY.com: “John H. Sununu, a top surrogate for Mitt Romney, wrongly claimed Bain Capital was “able to save jobs … about 80% of the time” at companies in which it had invested. Sununu was misreading or misrepresenting a Bain statement on revenues, not jobs.”

“Sununu, a former governor of New Hampshire and an early supporter of Romney, spoke to reporters May 22 on a conference call. When addressing Bain Capital, the private-equity investment firm founded by Romney, Sununu said: “About 80% of the time they were able to save jobs at companies.” To compound his error, Sununu went on to say Bain’s record on jobs creation was “certainly better than [Obama's] batting average of trying to save jobs in alternative energy.” But Bain never made such a claim about jobs.”

NH 2012 Elections Update: Odell and Clark Make Move To Senate Seats, OFA-NH Launches New Romney Ad, Romney Goes on Offensive Against Obama on Stimulus Plan, and more

  By The New Hampshire Labor News | May 19, 2012 - 8:00 pm | Uncategorized
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Fuller Clark to run for Senate seat being vacated by Merrill | SeacoastOnline.com:
“During my six terms in the House and three terms in the Senate, I was able to work across party lines to pass legislation on many major issues,” Fuller Clark said in a prepared statement.

Having sat out of state politics the past two years, Fuller Clark said she’s been “appalled” at the lack of good government and by the open manipulation occurring at the Statehouse by what she deems radical out-of-state influences.

Fuller Clark said she would be honored to represent the constituents Merrill has served over the years, as well as once again representing the residents of Portsmouth and Newington.

“I pledge to work in a bipartisan manner to create common-sense solutions to build New Hampshire’s economy, promote jobs and protect New Hampshire’s unique resources — its quality of life and its people,” she said. “I will work to ensure that the voice of the people is not drowned out by the extremists who currently have a stranglehold over our Legislature. As senator, I promise to stand up for New Hampshire values and all that we cherish.”

Sen. Odell to seek sixth term citing importance of continuity in wake of other retirements | New Hampshire NEWS06: “District 8 State Sen. Odell, R-Lempster, will seek his sixth term, he announced Friday morning.

“With the flurry of retirement announcements within the Senate, it seems all the more integral that there are Senators who can provide experience and steady leadership,” Odell said. “I am running because I know that I can be a strong voice for the citizens of District 8 and the people of New Hampshire.”

Odell serves as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and the Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee.

“The Senate received a mandate from the voters in 2010 to get our fiscal house in order and I’m proud to say that we delivered,” Odell said. “While there were some tough decisions that were made, the legislature was able to control state spending without any new taxes or increases.”"

OFA-NH Launches New Romney Attack Video – Portsmouth, NH Patch: “Former Portsmouth Mayor Tom Ferrini and other Obama for America-NH volunteers hope a new video will show how Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney would affect the economy if elected to the White House in November.

Ferrini, a member of the Obama Steering Committee in New Hampshire, discussed the new video that will be featured on RomneyEconomics.com, a new web site that allows the American people to learn the real story of Mitt Romney’s business record.

The website includes case studies of other companies that suffered under Mitt Romney’s management, as well as a breakdown of the questionable business practices used by Mitt Romney and his partners.”

How President Obama Should Frame the Campaign – NYTimes.com: “Mitt Romney is decidedly unpopular. Polling by the Times and CBS News shows his approval rating languishing at around 30 percent. Other polls show voters think President Obama is more likely to have good ideas about improving the economy than Mr. Romney.

Peter Hart, the veteran Democratic pollster, wrote in a memo this week that participants in his focus groups call Mr. Romney “indecisive,” “inconsistent,” and a “flip-flopper.”

“If he were a member of the family,” Mr. Hart wrote, voters would consider him a “dad who is never home.” The most recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, conducted by Mr. Hart and his partner, Bill McInturf, gave Mr. Obama an edge of about 30 points in areas like “cares about average people,” and “compassionate.”

Why, then, is Mr. Romney running even with the sitting president in national polling? Mr. Hart gave Mr. Obama only a 50-50 chance of re-election.”

John DiStaso’s Granite Status: Two more Democrats announce for state Senate seats | New Hampshire NEWS0602: “FRIDAY, MAY 18, UPDATE: TWO MORE DEMOCRATS FOR STATE SENATE. A newcomer to New Hampshire state politics and a political veteran, both Democrats, are running for separate state Senate seats.

Nancy Fraher of Chichester, a Candia elementary school teacher who is retiring next month, said Friday she will run for the District 17 seat held by nine-term Republican Jack Barnes.

Former state Sen. Martha Fuller Clark of Portsmouth announced her candidacy for the District 21 seat being vacated by Sen. Amanda Merrill of Durham.

Fraher said in a statement, “Providing a high-quality education is the most important thing we can do as a state to ensure that our children have the opportunities they deserve for good lives and to ensure that our state can attract the innovative businesses of the future.

“I’ve spend most of my life trying to improve education for our children here in New Hampshire. I am running because I can’t just sit back any longer and watch the Legislature attempt to dismantle public education and the opportunities it provides for our children,” Fraher said.”

LETTER: Obama Understands Our Promise to Veterans – Nashua, NH Patch: “We have had armed forces engaged for longer periods than anticipated, facing worst conditions than anticipated, facing more unusual opposition than anticipated — yet persevering.  We owe these forces the same protection here in this country for which they valiantly fought to serve.

President Obama understands this. Thus, he has worked through difficulties to ensure we provide veterans and their families the care they were promised and the benefits they’ve earned.

President Obama has creating tax credits that encourage businesses to hire veterans easing the transition to civilian life. He expanded educational opportunities for veterans through the post-9/11 GI Bill, and he’s boosted the Veterans Affairs budget every year to ensure that veterans receive timely access to the highest quality benefits and services.”

Mitt Romney chides stimulus spending at N.H. ‘bridge to nowhere’ – latimes.com: “HILLSBOROUGH, N.H. — Mitt Romney rounded out a week focused on what he views as overspending by the federal government with a critique of President Obama’s stimulus program during a speech in front of what opponents call New Hampshire’s “bridge to nowhere.”

Romney has argued throughout the campaign that Obama’s $787-billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was a waste of money that did little to jump-start the economy — and he has charged that the federal government has inflated the job numbers associated with various projects.

On Friday, Romney mocked a project to preserve and enhance the historic Stone Arch bridge, work that was to include new surfacing, construction of parking area and bike trails linking the site to surrounding businesses. “

Statement from the NH AFL-CIO: NH HOUSE LABOR COMMITTEE PASSES WAVE OF UNION-BUSTING BILLS

  By The New Hampshire Labor News | February 22, 2012 - 3:00 pm |
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For immediate release
Contact: Nora Frederickson, New Hampshire AFL-CIO, 603-785-4211
NH House Labor Committee passes wave of union-busting bills
As even Republican and independent voters turn away from Republican agenda, House leadership advances pledge to dismantle NH’s collective bargaining rights law
At a time when the Tea Party-driven Republican agenda in Concord is more unpopular than ever with voters on both sides of the aisle, Chairman Gary Daniels and his allies on the House Labor Committee have ramped up their attacks on working people. In a work session yesterday, the House Labor Committee took another step towards dismantling New Hampshire’s collective bargaining rights law by voting no fewer than five anti-worker bills ‘ought to pass’. 
The work session was complicated by the fact that amendments totally altering the nature of two of the bills were added just prior to the session, forcing legislators to assess them in committee.
The bills voted out of committee included:
  • HB 1677: a new right-to-work for less bill similar to last year’s bill
  • HB 1685: a second right-to-work bill that is a backup in case HB 1677 fails
  • HB 1645: a bill that once repealed collective bargaining rights for teachers, firefighters and other public workers; was stripped and amended in committee to allow employers to lead decertifications of public unions
  • HB 1663: a bill that strips the requirement for a union to be the exclusive representative of a bargaining unit out of the collective bargaining law
  • HB 1237: a bill that gives the Legislature veto power over state and municipal employee contracts
  • HB 1206: a bill that prohibits automatic payroll deduction of union dues, but was stripped and amended to split increases in health insurance 50-50 between employers and employees if a contract expires
“Instead of moving on after last year’s divisive fight over right-to-work for less, the House leadership and members of this committee voted yesterday to neuter New Hampshire’s collective bargaining rights law,” said Mark MacKenzie, president of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO. “Chairman Daniels has admitted that his plan is to throw this handful of bills to the wall and see what sticks. Clearly, they have not listened to the thousands of working men and women in New Hampshire who have pleaded with them to stop attacking workers and move on to fixing the economy and creating jobs.”
The House Committee’s vote comes at a time when the Tea Party-driven Republican agenda in Concord is increasingly unpopular with voters on both sides of the aisle. Over half of New Hampshire voters oppose bills to eliminate or alter the collective bargaining rights law. According to a poll from the Beneson Strategy Group. Since November, Democrats or pro-labor Republicans have won five of five special House elections, indicating that voters will take their frustrations with the Tea Party-driven Republican leadership with them to the polls in November.
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