Rapid Response Action Call: Pennsylvania Legislation Threatens Steelworker Jobs!

Click here to download this Action Call as a PDF.

SB 1260, which is currently under consideration in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, is being presented as an electrical licensing bill aimed primarily at the construction industry. However, as currently written, it would affect work that USW members have safely and competently performed for generations in steel mills, manufacturing plants, chemical facilities, paper mills, energy facilities, and other industrial workplaces across Pennsylvania.

The bill's broad licensing requirements would place USW members in the position of no longer being permitted to perform work they have performed safely and competently for years. It could also make it harder for the next generation of workers to gain experience and advance into skilled trades in manufacturing facilities, a pathway that has created good, family-supporting union careers for generations.

We support high standards, training, competency, and safe work. What we do not support is legislation that could unintentionally take work away from experienced union members or interfere with collectively bargained work assignments.

USW has proposed an amendment that would protect employees performing established work directly for the owner or operator of their facility, while still requiring outside electrical contractors to meet applicable licensing requirements.

Our position is simple: Amend SB 1260 to protect our members and their work or VOTE NO.

Read Director Hall's letter to the Pennsylvania's House Committee on Labor and Industry here.

Urge the Speaker of the House and Your State Representative to Amend SB 1260 or Kill the Bill Entirely!

It is critical that you do both of the following as the bill could be voted on this week.

1. Call 1-866-562-3921 to urge Speaker of the House, Joanna McClinton, to NOT bring SB 1260 up for a floor vote unless amended to protect workers in manufacturing facilities.
2. Click HERE to send a prewritten email to your State Representative urging them to vote NO on SB 1260 unless amended to protect workers in manufacturing facilities.

For additional questions or ways to get involved in Rapid Response, contact Don Teets, USW District 10 Rapid Response Coordinator, at [email protected]