BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT BROTHERS AND SISTERS, These last four years have been a challenging time for workers. We’ve repeatedly fought measures in Washington that would have jeopardized our wages and benefits. Outgoing President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress tried to block workers from organizing, and undermine retirement security and prevailing wages. Now, thanks to the work of Local 17 members and unions across our nation, we’re in a strong position to reverse this trend. President-elect Joe Biden has promised to defend our retirement security and strengthen pension plans. He’s committed to investing $2 trillion in infrastructure and creating millions of union jobs. Most of all, he’s already appointed over 27 union leaders to his transition teams and in the Department of Labor, with more to come. But we’re not just going to take any politician’s word for it. Whether an elected official is a Democrat or a Republican, we’ll ask the tough questions and make sure that they keep their promises. That’s why we’re keeping the pressure on the Massachusetts Legislature. Some contractors are taking advantage of a dangerous loophole that allows them to underpay workers at off-site prefabrication facilities. We’ve been working with Rep. Tackey Chan and other allies in the Legislature to build momentum to close this loophole. Together, we pushed it further than ever, winning a favorable recommendation from the Labor and Workforce Development Committee this year. When the new legislative session starts in January, we’ll hit the ground running to pass this key reform. For more on our advocacy work, see page 9 of this issue. Whether we’re on the job site or at home for the holidays, it’s important for all of us to follow proper safety precautions and prevent the spread of COVID-19. As cases surge again, we must adhere to all government regulations. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has recently issued new guidelines restricting indoor gatherings to just 10 people and outdoor gatherings to 25 attendees. The winter months will only make COVID-19 more serious. I encourage all of you to take the necessary steps to reduce your exposure and stay safe. As we look to 2021, we’ll continue to stand by our values and make sure that everyone has a chance to work hard and provide for their families. Whether it’s on the job site, at the bargaining table, or at the ballot box, our collective voice will keep our Union strong. In Solidarity,
Bob Butler Business Manager Sheet Metal Workers Local 17
3
