Sherrill Teams Up with Carpenters To Bolster Labor Voices on State & Local Workforce Development Boards
Edison, NJ — Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) toured the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College’s Edison Training Center today and received a demonstration on the carpentry skills taught at the facility. Afterwards, she spoke with union leaders about her bill,the Expanding Labor Representation in the Workforce System Act, which Sherrill previously introduced as part of her Jersey STRONG Agenda. This bipartisan legislation would expand the level of labor union participation on state and local workforce boards that allocate workforce development and job training funds.
“Today at the carpenters training center, I saw firsthand that the quality of skills and experiences taught and offered here are second to none. To build and strengthen our economy for the future, these workforce development programs will be essential. Unions throughout our state understand the standards needed to succeed in trades jobs and thus it is critical they are at the table when state and local workforce boards make decisions about funding allocations. My bipartisan bill would ensure just that,” said Rep. Sherrill. “I want to thank the Carpenters for inviting me here today and all of our friends in the Building Trades who joined us to advocate for this important legislation.”
“Representative Sherrill continues to advocate on behalf of Union labor in Washington, and her introduction of the Expanding Labor Representation in the Workforce System Act is just the latest example of her commitment towards working families,” said William C. Sproule, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. “It was our Union’s honor to host Representative Sherrill today to tour our state-of-the-art training facility and to participate in a discussion about this important bipartisan effort in Washington which will provide more of a voice for organized labor on state and local workforce development boards.”
Joining the Congresswoman at this event were:
Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
LIUNA
UA Local 475 Steamfitters
Plumbers Local 24
The Seeing Eye, Inc
The Congresswoman and the Carpenters were joined by the Seeing Eye, Inc. who received a decorative dog house built at the training center. Mikie, the Seeing Eye dog named after the Congresswoman, was present. Congresswoman Sherrill was a leading voice fighting for the Seeing Eye dog to become New Jersey's state dog.
Background on the Expanding Labor Representation in the Workforce System Act
This legislation will expand labor representation on state and local workforce development boards from 20% to 30% of board positions.
It will also finally add a definition of “labor organization” to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act that allocates federal job training resources, to ensure that workforce funding is going toward legitimate labor groups.
A Workforce Development Board acts like a Board of Directors for a region’s job training system; it determines the needs of the local job market and employers, delivers resources to those looking for work, oversees One-Stop Career Centers, and manages workforce investment programs in the community. Other members on these boards include employers, educators, and local government officials.
This legislation is co-sponsored by Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Democratic Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05).
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