Great Plains Laborers' District Council

September 18, 2019

Welcome

Laborers Local 362 celebrates Labor Day in Bloomington, Illinois

Laborers Local 362 in Bloomington, Illinois had a great turn-out for the Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 2. U.S. Senator Richard Durbin marched with the local. Here's a flickr file of photos from the parade.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/59632003@N07/albums/72157710663273798

Bloomington 362's Tracy Whitecotton WJBC-AM "Laborer of the Year"

BLOOMINGTON – A 25-year member of the Laborers International Union of North America Local 362 has been selected as the WJBC Laborer of the Year. Terrance “Tracy” Whitecotton, leads the Laborers Apprenticeship and Training School in Stanford and has served on the Boys & Girls Club board.

Meatpacking - the problem isn't immigrants, it's companies recruiting them

Eric Schlosser Author of Fast Food Nation Rogelio V. Solis / Associated Press The immigration raid last week at seven poultry plants in rural Mississippi was a perfect symbol of the Trump administration’s racism, lies, hypocrisy, and contempt for the poor.

Celebrating 125 years of Labor Day

As Labor Day comes, many will enjoy firing up the grills, a cold one and perhaps a day of fishing or the kids enjoying the pool. Enjoy it – it is well deserved. It is well deserved because we Americans are a hard-working people. Many don’t take their full vacation allocation and thanks to cell phones, sometimes we never escape work.

CEO pay up 940%, worker 12%

From the Economic Policy Institute https://www.epi.org/publication/ceo-compensation-2018/?utm_source=Economic+Policy+Institute&utm_campaign=fe41cbdd0c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_22_11_12_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e7c5826c50-fe41cbdd0c-58394781&mc_cid=fe41cbdd0c&mc_eid=967348c8be

America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act is a Welcome Investment in Infrastructure

Washington, D.C. (July 30, 2019) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today: LIUNA commends Chairman Barrasso (R-WY) and Ranking Member Carper (D-DE) for their leadership on America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act of 2019.

Safety - One OSHA Inspector for every 79,000 workers

The AFL-CIO released its 28th annual Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect report. This year's report shows that 5,147 working people were killed on the job in 2017. Additionally, an estimated 95,000 died from occupational diseases. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka (UMWA) called for action: This is a national crisis.

$45B construction bill passes

After ten years with no action, the Illinois State House and Senate came together shortly after their scheduled adjournment to pass a $45 billion construction bill, awaiting signature by Governor J.B. Pritzker. “Rebuild Illinois” is the largest construction program in state history.

Nate Silver - Union voters could be decisive in 2020 Presidential contest

Bulletpoint No. 1: The union vote could be key in both the primary and the general election In 2016, unionized workers were essential in helping Hillary Clinton maintain her lead over Bernie Sanders. Although a handful of major unions endorsed Sanders, most of the biggest ones — including the NEA, the SEIU, AFSCME, UFCW and the UAW — endorsed Clinton.

Democratic candidates are "talking union" again

For more than a quarter century, the American labor movement has been struggling to convince Democrats of the value of unions and the crucial role they play in the struggle for social and economic justice.

How "keep it in the ground" anti-energy initiatives harm Laborers' jobs

A report from the U.S Chamber of Commerce and LiUNA - how environmental anti-energy initatives hurt jobs for Laborers. https://www.globalenergyinstitute.org/infrastructure-lost

2019 message from General President Terry O'Sullivan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4Q14-sNuZ8&feature=youtu.be

Infrastructure investement could boost economy by $5.9T

The old saying that you have to spend money in order to make money gained more support on Friday. The Business Roundtable released a report that federal spending of $737 billion over 10 years in infrastructure projects like surface transportation, aviation and water resources could generate an additional $5.9 trillion in gross domestic product over a 20-year period.

LiUNA VP Penn named to Pritzker Infrastructure Transition Team

Chicago, IL — Today, Governor-elect JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor-elect Juliana Stratton announced the formation and members of the transition’s Restoring Illinois’ Infrastructure Committee.

New Congress - time for an infrastructure bill?

In the wake of Democrats’ House takeover and Republicans widening their Senate majority in the midterm elections, talk has quickly revived about taking on infrastructure legislation in the new Congress. Construction industry officials welcome the pro-infrastructure rhetoric from congressional leaders and President Trump.