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Biden to Sign Order for Fed Workers 09/06 06:05
President Joe Biden on Friday plans to sign an executive order for federal
grants that would prioritize projects with labor agreements, wage standards,
and benefits such as access to child care and apprenticeship programs.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- President Joe Biden on Friday plans to sign an executive
order for federal grants that would prioritize projects with labor agreements,
wage standards, and benefits such as access to child care and apprenticeship
programs.
The Biden administration is trying to make the case that economic growth
should flow out of better conditions for workers.
"A good job is a job with security and benefits, where workers have the
right to join a union, advocate for better working conditions, come home safe
and healthy, and retire with dignity," said Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su.
Biden is going to a union training center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to
announce the order as the administration has stressed the vital role that
organized labor will likely play for Democrats in November's election. In her
matchup against Republican Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris is
depending on backing from the AFL-CIO and other unions to help turn out voters
in key states.
Trump has tried to make inroads with organized labor as well by having
Teamsters President Sean O'Brien speak at the Republican National Convention.
The Teamsters have yet to formally endorse any candidate, though Harris is
expected to meet with them.
The order would establish a task force to coordinate policy development with
the goal of ensuring more benefits for workers. The administration's funding
for infrastructure, computer chip manufacturing and the development of
renewable energy sources has led to a wave of projects.
By the administration's count, its incentives have prompted $900 billion
worth of private-sector investments in renewable energy and manufacturing.
Those commitments have yet to resonate much with voters who are more focused on
the lingering damage caused by inflation spiking in 2022, but many projects
will take several years to come to fruition.
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