Action Center News

The OPCMIA’s world-class apprenticeship programs remain under attack. Last year, when the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) proposed allowing substandard IRAPs in the construction industry, more than 300,000 members of the OPCMIA and the other building trades unions sent letters opposing this misguided plan.

On February 5th, the U.S. House made history by passing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act by a vote of 224-194. This urgently needed legislation will empower millions of workers to improve their lives by joining unions because it will level the organizing playing field, which today is steeply tilted toward management.

Threats to the OPCMIA’s world class Apprenticeship Programs have grown as the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) illegally diverted $1.1 million intended for legitimate apprenticeship programs into substandard “Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs” (IRAPs) instead.

The OPCMIA applauds the 127 members of Congress and 45 U.S. senators who signed letters to the U.S. Department of Labor opposing the Trump Administration’s proposed new rule to allow the creation of lower-quality “industry-recognized apprenticeship programs” (IRAPs) and undermine the world-class apprenticeship programs run by North America’s Building Trade Unions.

The United States Government and its hard-working employees — many of them proud union members — must not be held hostage to an erratic president’s recklessness and irresponsibility.