Underwood, Secretary of Labor Martin Walsh Lead Town Hall with Northern Illinois Labor Leaders, Discuss Their Work to Bring Good-Paying Jobs to Illinois
WEST CHICAGO – Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin Walsh led a town hall with northern Illinois labor leaders at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union hall in Batavia. Underwood and Secretary Walsh discussed the Biden-Harris administration’s work to bring good-paying jobs to the 14th District, tackle climate change, and protect the rights of workers. The town hall comes just weeks after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which will invest an estimated $18 billion in clean energy production and manufacturing in Illinois, expanding job opportunities for union workers and strengthening local economies.
“I am committed to strengthening unions as we implement historic legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act — which will create jobs in northern Illinois with strong wage and apprenticeship conditions,” said Underwood. “That starts with listening to and learning from labor leaders in my community. Today’s town hall was an opportunity to discuss the progress we’ve made in bringing good-paying union jobs to Illinois, as well as the impact of federal programs that strengthen worker protections and collective bargaining rights.”
“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to lowering costs for American families and rebuilding our nation’s middle class,” said Secretary Walsh. “The Inflation Reduction Act, alongside many other historic pieces of legislation, will create thousands of good-paying jobs in Illinois and in communities across the country. From clean energy jobs to domestic manufacturing, we have an opportunity to strengthen our industries and address the climate crisis, while bolstering worker protections and promoting job quality.”
Photos from the town hall are here.
Labor unions that participated in the town hall include: American Federation of Government Employees; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31; Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308; Bricklayers International Union; Fox Valley Building Trades; IBEW Illinois; IBEW Local 15; IBEW Local 196; IBEW Local 9; Illinois Federation of Teachers; International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150; United Food and Commercial Workers Local 881; National Air Traffic Controllers Association; Painters District Council No. 30; Painters District Council No. 14; Pipefitter’s Local 597; Service Employees International Union (SEIU); and SEIU Healthcare Illinois.
In 2021, there were over 120,000 Illinois workers employed in clean energy jobs. The Inflation Reduction Act will expand these opportunities by providing historic tax credits that help create jobs in solar, wind, storage, and other clean industries. These tax credits include bonuses for businesses that pay a prevailing wage, so that Illinois workers earn a good paycheck as we build a clean energy future.
At the same time, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is creating good-paying union jobs repairing roads and bridges, replacing lead pipes, and supporting clean energy manufacturing. As the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are implemented, the Department of Labor will be focused on protecting workers’ wages and growing workforce training partnerships to ensure that all workers have access to good-paying jobs.
Underwood proudly recognizes the major importance of labor unions for American workers and the greater economy. Underwood voted to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which the House passed in March 2021. The PRO Act would strengthen federal laws that protect workers’ right to organize a union and collectively bargain for better wages and benefits.
###