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Roy Houseman discusses infrastructure, job creation on the Leslie Marshall Show
USW Legislative Director Roy Houseman appeared on the Leslie Marshall Show this week to discuss President Biden’s American Jobs Plan and the opportunity to secure and create good, union jobs as the nation makes long-overdue investments in its infrastructure.
“One of the neat things about the American Jobs Plan is that it’s a recognition that the U.S. has not been spending enough on its infrastructure over the long term,” Houseman said.
Houseman said the plan would set out funds to tackle long-deferred maintenance projects, which in turn would create jobs for workers like USW members who manufacture the quality materials needed for those projects.
“We’re really excited about his proposals, about creating these jobs, and focusing on union jobs.”
Marshall and Houseman discussed not just the physical infrastructure like roads, bridges and waterways that need attention, but also the need to bolster social infrastructure like schools, communications networks and public health systems.
Houseman said Democrats and Republicans need to work together to pass an infrastructure bill that is comprehensive enough to make substantial change in the lives of constituents, both physically and socially.
“The idea here is our infrastructure is too important to go small. And I think that’s one of the big reasons why we want to move forward.”
Click below to listen to the full interview with Roy Houseman and Leslie Marshall about investing in America’s infrastructure:
The Oilworker June 2021
Brothers and Sisters,
Thank you to all of you who have lent your support to our brothers and sisters in Beaumont, Texas in the weeks since ExxonMobil locked them out of their jobs. These hard-working members of Local 13-243 have been standing strong as they keep up the fight for a fair contract that protects their safety, security and seniority.
I especially want to commend those of you who joined Local 13-243 members when they took the fight to ExxonMobil’s front door.
The rally at the company’s headquarters during the May 26 shareholder meeting was a huge success. In addition to drawing much-needed attention to the situation in Beaumont, USW members called for and won greater accountability on corporate lobbying as ExxonMobil shareholders approved a resolution introduced by the USW and seven other organizations.
As we continue to support the locked out workers, I urge you all to pledge your solidarity with Local 13-243 members. You can also contact Hoot Landry rlandry@usw.org or Bryan Gross bgross@usw.org for other ways to help.
Fighting for a level playing field on RINs
Our union continues the fight for a more level playing field under the Renewable Fuel Standard and the “renewable identification number” (RIN) system, just as it did under the Trump and Obama administrations.
The Renewable Fuel Standard was established more than a decade ago to cut down on foreign crude by encouraging the use of domestic, environmentally-friendlier renewable biofuels in our gasoline and diesel fuel. Flaws in the original law have long been a problem, however, and now costs for some of our employers are so high USW jobs are at risk.
With the help of our D.C. staff, we’re continuing our work: lobbying members of Congress, meeting with the administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, working directly with our employers, submitting public comments of regulatory proposals and engaging our allies in the environmental movement.
More Shell sales
In the past month, Shell announced that it would sell two more of its U.S. refineries. On May 24, the company agreed to sell its controlling interest in its Deer Park, Texas refinery to Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex).
On May 27, Shell then announced it would sell its Mobile, Ala., refinery to Houston-based Vertex Energy. We will keep you posted as we learn more about these developments.
Finally, I want to once again remind you that the 2021 National Oil Bargaining Program (NOBP) conference will take place virtually Aug. 9-13. The policy committee has been reaching out to locals, and I am confident this year’s meeting will be a success.
We’re facing some tough fights right now, but together, we will meet them head-on. Thanks for all your hard work and solidarity, and please stay safe.
In solidarity,
Mike Smith
NOBP Chair
mjsmith@usw.org
OSHA’s new emergency standard a big step, fight for worker safety continues
Last Thursday, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the long-awaited Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for health care workers to protect them against the spread of COVID-19.
The union is glad that, after more than a year of advocacy and organizing, these workers will finally have enforceable protections. Far too many health care workers have died since the start of this pandemic, and though the scope of this rule is narrow and does not include all workers, it is a significant step forward.
There is still much work to be done in the fight for worker safety. This pandemic isn’t over, and we must do everything we can as a movement and as a nation to protect all of those who have made great sacrifices and kept America running through one of our darkest times.
To learn all about the ETS, click here.