Part of the day to day work of the IUPAT includes building relationships with like minded organizations within the industries that we represent. These relationships can serve a number of purposes, but are primarily focused on raising the standards within our respective industries to better serve both the members that we represent and the millions of unorganized workers who may be seeking to form or join a union.
IUPAT/AMPP Joint Meeting
Last week in Pittsburgh, PA, senior IUPAT, FTI, and LMCI staff held a joint convening with our counterparts at the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). The meeting was intended to foster a spirit of continued cooperation and collaboration between our various organizations around our shared commitments to raising the bar in the protective coatings industry.
Some of the takeaways from our convening included collaborations in lobbying and government affairs, joint communications, and educational campaigns.
Industry Letter Update
In May, IUPAT GP Rigmaiden sent a letter to the principal officers of the PCA, Sherwin-Williams, PPG Industries, and the NGA around proposals to create alternative apprenticeships or training programs. We are pleased to report that we have met with three of the four organizations and have made significant strides in the spirit of cooperation in our shared industries.
“A few weeks ago, many of you wrote to me voicing your concerns about potential non-registered apprenticeship programs being sponsored by well-respected industry partners. As the General President of the IUPAT, I felt compelled to take action to ensure the collective voices that we represent and those who we have partnered with were heard.
I am pleased to report back to you that we reached out to four organizations and offered to meet and discuss where we could find opportunities to partner in areas where our objectives were aligned. Three of those organizations responded almost immediately and we had very productive dialogue. We found commonalities and areas that we can work together to raise the bar in the industry for all participants. In all of our meetings skilled manpower, training and elevating quality were top concerns. None of the 3 organizations that we met with were interested in a race to the bottom.”
– IUPAT GP Kenneth E. Rigmaiden (Read the full response here)
Legislative Priority Updates
This could be a big week for infrastructure on Capitol Hill. While negotiations on the details of what will be included in legislation continue between Senators of both parties, IUPAT priorities have not changed: we want an infrastructure package that includes long term protections of our infrastructure – including corrosion control standards for bridges and water systems – that also lifts labor standards and ensure that the workers who build our country and keep it moving are able to do so through good, family sustaining careers.
The AFL-CIO Week of Action on the PRO Act is halfway through – click here to find an event near you!