Solano Sun

WASHINGTON, DC—On June 7, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), co-chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus, introduced the “Manufacturing Partnership Improvement Act” (H.R.3854).

This new legislation would reserve a seat for a representative of a labor union apprenticeship program on the National Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program: A public-private partnership with centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico to support small and medium-sized manufacturers grow their businesses and train, hire, and retain a skilled workforce. Under current law, the National Advisory Board’s ten members must include one community college representative, five small business manufacturers, and two staff of the 51 Manufacturing Extension Partnership Centers nationwide.

The legislation would also improve coordination between the national network of federally funded Manufacturing Extension Partnership Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico with the local offices of the Small Business Administration to help small manufacturers obtain federal financing and the International Trade Administration’s U.S. Export Assistance Centers to support small and medium-sized American manufacturers looking to export. In February 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration’s White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment recommended that union voices be included in all federal advisory committees like the Advisory Board for the Commerce Department’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.

“President Biden is spot on: The middle class built America, and unions built the middle class. My ‘Manufacturing Partnership Improvement Act’ will give union apprenticeships a seat at the table to help smaller manufacturers train, hire, and retain a skilled workforce and unlock federal financing for small businesses looking to sell American -made products to the world. California is the world’s fifth largest economy, and the Bay Area’s advanced manufacturers and startups are building the economy of the future. The federal government can help, and that’s exactly what my bill does,” said U.S. Representative Garamendi (D-CA-08).

“The Manufacturing Extension Partnership has been vital in helping to keep manufacturing jobs in the United States. Giving union members representation on the Advisory Board will ensure workers have a voice in strengthening this important program and building on its success. I’m glad to join Rep. Garamendi in introducing this piece of legislation and look forward to its swift passage,” said U.S. Representative Pocan (D-WI-02), co-chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus.

A senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Garamendi has long championed a “Make It In America” agenda in Congress to bring good-paying, advanced manufacturing jobs back to the United States and rebuild the middle class by training the next generation of skilled American workers to compete in the 21st century.

Garamendi’s “Manufacturing Partnership Improvement Act” (H.R.3854) currently awaits action by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The legislation is endorsed by the following: AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART); International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT); United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC); International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers.

Issues: Economy and Jobs Transportation and Infrastructure 

Original source can be found here